Reuben Dempster

Kia ora!

I am in my first year of study at the University of Canterbury. The many courses at UC that interest me has made it tough for me to nail down a degree path, currently I am doing a conjoint arts and science degree, majoring in biology and politics/international relations and minoring in cinematic arts and economics. At university I am a Hall Rep for the Student Volunteer Army, part of the UC Student Ambassador Program and volunteer on a trapping line for the Enviro Club. In my free time I love going on adventures, meeting new people and trying new things; every weekend I try to get out of Christchurch and go on a venture. Some of the epic things I have been up to in the last couple of years include:

• Receiving a scholarship from the Royal Society of New Zealand to attend European Space Camp with 21 others from around the globe in Northern Norway, the experience gave me a profound knowledge in many areas like the differing cultures we all had, an appreciation of Te Reo Maori culture, working with others and how to travel across the world by myself. It also enhanced my leadership, as I was on of the co-principal investigators and the leader of the sensors team.

• Being selected and going through the stages of Blake Inspire in 2023 and Blake Expedition in Fiordland in 2024, where we assisted with science on board the University of Otago research vessel. The journeys of the many postgraduate students and professors on board were inspiring to me as they all took different turns and have all had some amazing opportunities. Like my trip to Northern Norway, I revealed the opportunity to experience remote and beautiful places as part of a small team.

• Spirit of Adventure - on voyage 890 I learned more about myself and what my strengths and weaknesses are, and how my leadership style fits in with others.

• At the Marlborough Region Science Fair, my friend Zac and I presented a board about Neptune's necklace (Hormosira banksii) and how it’s present ecological niche is likely to change due to changing water temperatures in the future. We received Best in Fair, Above and Beyond, the Statistics Prize, 2x Gold Award and Wilson Award for Sustainability.

I am a well-rounded individual who strives in science and making a positive difference in the world. Once I graduate I would like to do postgraduate study overseas and continue pursuing my many passions and specifically hone in on my skills in science/communication. My ultimate goal is to help humanity by becoming an astronaut and advancing our combined knowledge in the fields of astrobiology, however, I am open to other opportunities and career paths that align with my values