PhD students shine bright

The annual Soil CRC Participants Conference provides the perfect setting for our PhD students to showcase their research, contribute to future-focused conversations, and share their passions and interests with like-minded peers. A highlight of the 2024 conference was the action-packed PhD student workshop led by PhD Program Manager, Dr Cassandra Wardle.

Dr Wardle said the workshop provides students with an opportunity to leverage the skills and expertise of our Soil CRC participants, build collaborative partnerships and expand their professional networks.

This year, 30 of our students and graduates attended the workshop on day one, which featured two engaging panel sessions with research and industry leaders, an insightful Q&A session, and a guided tour of the nearby NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPI&RD) research facilities.

The main purpose of the workshop was for students to gain exposure to the Soil CRC’s participant organisations and to discover how they operate. The sessions explored how the students can engage with participants to foster research collaboration and dissemination, and how they can build connections and develop career pathways.

The panel sessions featured representatives from several of our participant organisations, covering a broad range of backgrounds and experiences. The panellists were:

• Kelly Angel, Project Manager (Research & Extension), Birchip Cropping Group
• Lukas Van Zwieten, DPIRD, and Soil CRC Program Leader
• Bret Ryan, CEO, Southern Farming Systems
• Richard Bell, Murdoch University
• Justine Cox, Soil Scientist & Leader (Soils South), DPI&RD
• Joy Valle, Executive Officer, Corrigin Farm Improvement Group
• Amanda Schapel, Research Scientist/Principal Officer, PIRSA

The DPI&RD tour was led by Andrew Carmichael, Acting Director SCS and Leader Cereals South, who showcased the research underway in glasshouses, labs, sheds, and field sites. The tour also provided students with an opportunity to learn more about working in research for a government agency.

The workshop culminated with a Q&A session with Soil CRC Patron, The Hon Penny Wensley AC, who generously shared her experiences and wealth of knowledge with the students and provided considered and valuable responses to their questions.

Dr Wardle said she is immensely grateful for the involvement of the PhD Program Committee in planning the workshop, developing the schedule, and chairing the sessions.

Seven PhD students sit on the volunteer committee, which helps guide the PhD Student Program:

• Chenting Jiang, University of Tasmania
• Evanna McGuinness, Southern Cross University
• Phillip Kay, University of Tasmania
• Bhavya Mod, University of Newcastle
• Christopher Wilmot, Charles Sturt University
• Dristi Datta, Charles Sturt University
• Muhammad Salik Ali Khan, University of Tasmania

“The committee members were instrumental in making the workshop such a success, and their dedication and enthusiasm should be applauded,” Dr Wardle said.

Following the workshop, the students joined the four program workshops led by the Soil CRC’s Program Leaders. Students networked with fellow researchers, staff, and grower group participants, and provided input into the future direction of our research programs.

In the evening, students attended our student welcome function, where they were able to chat with each other and mingle with Soil CRC staff, program leaders, and members of the Soil CRC Board.

On day two of the conference, two recent graduate and eight students nearing the end of their candidature took to the stage to present their PhD research:

• Dr Mathew Alexanderson, Southern Cross University
• Salini Khuraijam, University of Newcastle
• Dr James O’Connor, University of Western Australia
• Maryam Barati, Southern Cross University
• Dunsin Oyetunji, RMIT University
• Suman Gajurel, University of Southern Queensland
• Naveeda Majid, University of Newcastle
• Dristi Datta, Charles Sturt University
• Adnan Al Moshi, Federation University
• Arif Rahman, Federation University

The student presentations were very well received and showcased a high level of professionalism and an impressive ability to synthesis complex, technical research into a succinct four-minute presentation.

Off the stage, students also had the opportunity to showcase their research in our popular poster session. Over 20 student research posters were on display across days one and two of the conference, highlighting the strength of our PhD research.

Many students were excited to participate in our field trips on day three, relishing the opportunity to see some of the Soil CRC’s research in practice, inspect the local soil, and engage with our researchers and farming group representatives in the field.

“I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to support our students through their PhDs and beyond, and to be able to see the contribution they’re making—both individually and collectively—to soil and agricultural research in Australia,” Dr Wardle said.

Soil CRC CEO Dr Michael Crawford echoed Dr Wardle’s sentiment, noting the Soil CRC is tremendously proud of our PhD student cohort and their keen participation in our conference and the CRC more broadly.

“The Soil CRC’s legacy will be strengthened by the success of our PhD Student Program and the accomplishments of our talented student cohort,” he said. “The students, their supervisors and Cassandra are to be commended for their ongoing efforts and considerable contribution to our four research programs.”

In their words

“Thank you for the opportunity to attend the Soil CRC conference. It was an inspiring experience to engage with the research, field applications, and collaborative discussions. I’m grateful to be part of this community and look forward to contributing further.” Dristi Datta, Charles Sturt University

“I enjoyed the opportunity to chat to fellow research students, program leads, grower groups and board members, reflecting on the strong culture created by all members of the Soil CRC, and the collective passion for soil.” Evanna McGuinness, Southern Cross University

“I always feel privileged to attend the Soil CRC annual conferences. They showcase the knowledge and talent of the CRC, its stakeholders and partner organisations, and the research undertaken by the PhD students. The field trip component of the conference provides opportunities to demonstrate the real-world application of research undertaken by the Soil CRC and discuss opportunities and needs for future research. Most importantly (in my mind) is the collaborative knowledge sharing and network generation that occurs at these events. I am proud to be part of the Soil CRC.” Christopher Wilmot, Charles Sturt University