- Charles Sturt researcher and lecturer elected as a
Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science - Professor Leslie Weston has been with Charles Sturt
for almost 15 years - She was recognised for her achievements in crop
protection and sustainable pest management
A Charles Sturt University researcher has been bestowed one of the country’s highest honours after being named among Australia’s most renowned scientists.
Charles Sturt Research Professor in Plant Biology with the Gulbali Institute of
Agriculture, Water and Environment in Wagga Wagga Leslie Weston has been elected as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science (AAS).
This ranks Professor Weston among the nation’s most distinguished scientists based on peer election for ground-breaking research contributions.
From 1954 to 2022, there have been 601 Fellows elected to the AAS. Professor Weston was this year selected from more than 160 applicants.
Professor Weston was born in Buffalo, New York and has lived and worked in different parts of the USA including New York, Michigan and Kentucky, and more globally in Dijon France.
She came to Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga in 2008 after she was awarded a BioFirst NSW research fellowship.
Her area of expertise is in crop protection through the study of plant biochemistry with a focus on the chemistry of plant defence and development of innovative methods for pest management.
“From an applied perspective, my research focuses on understanding the mechanisms of plant interactions with other plants, pests and fauna, including grazing livestock,” Professor Weston said.
Professor Weston was nominated by colleagues at CSIRO Agriculture and Food in recognition of the team’s achievements in crop protection and sustainable pest management.
She said being elected as a Fellow of AAS is the highlight of her research career.
“I feel very honoured to have been recognised for the research outcomes achieved in Australia and the United States since my relocation here 14 years ago,” she said.
“It places the achievements of myself and my research team among those of the nation’s most distinguished scientists.”
It is believed this is the first time a scientist from Charles Sturt has been nominated and successful in election as Fellow in the AAS.
Professor Weston said she hopes her recognition will pave the way for future acknowledgement of other researchers and scientists at Charles Sturt and in regional Australia.
“It is particularly gratifying to be recognised for research excellence and leadership as a female research leader focused on generating relevant agricultural outcomes from regional research universities in both the United States and Australia,” she said.
President of the Australian Academy of Science Professor Chennupati Jagadish AC congratulated the new Fellows on their contributions to science.
“Fellows of the Australian Academy of Science are among the nation’s most distinguished scientists, elected by their peers for ground-breaking research and contributions that have had clear impact,” Professor Jagadish said.
“There is no greater professional honour than being recognised by your own peers and the leaders within your own field of research for your achievements.
“This year’s new Fellows come from countries including Germany, China, India and Italy and all now call Australia home.”