MMFS is thrilled to announce that PhD candidate Marshall Tye has been awarded the Alan and Iris Peacocke Research Scholarship.

Generously funded by the Peacocke Trust, this scholarship supports research endeavours in the fields of Biomedical and Agricultural Science.

Marshall started his academic journey at Murdoch in the Kulbardi K-Track programme following a successful career in horticulture and landscaping. He completed this Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences and achieved first-class honours in Molecular Biology. His honours studies focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms in bacteria involved in nitrogen fixation. This work is part of a large Murdoch lead research collaboration on the symbiotic relationships between agricultural legume crops and their root rhizobia.

His interest in bacterial genomics has fuelled his PhD research, wherein he seeks to investigate fundamental questions essential to enhancing the chickpea-rhizobia symbiosis in agriculture. His ultimate objective is to diminish the reliance on synthetic nitrogenous fertilisers for chickpea cultivation, thereby promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

Marshall's PhD research is supervised by Dr Jason Terpolilli, Dr Graham O'Hara and Dr Yvette Hill, who also coordinate the Legume Rhizobium Sciences (LRS) Centre within the Food Futures Institute at Murdoch University. 

Legume Rhizobium Sciences at Murdoch University is focused on the research of rhizobia, nitrogen fixation, and legumes. Established in 1997, it is the largest center in Australia and one of the largest globally. The centre studies the symbiotic relationship between rhizobia (soil bacteria) and legumes. Rhizobia infect the roots of legumes, converting atmospheric nitrogen into a form usable by plants, which reduces the need for synthetic fertilisers. The team uses genome sequencing and field evaluations to discover new rhizobia and legume cultivars for Australian agriculture. Their work is supported by three large, nationally funded research projects.

The Alan and Iris Peacocke Research Scholarship

Mr. Peacocke was renowned for his passion for gardening. Inspired by his appreciation for the writings of Sir Walter Murdoch, Mr. Peacocke chose to support Murdoch University students and research through the establishment of this scholarship.

Scholarships, such as the generous support from the Peacocke Trust, continue to empower students and researchers at Murdoch University. These awards not only recognise exemplary academic achievements but also nurture research with the potential to make significant contributions to science and sustainability.

Natalie Warburton