Two PhDs, one joint award: coastal researchers ride high tide

Leaf oysters at Woolgoolga (credit Kirsten Benkendorff).

Professor Thom commended Chris for his pioneering journey of discovery with the native leaf oyster (Isognomon ephippium).

“Particularly in the field of its sex life, Chris is working his way through the whole reproductive system and learning about how things are cultured because we know so little about the leaf oyster,” said Professor Thom.

“The work started from his Honours project and it's developing into very sophisticated PhD project. Chris is looking at optimal sites which could have conservation interests or restoration interests.  It's going to be a lifetime’s work, Chris.”

Professor Thom was also full of praise for Muhammad’s revolutionary research.

“Muhammad has brought to ecological work two incredibly important skills,” said Professor Thom.

“One, which is now rare in many ways, and that's as a parataxonomist. A taxonomist of macroinvertebrates. And to be able to devote your life to the taxonomy of anything, I think is an incredibly important thing. He’s also specialising in environmental DNA work.”

By bringing those two techniques together, Muhammad, Professor Thom told the audience, was investigating the role of macroinvertebrates in estuarine systems to assist in the monitoring of waterway health, particularly in the post-recovery phases after a flood.

“Muhammad is developing more efficient ways of collecting and analysing data that will help us understand better where the recovery rates, in terms of the ecological systems, are occurring faster than others, and where we need to look at more seriously the problems of depletion and damage.”

Professor Thom concluded by saying how thrilled he was to be exposed to new knowledge through his involvement in these awards.

“It really is something I found most exciting and interesting, coming to a conference and looking at these nominations and learning something completely new about the way in which a particular ecological phenomenon is being worked on,” he said.

Aquatic macroinvertebrates are a diverse range of creatures including yabbies (shown), snails, worms, crustaceans and more.

Both Chris and Muhammad acknowledged that pursuing a PhD was challenging yet ultimately rewarding.

Chris said: “A PhD journey can feel solitary at times, especially when working deeply within a knowledge gap sometimes only known by small number of people. It is incredibly rewarding to see my research on Isognomon ephippium (also known as the leaf oyster) recognised for the potential these oysters hold as ecosystem engineers.

“Expanding our understanding of new candidate species for oyster reef restoration is essential for extending restoration efforts into new locations and habitats. By studying I. ephippium's recruitment patterns, reproductive cycle, and physiochemical tolerances, we can help secure its place in future multi-species shellfish reef restoration. These oysters have great potential to enhance broader ecological restoration efforts across a wide range of habitats,” said Chris, noting that he is grateful to his supervisors for their guidance and mentorship during the project.

Muhammad, an international student, said: “Winning this award really means a lot to me.

“My PhD looks at how floods and other pressures affect estuarine macrobenthic biodiversity in northern NSW, so having this work recognised feels very encouraging. It reminds me that all the hard work, long days in the field and lab are worthwhile. It also motivates me to keep learning and I'm sure the knowledge and experience I’m gaining here will be valuable for addressing similar environmental challenges back home in Indonesia. Thank you to my supervisors for their guidance, and to everyone who has supported me along the way.”

Chris and Muhammad were nominated for the Emeritus Professor Bruce Thom AM Student Research Award by their supervisor Professor Kirsten Benkendorff from the University’s Catchments, Coast and Communities research cluster.

Professor Benkendorff said she was taken aback to learn her students would share the accolade.

“This is amazing recognition for the innovative research that Chris and Muhammad are doing. They are both extremely hard-working students and totally deserving recipients of this award,” she said.

“It is also fantastic to hear Emeritus Professor Bruce Thom’s appreciation for the importance of traditional taxonomy and life history research, which these PhD students are coupling with modern technology such as environmental DNA and real-time water quality monitoring in sophisticated field experiments.

“Muhammad and Chris both benefit from co-supervisors in the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, which helps ensure their research has relevance for coastal management.”

Professor Kirsten Benkendorff (centre) celebrates with her PhD students, Chris Klaas and Muhammad Islami.

Learn more

Leaf oysters: the unsung heroes of estuaries are disappearing, and we know almost nothing about them

Healing the Northern Rivers: the research behind the recovery