Karensa's career aspirations include working in agriculture, specifically contributing to the dairy industry as well as science education and communications.

Karensa graduated from The University of Melbourne in 2002 with a B.Sc. Hons (First Class) and completed her PhD in 2008. Her Doctorate Thesis was on A role for insulin to increase milk protein synthesis.

She has been engaged in a variety of roles as a Research Assistant, including working within a research team on a milk production project to establish the milking potential of various ‘alternative' pasture species with responsibility for communicating the outcomes to the local dairy community (at The University of Melbourne, Glenormiston Campus).

Her most recent role before joining the Gardiner Foundation was as a Research Fellow at Deakin University, working on a Dairy Australia funded project investigating lactation persistency in dairy cows.

Paul Ford, CEO of the Foundation, said he was delighted that Karensa had agreed to accept the role as Manager of the Innovation Program, and brought different expertise and new networks of contacts to the position.

The Foundation's 2010 funding round is currently open, and calling for applications to its Capability Building, Innovation and Community and People Development Programs. The closing date for applications is Friday 26 March 2010, 5pm.

Ongoing innovation is critical to the future prosperity of the industry and, as such, supporting investment in this area is key to the Gardiner Foundation.

The Foundation defines innovation as a two staged process, the "research and development" needed to create new science, processes or services AND "commercialisation" whereby that new science, process or service delivers impact at farm, factory, consumer or community level.

Karensa said "I am pleased to have joined the Foundation at this stage in the annual application program, which enables me to participate in the full process which identifies projects for Gardiner funding. This will include discussions with potential applicants, working with the independent team of expert assessors and after Board approval of successful projects, interacting with the project teams as they implement their projects."

Source:  www.getnetworking.com.au