Three Lincoln University scientists have been promoted to professorships in their specialist fields.
Soil scientist Dr Leo Condron, ecologist Dr Richard Duncan and environmental management scientist Dr Ken Hughey, all formerly associate professors, now become full professors in their respective discipline areas.
Scottish-born Professor Condron, a BSc(Honours) graduate of Glasgow University, became a lecturer in soil science at Lincoln University in 1992 after earlier completing a PhD there and holding a postdoctoral position funded by the New Zealand fertiliser industry.
Professor Condron’s areas of research interest include the nature, dynamics and bioavailability of organic and mineral forms of nutrients, principally phosphorus, in the soil-plant system in relation to soil management and land use.
Two major current projects he is involved with are the influence on soil microbial diversity and activity of carbon substances exuded from plant root systems - work being carried out through the Lincoln University-based National Centre for Advanced Bio-Protection Technologies - and research on the conversion of former forest plantation land to pasture and forage crop use.
Professor Duncan, was born in Dunedin and spent his early years there before moving to Wellington and attending Wellington College. He returned to the South Island and completed a PhD in Forest Ecology at Canterbury University’s School of Forestry, then in 1994 came to Lincoln University as a lecturer.
Professor Duncan’s specialist areas of research are invasion ecology (understanding the processes underlying the introduction, establishment, spread and impact of exotic species) and forest ecology, particularly understanding the impact of major disturbances, such as earthquakes, on forest systems.
A current major research project being carried out by Professor Duncan is aimed at understanding the mechanisms and dynamics of weed invasions, work he is doing through the National Centre for Advanced Bio-Protection Technologies.
Professor Hughey, Canterbury born and bred with a rural background - he went to school at Windwhistle -completed his PhD at Lincoln University with research on the hydrological requirements of riverbed nesting birds.
His major research interests centre on investigations related to the state of New Zealand’s environment and he leads the biennial “state of the environment” reporting project. He has a high profile as an environmental management scientist and researcher concerned with water issues and is a member of the Canterbury Strategic Water Study advisory group.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Ian Collins, Journalist
Lincoln University, Canterbury
Tel: 64 3 325 2811 ext 8549
Email: Ian Collins