The Plant Biosecurity Research Initiative (PBRI) received the 2026 Australian Biosecurity Award (ABA) for Education on Monday, November 9.
The awards are given out by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in recognition of significant contributions to Australia’s biosecurity system.
PBRI is comprised of seven plant health-focused RDCs (Research and Development Corporations) that aim to bring industries together for a common goal: innovative biosecurity research through collaboration and co‑investment.
PBRI received the ABA Education award for its commitment to developing the next generation of plant health and biosecurity professionals. That’s where we come in! The Plant Health Student Network (PHSN) is a global community run for students, by students. The network was founded in response to the clear need for a early-career community in the plant health, plant pathology, and plant biosecurity space that could facilitate opportunity sharing and skill development.
Incoming PBRI Director, Dr Will Cuddy; Outgoing PBRI Director and PHSN Co-founder, Dr Jo Luck at the Australian Biosecurity Awards
PHSN run regular online forums where guest speakers and specialists in the field share their personal and professional experiences. We facilitate training and workshops, and we organise in-person events for researchers and students to establish collaborations and connect with leaders in their fields.
The PHSN is co-organised by recipients of the Ritman Scholarship - another PBRI Initiative to support postgraduate researchers in the plant biosecurity sphere. The Ritman Scholarship, in honour of Dr Kim Ritman (Australia’s previous Chief Plant Protection Officer), enables students to attend relevant plant biosecurity conferences and get connected with plant health researchers and policy makers.
The 2026 Ritman Scholars: Brendan Vouadec, Samantha Whitling, Dr Jo Luck (PBRI), Jessica Kriticos and Shimi Jose at the 2026 PBRI Symposium.
Events such as the biennial PBRI Symposium encourage collaboration by bringing together students, researchers, industry and government, providing an opportunity for knowledge-sharing and capability building.
Congratulations PBRI, and thank you for bringing us, the Plant Health Student Network, together! We look forward to more PHSN educational and social events coming up!