MY Camper Kathryn Carr: Environmentally sustainable science to benefit the humankind
17-year-old MY Camper Kathryn Carr wants to understand how the surrounding world works, and therefore she is interested in the chemistry side of science.
Kathryn is from Auckland, New Zealand, and she is in her final year of high school at the Baradene College of the Sacred Heart.
“I found out about MY Camp while just searching the internet. I wanted to apply because it sounded like an amazing opportunity to travel, meet many young people from across the world, who all share the same interests, and have achieved highly, and take part in something I am passionate about.”
She is also eager to meet the Millennium Technology Prize laureates.
“It will be a once in a lifetime experience, and I expect that we all will learn so much.”
Kathryn is in the Renewable Natural Resources group. Her project is based around algal biomass technology. She came up with the idea after talking to Dr Kirkpatrick at the Auckland University.
“After researching the technology already available I wanted to put it into a real life and useful situation that has relevance to New Zealand industry. The dairy industry is New Zealand’s main export so utilising algae to clean up waste water, use carbon dioxide emissions, and provide fuel instead of fossil fuels is a win-win situation.”
Kathryn is interested in exploiting natural resources without harming the planet. She plans on applying for the Aucland University to study either chemical or environmental engineering. In the future, she would like to use the knowledge she gains to help develop something that is environmentally sustainable, but benefits the humankind.
Besides her ambitious goals in life, Kathryn also likes to sing, and she has been involved with choirs. Her other hobbies include field hockey and floorball.
Link: Millennium Youth Camp
Document: Kathryn´s plan for MY Camp (pdf)
Elisa Lautala works as web editor for University of Helsinki's Faculty of Science. Elisa likes all kinds of cultural events, good books, warm weather, and aqua-jogging.