Soil CRC PhD student takes home national award

Congratulations to Soil CRC PhD student Reuben Mah (University of Tasmania), who was announced as the winner of the Cooperative Research Australia 2024 Early Career Researchers Competition at the Collaborate Innovate conference in Brisbane last month.
 
The award celebrates emerging industry-focused research superstars and highlight some of the fascinating collaborative research happening across Australia.

Reuben joined four other competition finalists who were selected from a pool of almost 70 entries to pitch their research to conference delegates. He skilfully delivered an inspiring presentation on his PhD research project, ‘Lab-on-a-Chip’ – a 3D-printed microfluidic device combining precision and convenience in soil monitoring.

Reuben expertly explained how the easy-to-use, pocket-sized device pairs with a smartphone app to allow farmers to quickly and accurately test their soil in the field. 

The device has already been reviewed by both growers and agronomists, allowing them to optimise their soil fertility interventions for the best crop growth. The project team is now exploring commercialisation pathways for this device to put it in the hands of farmers.

Reuben said he is honoured to have received this recognition from Cooperative Research Australia and to be given the opportunity to showcase his research to industry peers.

“I am also grateful for the support I received from my supervisors and the Soil CRC team in preparing for this competition,” he said.

“I am humbled by the encouragement, the opportunity, and the trust placed in me to represent us at the ECR competition. A special thanks goes to PhD Program Manager Dr Cassandra Wardle, who worked closely with me on the script, slides, and fine-tuning the pitch. 

“I feel privileged to have made the final cut alongside four remarkable ECR finalists—being announced as the competition winner was an incredibly humbling experience,” Reuben concluded.

Soil CRC CEO Dr Michael Crawford praised Reuben for his efforts and said the Soil CRC team are incredibly proud of his achievements.

“Reuben has worked extremely hard throughout his PhD studies and this latest recognition is testament to his dedication and drive to succeed,” he said.
 
“Reuben came up against a high calibre line-up of ECR finalists and he should be exceptionally proud to have come out on top this year.”

You can hear Reuben’s winning presentation at our 2024 Soil CRC Participants Conference on 28 August. Register before 19 August to join us in Wagga Wagga.

Find out more

• Related article: Sky’s the limit for Lab-on-a-Chip creator
• Meet the ECR Competition finalists