Professor Warwick Silvester

Professor Warwick Silvester is the inaugural recipient of the Kudo for Lifetime Achievement in Science, sponsored by the University of Waikato.

Prof Silvester has played a major role in shaping public opinion about the environment and its management. He has published well over 120 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. His published work receives in excess of 70 citations every year, and he continues to hold editorial posts on the boards of major international journals.

During an academic career that extends over four decades, Prof Silvester has held academic appointments at four New Zealand universities, and visiting and guest appointments at Harvard and Oregon State universities and the University of Dundee. He has played a major role in shaping the careers of many successful scientists and has supervised and mentored over 50 post-graduate students, including over 20 PhDs.

Prof Silvester is known nationally for his contribution to the understanding of New Zealand forest ecosystems and biodiversity and is known internationally for his research on the way in which soil properties, microbes and the root systems of plants influence the availability of nutrients. He has pioneered the use of stable isotopes to track nitrogen fluxes through forest, pasture and wetland ecosystems. His work is vital to research that is attempting to address nitrogen leaching from pasture, which is a major environmental issue for the Waikato and many areas around the world.

Prof Silvester’s contribution goes a long way beyond the academic. His involvement in the community and his passion for communicating and promoting science has been exceptional and sustained over many years. He is a Trustee of Tane’s Tree Trust, a Council member of the International Symbiosis Society, a Board member of the Tongariro/Taupo Conservation Board and was Chairperson of the David Johnstone Forest Trust. He was the founding president of the Waikato Botanical Society and is still a member of the committee of that society.

Prof Silvester provides expert advice to local authorities and Environmental Court hearings dealing with issues such as dairy factory effluent management, land fill issues and municipal water management.

Prof Silvester is the ideal recipient of the inaugural Kudo for Lifetime Achievement in Science.

Follow this link to the Kudos website to see the 2007 Award winners: www.thekudos.org.nz/2007winners.html

This article is based on information current in 2008.