Soil science, Sodic and dispersive soil management, Farming system management, hydrological modelling

Monia Anzooman is a Soil Scientist focused on dispersive soils in Australia and an Environmental Engineer, specialising in hydrological modelling. She is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow currently working in the area of soil science on the “Fire resilience of Temperate Highland Peat Swamps on Sandstone” project in the Centre for Water in the Minerals Industry (CWiMI).

Monia specialises in sodic and dispersive soil management, soil chemistry and the use of different farming systems in agricultural industry. She has worked with The University of Queensland on sodic and dispersive soils management in southern Queensland and published papers on agronomy and soil management. Monia has also worked in the Paddock to Reef Integrated Monitoring, Modelling and Reporting program for the Queensland Government as a crop and hydrology modeler for grains and sugarcane industries.

Monia commenced her research career with Department of Natural Resources and Mines in 2012 as a Hydrological Modeller. She started working with The University of Queensland in 2015 with The School of Agriculture and Food Sciences as a Research Associate and in 2019 she completed her PhD from UQ. Her PhD thesis titled ‘Understanding the physiological impact of dispersive sodic soils on wheat’ focused on the characteristics of the sodicity-tolerant wheat genotypes commonly used in Australia.  After her PhD she joined Sugar Research Australia as a Senior Researcher, where she managed Yellow Canopy Syndrome, Soil Health Management and Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers projects in the Burdekin. Her research has involved comprehensive collaboration with other scientists, technicians, advisors, and stakeholders. 

Publications

Anzooman, M, Christopher, J, Dang, YP, Menzies, NW and Kopittke, PM 2018, Wheat seedling response to ionic imbalance and physical constraints in sodic soils may not be closely linked ', Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Article ID: PLAPHY-D-19-00441 (in review). 

Anzooman, M., Rattray, D., Chamberlain, T. and Silburn, M. (2018) Modelling Reductions of Pollutant Loads Due to Improved Management Practice in the Great Barrier Reef Catchments Paddock Modelling for Grains, Technical Report, 2018.  
Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Toowoomba, Queensland.

Anzooman, M, Silburn, DM, Rattray, D & Waters, D 2018, 'Modelling pesticide runoff: testing in irrigated cropping', Environmental Science and Technology, in review. 

Awards & Grants

  • International Society of Root Research (ISRR10) in Israel (USD 500) 
  • School of Agriculture and Food Sciences (SAFS), international travel scholarship (AUD 2500) to attend 10th Symposium of the International Society of Root Research (ISRR10) in Israel from 8-12 July 2018 
  • International Society of Root Research (ISRR10) Travel award (AUD 1800) 
  • Physon Analytical Early Career Agronomist Conference Bursary Award, 2017 (AUD 1000) 
  • Winner of 3 Minute Thesis competition (School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland) 
  • Grain Research Development (GRDC), 3 years research scholarship for Doctor of Philosophy, 2016- 2019
  • Cotton Research Development Corporation (CRDC) Research Scholarship for Masters, 2012-2013