Crystal Sweetman

Postgraduate Student

Contact Details

Academic Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science (Honours)

Research

After studying Biology in my final year of high school, I developed a keen interest in understanding how biological systems work, particularly at the cellular level.  By undertaking a Science degree at Flinders University, I armed myself with a broad biological background, until I began to favour aspects of molecular biology and biotechnology. In my final year of undergraduate study I took part in a small project within the laboratory of Assoc Prof  Kathleen Soole, with a desire to gain further molecular skills in the field of plant biology.  I then completed an Honours degree with Kathleen, in the School of Biological Sciences at Flinders University, studying the alternative pathway of respiration in grape berry suspension cells.  The friendly atmosphere and stimulating work largely influenced my decision to remain at Flinders to begin a PhD project with Kathleen. My current research is part of a larger project concerning metabolism of organic acids in grape berries, and subsequent influences on berry characteristics. This work has future implications in berry flavour and wine-making, and is being co-supervised by Dr Chris Ford from the School of Agriculture and Wine, at the University of Adelaide.

Supervisors

Dr Chris Ford

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