Building a crossroads for STEM and industry

^{Invergowrie Program intern Jacqui Phelps}

Jacqui Phelps’ learnings from her time at Mallee Regional Innovation Centre will help to influence her choices as she progresses through her studies.

The Centre farewelled Jacqui in February after the University of Melbourne’s Master of Environmental Engineering student completed her regional internship.

Made possible by the Invergowrie Foundation and McPherson Family Trust, the internship program supports women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths).

During her time in the region, Jacqui was able to meet and engage with stakeholders from a range of industries and take on a project focused on industry needs.

^{L to R – Kim Bartlett, Chief Executive Officer, The Invergowrie Foundation, Jacqui Phelps, Rebecca Wells,
Centre Chief Executive Officer and Meenakshi Arora, Associate Professor, Melbourne University}

“Jacqui’s project investigated water and hydrogen in the Mallee,” Centre CEO Rebecca Wells said.

“The project gave her an opportunity to present to industry and take on the challenge of explaining science in a way that is easy to understand – a task she excelled at.

“Other highlights included tours of the Lower Murray Water treatment plant, the Cann Group facility and the SuniTAFE SMART Farm. She was also able to travel to Bendigo and back to Melbourne to attend industry events and meet with organisational leaders.”

Jacqui said working with the Centre had been a wonderful experience.

“It has allowed me to better understand the complex landscapes of academic, industry, and governance, around issues of environment, horticulture, and energy,” she said.

“A crucial element has been learning how science can be communicated in useful ways to ensure maximum impact.

The process of researching and speaking to those in the industry has allowed me to develop a wide range of new skills that I feel will allow me to be a better engineer.

I have also seen how much industry has to offer in development and research.  I believe that collaborative research and innovation will be instrumental in solving the challenges of the future.”

^{Jacqui with Nicole Byrnes, Project Lead-Hort Innovation/Technology, SuniTAFE SMART Farm}