Waikato Uni internships attract French biology students
Research into Antarctic springtails, the ecology of tree functional traits, PSA and drought resistance of conifers has
kept three visiting French students busy over the last few months.
Solène Knipping, Manon Lelarge and Miguel Riviere each travelled to the Waikato to undertake internships with the
University of Waikato’s School of Science. The trio’s research will credit towards their respective masters degrees in
France.
Antarctic springtails
Solène Knipping is studying at Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon in France. Here at Waikato University, she is working
with Antarctic researcher Dr Ian Hogg, looking at the relationship between the genetic diversity of terrestrial
(land-based) springtails and the Antarctic landscape. Springtails are small insect-like animals and, at less than 2mm,
are the largest year-round animal species living on the Antarctic continent. They live only in ice-free areas, which
makes their available habitats very isolated and patchy. This research focuses on predicting the response of
Antarctica’s terrestrial habitats to global climate changes.
“The style of study here in New Zealand is not the same as in France. There is much less pressure and stress. People
here are also nice and relaxed, and there are wonderful landscapes to enjoy,” Evolution of tree traits
Miguel Riviere is from Normandy in the north-west of France. He has recently finished the first year of a forestry
masters at AgroParisTech, Paris Institute for Life sciences.
“Between the first and second year of the masters degree, we have the opportunity to take a gap year, during which we
can choose to study, volunteer or do an internship in other countries in exchange for a Certificate of International
Experience,” says Miguel.
Miguel chose to complete an internship at Waikato University, under the supervision of plant ecologist Dr Daniel
Laughlin.
“The first two months of my internship involved helping with field work in urban parks throughout New Plymouth and
Hamilton, as part of an urban forest restoration study, and collecting samples around Nelson, Golden Bay and Waikato for
a project aimed at assessing the evolution of tree traits along a climate gradient throughout New Zealand native
forests.”
The second part of his internship has consisted of two mini-projects included in the trait/climate project. One is to
process and carry out a statistical analysis of data, and the second is to design an experiment on leaf composition.
PSA and drought resistance of native conifers
Manon Lelarge is studying towards a masters degree in eastern France at AgroSup Dijon, an institute that specialises in
agriculture and the environment.
“I’ve always dreamed of visiting New Zealand and, because I’m working in the area of sustainable development and
ecology, I think it was the best place for me to come,” says Manon.
Her research here is with plant biologist Dr Michael Clearwater, and has included working on kiwifruit infected by PSA,
as well as helping a PhD student with her field work on urban forest restoration. “It’s been great as I’ve spent time in
the Taranaki and Waikato regions.”
Her main project consists of measuring the drought tolerance of a number of New Zealand’s unusual native conifers
including collecting samples from Tongariro National Park, processing them in the laboratory and combining her results
with those that have already been collected. “The results will help us understand why some of these trees prefer growing
in harsh, cold and boggy sites, and how
they might respond as the climate changes.”
All three of the students chose New Zealand over the rest of the English-speaking world for very similar reasons. New
Zealand as a whole was chosen for the cultural and outdoor experiences, and the amazing ecosystems the country offers.
They chose the University of Waikato for the strength of research put out by their respective supervisors and for the
great central North Island location Hamilton offers for exploring.
Ends