The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is to celebrate the role of women in its diverse portfolios and disciplines as part of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2023.
According to the Department, women work in a broad range in DPIRD including veterinary science, aquatic science, biosecurity, agronomy, biometrics, natural resource management, genetics, entomology and more.
Director General of the Department, Heather Brayford said DPIRD’s women epitomised this year’s themes: Innovative, Demonstrate, Elevate and Advance.
“Our staff – known for their expertise, passion and commitment – have a strong contingent of women who make an important contribution to advancing science and technology to grow and protect our primary industries and regions,” Ms Brayford said.
“There are a number of diverse career paths in DPIRD, which span the Department’s functions in the important areas of sustainability and biosecurity, primary industries development, and industry and economic development,” she said.
Ms Brayford said principal research scientist at Bunbury, Heather Percy provides science-based advice to land use planners and environmental regulators about soils, land capability and agricultural practices.
“I enjoy reading landscapes to look for clues about soils, how they may have formed and their relationship with native vegetation and different farming systems,” Ms Percy said.
“I also like to share DPIRD’s vast store of information about soils and landscapes by promoting our digital soils mapping, databases and reports to many audiences.”
Ms Brayford said Kununurra research scientist King Yin Lui’s work involved trialling new tropical crops to boost the long term environmental and economic sustainability of the northern irrigated agriculture industry.
“My work involves developing proposals to get a better understanding of how our tropical environment and agronomy effect on-farm soil and water resources,” King Yin said.
“I get to work and live in a stunning place, while continually learning about the area’s unique cropping system, people and culture and environmental challenges.”
Ms Brayford also reflected on the works by other women in the Department including fisheries senior research scientist Danielle Johnston; Northam-based weed science discipline leader Catherine Borger; and Albany technical officer Jo Hislop.
The International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2023 was held on Saturday 11 February this year.
