Membrane technology and its links with water supply fascinate New Colombo Plan (NCP) scholar Denver Linklater.

The Swinburne University of Technology student grew up in the Mallee region of north-west Victoria on a wheat and barley farm near a small town called Speed. Water was vital for the crops and life in general. "I understand the importance of water, having had to take baths in mud until the pipeline came through from the Murray," she said. "I have always wanted to give back to the agricultural industry which is a particular reason for choosing to study biotechnology."

More doors opened through her New Colombo Plan scholarship and Swinburne's Industry Based Learning program. At the beginning of 2015, Denver began a six-month internship at BASF's Global Research Centre in Singapore and worked on an industrial application for membranes. German firm BASF (Badische Anilin und Soda Fabrik) is the world's largest chemical company and operates in more than 60 countries.

Membranes are used in many commercial applications for filtration, purification, selection, isolation and concentration in biotechnology, waste-water treatment, desalination, food technology, mining and other areas.

Denver plans to continue her studies in chemistry and polymer sciences in Australia after she completes her commerce degree in 2016.

She has come a long way in a short time. Denver moved to Mildura when she was 16 to study for her VCE (Victorian Certificate of Education) and continue her piano studies. She also developed a love of running. After gaining her VCE she moved to Melbourne to study at Swinburne.

"Living in Singapore changed me a lot. I am now more confident and career-driven. I feel like I have not just experienced another culture but have been welcomed and accepted by another culture. I definitely think I had an impact on the Singaporean's view of the typical Australian, being somewhat of a nerd and not able to surf at all."