Lee is studying Plant and Environmental Sciences at the Australian National University in Canberra, and was selected to participate in the prestigious program funded by the CSIRO, Bayer CropScience and the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC).

The students gain hands-on experience and work alongside scientists at CSIRO laboratories and sites around Australia. They examine fundamental issues facing agriculture, such as increasing crop yields, plant tolerance to diseases and securing the world’s food supply.

CSIRO Plant Industry Chief, Dr Jeremy Burdon, said the program is giving students invaluable experience which is important for Australia’s future.

“The students have a great enthusiasm for science and CSIRO are pleased to offer them the opportunity to apply their skills to the research projects and learn from some of Australia’s leading researchers.

“The CSIRO plant industry summer student program gives them an insight into the career opportunities in science and we hope to encourage them,” Dr Burdon said.

Student Lee Constable has been investigating the DNA sequences of Australian daisies. “I’ve been able to learn techniques that were completely new to me and get an insight into possible career paths in scientific research,” she said.

As well as her science degree, Lee, 21, is also doing of Bachelor of Arts at the Australian National University.

She said she reallly enjoys the laboratory and field work she gets to do as part of her science degree.

She said that she was also very interested in environmental issues and how those issues related to communities.

“I like looking at how environmental issues affect people, how they cause it and how they can be the solution,” she said.

Lee is in her final year of study at the ANU. She started her education at the Galong Public School, then attended Murrumburrrah Public School before completing her schooling at the Murrumburrah High School.

The CSIRO plant industry summer student program is open to all second or third Australian university students studying science. The students spend 10 weeks over summer at CSIRO sites in Canberra, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth and receive a salary.