Forestry science and innovation awards presentedFriday 13 Oct 2023
Robin Hartley (Scion) (photo) was recognised with the Communication and Sector Engagement Award, for his ability to present complex geospatial, autonomous and digital technologies to the industry in ways that are understood and engaging. Robins’ passion for forestry and geospatial technology has been demonstrated in his founding and co-leadership of the Tools for Foresters group, and his tireless advocacy for technology in the forestry sector. Jared Silvester, a design engineer at Tinder Engineering Ltd in Nelson, was the recipient of this year's Innovation that Enhances Sector Value Award. Jared has been working with FGR over the last two years to design and develop an Automated Load Securing System comprised of a chain thrower, auto-tensioner winches and a load monitoring system. As a result of Jared’s work, the system has been built and fitted to a trailer to be demonstrated at the TMC Trailers Trucking Industry Show in November 2022 and the Wood Transport & Logistics Conference in May 2023. Rosie Sargent (Scion) received the Contribution to a Science Team Award, for her dedication and outstanding performance throughout the duration of the Specialty Wood Products programme. Rosie has been an integral member of the SWP since its inception and has continually demonstrated exemplary qualities as a team member. Her passion, dedication, problem-solving abilities, and commitment to excellence have profoundly impacted the SWP team's success. The Science of international Quality Award went to the Scion Tissue Culture Science Team - led by Science Leader Associate Professor Jana Krajnakova. Their work is helping to further enhance science and is securing valuable intelligence to support New Zealand's forest industry. During the project, the team have formed international collaborations with universities and world leading science and deployment teams in the United States and Finland; and have produced quality, international science, as evidence by manuscripts published in international peer reviewed publications. PanPac was the worthy recipient of the Research Participation and Implementation Award. Despite grappling with significant challenges in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle, Sean Wright, Richard Airey and Peter Campbell remained steadfast in supporting several innovation initiatives within the Precision Silviculture Programme. Without the team's dedication to innovation the industry would not be able to move as quickly to evaluate the value, and ultimately uptake, of new technology. Not to mention, all of this in the face of adversity. The final award of the night, the Young Scientist Award, recognised Sam Davidson - an up and coming data scientist at Scion. With expertise in deep learning and computer vision, Sam's work in Tissue Culture involves using machine learning to predict germination success from morphological features derived from mature somatic embryo images. Sam shows a real passion for how this area of science could create opportunities in the sector and is already making significant contributions to science programmes of value to New Zealand forestry. Congratulations to all of this year's winners. Source: Forest Owners Association .jpg) | ||
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