Kit Prendergast | Conservation | Young Scientist Award

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Dr. Kit Prendergast | Conservation | Young Scientist Award

 University of Southern Queensland, Australia.

Dr. Kit Prendergast, known as the “Bee Babette,” is an award-winning native bee ecologist, author, and science communicator from Australia, deeply passionate about pollinator conservation and biodiversity. With a Ph.D. from Curtin University, her research focuses on native bee ecology in urban environments and the interactions between native bees and introduced honeybees. Dr. Prendergast has authored multiple books and scientific papers, received numerous prestigious awards, and is an active advocate through various media including YouTube, Facebook, and public outreach events. Her work spans academia, government consulting, community science, and public education, combining rigorous scientific inquiry with creative outreach. She is widely recognized for her innovative projects such as “Bee Hotels to Boost Bees After Bushfires,” and is a prominent figure in entomology and environmental awareness both nationally and internationally. Dr. Prendergast continues to inspire and educate global audiences on native bee conservation and ecological sustainability.

 

Profile

Scopus

Orcid

Scholar

🎓 Education 

Dr. Kit Prendergast earned her Ph.D. in 2021 from Curtin University’s School of Science and Engineering, focusing on native bee communities and the impact of honeybees in urban plant-pollinator networks. She completed her Bachelor of Science with First Class Honours in Zoology and Conservation Biology from the University of Western Australia in 2014, with a thesis on equine cognitive abilities. Prior to that, she also earned a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in English and Cultural Studies, from the same university in 2013, achieving high distinctions across all units. She distinguished herself early, graduating from Methodist Ladies College with a TER of 99.4 and multiple academic excellence awards in biology and media studies. Dr. Prendergast has also been recognized through competitive scholarships such as the Forrest Research Foundation Scholarship, enabling her interdisciplinary pursuit of science, communication, and conservation. 🎓

💼 Experience 

Dr. Kit Prendergast has held diverse roles across academia, government, NGOs, and consultancy. Currently a postdoctoral researcher at University of Southern Queensland (2024–2026), she has conducted extensive native bee surveys and ecological assessments for organizations including WA Parks and Wildlife, Transport NSW, and Greening Australia. Her portfolio includes science communication, academic tutoring, ecological consulting, writing, and education, with key contributions like the “Powerful Pollinator Planting Guides.” She has authored reports, articles, and books while contributing to high-profile journals and platforms. Kit’s innovative work bridges science and community engagement, evidenced by projects like bee hotels for bushfire recovery and biodiversity surveys across WA, QLD, and Melbourne. Additionally, she has held multiple roles as a content creator, tutor, circus coach, and ambassador, showcasing a rare blend of ecological expertise and creative outreach.

🏆 Awards and Honors 

Dr. Prendergast has received over 40 prestigious awards, including the 2024 Curtin University Young Achievement Alumni Award and multiple research grants such as the Transport NSW “Save Our Bees” Grant ($30,000) and the Federal Bushfire Recovery Grant ($120,030). She won the Box Office Award at the Anywhere Festival 2024 for her scicomm circus comedy “The Birds & the Bees” and was Highly Commended in the ESA’s 2023 Ecological Impact Awards. Other accolades include the Ivan Beatty Award (2024), Herman Slade Grant (2021–23), multiple top-cited journal recognitions, and early-career travel grants. Her impactful outreach earned her the OEH/ESA Award for Outstanding Outreach and a featured billboard campaign with Liquor Barons in WA. Kit’s work consistently bridges research excellence with creative science communication, garnering national and international recognition.

🔬 Research Focus 

Dr. Kit Prendergast’s research centers on the ecology, behavior, and conservation of native bees, especially within urbanized and fire-affected environments in Australia. Her Ph.D. investigated urban bee assemblages and the impact of European honeybees on native plant-pollinator networks in biodiversity hotspots. She has pioneered methods for native bee sampling, advocated for urban pollinator habitats, and published over 70 scholarly works on topics such as bee-hotel use, floral resource preferences, and social behaviors of cavity-nesting bees. Kit’s multidisciplinary approach integrates field ecology, molecular identification, citizen science, and spatial analysis. Her work also addresses the threats posed by introduced species, habitat fragmentation, and climate change. From conducting national biodiversity surveys to developing practical guides for conservation, Kit’s research contributes to science-based policy and public awareness, making her a leader in native pollinator science and applied environmental management.

✅ Conclusion

Dr. Kit Prendergast is a highly accomplished early-career researcher with a rare blend of scientific rigor, creativity, and public engagement. Her significant contributions to native bee research, conservation practices, and science outreach make her a deserving nominee for the Young Scientist Award. With her demonstrated passion, productivity, and potential for growth, she is poised to make continued and profound impacts in both academic and societal contexts.

📝Publications 

1. Is the loss of Australian digging mammals contributing to a deterioration in ecosystem function?

  • Year: 2014

  • Authors: PA Fleming, H Anderson, AS Prendergast, MR Bretz, LE Valentine, …

  • Citation: 324

2. The relative performance of sampling methods for native bees: an empirical test and review of the literature

  • Year: 2020

  • Authors: KS Prendergast, MHM Menz, KW Dixon, PW Bateman

  • Citation: 203

3. A global review of determinants of native bee assemblages in urbanised landscapes

  • Year: 2022

  • Authors: KS Prendergast, KW Dixon, PW Bateman

  • Citation: 103

4. Monitoring the birds and the bees: Environmental DNA metabarcoding of flowers detects plant–animal interactions

  • Year: 2023

  • Authors: JP Newton, PW Bateman, MJ Heydenrych, JH Kestel, KW Dixon, …

  • Citation: 63

5. Interactions between the introduced European honey bee and native bees in urban areas varies by year, habitat type and native bee guild

  • Year: 2021

  • Authors: KS Prendergast, KW Dixon, PW Bateman

  • Citation: 58

6. Plant-pollinator networks in Australian urban bushland remnants are not structurally equivalent to those in residential gardens

  • Year: 2021

  • Authors: KS Prendergast, J Ollerton

  • Citation: 56

7. Urban native vegetation remnants support more diverse native bee communities than residential gardens in Australia’s southwest biodiversity hotspot

  • Year: 2022

  • Authors: KS Prendergast, S Tomlinson, KW Dixon, PW Bateman, MHM Menz

  • Citation: 47

8. Impacts of the introduced European honeybee on Australian bee‐flower network properties in urban bushland remnants and residential gardens

  • Year: 2022

  • Authors: KS Prendergast, J Ollerton

  • Citation: 45

9. Continental risk assessment for understudied taxa post‐catastrophic wildfire indicates severe impacts on the Australian bee fauna

  • Year: 2021

  • Authors: JB Dorey, CM Rebola, OK Davies, KS Prendergast, BA Parslow, …

  • Citation: 27

10. Bee representations in human art and culture through the ages

  • Year: 2021

  • Authors: KS Prendergast, JE Garcia, SR Howard, ZX Ren, SJ McFarlane, AG Dyer

  • Citation: 26

11. Honey bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) outnumber native bees in Tasmanian apple orchards: Perspectives for balancing crop production and native bee conservation

  • Year: 2021

  • Authors: KS Prendergast, N Leclercq, NJ Vereecken

  • Citation: 26

12. Methodological shortcomings and lack of taxonomic effort beleaguer Australian bee studies

  • Year: 2021

  • Authors: KS Prendergast, K Hogendoorn

  • Citation: 24

13. The evidence for and against competition between the European honeybee and Australian native bees

  • Year: 2022

  • Authors: KS Prendergast, KW Dixon, PW Bateman

  • Citation: 23

14. The relative performance of sampling methods for native bees: an empirical test and review of the literature

  • Year: 2020

  • Authors: KS Prendergast, MHM Menz, KW Dixon, PW Bateman, C Prendergast, …

  • Citation: 20

15. Checking in at bee hotels: trap-nesting occupancy and fitness of cavity-nesting bees in an urbanised biodiversity hotspot

  • Year: 2023

  • Authors: KS Prendergast

  • Citation: 17

Aima Iram Batool | Zoology | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr.Aima Iram Batool | Zoology | Best Researcher Award

Associate professor of Zoology, University of Sargodha

Dr. Aima Iram Batool is an Associate Professor in the Department of Zoology at the University of Sargodha, specializing in Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Environmental Toxicology. She actively researches sustainable aquaculture practices and environmental challenges in the fisheries sector. She leads the Laboratory of Toxicology, mentoring master’s and doctoral students while coordinating key programs in Biofloc Technology, Fish Biology, and Ecology. Her recent research project, “Empowering Sustainable Aquaculture Enterprises,” received a PKR 2.5 million grant from PIDE in 2024, promoting sustainable aquaculture practices. She has also worked on environmental monitoring projects, including a PKR 0.725 million study on water contamination in coal mining areas. Passionate about bridging scientific research with practical applications, Dr. Batool focuses on innovative solutions to enhance aquaculture sustainability. She has supervised numerous postgraduate research projects and has published extensively in international journals, contributing significantly to environmental and aquatic sciences.

profile

Scholar

Education 

Ph.D. in Zoology – University of Sargodha, Pakistan (2017) MPhil in Zoology – University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan (2002) MSc in Zoology – University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan (2000) BSc in Biology – University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan (1996) Intermediate & Matriculation – BISE Sargodha, Pakistan Dr. Batool’s academic journey has been centered on biological and environmental sciences, with a keen interest in fisheries, aquaculture, and toxicology. Her Ph.D. research focused on sustainable aquaculture and biofloc technology, aligning with global efforts in eco-friendly fish farming. With a strong educational foundation in zoology, she has developed expertise in environmental toxicology, water quality assessment, and aquatic ecosystem management. Throughout her academic career, she has contributed significantly to research on sustainable fisheries and has mentored postgraduate students in advanced research methodologies.

👩‍🏫 Experience 

Associate Professor, Department of Zoology, University of Sargodha (July 2024 – Present) Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology, University of Sargodha (Oct 2021 – July 2024) Lecturer, Department of Zoology, University of Sargodha (Sept 2007 – 2021) Dr. Batool has over 17 years of experience in academia, specializing in fisheries, aquaculture, and environmental toxicology. She has led multiple research projects on sustainable aquaculture, environmental monitoring, and fish health management. As an educator, she has supervised numerous Ph.D. and MPhil theses, guiding students in innovative research. Her role as a mentor extends to leading laboratory-based toxicology studies, equipping students with skills in molecular biology techniques, heavy metal analysis, and biofloc technology. She actively collaborates with national and international organizations to advance research in fisheries and environmental sciences.

🏆 Awards & Honors 

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Afzal 6th Gold Medal in Fish Nutrition/Fisheries (7th International Conference on Applied Zoology, 2024) Distinction Certificate from ORIC, University of Sargodha for securing a PKR 2.5 million research grant (2024) Early Career Research Grant Recipient (2017) for environmental toxicology studies Recognized as a Leading Researcher in Sustainable Aquaculture by national fisheries research institutes Invited Speaker at International Conferences on Aquaculture & Fisheries Dr. Batool’s contributions to aquaculture and fisheries research have been recognized through multiple awards and grants. She has received prestigious accolades for her pioneering work in fish nutrition, water quality assessment, and sustainable aquaculture. Her research has influenced policy recommendations and best practices in fisheries management.

🔬 Research Focus 

Dr. Batool’s research primarily focuses on sustainable aquaculture, biofloc technology, environmental toxicology, and fish health management. She explores eco-friendly aquaculture solutions to reduce environmental impact and improve fish production. Her current research, funded by PIDE, investigates investment strategies, compliance, and growth prospects in sustainable aquaculture. She has also led studies on the health risks of chemical contaminants in drinking water from coal mining regions, emphasizing public health and environmental safety. Dr. Batool utilizes advanced biological techniques such as PCR, DNA/protein isolation, comet assay, and heavy metal extraction to assess aquatic ecosystems. Her work has been published in high-impact journals, addressing challenges in water pollution, fish disease management, and ecosystem conservation. She is dedicated to integrating research with practical applications, ensuring that sustainable practices in aquaculture are widely adopted for long-term industry growth.

Conclusion

Dr. Aima Iram Batool exhibits a robust profile characterized by innovative research, substantial funding acquisition, a prolific publication record, and dedicated academic mentorship. Her focus on sustainable aquaculture and environmental health addresses critical global challenges. By enhancing international collaborations and broadening the dissemination of her research, Dr. Batool could further amplify her impact, strengthening her candidacy for the Best Researcher Award.

Publication

  • Synergistic effects of nitric oxide and silicon on promoting plant growth, oxidative stress tolerance and reduction of arsenic uptake in Brassica juncea
    Authors: AIB Aqeel Ahmad, Waheed Ullah Khan, Anis Ali Shah, Nasim Ahmad Yasin, AI Batool
    Year: 2020
    Citations: 139

 

  • Effectiveness of Natural Antioxidants against SARS-CoV-2? Insights from the In-Silico World
    Authors: MF Rehman, S Akhter, AI Batool, Z Selamoglu, M Sevindik, R Eman, …
    Year: 2021
    Citations: 64

 

  • Health risk assessment of heavy metals and metalloids via dietary intake of a potential vegetable (Coriandrum sativum L.) grown in contaminated water irrigated agricultural areas
    Authors: K Ahmad, A Ashfaq, ZI Khan, M Ashraf, NA Akram, S Yasmin, AI Batool, …
    Year: 2016
    Citations: 62

 

  • Purification and characterization of bacteriocin isolated from Streptococcus thermophilus
    Authors: M Aslam, M Shahid, FU Rehman, NH Naveed, AI Batool, S Sharif, A Asia
    Year: 2011
    Citations: 58

 

  • Leaves of roadside plants as bioindicator of traffic-related lead pollution during different seasons in Sargodha, Pakistan
    Authors: NH Naveed, AI Batool, FU Rehman, U Hameed
    Year: 2010
    Citations: 53

 

  • Synergistic application of silver nanoparticles and indole acetic acid alleviate cadmium-induced stress and improve growth of Daucus carota L.
    Authors: S Faiz, AA Shah, NH Naveed, A Nijabat, NA Yasin, AI Batool, HM Ali, …
    Year: 2022
    Citations: 52

 

  • Isolation of cellulolytic activities from Tribolium castaneum (red flour beetle)
    Authors: FU Rehman, M Aslam, MI Tariq, A Shaheen, AJ Sami, NH Naveed, AI Batool, …
    Year: 2009
    Citations: 36

 

  • Health risk implications of iron in wastewater soil-food crops grown in the vicinity of peri-urban areas of the District Sargodha
    Authors: S Akhtar, M Luqman, MU Farooq Awan, I Saba, ZI Khan, K Ahmad, AI Batool, …
    Year: 2022
    Citations: 25

 

  • Risk factors, pathophysiology, and management of hypertension
    Authors: A Batool, M Sultana, P Gilani, T Javed
    Year: 2018
    Citations: 24

 

  • Coal dust-induced systematic hypoxia and redox imbalance among coal mine workers
    Authors: AI Batool, NH Naveed, M Aslam, J da Silva, MF Rehman
    Year: 2020
    Citations: 23

 

  • Evaluation of heavy metals uptake by wheat growing in sewage irrigated soil: relationship with heavy metal in soil and wheat grains
    Authors: ZI Khan, S Iqbal, F Batool, K Ahmad, MS Elshikh, A Al Sahli, M El-Zaidy, …
    Year: 2017
    Citations: 22

 

  • Evaluation and Association of Heavy Metals in Commonly Used Fish Feed with Metals Concentration in Some Tissues of O. niloticus Cultured in Biofloc Systems
    Authors: SS Habib, AI Batool, MFU Rehman, S Naz
    Year: 2023
    Citations: 21

 

  • Assessment and Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in Fish Feeds, Water, and Some Tissues of Cyprinus carpio Cultured in Different Environments (Biofloc Systems)
    Authors: SS Habib, AI Batool, MFU Rehman, S Naz
    Year: 2023
    Citations: —