NSW DPI research scientist awarded Fellow for plant pathology

11 Dec 2019

Dr Brett Summerell congratulates Dr Angus Carnegie - they are both standing and smiling towards the camera.

NSW DPI Principal Research Scientist Dr Angus Carnegie has been awarded a Fellowship of the Australasian Plant Pathology Society in recognition of his substantial contributions to plant pathology and scientific leadership to the society.

Dr Carnegie received his award at the Biennial Australasian Plant Pathology Society conference recently held in Melbourne.

NSW DPI Group Director Forestry Policy, Research and Development Nick Milham congratulated Dr Carnegie on receiving this prestigious award and the acknowledgement of his contributions to plant pathology and scientific leadership.

“Dr Carnegie has made a substantial contribution to forest health and biosecurity in NSW, nationally and internationally, in particular in myrtle rust research,” Mr Milham said.

“Dr Carnegie’s research on the impact of myrtle rust in native ecosystems led to two NSW rainforest species being listed as Critically Endangered - with strategies now developed to preserve germplasm for species' survival - and the development of the National Myrtle Rust Action Plan.

“Dr Carnegie played a lead role in the development of the National Forest Biosecurity Surveillance Strategy and Operations Plan to enhance biosecurity of NSW's forests, plantations and amenity trees.”

Mr Milham said Dr Carnegie is frequently invited to international fora to share his expertise and takes these opportunities to build global relationships that will benefit forest health and biosecurity in NSW and Australia.

“Under Dr Carnegie’s leadership, the NSW DPI Forest Health & Biosecurity team conducted research that has been highlighted in the 2018 State of the World's Fungi report.

“The report highlights how important fungi are to all life on Earth and how fungi could provide nature-based answers to many global challenges; the team contributions included the impact of myrtle rust in native ecosystems and the discovery of new fungi on Eucalyptus.”

Dr Carnegie is part of a large collaborative Myrtle Rust Research Consortium, which recently won the Bio-Protection Research Centre Science Award for its integrated and rapid research response to myrtle rust at the 2019 New Zealand Biosecurity Awards held in Auckland.

The Consortium includes researchers from Scion, Plant and Food Research, Landcare Research, the Department of Conservation, and from Australia – NSW DPI, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, and the University of Sydney

The awards recognise and celebrate the incredible individuals and teams for outstanding contributions to biosecurity in New Zealand communities, businesses, government, in the bush, oceans and waterways, and backyards.

Media contact: Anne Brook (02) 6763 1163 or 0477 358 305