Key takeaways
Three rising scientists, Lily Lewis, Keleisha Moore and Edward Venn have taken a major leap forward in their careers, thanks to support from the TNQ Drought Hub.
The students who were awarded scholarships through the hub, recently travelled to Singapore (27 July – 1 August) to present their research at the Asia Oceania Geosciences Society (AOGS) Annual Meeting, one of the world’s largest geoscience conferences, attracting more than 2,000 global experts each year.
For the students, this was more than just a conference, it was a huge opportunity to showcase North Queensland research on a global stage, connect with international leaders, and sharpen their professional skills.
Student perspectives
For Edward Venn, the opportunity was both inspiring and transformative for his research.
“I gained valuable insight into the scientific community and was exposed to exciting research across a wide range of disciplines. Engaging conversations about projects and collaborative problem-solving were invigorating.
“Presenting my work was an incredible experience, serving as excellent practice for answering complex questions and challenging me to rethink and refine aspects of my research.”
Keleisha Moore said the conference was a major milestone in her professional development.
“It helped me develop networking skills and discover the broad range of projects scientists are investigating to tackle real-world problems. Sitting in on presentations in hydrology, geomorphology and remote sensing has helped me think about what I want to explore next in my PhD.
Academic leadership
The students were supported throughout the conference by their Honours supervisor, Dr Ben Jarihani, TNQ Drought Hub Scientific and Technical Advisor and Senior Lecturer at James Cook University (JCU).
“It was an excellent experience for the students, who proudly represented JCU and presented their work at this major international event,” Ben said.
Dr Jarihani also convened the session “Geospatial Innovations in Hydro-geomorphological Research: Integrating Remote Sensing and Advanced Technologies”, which explored how high-resolution remote sensing, drones, LiDAR, altimetry satellites, and advanced analytics are transforming hydro-geomorphological research, hazard management, and landscape analysis.
Dr Jarihani and his JCU students contributed significantly to the conference through six poster presentations which showcased the innovative use of geospatial science to address water, landscape and climate challenges.
The success of these students highlights how investment in young researchers not only builds individual careers but also strengthens the science driving resilience in Northern Queensland and beyond
Read more about the TNQ Drought Hub Honours Scholarship Recipients.
