Martin Cheng - Faculty of Science

“My research focuses on New Zealand's green-lipped mussel, Perna canaliculus, which is an important aquaculture species. My PhD research aims to identify pre-transport treatments that reduce mussels' metabolism, making them less sensitive to stress. By developing these treatments, I hope to improve mussel welfare, product quality, and the sustainability of New Zealand's aquaculture industry. 
 
"I decided to enter an academic poster in the Research Showcase because I wanted to share my research with people who didn't have a similar scientific background. The showcase also presented a valuable opportunity to challenge myself to communicate complex research in a simple and accessible way." 

"It was also rewarding to see how interested people were in my work. Realising that others genuinely care about your research and want to learn more about it made the experience especially enjoyable. 
 
“The most challenging part was explaining my research using simple language. Communicating scientific concepts to people with little or no scientific background can be difficult, particularly when speaking with children who are curious about the research. However, that challenge was also one of my main reasons for participating in the Showcase. 
 
“My advice to anyone considering participating in the Research Showcase is to keep your poster simple and avoid overcrowding it with text. Use pictures, diagrams, and other visuals to help tell your story. Most importantly, enjoy talking with the audience. When people can see your passion for your research, they become much more interested and engaged. 
 
“Creating a poster is also a valuable way to organise your ideas and refine the structure of your research. If your audience can easily understand the story you're telling, your examiners are more likely to understand it too. The Research Showcase is a great opportunity to practise communicating your work clearly while also helping you shape the structure of your thesis.”