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Study helps water expert win top award
A University of the Sunshine Coast PhD graduate with an outstanding track record of innovation in scientific water analysis has been named Queensland Water Industry Woman of the Year.
The major award was one of two involving Unitywater senior microbiologist Dr Tracey Wohlsen, of Caloundra, at the prestigious Australian Water Association (AWA) State Awards recently.
Dr Wohlsen’s microbiology laboratory team at Unitywater also won the Queensland Program Innovation Award for its groundbreaking method of detecting E.coli bacteria in sewage and saline water samples in half the time previously taken.
“It’s exciting that microbiologists are being recognised for the hard work we do in our water testing laboratories,” said Dr Wohlsen, who has worked in the public sector for 20 years.
“I was nominated via Sunshine Coast Council and Unitywater so I’m honoured to be recognised by local industry as well as this national organisation.”
She said the University of the Sunshine Coast helped boost her career after she completed its Doctor of Philosophy in Science in 2007.
Her thesis explored new microbial methods for water quality analysis and detection of protozoa such as Cryptosporidium in surface waters.
Dr Wohlsen said balancing a full-time job at Queensland Health with intense study at USC and family life had been challenging but the value of her research could now be seen in its industry applications.
“I looked at culture-based techniques, which suit smaller labs because they have lower overhead costs but are just as effective,” she said.
“I have since implemented the techniques at my previous workplace and my current workplace at Unitywater.”
She is grateful for the ongoing support of USC academics such as Associate Professor in Medical Microbiology Dr Mohammad Katouli and Senior Lecturer in Environmental Microbiology Dr Ipek Kurtboke.
Dr Wohlsen now regularly mentors USC Honours students “to give other people the chance that USC gave me”.
— Julie Gatehouse