Australian Biological Resources Study
Issue 26
Australian Biological Resources Study, April 2002
ISSN 0814 B8880
ABRS called for applications for the 2002 ABRS Postgraduate Scholarship in October 2001. Five applications were received, and the Advisory Committee selected Mr Edward Biffen from the Australian National University (ANU), Division of Botany and Zoology. His project for the research PhD is entitled: "An investigation of generic-level relationships in Syzgium and allies (Myrtaceae) using a phylogenetic analysis of new molecular and morphological character datasets." His supervisors are Dr Mike Crisp from ANU, Dr Lyn Craven from the Centre of Plant Biodiversity Research, and Dr Paul Gadek from James Cook University. ABRS congratulates Mr Biffen for obtaining the three year scholarship.
ABRS continues to focus on the need to train young taxonomists, both in Australia and throughout the region as a matter of high priority. In 2001 the ABRS Advisory Committee recommended to the Minister that ABRS establish a new award called the Ebbe Nielsen Regional Postgraduate Scholarship, which the Minister subsequently approved. Following the death in March 2001 of Dr Ebbe Nielsen, an outstanding taxonomist from CSIRO Division of Entomology, ABRS set up a memorial training award, in the form of a postgraduate scholarship. Dr Nielsen was a pioneer in establishing taxonomic networks such as the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), and promoted the importance of taxonomy in Australia and abroad. The objectives of the Ebbe Nielsen postgraduate scholarship are to foster research training in taxonomy in the Australasian region focused on Australasian flora and fauna, and thereby promoting outstanding students pursuing higher degrees in taxonomy.
Under the Ebbe Nielsen Award, students are offered the opportunity to obtain a postgraduate qualification and to gain experience with leading Australian taxonomists. The Scholarship is open to international students from countries within the Australasian region, who wish to undertake quality taxonomic research for a period of three years for a Doctorate by research degree in Australia. One award is given each year.
To obtain an application form write to:
Business Manager
Administration and Support Unit
Australian Biological Resources Study
GPO BOX 787
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Ph. (02) 6250 9554
Fax (02) 6250 9555
E-mail: abrs@ea.gov.au
Or download the application from the ABRS website - and the address is: http://www.ea.gov.au/biodiversity/abrs
Closing Date for applications is: 12 MARCH 2002