Australia is the driest inhabited continent on earth, making water research one of the most important areas of investigation, especially given that climate change is influencing our coastal environment in terms of extreme events and changed rainfall patterns. Each freshwater catchment in Australia is unique in the combination of land use, rainfall, geology and development pressures impacting on the landscape. Therefore, understanding how each water supply responds during drought and flood are paramount to supplying a safe and secure water supply.

Dr Adam K Rose is a Lecturer in the Graduate Certificate in Research in the Department of Research and Research Fellow in the Agriculture, Science and the Environment Division at CQUniversity. He has worked for CQUniversity since 2008, researching primarily Central Queensland coastal aquatic ecosystems. Adams specialisation is the impacts of floods on the ecological health risks to human health and water infrastructure. Originally mentored by local farmers and professional fishermen, Adam now hopes to use this knowledge to guide his future academic endeavours. He is particularly interested in the restoration of our Australian aquatic ecosystems, principally in the regions, and how farmers, industry, government and researchers can work together for environmentally, economically and socially sustainable inclusive solutions. Adam is the 2017 recipient of the Australian Water Associations Student Water Prize, awarded for his contribution to the Australian water industry, particularly regional Queensland.