Experiences Abroad: Scotland
Helen Wicks, Animal Science, pre-vet
Sept. 23, 2009

Helen Wicks in front of the Eilean Donan castle in the Scottish Highlands. Parts of the castle date back to the 13th century.

“I had the opportunity to see different farming and agricultural practices throughout Scotland, and I got my first taste of what research is really like.”

Helen Wicks was one of three pre-vet animal science students who participated in summer research internships at the Scottish Agricultural College in Edinburgh. The other two animal science students were Kameron Sullivan and Kristen Byrne.

Pre-vet student Helen Wicks worked with Dr. Kenny Rutherford and his research team at the Scottish Agricultural College Animal Behavior and Welfare Unit, Sustainable Livestock Systems near Edinburgh. Dr. Rutherford said Helen learned techniques for processing pig muscle samples to identify fiber types. He said she also participated in other experimental field research, as part of his on-going research projects.

“Helen was brilliant during her stay with us,” Rutherford said. “She fit right in with our research group, and her farming background was an asset with handling animals.”

Wicks helped with a number of behavior research studies at the pig unit, including the effects of tail docking and stressful environments on pigs. She also analyzed pig muscle samples from the experiments in the histology lab under the direction of Dr. Cheryl Ashworth at the Roslin Institute.

“I gained valuable practical experiences that I only had learned about in theory, such as the routines of laboratory work, data collection and field research,” Wicks said. “Everything I learned about research was very beneficial, especially towards my thesis. I learned proper research procedures and how a lab works.”

In addition to her research, Wicks planned her weekends to explore the country and to learn about Scotland’s cultures and customs.

“During my visit, I had to organize all my own traveling,” Wick said. “Now I feel confident to venture out and travel to other places that I would never have done before.”

Global Studies Program
Dr. Raymond W. Barclay, Director
425 Hotz Hall, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701
479-575-6727 • rbarclay@uark.edu