PhD Student Profile

Suman Gajurel

University of Southern Queensland

In this project we are trying to develop and validate a data-centric diagnostic framework that can diagnose multiple and complex soil constraints by applying a hybrid approach that integrates biophysical modelling, artificial intelligence, and statistical approaches.

PhD Title: “Modelling and diagnosis of multiple soil constraints across Australian farming systems.”

PhD start date: July 2021

Supervisors: A/Prof Keith Pembleton, University of Southern Queensland, Dr. Craig Lobsey, University of Southern Queensland, Dr. Chloe Lai, University of Southern Queensland.

What interested you about this research?
Food insecurity is of interest to me with this research. Soil resources are declining which has a negative impact on crop production. Thus, soil resources should be managed to increase food to feed the growing population.

What do you love about your PhD?
I got an opportunity to learn a lot of things, meeting with many people, time management, participating in webinar, workshop etc are the things that I love in my PhD.

What do you love about soil?
It provides ecosystem services and functions such as nutrient cycling, water infiltration, regulates earth’s temperature and many other greenhouse gases.

How will your PhD help to make a difference for farmers?
It will bring many advantages to farmers because a soil constraint diagnostic framework will lead to better decision making when it comes to soil and agricultural management, and it is a cost-effective approach.

Visit my LinkedIn profile