27 November 1997 Academics' excellence rewarded

Four Lincoln University academics have had their excellence in teaching or research acknowledged with Special Achievement Awards.

Economist Dr Christopher Gan, Department of Economics and Marketing, and social scientist Dr Stefanie Rixecker, Department of Resource Management, have received awards for Excellence in Teaching, while ecologist Dr Ian Spellerberg, Department of Resource Management, and plant pathologist Dr Alison Stewart, Department of Plant Science, have received awards for Excellence in Research and Creative Activity.

Lincoln University introduced Special Achievement Awards for Excellence in 1990 and this year's awards all go to lecturers who have joined the staff since that date. The awards carry a cash prize.

The citation for Dr Gan notes his huge capacity for work and his willingness to invest many hours in preparing for classes and assisting students outside of class time. It says that his classroom presentations reveal high energy levels and very well organised material.

He teaches across the board from first year classes to postgraduates, and is examiner and principal lecturer in a wide range of subjects.

In addition to lecturing on the Lincoln campus Dr Gan teaches into Lincoln­-sourced programmes in Malaysia and Thailand.

Dr Stefanie Rixecker's citation describes her as an innovative and inspiring lecturer with a unique ability to generate long-lasting enthusiasm and inspiration.

Through her class protocol of active listening, respect, dignity and reflexivity she draws out her students, preparing them not only for academic success but for life.

Her dedication, commitment, enthusiasm and high academic standards have made her an outstanding contributor to her department and Lincoln University as a whole, says the citation.

Dr Ian Spellerberg applies ecological science to conservation and resource management issues and is not only the Head of Lincoln's Department of Resource Management but also Director of the campus-based Centre for Resource Management.

The author of six textbooks, editor of an additional two books, and writer of over 70 refereed scientific papers, Dr Spellerberg is one of the world's leading authorities on assessment procedures for ecological evaluation.

His scientific contributions are highly innovative and have helped develop new hypotheses about ecological-environmental issues. His research programme involves extensive interdisciplinary collaboration and he actively encourages others to adopt an interdisciplinary approach to environmental science.

The citation notes that Dr Spellerberg's sustained and innovative research programme has resulted in significant contributions to knowledge and the understanding of applied ecology and conservation biology.

Dr Alison Stewart, Reader in Plant Pathology, is described in her citation as an outstanding research leader who, in a very short time, has set up a large and productive research team of postgraduate students, post-doctoral fellows and research technicians.

Put broadly, Dr Stewart's research is aimed at reducing pesticide use in the control of plant pathogenic fungi. Key achievements include the development of biological control systems for a range of disease-causing agents that lead to serious problems in economically important fruit and vegetable crops.

Her citation points out that solving problems in plant pathology requires significant developments in basic research and in this regard Dr Stewart and her research group have made important advances in the use of a fluorescent staining technique to facilitate the visualisation of growth and biotic interactions of fungi in their natural environment.

In addition Dr Stewart and her team have developed and applied a number of molecular techniques that enable ecological monitoring studies of fungal pathogens and biological control agents in the field.

Both these areas of research have been pivotal in the development of improved strategies for the use of antagonistic and mycoparasitic fungi as biological control agents against disease-causing agents in fruit and vegetables.

Ian Collins, Journalist, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand