The 1st Northern Australia Universities Alliance postgraduate research conference

Hosted by the Research Institute for Northern Agriculture, Charles Darwin University in association with James Cook University and Central Queensland University. In partnership with the NT Farmers Association North Australia Food Futures Conference

We welcome postgraduate students in agriculture and aquaculture fields to submit an abstract for the 1st Northern Australia Universities Alliance Postgraduate Research Conference on the 8th and 9th April 2025 in Darwin. The theme is “Developing future researchers for northern Australian primary production”, valuing diverse disciplines and perspectives to meet the needs of an evolving sustainable food system. We invite you to consider how your research connects to the theme through the disciplines of livestock production, indigenous food systems and supply chains, rangeland management, diversification, cropping, biosecurity, aquaculture or similar in northern Australia.

Conference program

Keynote speakers

Catherine Marriott O.A.M

For the last 20 years, Catherine has worked in management, governance, strategy and leadership roles for Australian agriculture. She offers a proactive, global perspective coupled with holistic systems thinking in all her endeavours. To date, her career has spanned numerous geographies and cultures, providing a rich tapestry and a nuanced understanding of global agriculture and rural communities. With experience spanning the entire supply chain—from the paddock to the boardroom—Catherine offers a unique and contemporary perspective on the practical implications of practice change. Her expertise lies in aligning profitability with sustainability strategy and management to drive long-term resilience and success.

She is dedicated to enabling the implementation of innovative solutions often foreshadowing where risks and opportunities lie. Catherine understands the intricate connections between rural communities, their businesses and the environment and has worked extensively to lead initiatives that boost profitability while enhancing environmental and human wellbeing. Her track record reflects a strong ability to support agricultural organisations and projects by shaping a clear vision, developing strategic frameworks, and implementing actionable plans that drive long-term success and sustainability. She has numerous awards and accolades to her name, most recently being awarded a Nuffield Scholarship and an Order of Australia Medal for contributions to agriculture and rural communities in Australia.

Rachael Chay

Dr Rachel Chay was appointed as Deputy Director-General and Chief Biosecurity Officer Queensland in early 2023.

Before this appointment, Rachel served as the Chief Operating Officer for the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority. With 25 years of experience in animal health, regulatory affairs and government leadership, she is a strong advocate for lifelong learning.

Rachel holds an undergraduate qualification in veterinary science, along with master’s degrees in both human resources and organisational development, and public administration. Her primary focus lies in effective public sector leadership, building organisational capability, and fostering strong, collaborative partnerships with stakeholders.

Rachel is dedicated to ensuring Biosecurity Queensland continues to protect the ecosystems, industries, and way of life in Queensland. She is committed to maintaining our reputation for product safety and integrity, while g ongoing market access for its commodities.

Allan Dale

Allan Dale is a Professor of Tropical Regional Development at The Cairns Institute, James Cook University and the Chief Scientist for the Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia (CRCNA). He has a strong interest in the future of both Northern Australia and the Great Barrier Reef regions. He is the Chair of Queensland’s Rural Economies Centre of Excellence (RECoE) and the Reef and Rainforest Research Centre, as well as a board director on the Northern Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance (NAILSMA). He works extensively with governments, regional and local communities and landholders on issues related to rural, economic, social and Indigenous development as well as water and natural resource management. 

Science Communications Workshop

‘Beyond the details – how to make your research exciting for new audiences’

A science communications workshop designed for postgraduate students delivered by Michael Thomson, Blue Hill. 

Michael Thomson

Michael’s 25-year career in agriculture communications has included roles in journalism, PR, research, extension, leadership and governance. Prior to joining Blue Hill, Michael was the Deputy Director of CQUniversity’s Institute of Future Farming Systems, where he led the research communications and stakeholder engagement program for eight years. He contributed to new and established industries through research projects and extension of knowledge for sectors including sesame, beef, sheep, peanuts, insects, hazelnuts and industrial hemp. He established international research and education partnerships with Argentina’s National Institute of AgriTechnology (INTA), and developed strategic communications initiatives to empower women farmers of PNG. Prior to CQU, he worked as a PR consultant to clients including Meat & Livestock Australia, Woolworths, Incitec Pivot, GRDC, and the Sheep CRC. His award-winning journalism career included roles at Queensland Country Life, as national editor of FarmOnline, and as a national political reporter based at Parliament House, Canberra. He is a board member of the Fitzroy Basin Association and the Rockhampton Golf Club, and in his spare time is undertaking postgraduate research into the use of creative storytelling techniques to accelerate adoption of new technologies and practices in Australian agriculture.

Panel Sessions

Panel Session 1. Pathways into R&D careers

Mick Bange, Sonu Yadav, Tansyn Noble

Mick Bange

Dr Mick Bange is a cotton systems agronomist of 30 plus years delivering innovation and substantial impact for sustainable cotton production. He is currently the Commercial Research Manager with Cotton Seed Distributors in Australia supporting investment in grower facing research. Before this he was a Chief Scientist with CSIRO Australia where he led initiatives in cropping systems research, physiology and agronomy into managing abiotic stress, fibre quality initiatives across the whole value chain, crop nutrition, climate change impacts and water use efficiency. His career has also involved delivery of decision support systems for assisting crop management and knowledge dissemination. His research and impact in cotton systems was recently recognised by accepting the 2023 international cotton researcher of the year award from the ICAC.

Sonu Yadav

Sonu uses genetics to identify species and study invasion biology, providing critical insights to prevent the entry and spread of invasive species in Australia. Her scientific journey began with studying the genetics of mammals such as tigers and leopards. She earned PhD in Biological Sciences from Macquarie University (NSW), investigating how specialist and generalist insects adapt and evolve in response to changing climates and landscapes. Her postdoctoral work at UNSW examined the evolutionary history of dingoes using comparative genomics, addressing a long-standing question.

Now focused on biosecurity, Sonu works with smaller organisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses and insects. She collaborates with industry partners, researchers, policymakers, and students from universities and remote and regional schools to strengthen biosecurity systems. Sonu is dedicated to advancing science education and STEM careers in remote and regional schools in Northern Australia, particularly among First Nations students.

Sonu has been awarded NT's 2024 Young Tall Poppy Award by the Australian Institute of Science and Policy and is Science & Technology Australia’s 2025–26 STEM Superstar.

Tansyn Noble

Dr Tansyn Noble is a Research Scientist in the CSIRO Livestock & Aquaculture program. Tansyn specializes in tropical aquaculture, focusing on health, biosecurity, and sustainable production systems. She works closely with indigenous communities exploring low-input prawn farming for indigenous-led aquaculture enterprises in remote areas of Northern Australia. Tansyn leads research on eDNA applications in biosecurity surveillance, developing proactive monitoring solutions for the aquaculture industry. She also works closely with industry partners to implement large-scale selective breeding programs, enhancing genetic and health outcomes for sustainable production.
 

Panel Session 2: Participatory research; working effectively with stakeholders

Karen Harper, Troy Garling, Phoebe Arbon

Troy Garling

Rural Darwin born, I have grown up with a large variety of cultural influences. My blood line is from North Queensland, Cairns, Yarrabah. The Gung-Gan-Dji people. Only recently, from the Mornington Peninsula, of the Boon Wurrung/ Bunurong people. My working life has mostly been within the mining industry. My passion is to have cultural safety within all workplaces. To support indigenous people who want to create change for our future. I am a father of two but a mentor for many. I love all sports and have a great passion for ICT. But my real love is to share and pass on knowledge to others. My family extends beyond the fences of my home, Darwin and is a mosaic artwork of small communities which is admired by those looking from afar.  

Dr Karen Harper

Dr Karen Harper is an Associate Professor in Agriculture in the School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences at CQUniversity. Karen is a ruminant nutritionist and completed her B. Agr. Sci (Hons), M. Agr. Sc. and PhD at The University of Queensland.

Karen has taught across a wide variety of agricultural courses in animal and cropping space and has worked in a variety of research areas across a broad range of research groups and industry partners. This research which has focussed on ruminant nutrition and tropical pastures with a focus on fibre analysis, in vitro digestibility, methane production and the effects of probiotics.

Karen has also worked on a number of ACIAR funded research projects in Indonesia, Myanmar and across Africa, in either an administrative/management role, or project leader. She is strongly motivated in improving the profitability of smallholders as well as building successful teams and building capacity of students, scientists and farmers.

Dr Phoebe Arbon

Dr Phoebe Arbon is a Lecturer and Senior Researcher in Aquatic Animal Health, Science and Engineering, at James Cook University (JCU). Phoebe completed her Advanced Bachelor of Science (Hons) and PhD at JCU, with research that applied quantitative genetics, machine learning, and molecular biology to address critical challenges in aquaculture. Phoebe teaches across a range of aquaculture courses at JCU and is currently appointed as one of the Queensland Biosecurity Mates Ambassadors.

Phoebe’s current research within the JCU AquaPATH Detection Laboratory focusses on advancing biosecurity and aquatic animal disease management in tropical aquaculture through the development and application of improved pathogen detection and monitoring programs. Throughout all aspects of her work, Phoebe is passionate about the delivery of real-world benefits to industry through targeted and well-translated research.