A textile technologist with CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering, Rene van der Sluijs, has won the Australian Cotton Growers’ Research Association (ACGRA) Researcher of the Year 2008 award.
Presented recently at the annual Australian Cotton Industry Awards, the win follows two previous industry honours for Mr van der Sluijs – the Cotton CRC ‘Communication to Industry Award’ in 2004, and the ‘Impact in Adoption award’ in 2007.
The ACGRA Researcher of the Year award is regarded as being the industry’s most prestigious honour.
In presenting the award, ACGRA Chairman Ben Stephens said Mr van der Sluijs’ enthusiastic approach to advancing the marketing opportunities for Australian cotton post-farm gate was a key factor in the judging panel’s decision.
“He has actively sought to close the gaps in industry knowledge between growers, ginners, spinners and merchants,” Mr Stephens said.
“As a result, the ‘Cotton Field-to-Fabric Training’ course was established to focus on enhancing the impact of fibre quality on textile quality and processing performance. In operation since 2005, this course has trained over 170 domestic and international students to date,” he said.
Mr van der Sluijs has also made a significant contribution to Best Management Practice (BMP) in ginning and classing of cotton.
Recently his work revealed the marketing potential for extra-long upland cotton blends leading to the establishment of the industry’s Premium Blends Initiative.
“He has made a significant impact on our industry in the short time that he has been involved and his linking of R&D initiatives, BMP and extension through the Field-to-Fabric Course is a fine example of what can be achieved,” Mr Stephens said.