You can contact LEARNZ, part of CORE Education, at:
Postal Address:
PO Box 13 678,
Christchurch 8141,
New Zealand
Meet Sarah Cumming
Job:
R&D Team Leader.
Job description:
I work inside the SPATNZ mussel hatchery. I do research inside the hatchery on early life stages of the Greenshell mussel or Perna canaliculus. This ranges from trying to problem solve issues that come up in different larval batches through to optimisation of our processes such as finding better larval or spat diets.
Work background:
I have worked at SPATNZ nearly 6 years. The company and my role have both evolved during that time. I started as an aquaculture technician when we were a team of four and still operating at a small scale within the Cawthron Aquaculture Facility. We now have a huge facility employing 18 staff and are capable of producing 100 kilometres of settled spat on rope.
Favourite part of job:
Working on a cool project with a team of great people who all share a common goal.
Least favourite part of job:
When we lose batches, or tanks, or larvae.
Qualifications:
MSc in Marine Science.
Interests outside work:
Kayaking, running, mountain biking, pottery, reading.
Sarah Cummings working at the SPATNZ mussel hatchery. Sarah is the Research and Development Team Leader. Image: SPATNZ.