Developing new collaborations
Category: National. Posted: 19 June 2026
Thomas Carlin receives the Wendy Mead Professional Development Award
Christchurch-based researcher from Scion, Thomas Carlin has been awarded a Wendy Mead Professional Development Award to assist him to travel to Melbourne to attend the Plant Biosecurity Research Initiative (PBRI) Symposium in May 2026.
In his application Thomas writes:
“This symposium is held biannually and attracts a significant number of biosecurity experts across Oceania.
The PBRI Symposium is a premier regional forum for identifying emerging risks, sharing tools, and coordinating strategies across borders. By attending, I will gain early access to knowledge on new biosecurity threats, surveillance tools, and management approaches being trialled in Australia and internationally. This intelligence can be directly integrated into New Zealand’s research and preparedness planning, including ongoing work within B3.
The value of this award will therefore be realised by strengthening the skillset, networks, and knowledge of a NZ-based biosecurity ECR. My goal is to develop new collaborations with Australian researchers that will generate joint projects and proposals, ensuring New Zealand benefits from shared expertise, funding opportunities, and coordinated responses to future incursions.