Two faculty researchers receive 2022 Australian Biosecurity Awards
Drs Richard Bradhurst and James Camac have been recognised for their contribution to Australian biosecurity at the 2022 Australian Biosecurity Awards.
Dr Bradhurst, a Senior Research Fellow and Chief Investigator in the University’s Centre of Excellence for Biosecurity Risk Analysis (CEBRA) within the School of BioSciences was announced as the winner of the Dr Kim Ritman Award for Science and Innovation.
Dr Bradhurst has significantly contributed to Australian biosecurity for the past decade by developing the Australian Animal Disease Spread Model (AADIS) in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Over the last 10 years, Dr Bradhurst has evolved the AADIS software from a single foot-and-mouth disease model to a biosecurity modelling framework that spans animals, plant, and environmental health.
Dr Bradhurst and Minister Watt at the 2022 Australian Biosecurity Awards
Dr Camac, also a Senior Research Fellow and Chief Investigator in CEBRA, and the CEBRA team received the award for Education.
The Education award recognises the University of Melbourne’s Biosecurity: Managing Invasive Species (NRMT90002) graduate course, led by Dr Camac and the CEBRA team, which exposes students to what biosecurity is and the various actions, decisions, and trade-offs that governments industry and environmental stakeholders must consider when implementing efficient and effective biosecurity measures.
Dr Carmac and Minister Watt at the 2022 Australian Biosecurity Awards
In the last three years, 170 postgraduate students have taken the subject with significantly positive feedback and outcomes – many students making industry and government contacts as a direct result.
The annual Australian Biosecurity Awards, presented by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, provide important recognition for biosecurity champions across industry, government, and the public who have made a significant contribution towards safeguarding our nation from pests and diseases.
The 2022 winners were announced in April at an awards dinner that was held as part of the 2023 National Biosecurity Forum.
Learn more about this year’s winners at agriculture.gov.au/ABA