A researcher committed to improving Australian grain production through impactful science and supporting others in her field has been recognised as one of the industry’s most influential young leaders.
Therese McBeath, a CSIRO research scientist based at the Waite, has been presented with the GRDC Southern Region 2017 Emerging Leader Award.
The annual award – voted upon by the GRDC Southern Regional Panel and presented at the recent GRDC grains research update in Adelaide – acknowledges, encourages and rewards young emerging leaders of the grains industry in SA, Vic and Tas.
GRDC Southern Regional Panel chair Keith Pengilley said in a relatively short period of time, Dr McBeath had not only established herself as a grains researcher of note, but she had also earned widespread respect for her passion to lead and educate others.
“Therese is an excellent team and people person, as demonstrated by her impact across the southern region with farmers, advisers, grower groups and collaborating researchers, including those from overseas,” he said.
“Not only has she led the development and implementation of major research projects and teams, but she has also successfully supervised these programs and is a respected mentor for PhD students.
“When undertaking her work, Therese applies scientific excellence, practical thinking and a deep awareness of the importance of on-farm impact from research.”
A research team leader in CSIRO's Integrated Agricultural Systems program, Dr McBeath has expertise in soil and crop nutrition and works on a range of largely industry-funded projects that test strategies to improve productivity and profit-risk outcomes for growers across the southern cropping region.
Having played an important role in the GRDC’s groundbreaking Water Use Efficiency Initiative, she has more recently been involved in research into improving fertiliser strategies, low rainfall cropping systems and the performance of sandy soils.
The Emerging Leader Award is a financial scholarship, used for travel or another agreed activity to further the skills or expertise of the recipient.
