To broaden and develop our teams’ collaborative skills while offering visiting students the chance to expand their scientific networks and gain cultural experiences, BRT encourages students to join our team for internship opportunities. These internships aim to facilitate idea exchange, foster professional growth, and create opportunities for collaboration.
Recently, we hosted two interns, Shahzaib Ali and Sadia Babar, doctoral students from Pakistan, currently pursuing PhD’s in Agroecosystems at the University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice visit our team.
Shahzaib specializes in phytoremediation and bioremediation of contaminated soils, focusing on radionuclides and heavy metals. Sadia's research centers on wood ash effects on soil properties and recycling agricultural wastes.
Enjoy reading about their experience with BRT!
We recently completed a transformative internship with the Biogas Research Team (BRT) at the Czech University of Life Sciences (CZU). Under the guidance of Associate Prof. Dr. Hynek Roubik, this experience was full of knowledge exchange and collaboration. We chose the Biogas Research Team to explore how our work intersects with biogas production, aiming to contribute to sustainable agricultural practices.
Our internship started with a research presentation, where we had the opportunity to showcase our work to the members of the BRT. This initial interaction set the tone for an engaging exchange of ideas during the rest of our experience. Throughout our internship, we were captivated by the depth and breadth of research conducted by the BRT team.
A highlight of our experience was the comprehensive campus visit led by Marek Jelínek, a BRT PhD student and project manager, who provided insights into the state-of-the-art laboratories and the lush botanical garden. This immersive tour offered a glimpse into the interdisciplinary nature of research at CZU. One of the most rewarding aspects of our internship was the hands-on participation in experimental research activities, particularly the Anaerobic Digestion Batch Test. Through collaboration with PhD student, Abdulazeez Shobajo and postdoctoral researcher and lab coordinator, Dr. Viktoriia Chubur, we conducted anaerobic digestion experiments using a mixture of sugarcane bagasse and cow dung. Our goal was to identify the most effective reactor for the subsequent phase of digestion involving phosphogypsum.
Our time with the BRT was not merely limited to academic pursuits. We were deeply impressed by the culture of collaboration and camaraderie throughout the team. We express our heartfelt gratitude to all members of the BRT for their warm welcome, guidance, and support throughout our internship. As a testament to our dedication to collaboration, we ended our internship by pooling our expertise to contribute to a future publication. This endeavor underscores the commitment of the BRT to fostering meaningful collaborations and advancing scientific knowledge in the field of biomass research.
In conclusion, our internship experience with the Biogas Research Team at the Czech University of Life Sciences was a journey of discovery, collaboration, and growth. Guided by the visionary leadership of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hynek Roubik and supported by a vibrant community of researchers, we emerged with a deeper understanding of biogas research and a newfound appreciation for the power of interdisciplinary collaboration. As we reflect on our internship journey, we are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the BRT's mission and look forward to future collaborations in the pursuit of scientific excellence.
Keep an eye out for more exciting firsthand accounts from BRT interns visiting us from around the globe!
