“Untangling a bit of knowledge on a topic to come up with a clearer picture of what is happening in a particular phenomenon.”

This is what AgResearch Metabolism & Microbial Genomics Senior Research Scientist David Pacheco rates as one of the most enjoyable parts of his work on studying the way ruminants use their food for the things they do: growing, fighting disease and producing milk and offspring.

David says curiosity drew him to a career in science as a child.

“I was always curious about how things work.”

“One of my favourite books as a child was a book that explained how things work; what makes a plane fly or an engine power a car.”

“And the most fascinating machines in terms of their inner workings are the machines designed by nature; it’s pretty clever how a plant can transform solar energy into biomass, or how a cow can harbour millions of bugs that help to digest her food.”

David says his love for science started to develop when he first started school.

“Right from primary school my favourite subjects were the natural sciences and later I became fascinated by Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics at high school.”

“Wanting to know more about these things meant I read a lot but I found that eventually you end up asking yourself some questions that books can’t answer; to me that is the natural progression towards becoming a researcher, the quest to answer previously unanswered questions.”

“So maybe a kid in the future will read a book that will elicit new questions and keep us going in our quest for understanding.”

David says the opportunities for travel are also a great part of a career in science.

“I have been fortunate enough to have seen the world thanks to my work, I am originally from Mexico but I have lived in New Zealand and Canada for extended periods of time.”

“Science has become a collaborative effort around the globe and therefore scientists have the chance to see the world while working.”

In David’s opinion there are two main reasons that a career in science is so important to the future of New Zealand and the wider world.

“One is to find answers to practical questions such as how can milk be produced more efficiently or how disease can prevented or cured and the second aspect is more about the philosophical benefits of understanding ourselves and the world we live in.”

When asked to sum up what makes a career in science different to other careers David does it in one word, diversity.

“Even in our highly focussed sections the range of research projects and capabilities is enormous; in AgResearch we have people looking for answers about plants, cows, bacteria and parasites.”

“Diversity is also present in the cultural makeup of AgResearch staff; I like that diversity in science because it is an environment that provides intellectual challenges.”

David also carries his love of diversity into his life outside of AgResearch with a wide ranging taste in hobbies.

“I like an interesting book, I read books on many topics, both fiction and non fiction, enjoy listening to music ranging from classical through Spanish pop to 80’s heavy metal, play squash, doing some DJ work on a local student radio station and I also enjoy cooking, particularly Mexican food.”

“I enjoy re-discovering things through the eyes of my twin girls.”

“It is the diversity, one day I am running round the squash court and the next I am reading a book and listening to Chopin, diversity is good, it keeps me from getting bored.”