A former student, now a science industry professional, has been instrumental in helping Forth Valley College receive a valuable donation of equipment.
Rachel Hamilton (24) from Clackmannan graduated with a HND Applied Biological Sciences in 2019 and then completed her BSc Hons in the same subject at the University of Stirling in 2021.
But she never forgot the place where she was first inspired into the world of science and when her current employers Cargill – a food ingredients and bio industrial multi-national company with a site in Bathgate - were looking to donate equipment, Rachel was quick to suggest the place where it all started for her.
In her role as a Rapid Technology Application Specialist with Cargill Aqua Nutrition, she visited the College’s Falkirk Campus Science labs recently, to catch up with her old lecturers and technicians and deliver a Gas Chromatography machine – GC Clarus 500 (Perkin Elmer) – which will be put to good use helping to train future science professionals.
A Gas Chromatograph (GC) is an analytical instrument used to separate and analyse compounds that can be vaporized without decomposition. This type of analytical instrument is widely used in chemistry for analysing complex mixtures, verifying the purity of substances, and identifying unknown compounds. At FVC, in room F1.128, staff and students routinely analyse mixtures of alkanes as part of their Instrumental Techniques1 HN Unit, but also in the two-day Advanced Higher Chemistry Course. The instrument can also be calibrated to analyse different compounds for different graded unit projects throughout the year, so the instrument will be very well used!
Rachel is pictured here with the equipment and FVC Science Department Technician Amy Wylie.
Rachel, said: “Looking back, I credit Forth Valley College with not only providing me an excellent education, but also inspiring my passion for technology and innovation. It was more than just a place to study, it was where I discovered my potential and began building the foundation for my future. I would highly recommend Forth Valley College and the Applied Biological Sciences degree.
“I joined the Cargill Cares committee upon starting with Cargill earlier this year and I am so glad I did. The opportunity to be able to give back, especially to those who have helped you along the way as part of your role, is extremely rewarding. It was great to see Amy and Tracey again and it felt like a full circle moment! The laboratory technicians at FVC are fundamental in many aspects of the degree, specifically during graded units.
“I first became interested in chromatography techniques after undertaking my graded unit, with the guidance of one of the technicians – Kenny Kay. As soon as I was assigned the task of updating our lab at Cargill, I knew exactly where the GC would be appreciated.
“The College is always giving, therefore it was amazing to give something back. I am sure Amy, Tracey and team will look after it well and I am ecstatic that Cargill has formed a new, local connection with FVC. I am excited to work together in the future.”
Fiona Jackson, Curriculum Manager in FVC’s Department of STEM and Construction, said: “It is always so lovely to hear from former learners, and even better when they get in touch to give us equipment! I’m so pleased to hear how well Rachel is doing and very touched that she would think of us. A big thank you to her and to Cargill for the equipment, which will be hugely beneficial for our current and future learners.”
Cargill has become one of the largest global suppliers of aqua feed, with thirty-eight specialized production facilities and employees in twenty countries. Cargill, at the Westfield site near Bathgate manufactures superior quality aqua feeds and delivers tailor-made service and logistics solutions to meet their customers’ needs. The feed products produced at Westfield are for salmonids (salmon and trout) which are supplied to salmon farmers in Scotland and around the world.