Celebrating the 2026 Ritman Scholars

A particular highlight of the 2026 PBRI Symposium was the strong emphasis on future capability. Students and early-career researchers were not just present in the room, they contributed to the program, chaired sessions, presented their research and helped lead conversations about the future plant health workforce. Their energy, curiosity and confidence were a reminder that building biosecurity capability is about creating opportunities for emerging leaders to connect with the broader system.

Established in honour of the late Dr Kim Ritman, a founding member of PBRI and former Australian Chief Plant Protection Officer, the Ritman scholarship supports postgraduate students working in plant health and biosecurity research.

The outgoing scholars, Alyssa Martino, Michael Edwards, Rabia Ali and Zali Mahony have helped build the Plant Health Student Network into a vibrant student-led community. Their contributions show what is possible when talented students are given visibility, encouragement and opportunities to lead.

The new scholars Shimi Jose, Jessica Kriticos, Samantha Whitling and Brendan Vouadec will continue this legacy, bringing fresh research perspectives and helping strengthen the pipeline of future plant biosecurity leaders. Supporting this next generation is one of the most practical and powerful investments we can make in national preparedness.

Beyond the formal award presentations, the Ritman Scholarship session captured something important about PBRI’s contribution: it is not only a platform for research coordination, but also a platform for people, careers and long-term capability.