keith pembleton
Fulbright Tasmania Scholar
“In rural industries worldwide, massive gains in efficiency of production are being realised through the use of molecular methods of experimentation and associated molecular derived technologies. The dairy industry of Tasmania needs to be involved in this area of science if it is to remain a world leader in producing high quality products in a sustainable manner.”
Keith Pembleton, a postgraduate student in Agricultural Science at the Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research (TIAR), University of Tasmania, is the second Fulbright Tasmanian Scholar. Studying at TIAR, Keith’s research focuses on the molecular biology of agricultural industries and is funded by an Australian Postgraduate Industry Award with Dairy Australia.
Through his Fulbright Keith will spend 12 months at Purdue University, Indiana undertaking courses in molecular biology and advanced crop physiology, as well as laboratory research. “Integral to this will be better understanding of gene expression that will improve the management of lucerne, particularly in the area of drought tolerance,” explains Keith.
“Lucerne is a major forage crop in the United States and is considered the third most important crop to the U.S. rural sector. In comparison it has represented only a small proportion of the forage base in southern Australia, and consequently has received little research effort until recently. U.S. universities therefore have more established programs and expertise in this area”.
“The Tasmanian dairy industry is the largest rural industry in the Tasmanian economy, representing 25% of the total economic production of Tasmania’s rural sector. In 2006 as part of the Tasmania dairy industry strategic plan, the industry targeted an increase in milk production of greater than 100 million litres by 2010.”
“The dairy centre within TIAR has been focusing its research efforts to support the industry in achieving its goals, including aiming to improve profitability through a doubling of pasture utilisation. To date these projects have been limited to investigating agronomic and basic physiological responses of plants and animals due to a lack of capacity to undertake more complex molecular experiments.”
Originally from Queensland, Keith graduated with a Bachelor of Agricultural Science with First Class Honours from the University of Queensland. He received the Dean’s Commendation for High Achievement in every semester of his undergraduate studies. During his undergraduate studies he undertook work placements and research opportunities in Tasmania. Following his graduation he relocated to Tasmania to undertake his PhD at TIAR due to its strong industry focus and the strategic directions of its research priorities.
“I am excited about the potential of my Fulbright to build help build the capacity of the Tasmanian dairy research group and develop international collaborative linkages between the U.S. and Tasmania in this important area,” states Keith.