Dr Harris was presented with the GRDC 2019 Emerging Leader award, which recognises, encourages and rewards young leaders in the grains industry.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) research agronomist works as a crop physiologist with the southern cropping team based at the Wagga Agricultural Institute.

GRDC Northern Region Panel chairman John Minogue described Dr Harris as an influential young scientist with an innovative and original approach to research, with the clear goal of increasing grain yield potential and grower profits.

“She is the chief researcher for cereal agronomy and physiology projects with field experiments stretching from southern NSW to Central Queensland under the Grains Agronomy and Pathology Partnership, a NSW DPI and GRDC bilateral investment.

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“Her current research is focused on understanding the interaction between growth and development in dryland cereals, which will potentially allow growers to use management tactics to adjust the timing of crop development to suit varying and influence yields.”

Dr Harris graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Agriculture) (Hons1) from Charles Sturt University (CSU), and completed her PhD studying the relationship between development and early vigour in wheat. 

Dr Harris said she was honoured to receive the award and hoped it encouraged other young scientists to venture into careers in agriculture.

“This industry has already opened so many opportunities for me, and I am passionate about continuing to encourage and mentor other young people interested in working in this field,” Dr Harris said.

“I have three young children, and my husband and I also farm at Junee, but the progressive, inclusive nature of agriculture and science means I can juggle research with my other commitments, and that we’ve always got something to talk about,” she said. 

“It is not always easy, but it is a very rewarding industry to work in. There are diverse options for career development and I really enjoy working with other researchers, advisers and growers and am constantly learning and being challenged.

“Most importantly, our research is making a difference to growers’ businesses.”

Dr Harris said she was still determining the best way to use her financial scholarship to complement her current research work in cereal agronomy and physiology.