I completed a two-month research internship from 1 May to 30 June 2026 under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Hien Van Doan, Ph.D., at the Department of Animal and Aquatic Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Thailand. The internship focused on applied research in aquaculture nutrition, microbial ecology, and biofloc systems, particularly feeding trials investigating the synbiotic effects of prebiotics and probiotics in Nile tilapia cultured under biofloc conditions. The experimental diets included functional additives derived from fermented agricultural by-products and plant-based compounds, including fermented Napier grass and polyphenol-rich ingredients.
During the internship, I participated in experimental diet preparation, feeding-trial management, monitoring of fish growth and health, and assessment of water-quality parameters, including temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and ammonia. I also gained practical experience in collecting water, biofloc, intestinal-content, and tissue samples and applying molecular techniques such as DNA extraction, PCR, qPCR, and droplet digital PCR. In addition, I contributed to data recording, preliminary analysis, interpretation of experimental findings, and scientific discussions with the research team. This experience strengthened my practical and scientific skills in aquaculture experimentation and microbial analysis and supported future research collaboration between Chiang Mai University and the University of South Bohemia.
The internship was undertaken within the Erasmus+.
