Erick Oliveira
PIPS Host Organisation: Wild Bioscience
Project Title: Assisting the Plant Genotyping Team

Erick Oliveira worked at Wild Bioscience, a spin-out of Oxford University’s Centre for Plant Science Innovation founded in 2021. He served as an intern in the company’s Carbon Project. In this project soya plants have been altered to sequester and store significant quantities of carbon long-term without a drop in yield performance. Erick was involved in screening and genotyping the transgenic plants. His main activities included:

• Enzymatic assays: Performing enzymatic assays on plant material.
• Chemical assays: Performing acid-based titration reactions.
• Genotyping: Harvesting plant material for sampling PCRs and running DNA gels.
• Tissue culture: Growing plants in tissue culture systems.

During the placement, Erick developed both professional and research skills, along with important career insights. The experience of working in a dynamic and collaborative environment was particularly valuable. He developed strong project management skills, including planning, organizing, and executing tasks efficiently to meet deadlines. The placement also allowed Erick to build a professional network, connecting with experienced professionals and mentors who provided guidance and support.