Science, Technology and Engineering

School of Life Sciences

Department of Environmental Management & Ecology

La Trobe ecology student to present paper at the New Zealand Water Conference.

Media release November 2007

La Trobe University Bachelor of Science student Stephanie Suter is making her mark in the field of environmental management and research.

The 20 year old student from the Albury-Wodonga campus of La Trobe University is bound for New Zealand to present a paper at a major water conference being held by the Australian Society of Limnology and the New Zealand Freshwater Sciences Society to be held from the 3 – 7 December.

Stephanie will present a paper outlining a study on zooplankton that she did at the Murray Darling Fresh Water Research Centre (MDRFC) at Wodonga during a summer scholarship with the organisation this year.

The study has shed new light on the way that varying oxygen levels in water impact on the emergence and survival of zooplankton – an important food source for fish and other small aquatic animals. The study involved testing resting egg banks under various oxygen conditions replicating drought and flooding episodes.

Stephanie’s study is part of a larger research project being undertaken at MDRFC by PhD candidate Susanne Watkins under the supervision of Dr Daryl Nielsen.

Dr Nielsen said the research would assist to increase the body of knowledge on the biology of zooplankton which form the basis of many aquatic food chains.

“It also has implications for the environmental management of floodplain and wetland ecosystems.”

Dr Nielsen said MDFRC was so impressed with Stephanie’s enthusiasm and contribution to the project that she has been offered on-going casual work at MDRFC throughout this year as well as ten weeks full-time work over the next University Summer break.

“Stephanie is a great example of the value-adding role that La Trobe University Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management and Ecology students can provide to research projects. MDRFC provides employment for graduates as well as a range of summer cadetships and work placements for students to increase their research skills. This also helps to promote careers available locally in environmental research and ecology.”

Stephanie said the placement with MDFRC had fuelled her interest in a career in environmental research.

“I am hoping to undertake Honours next year at La Trobe University to increase my research experience."

She said a strong aspect of the course at La Trobe University is the industry experience offered to students while they study.

“In addition to working at MDFRC, I have been undertaking a ten week work placement with the City of Wodonga working on a project to identify more effective control methods for European Wasps. My placement experiences have opened my eyes to the diverse career roles in environmental management.”

Stephanie said presenting at the conference in New Zealand would be the ’icing on the cake’ for her this year.

“Conferences like this keep science up to date. While it will be daunting presenting my paper before an international audience, I hope it will be a fantastic experience and a great way to build networks with industry peers.”

For more information on the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management and Ecology at La Trobe University phone 02 6024 9885 or visit: www.latrobe.edu.au/deme/aw

For more information on the Murray-Darling Fresh Water Research Centre (MDRFC) phone 02 60582300 or (Wodonga lab) or visit http://www.mdfrc.org.au/

Further media releases.