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Award-Winning Plant Scientist

A desire to ensure that teaching methods used in New Zealand universities keep abreast of those overseas and a wish to "be exposed" to new international work in plant physiology were key motivations for Lincoln University plant scientist Dr Jacqueline Rowarth to enter the biennial Zonta Science Award. From a field of 41 nominated applicants, she took top honours -- a gold and silver medal, $5000 cash and an around-the-world airline ticket courtesy of British Airways.

The Zonta Science Award aims to encourage women to pursue a scientific career, to further the careers of women in science, and to acknowledge the valuable contribution of women scientists. Zonta is an international organisation of executive and professional women, and the award is organised by the Wellington branch.

Rowarth believes that through the award she will be able to give extra expression and impetus to the strong belief she has in the importance of science education and the need to encourage more students into science.

"The issue is particularly important for female students, as a large proportion drop science subjects relatively early in their education," she says. "Overall, less than 30% of science graduates are female and less than 10% of post-graduates. That's not good, either for women or the society in which we live.

"In terms of community involvement, my aim is to improve the scientific profile within society at large to encourage more pupils to take the science option at school. To this end I am involved with EnviroSchool '94 at Lincoln University, also the Canterbury-Westland Science Fair, school visits and in-house training for teachers.

"Ultimately, through my joint teaching and research role I hope to be instrumental in encouraging more students, particularly women, into scientific careers.

"I believe that research and development are fundamental to the well-being of any country and that teaching and research are exciting and rewarding areas in which to be involved."

In pursuit of enhancing her teaching and ensuring that it is up to date, Rowarth will use part of her Zonta award to visit a team at Aberdeen University. There she plans to learn more about their work in interactive computer-aided learning modules in plant and soil science, and to discuss experiences in testing these modules.

On the research side, she wants to visit the Welsh Plant Breeding Station at Aberystwyth to study techniques scientists there have developed for measuring physiological changes in plants. She also hopes to visit France for discussions on nitrogen uptake and seed yield, and a Dutch soil and herbage analysis laboratory which is the most comprehensive and accurate in the world.

Rowarth recently joined Lincoln University's Plant Science Department after five years at AgResearch as a scientist in plant improvement, where she led the alternative species seed programme.

A Massey University graduate, with a B. AgSc (Hons), Rowarth did her PhD with a research project on phosphate cycling in grazed hill-country pasture. The thesis was judged to have "exceptional merit" by the NZ Society of Soil Science, and Rowarth received the Morice Shields Memorial Award in recognition of it.

Rowarth's career has seen her involved in such diverse areas of research as developing a technique for analysing lead in honey, teaching aspects of soil fertility, soil chemistry, soil physics, and working as a research officer for the Fertiliser and Lime Research Centre at Massey University.

A keen public speaker and winner of many awards in this area, Dr Rowarth is also an enthusiastic thespian when time permits.