Marcus Butler
21 July 2015: There are some major milestones this year for the University of Canberra's Institute for Applied Ecology (IAE) as its 10th anniversary approaches, and a new director has been appointed just in time for the celebrations.
Professor Ross Thompson, who had been acting in the role since January, has now been appointed as director and says he's incredibly thrilled to be leading the IAE team.
The research undertaken through IAE is aimed at improving our understanding of the environment to enhance decision-making for natural resource management and sustainable development.
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New director of the Institute of Applied Ecology at the University of Canberra, Professor Ross Thompson.
Professor Thompson joined IAE two years ago, his research focuses on the study of biodiversity, food web structure and the restoration of landscapes in particular around freshwater eco-systems.
"I think it's more than fair to say the team here are becoming the best Australia has to offer in ecological management," he said.
Professor Thompson took on the acting role after the sudden and unexpected passing of its former head Professor David Choquenot.
Professor Thompson said it's been a tough time for the Institute, describing Professor Choquenot as a great leader who instilled a sense of purpose within the researchers that remains strong.
"IAE is continuing to make ourselves the place to come with environmental management problems in need of solutions," he said.
"Our researchers are passionate about solving the broad range of environmental problems we face today, including invasive species management, water management, pollution and climate change," he said.
Professor Thompson is confident IAE is becoming an institute of national and international significance, particularly as its researchers share their expertise with other organisations and governments overseas.
"We currently have researchers delivering presentations in California on our learnings from the Millennium Drought which Australia endured during the 2000s, as a drought of similar intensity appears to already have parts of the USA in its grip," Professor Thompson added.
"IAE wants to build on the connections we have internationally and with government agencies within Australia to deliver on-the-ground change and to ensure the Institute is the door to knock on when people are looking for a solution to environmental and ecological problems," he said.
IAE will also mark its 10th anniversary later this year with several events currently being planned, including a staff and researcher reunion.
