24 March 2005
Monash University PhD student Elissa Suhr has been honoured with a top science award for her research on the genetic structure and behaviour of Argentine ants in Melbourne.
Ms Suhr made headlines around the world last year following her discovery of a super colony of Argentine ants spanning 100km across the city of Melbourne.
She was thrilled to receive the award from the State Minister for Agriculture Bob Cameron at Parliament House on Wednesday.
She was one of two post graduate students in Victoria to receive the Nancy Millis Postgraduate Research Award, worth $7000 annually over the next three years.
Ms Suhr, from the School of Biological Sciences said the award, funded by the Department of Primary Industries, would provide excellent collaboration opportunities and help develop important research links.
She will use the funding to further research the the population structure and status of the invasive Argentine ant, which is listed among the world's 100 worst invaders.
"By better understanding the enemy, we will be in a stronger position to develop sustainable biosecurity and control programs to defeat it," she said.
For further information contact Ms Ingrid Sanders in Media Communications on +61 3 9905 9201 or 0437 458 457.
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