Kirsty Hammond grew up on a dairy farm and wanted to do research that helped farmers.
Now she is hoping the "hot topic" of her PhD will also help the environment.
The 22-year-old Massey University student is investigating how different pasture types influence the methane emissions of cattleand sheep.
Her research will also examine whether altering the composition of pastures can reduce methane produced by ruminant animals.
Hammond grew up in Whakatane and said her dairying background was influential in her decision to focus on methane. "I asked myself, 'How can I help farmers?' This is where I've seen this window."
Though the research is in its infancy, Ms Hammond hopes it may one day reduce NZ's methane emissions and help the country meet its obligations under the Kyoto Protocol.
"It may give an opportunity to produce a type of pasture that may reduce methane yield," she said.
In NZ, livestock are the main source of methane emitted into the atmosphere and Hammond said the country was unique in its heavy reliance on pasture-based farming.
She will work closely with scientists at Massey University's Institute of Veterinary Animal and Biomedical Sciences, and AgResearch's Grasslands facility while doing her research.
She said the work was complicated and would involve many experiments, including using a new chamber at Grasslands that could measure gas emissions from livestock.
AgReseach scientists have already shown that tannins found in some pasture species can reduce methane by up to 16 per cent.
Hammond began her studies at Massey with a bachelor of science in physiology and animal science, and branched into animal nutrition as a fourth-year honours student.
"That's when this hot topic of methane has come to my attention."
Last month the 22-year-old received a a $10,000 scholarship to support her during the three or four years her PhD will take.
The Pukehou Pouto Scholarship is used to fund postgraduate studies in farming or forestry science.
in March, Hammond also won a scholarship from Bay of Plenty Federated Farmers.
