Graduate internships in industry and government - Annual Report 2024

2 July, 2025

We funded a further ten of our graduates into internships with industry and government in 2024.

Employer	Intern	Project topic
MBIE (Science, Innovation and International Branch)	Anmol Mahendra	Extreme weather research in Aotearoa New Zealand
Daisy Lab	Faiza Arshad	Caseins co-expression
Cleantech Mission	Aljo Anand	NZ Cleantech Report 2024: Making it happen for New Zealand
Scentian Bio	Alaigne Maré	Mimicking nature to extend our sensors from liquid to gas
Sapro-Tech	Grace Drummond	Biopolymer-based coatings for leather substitutes
Liquium	Georgia Richardson	Improve the reactivity of the current Liquium catalysts via a new synthesis process, and examine the mechanistic pathway by identifying and testing possible reaction intermediate species
OpenStar Technologies	Ned Treacher	Experimental plasma physicist
Sapro-Tech	Yubing Mao	Polymer scientist placement
Climate Change Commission	Emma Matthewman	Research needs and opportunities to help Aotearoa New Zealand reduce emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change
Climate Change Commission	Sahil Patel	Investigating ways agricultural waste could be utilised to move towards decarbonisation

Top row, left to right: Georgia Richardson, Grace Drummond, Yubing Mao. Bottom row, left to right: Aljo Anand, Sahil Patel, Emma Matthewman.

Top row, from left: Georgia Richardson, Grace Drummond, Yubing Mao. Bottom row, from left: Aljo Anand, Sahil Patel, Emma Matthewman.

The success of these internships is demonstrated by the positive feedback we've received from both interns and their hosts:

Grace Drummond

Intern at Sapro-Tech, a start-up developing a leather replacement material from mycelia:

"I have participated in each stage of the production, acquiring new skills in the use of biosafety hoods and practices. I have also investigated several variations of the current procedures, with the aim of increasing the strength of the leather-like material. I would like to thank you for this opportunity, and let you know that Dr Keith has offered me a full-time position as Senior Scientist."

Sapro-Tech, Dr Keith Hudson

"The MacDiarmid Institute internship program provided us with a very capable and personable researcher whose skills complemented our existing repertoire. The employment under an internship was also a real advantage as it allowed both parties to assess the situation with an easy exit if it did not work out, for us it did and the intern is now a valuable member of our team."

Anonymous intern

Alaigne Maré, Scentian Bio

"During this internship, I underwent significant personal growth and gained valuable insights into various aspects of professional life. Engaging with stakeholders throughout the project enhanced my ability to communicate effectively and foster teamwork. Moreover, involvement in government operations provided insight into interdepartmental collaboration and report writing, furthering my understanding of organisational dynamics within bureaucratic structures.

Working in such a brilliant team environment underscored the importance of kindness, teamwork, and adaptability in achieving collective goals. Overall, this internship provided a valuable learning experience, equipping me with essential skills for success in academic and professional settings."

Ned Treacher

Intern at start-up company OpenStar Technologies:

"A highlight of my time at OpenStar was being in the control room during the spark of the company's first dipole-held plasma, watching the interferometer I had constructed collect real-time data on the density of plasma present in the chamber."