In this short interview with Olga Szczepanik she summarises her experience in Denmark and her scientific internship at the University of Copenhagen. She is a doctoral candidate at the University of Agriculture in Kraków and an active member at the Kraków School of Brewing, It’s all about the tech, and all about the ride!
1. Olga, why did you choose the University of Copenhagen for your scientific internship?
UoC is a professional, known and valued scientific institution. It also has the necessary equipment for my new research, the results of which I would like to publish in the first authorial publication of my doctorate. Our University (University of Agriculture in Kraków) cooperates closely with the University of Copenhagen as part of the EJD FoodSci project, thanks to which it was possible to establishing contacts and cooperation.
Copenhagen
2. What do you do on a daily basis during your internship?
I performs measurements of the oxidative stability of beer, using the ESR method (Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy). This is a very interesting, but also labor-intensive method, I test each beer sample for 140 minutes, measuring every 10 minutes, and I have close to 50 to examine.
3. What information about beer can be obtained thanks to the analysis you perform?
The analysis tells me about the antioxidant potential of the tested samples and about the rate of oxidation reaction taking place in them.
4. What beers do you study during your internship?
In my experience I check whether cold hopping affects the oxidative stability of beer. I test commercial cold hopped beer samples (both Polish and American hop varieties) and non-ground beer samples. I want to check how oxidation reactions occur in such beers.
5. How do you like it in Denmark and Copenhagen?
Copenhagen is a beautiful and very friendly city. In the cycling capital of Europe I was enchanted by its buildings, beautiful, neat parks scattered all over the city and of course, the facilities for cyclists, thanks to which we are able to explore the whole city by bike.
6. Would you recommend an internship abroad? What do you get out of this experience?
Definitely! This is my first internship abroad, but I’m sure it won’t be the last. First of all, I have the opportunity to work with modern equipment and cooperate with people who specialise in analysis that I perform here. I really learned a lot. Such a stay also allowed me to improve my knowledge of English, meet new, inspiring people and a city I’ve never been to before. I honestly recommend this experience to everyone! 🙂
