Department grains researchers receive award honours at industry event

Two Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development scientists have been honoured with significant awards at the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Grains Research Updates.

Soil scientist Gaus Azam was today (28 Feb) presented with the GRDC Rewarding and Recognising Excellence award for the western region, and research scientist Jeremy Curry was honoured with the GRDC Emerging Leader award.

Department grains director Kerry Regan congratulated both scientists, who are delivering important research and development in their respective fields.

Ms Regan said since joining DPIRD in 2015, Mr Curry had developed an impressive knowledge of wheat, barley, and canola agronomy and their fit in farming systems in the Esperance region.

“He is very hard working and has great rapport with growers,” she said.

“As well as this he is an excellent scientist who has made important improvements to the way we screen pre-harvest sprouting tolerance in wheat and is deepening our understanding of how environment influences pre-harvest sprouting and how this interacts with variety.

“He is recognised as a national expert on this topic, being regularly consulted by growers, advisors, and other scientists from around Australia.”

Ms Regan said Dr Azam leads the Reengineering Soils project, involving laboratory, glasshouse and field-based experiments to address multiple interacting soil constraints in the crop root zone through combining innovative soil amelioration techniques and soil profile reengineering.

“Gaus has an infectious positive attitude to his work and always ensures his team of researchers and technical officers receive credit for their hard work,” she said.

“Gaus communicates his research with an enthusiasm tailored to his audience - and is equally at home chatting to growers in the paddock, talking to consultants at industry days or presenting to scientists at conferences.”

More information about the awards is available from GRDC website [1].

[2]

DPIRD research scientist Jeremy Curry has been honoured with the GRDC Emerging Leader award and soil scientist Gaus Azam was presented with the GRDC Rewarding and Recognising Excellence award for the western region at the GRDC Grains Research Update in Perth.

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