Lachie’s fossicking nets $350k seat at Oxford
An interest which began with fossicking around rock pools in Marlborough as a boy has led to Lachie Scarsbrook being awarded a prestigious scholarship to Oxford University in England.
‘‘I grew up in Kaikoura and my grandmother used to take me out to hunt for fossils and looking for little critters in rock pools,’’ Scarsbrook, 24, said.
The former Roncalli College student has been awarded a $350,000 scholarship by the university – one of 100 worldwide, for his work in paleogenetics, and finding a new species of gecko.
Originally he had applied for a Rhodes Scholarship.
‘‘I got through to the final round [for the Rhodes Scholarship] but didn’t make it and three cool New Zealanders did.’’
However, 130 places remained for another scholarship for those deemed to have academic merit and future potential.
Scarsbrook applied.
‘‘I chucked in my application with 25,000 others.’’
He had been advised if he was successful an email would come through around 3.30am. He has been rising at this time each morning since February to see if he had been successful.
On Saturday the happy news email bounced into his inbox.
The scholarship covers three years of study for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree. Scarsbrook has already graduated with a Bachelor Of Science in science and geology and a Masters of Science in zoology.
He has been working as a research assistant in Dunedin.
Scarsbrook said he was fascinated by his area of study.
‘‘I call it the science behind Jurassic Park. You get DNA from 1000-year-old bones and use the information to aid the conservation of species still alive.
‘‘I love it. You don’t know what story you’re going to tease out with DNA.’’
Once he has completed his studies at Oxford, Scarsbrook hoped to study for a post doctorate degree and eventually become a university lecturer in New Zealand.
Scarsbrook will take up his studies in England in October.
‘‘I call it the science behind Jurassic Park . . . I love it. You don’t know what story you’re going to tease out with DNA.’’
Lachie Scarsbrook