Smart Specialisation team - Elena

Elena Nauta joined the GS3 team at Food & Fibre Gippsland (F&FG) in December 2020 as an Industry Placement Program participant through Federation University, and has continued working on the Sustainable Emerging Commodities (Seaweed and Insect Farming) stream of GS3 as a Graduate Project Officer upon the completion of her placement in July 2021 and Bachelor of Food and Nutritional Science in December 2021.

Elena Nauta

Elena is passionate about food right down to the molecular level and has a particular interest in sustainable and innovative new food ingredients; the opportunity to research and advocate for two exciting new farming industries in Gippsland (seaweed and insect farming) for human consumption aligns closely with her interests and is a dream career role.

When asked about what she loved most about her role with F&FG working on the GS3:

“I love the collaborative, thorough approach of gathering evidence and multiple perspectives to inform project direction and progress, which is a key component of GS3.

Coming from a science background, I also love seeing how innovative and exciting scientific research/ideas are translated into projects that have region-wide benefit and impact.

Being able to research and discuss ideas/concepts that are at the forefront of innovation in the food industry worldwide and bringing them home to Gippsland is an incredible opportunity to be apart of, and I’m really excited to see what happens in this space in 2022.”