Lilia Jenkins graduated in 2022 with a Bachelor of Agricultural Science with Honours and was awarded both the Driscoll’s Scholarship in Agricultural Science and the Fruit Growers Tasmania Honours Scholarship while studying.
Lilia said the degree sparked a deep fascination with the diverse and complex world of insect ecology and biology and their integral roles in sustainable agriculture. Lilia went on to complete her fourth-year honours with a project that investigated integrated pest management.
Lilia was part of the pandemic ‘virtual classroom cohort’ who faced remote learning challenges and said the experience taught her a new level of appreciation for face-to-face learning.
“Suddenly, the little things I took for granted before gained a whole new level of significance, like chatting to people in the morning over a cup of tea, hiking through the Australian bush, or even getting stuck in the rain during the field work,” she said.
Lilia was a student ambassador for the University and the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, which allowed her to share her knowledge of entomology and inspire the next generation of agricultural science students.
“Effective communication is vital, and I believe it plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between research and public understanding, especially in today's era where we are bombarded with competing information,” she said.
“Now, I am lucky enough to work in a position where I am not only actively involved in entomological research but also have the opportunity to basically talk about insects all day!”
As well as having a keen eye for tiny critters, Lilia is passionate about how agriculture can help to mitigate the challenges of climate change and believes that a shift away from traditional goals and embracing broader perspectives could lead to significant change.
“I think one of the most important goals going forward, especially as an extensionist, is to foster a sense of empathy, understanding, and responsibility towards the challenges faced by agriculture, both on an individual and a societal level, so we can craft innovative and sustainable solutions that address the core issues at hand,” Lilia said.
Lilia followed her passion in the field of entomology, and today works at Cesar Australia as a graduate extension scientist, working in integrated pest management.
“I was offered positions both in private and public sectors. I accepted a job with Cesar Australia as a graduate extension scientist where I’ll be working in integrated pest management which was the subject of my honours project,” Lilia said.