News Archives: Alecia Sandboe's Summer Experience at GPRC NBDC
Wednesday, November 2nd, 2016
GPRC University Transfer graduate, Alecia Sandboe is heading into the third year of her Bachelor of Science program at the University of Alberta well prepared after spending her summer working in the College’s world-class laboratory.
“All summer I got to work for GPRC’s in Beaverlodge,” says Sandboe who graduated from Sexsmith Secondary School in 2014. “It was a really awesome experience because I got to take what I’ve learned so far in the classroom, and apply it to a real world work in a real world lab.”
GPRC NBDC is the first comprehensive laboratory in Canada to provide a full array of diagnostic services for honeybee pests, pathogens, and parasites.
The centre provides diagnostic services for beekeepers, researchers, agencies and industry with the aim to contribute towards a healthy, sustainable and profitable apiculture in Canada. Additionally, the NBDC is one of 25 Technology Access Centres (TAC) funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council.
“Providing meaningful student opportunities is a main reason GPRC is engaged in applied research and innovation” says Dr. Bruce Rutley, Director GPRC Research & Innovation. “It is particularly rewarding when it’s a GPRC student able to work and learn within GPRC facilities with GPRC faculty and staff. That the NBDC is doing work of national importance with such specialized equipment directly on behalf of industry is a bonus for students like Alecia.”
GPRC NBDC was able to hire two summer students this past year, including Alecia and a University of Alberta student and is looking forward to hiring more in the future.
“I would recommend this summer position to anyone,” says Sandboe. “It was a great learning environment. You weren’t afraid to ask questions, or talk to the researchers to get a better understanding of what was expected of you. Before working at GPRC NBDC I hadn’t completely narrowed down my career path, but after my experience I know that I want to continue down a more research-oriented path in the future.”
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