IPNI Scholars Award Announced for 2009

October 28, 2009
Ms Preeti Roychand, PhD student in the Department of Agricultural Science, La Trobe University is the 2009 Australian and New Zealand winner of the IPNI Scholar Award sponsored by the International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI). The award of US$2,000 is one of 14 made to students across the globe, as announced by Dr Terry Roberts, IPNI President.

“There were many highly qualified applicants this year from a wide array of universities and
fields of study,” said Dr. Terry L. Roberts, IPNI President. “The academic institutions these young people represent and their advisers and professors can be proud of their accomplishments. The selection committee adheres to rigorous criteria evaluating important aspects of each applicant’s academic achievements.”

Ms. Roychand began her program in 2009 for PhD degree in Soils at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia. Her Dissertation title is “Carbon Sequestration and Protection in Soil”. The objectives of the project are to determine the Physico-Chemical processes which protect organic matter within the soil based on carbon saturation level, exact size of pores within the aggregates where organic matter remains protected, type of minerals responsible for protection of organic matter and carbon pool size of each fraction. From her previous work as a research fellow at Punjab Agricultural University, India, she has about 20 research publications, special appreciation award by International Potash Institute, Switzerland and Plant Nutrient Sulphur award by The Sulphur Institute, Washington D.C, USA.

The IPNI Scholar Award recipients are selected by regional committees of IPNI scientific staff. The awards are presented directly to the students at their universities and no specific duties are required of them.

Dr Robert Norton made the presentation to Ms Roychand at La Trobe University Bundoora campus. Dr Norton was recently appointed as the IPNI regional director for Australia and New Zealand. He is based at Horsham, Victoria and will establish a program of agronomic research and education for IPNI, an international, not-for-profit, science-based organization.

IPNI will offer the scholarships again in 2010 and Dr Norton encouraged suitably qualified applicants to apply for support. Application information for 2010 will be posted at http://www.ipni.net/awards.

Photo:

Caption: IPNI Regional Director Dr Rob Norton (second from left) congratulates scholarship winner Ms Preeti Roychand on her award along with Professor Ciaxian Tang and Dr Judith Tisdall, both of La Trobe University .

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For more information contact Dr Rob Norton, +61 428877119, rnorton@ipni.net