Australian insects and their relationship with eucalypt trees is part of Ms Anamika Sharma’s studies for her PhD in entomology at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange. Originally from a city in Rajasthan in India, Ms Sharma has always been fascinated with insects and their role in the environment. “I used to work at a forest institute so I have a vast knowledge of trees and insects but this is the first time I’ve worked with Eucalypts and Australian insects so I have a lot to learn.” Ms Sharma will work with academics at CSU and staff at the Orange Agricultural Institute to put together a proposal for her research. “It’s a matter of narrowing down my research to one or two specific species of insects and their relationship with one or two species of Eucalyptus. Then I hope to study their physiological, chemical and molecular interaction to help develop some resistant species of eucalypts.” Ms Sharma has left behind a close family including two elder brothers but is enjoying her time in Orange. “It’s a beautiful place.”