Amanda Chamberlain (21) is one of six students to receive a Bayerboost environmental scholarship of between $3000 and $6000 for summer research projects.
"It's great news. It means I'll be writing my first scientific paper and making my first conference presentation."
Her research will involve an investigation into the live-bearing McCann's skink, a common Otago skink.
Ms Chamberlain, who is in her third year of zoology studies at Otago, will provide the first detailed records of birth in New Zealand lizards.
The data will be used to provide guidance for conservation and captive management of other New Zealand lizards.
"I'm hoping it will help captive breeders dealing with the Grand and Otago skink," she said.
Providing the basis for this work was video footage of childbirth and mother-offspring interaction of 39 skink mothers she took last summer.
The sample size was greater than that of any previous study of this kind worldwide, she said.
"I want to be a researcher, so this is a good stepping-stone."
The scholarships allow students to pursue research over a six to 12 week period, under the guidance of their nominated host organisations.
Bayer spokesman William Malpass said it was exciting to see so many young people dedicated to making improvements in the environment and protecting natural resources.
"These young people are pushing the boundaries of what so many of us take for granted," he said.
