Scholarship success for top end biosecurity researchers

April 29, 2025

The Crawford Fund NT is proud to announce the successful recipients of scholarships to support researchers in the field of biosecurity to generate knowledge and learning through conference attendance and/or international travel. 

“These scholarships are a wonderful way to build biosecurity capacity and capability in the NT and help boost the biosecurity careers of the successful applicants,” said Em Prof Helen Garnett, Chair of the Crawford Fund’s NT Committee.

“Developing the next generation of biosecurity specialists in the NT is a priority for the Crawford Fund NT and the NT Government given the unique position we are in on Australia’s northern coastline – a frontline entry-point for an increasing number of animal and plant pests and diseases,” she said.

The successful recipients are:

Birendra Kunwar, a Masters of Environmental Management student and Plant Pathologist-Plant Biosecurity Researcher at Charles Darwin University and the NT Department of Agriculture and Fisheries will attend the Australasian Plant Pathology Society Conference 2025 in May in Sydney.

Allyson Malpartida, a PhD student and Population Genomics Research Assistant at Charles Darwin University will attend the Genetics Society of AustralAsia (GSA) Conference in New Zealand in July.

Naghmeh Nejat, a PhD student and Plant Pathologist at the NT Department of Agriculture and Fisheries will attend the Australasian Plant Pathology Society Conference 2025 in May in Sydney.

These scholarships are generously supported by the Northern Territory Government.

Congratulations to Birendra, Allyson and Naghmeh! We look forward to sharing highlights of their experiences in the coming months.