The Oceans Institute’s is already looking forward to 2020, after competitively winning an .
A research associate at UWA and the Australian institute of Marine Science (AIMS), Marie-Lise’s study is focused on the biodiversity of marine sessile invertebrate assemblages on and around anthropogenic structures (offshore wind, wave and tide, oil and gas infrastructure).
Currently, she’s investigating the biodiversity of non-mobile marinem invertebrates on oil and gas infrastructure in need of decommissioning.
In presenting the awards, Tourism Minister Papalia said competition had been strong with more than 60 applicants for just 10 awards offering professional development funding to attend and attract leading conferences to WA.
AIMS WA Program Leader Dr Michaela Dommisse said the prize will allow Marie-Lise to travel to the International Coral Reef Symposium in Bremen in July 2020 to present and facilitate a session on marine novel ecosystems and marine ecological triage.
“In addition, Marie-Lise will be able to go the International Marine Conservation Congress in Kiel in August 2020 to present on the ecological value of biodiversity on man-made structures,” Dr Dimmisse said.
Marie-Lise said the win came as a ‘great suprise’.
“I was really happy to win,” she said. “I’m excited at the opportunity to take a more senior role at both conferences by being a session chair.
“The award will also allow me to collaborate with of the Thünen Institute of Sea Fisheries in Bremerhaven, Germany by working on foodwebs on oil and gas infrastructure earmarked for decommissioning.
“I’m grateful also to two UWA colleagues, Sally Male and Sven Ouzman, who are previous recipients of the UWA-ASPIRE award, who gave me tips in crafting my application!”
Caption: Marie-Lise being presented her award by UWA Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Simon Biggs
Photograph credit: Perth Covention Centre
