Category: Awards

2020 Scholarship winners

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There was considerable competition for the 2020 scholarships with nine applications received for the NZPPS Research Scholarship, five for the Dan Watkins Scholarship in Weed Science and six for the Phytophthora Scholarship (a one-off award from the profit of the Phytophthora Symposium held at Stanford Plaza in August 2019). Applications were of a high standard. Congratulations to the following winners:

NZPPS Research Scholarship: Danielle Kok who is a PhD student at Massey University. The title of Danielle’s research project is “ABAtE: Active Bacteriophages for AFB Eradication”. This scholarship is $3,500.

The Dan Watkins Scholarship in Weed Science: Jesse Rubenstein who is a PhD student at Lincoln University. Jesse’s research project is “Assessing the risk of weed seed contamination within New Zealand’s seed for sowing industry”. This scholarship is $5,000.

2020 NZPPS Phytophthora Scholarship: Sarah Killick who is PhD student at Auckland University. The title of Sarah’s research project is “The physiological effects of Phytophthora agathidicida infection in kauri” The scholarship is $5,000.

More details about our scholarship winners and their projects will be included in the March 2021 newsletter.

A previous winner, Matt Denton-Giles, writes about the benefits of winning a scholarship below.

NZPPS Benefactor Dr George Mason honoured

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NZPPS benefactor Dr George Mason was presented with an ONZM by Governor General Dame Patsy Reddy this afternoon. George was awarded this prestigious honour for his services to conservation, philanthropy and the community. Over the last 25 years, George has donated more than $5 million to scholarships, educational funding and grants through the George Mason Charitable Trust. One of these grants is the annual Dan Watkins Scholarship in Weed Science, which is administered by the NZPPS. George established this scholarship in memory of Dan Watkins and to recognise Dan’s contribution to weed science within New Zealand. Dan was a leading figure in the early weed science research arena within New Zealand and was a co-founder of the New Zealand Weeds Conference (forerunner of the NZPPS). The aim of this Scholarship is to encourage research into the biology and control of weeds in New Zealand.

Agcarm Outstanding Contribution Award – Claire Mills

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This award recognises [NZPPS Executive member] Claire Mills’ contribution to Agcarm and the wider industry. She is a strong contributor – participating in working groups, and is proactive with issues management. She provides feedback on regulatory performance and helps the Agcarm team with industry advice. Claire’s position as Technical and Development Manager at ADAMA allows her to “play to her strengths”, says her manager and Chief Executive of the company, David MacGibbon. She manages to operate at a strategic level and is effective at working with farmers, growers and industry to find solutions to agronomic problems. This has seen her cement some enduring relationships within the sector. “Claire has a holistic approach to crop protection, incorporating her experience in agrichemicals, integrated management systems and nutrient management, which has enabled her to add value and provide tangible benefits for clients,” says David. “Claire’s personal motivation, goal-orientation and eye for detail ensure that she is a valued, respected and enjoyed member of the ADAMA team.”

Excerpt from the Agcarm Input Newsletter

NZPPS Research Scholarship 2019

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Kiran Horrocks is the recipient of the 2019 NZPPS Research Scholarship. Kiran is currently enrolled at the University of Auckland completing a PhD in Biological Sciences. The title of his research project is “Kamikaze wasps for short term classical biological control: can sterilising female samurai wasps mitigate non-target risks and assist in eradication of the brown marmorated stink bug?” The scholarship is $3,500 – congratulations Kiran.

Dan Watkins Scholarship in Weed Science 2019

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Brenda Lowry is the recipient of the 2019 Dan Watkins Scholarship in Weed Science. Brenda is currently enrolled at Massey University completing a PhD. The title of her research project is “Biology and control of old man’s beard (Clematis vitalba) The scholarship is $5,000 paid in two installments – congratulations Brenda.

NZPPS Travel Award 2019

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Joel Vanneste received $2,500 to attend to participate and attend the 10th International Pseudomonas syringae Conference in Akureyri, Iceland in June 2020. Congratulations Joel.

NZPPS Emerging Speaker Award 2019

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The emerging speaker award is for those who are presenting a paper at the NZPPS conference for the first time. At the 2019 conference, the winner of this award was Michal (Kooki) Kuchar from the BioProtection Research Centre at Lincoln University. Michal gave a paper on “Virulence of the plant-associated endophytic fungus Lecanicillum muscarium to diamond back moth larve” Congratulations Kooki.

New Zealand Plant Protection Medal – Prof Richard Falloon

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Richard Falloon is an internationally recognised plant pathologist, renowned for his research and management skills, his ability to communicate with audiences from scientific peers to industry groups, and as a domestic/ international student supervisor.  He has demonstrated multidisciplinary approaches to control of soil-borne diseases, collaborating with agronomists, soil scientists and plant breeders. He is the world expert on Spongosphora subterranean, the pathogen causing potato powdery scab.

Richard has demonstrated extensive international and national leadership in plant pathology and protection. He was the President of the International Society for Plant Pathology, the Australasian Plant Pathology Society, and the NZ Plant Protection Society. He was Co Editor-in-Chief, Phytopathologia Mediterranea, Editorial Board member of Plant Pathology Journal, and Honorary Scientist, Korean Rural Development Administration. He has received numerous invitations to present keynote papers at international conferences, and was on the organising committees for the 50th NZPPS Conference; the 8th International Congress of Plant Pathology, the 7th World Potato Congress; and the 4th and 9th Australasian Soilborne Diseases Symposiums. 

While Richard’s achievements have been widely recognised, we consider it entirely fitting that the New Zealand Plant Protection Society also recognises his outstanding contribution to plant protection science by awarding him the New Zealand Plant Protection Society Medal.

Where are they now? – Mike Cripps

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NZPPS have been awarding the NZPPS Research Scholarship for 30 years and to celebrate the Executive thought it would be interesting to have a “Where are they now?” section in our Newsletter and on the website.

Our first contributor is Dr Mike Cripps, who received the NZPPS Research Scholarship in 2006.

I was awarded the 2006 NZPPS research scholarship during my PhD for work related to biological control of Californian thistle (Cirsium arvense). Rather uniquely, my current work is essentially on the same topic.

After my PhD, I spent a couple of years as a postdoctoral scholar investigating potential extended effects of endophytes of pasture grasses in New Zealand. That was an interesting deviation from my primary research interest in biological control.

In 2012, I joined AgResearch where I investigate biological control options for weed management, with a current focus on thistle weeds. Over the past few years I have been evaluating the effectiveness of the biocontrol beetle, Cassida rubiginosa (green thistle beetle), that was released against Californian thistle during my PhD.  Now, over a decade later, I have reported on the first signs of success of this biocontrol agent. The continuity of research has been rewarding and productive.

When I received the scholarship in 2006 I would have never thought I would be still be working on the same subject over 10 years later (or even still living in New Zealand). It’s interesting to consider how the scholarships awarded today will impact New Zealand plant protection in the decades to come. I would encourage current students to apply for NZPPS scholarships, and to present their research at the society’s conferences.

Mike Cripps, Scientist, AgResearch

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