William Edwards
PIPS Host Organisation: Ohly Gmbh, Hamburg, Germany

Overview of the Placement

For three months, William undertook the role of an all-purpose technician/researcher at Ohly, as part of the bio-nutrient’s excellence team within the broader innovation/R&D department. This team specialized in developing new and improved applications for the company’s products, demonstrating that their various yeast extract products were superior to competitors’ as media components for culturing industrially relevant microorganisms, such as Bifidobacterium.

Responsibilities and Experiences

During the placement, William ran fermentation experiments on both small and large scales and provided general assistance on other projects undertaken by the team. The experience of working in Germany presented an exciting challenge and allowed William to develop new skills. The use of bio-fermenters and the knowledge gained about the process of industrial-scale fermentation will be beneficial for culturing organisms during his PhD.

Career Insights and Development

Furthermore, the placement offered invaluable insights into potential career paths and provided a chance to experience the culture of industrial science. This exposure has been instrumental in shaping William’s understanding of the industry and his future career aspirations.