Region

Waikato

Job

Deborah’s work at AgResearch involves protecting farms against foreign insect invaders like clover root weevil and tropical grass webworm.

Her time at work is spent researching all sorts of pastoral pests that are troublesome to New Zealand farmers. Part of this is about researching the basics of an insect’s behaviour and life cycle, as insects from other countries often respond differently here than their country of origin. As Deborah says, “Knowing your enemy is the key.”

Deborah is also involved in finding effective biocontrol agents that will provide a more sustainable solution to managing new unwanted pastoral pests. This type of work requires a bit of travelling around New Zealand and also overseas. Some of Deborah’s work also involves research into bio-pesticides (e.g., fungal pesticides) which can be used to protect pastoral plants from insect damage.

Career Pathway

Deborah’s science career started early on when she submitted a Science Fair project on particle arrangements at the age of 12. Since then she has gone full circle and she is now on the judging panel at the Waikato Regional Science Fair.

After high school Deborah took a year off to get some ‘real life’ experience and decide what she really wanted to do. Once deciding to enrol in a science degree Deborah continued to work in science/research related fields, and this gave her the practical experience to complement her academic qualifications.

Deborah has a Masters degree with First Class Honours from the University of Waikato.

Deborah has always been interested in science and the environment and although she never thought at the start of her university education that she would be involved in researching insects for a living she is glad with the way things have worked out.

Interests

Deborah enjoys cricket, socialising, DIY projects and travelling (which is complementary to a science career). She feels fortunate to have been able to represent both AgResearch and the University of Waikato at an international conference on Root Herbivory in England.