Olivia’s studies focused on biochemistry, genetics, and botany. She is well versed in biological systems across all kingdoms of life, however her postgraduate research focused on plant systems. Olivia works with patent applications across all aspects of the Biotechnology group’s portfolio. She also applies her experience with plant science to securing plant variety protections.

Olivia carried out her honours research at the University of Otago with Associate Professor Lynette Brownfield, investigating transcription factors that play a role in Arabidopsis thaliana pollen development. She then continued her studies with a PhD project focused on the transcriptional regulation of female flower senescence in Actinidia chinensis (kiwifruit), based at the New Zealand Institute of Plant and Food Research, guided by Professor Andrew Allan (FRSNZ) and Dr Erika Varkonyi-Gasic.