Applied Research at BCIT is not just about discovering innovative solutions that shape our world. It has also long provided students with a platform to expand their skill sets and challenge them with out-of-the-box projects.
BCIT’s Natural Health & Food Products Research Group (NRG) has provided an interdisciplinary learning environment for students for over 15 years.
“Natural products research is a multidisciplinary field that requires knowledge from chemistry and botany to food and microbiology”, says NRG Researcher Elizabeth Mudge. “Students from different educational programs are able to cross train at NRG and expand their technical abilities beyond the realm of the classroom”.
Student, Wallace Yuen
Just ask Wallace Yuen, a first year Biotechnology student who was employed part-time at NRG throughout the 2014/2015 academic year.
Preeti Pratap, a first year Food Technology student was also employed part-time at NRG.
“Working with NRG has given me an insight of what goes on behind the scenes in a research environment. It has allowed me to apply my knowledge of Chemistry to better understand the process of product development. It gave me the opportunity to develop hands on skills on the new instruments that I got to use during the research.
Student, Preeti Pratap
NRG helped me to develop problem solving skills, analysis techniques and better prepare me for my career as a food technician”.
Under the guidance of NRG Researchers, students are mentored while they assist with ongoing industry contracts and grant funded research projects.
“Giving the students the opportunity to gain hands-on exposure to analytical instrumentation currently used in the industry gives them a competitive edge when seeking future employment”, says NRG Researcher Hong Sy.
Financial support for select instrumentation and lab equipment housed within the NRG laboratories has been provided by Western Economic Diversification and the Canadian Foundation for Innovation.
Written by: Hazrah Moothoo
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