Prof Gil Garnier
Leading Australian researcher Professor Gil Garnier has been appointed one of the judges for the third Blue Sky Young Researchers Innovation Award. Source: Timberbiz
Held every two years since 2016, the award is presented by the International Council of Forests and Paper Association (ICFPA) to recognise excellence in pulp and paper research from around the world, with entries ranging from projects looking at value adding, emissions reduction and innovation.
The entries are judged by an international panel of leading researchers, and this year Professor Garnier from Monash University has been chosen to be a judge.
Professor Garnier is the Director of BioPRIA within the University’s Department of Chemical Engineering, which aims to evolve the Australian Pulp and Paper Industry into Biorefineries, developing biomedical devices and diagnostics from paper, fine chemicals, and advanced materials from wood.
Its researchers are dedicated to developing materials that can be reprocessed, then recycled and finally be fully biodegradable for compost at the end of their life. This work means Professor Garnier is ideally suited to judge the diverse and innovative entries in the Blue Sky Awards.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing what the best and brightest young researchers are doing, and it’s an honour to be on the judging panel of this award,” Professor Garnier said.
AFPA Acting Chief Executive Officer Victor Violante said Professor Garnier was a world-renown researcher in the pulp and paper sector and would bring a wealth of expertise to the judging panel.
“His appointment is also recognition of Australia’s strong reputation for being at the forefront of innovation and ground-breaking research in the pulp and paper sector.”
The finalists for the ICFPA Blue Sky Awards will be announced in February.
