Boost for science students
The Governor's Environment Scholarships have been awarded to three science students.
The scholarships are available to students undertaking an honours or masters project, in any faculty, which relates to management of the environment.The Governor of Tasmania, the Hon. Peter Underwood AC, presented the recipients with their scholarships.
His Excellency is a patron of the scholarships which are sponsored by the Tasmanian government and business organisations.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Peter Rathjen, congratulated the students on their achievements. "The array of important projects we see here is testament to the university's strength in scientific research.
"These three students are conducting work that will contribute to an existing body of scientific work and potentially have a major impact on environmental management in Tasmania.
"I also note that when applying for these scholarships, the recipients not only stated their desire to achieve Honours, but specified their desire to achieve First Class Honours.
"Their ambition and preparedness to work hard at their studies is very heartening and no doubt they will reach that goal."
Information about the recipients and their Honours projects:
Mr Dylan Belworthy-Hamilton, Masters of Applied Science (Marine Environment) (Honours) in the National Centre for Marine Conservation and Resource Sustainability at UTAS
Topic: Detection of blood fluke cardicola forsteri in southern bluefin tuna
Aquaculture offers a sustainable alternative to wild harvest fisheries but is not without its own challenges, including infection by pathogens. Pathogens that cause disease in farmed stocks may transfer to wild populations and having an adverse effect on the environment. Dylan's research will work towards developing effective diagnostic methods to allow for effective disease management that could lead to a decrease of environmental impacts
Mr Ian Jermyn, BApplied Science (Marine Environment) (Honours) candidate in the National Centre for Marine Conservation and Resource Sustainability at UTAS
Topic: Declining kelp forest density and species interactions
Tasmania's coastlines are a stronghold for dense kelps forests. Ian's honours project will provide information on whether a decline in kelp density affects the diversity and abundance of invertebrate grazers associated with it and how these changes impact rates of herbivory on kelp. This research will contribute to the environmental management of Tasmania's unique coastal environment by increasing our understanding of the resilience of Tasmanian kelp forests and the communities they support.
Mr Christian Mackay, BSc (Honours) candidate in the UTAS School of Geography and Environmental Studies
Topic: The Biogeography of Tasmanian Ants
Christian's study will focus scientific attention on Tasmania's native ants - a key but neglected group of animals which deliver a range of environmental benefits which include soil conditioning, seed dispersal and pest control. Ants are also important food sources for echidnas, birds, lizards and other predators.
Image: (Left to right) Ian Jermyn, Christian Mackay, UTAS Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Rathjen, Governor of Tasmania, the Hon. Peter Underwood AC and Dylan Belworthy-Hamilton. Photo by Roger Lovell.