Curtin Sarawak geology lecturer recognised for best research publication

Miri – 10 June 2010 – Lecturer Dr. M.V. Prasanna of the Department of Applied Geology, School of Engineering and Science, at Curtin University of Technology, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) was presented an award for ‘Best Publication for Lecturer in the School of Engineering and Science’ by Curtin Sarawak at the university’s Award and Scholarship Ceremony recently.

The award was in recognition of Dr. Prasanna’s achievement in the Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) ranking, a research management initiative of the Australian Government developed by the Australian Research Council (ARC), for his research publication titled ‘A Study of the Factors Affecting the Stable Isotopic Composition in Precipitation of Tamilnadu, India’.

The ERA initiative undertakes evaluations of the work of researchers in Australian higher education institutions (and their branch campuses, as in the case of Dr. Prasanna and Curtin Sarawak) at discipline level according to research quality and activity, including research publications.

The Curtin Sarawak Award Selection Panel which granted the award, meanwhile, is instituted to shortlist award recipients and establishes rules pertaining to the nomination for award recipients at Curtin Sarawak. The panel is convened by the Pro Vice-Chancellor, the coordinators of postgraduate studies, Dean of the School of Engineering and Science, Dean of the School of Business and Dean of Research and Development.

Dr. Prasanna’s research interests include hydrogeochemistry, hydrogeology, isotope geochemistry, geophysics, geochemical modelling and environmental geochemistry. He has published technical research papers in reputable journals, conference proceedings and book chapters at national and international level. He has also presented research papers at a number of national and international conferences.

His publications have covered various subjects such as hydrogeochemical processes; groundwater contamination studies and water quality studies; isotope signatures in surface water, groundwater and rain water; integrated studies of chemical and geophysics techniques in coastal aquifers, and environmental impact assessment studies.

At Curtin Sarawak, Prasanna teaches Applied Geology related subjects, including Physical Geology, Structural Geology, Petrology, Environmental Geosciences, Geostatistics, Geophysics, Remote Sensing and Geological Field Mapping.

“Curtin Sarawak is not just a teaching institution. It has a vibrant research culture and a wide range of research activities involving both academics and students. This award from the university certainly motivates me to enhance my research, and hopefully will also spur other academic staff and the students at Curtin Sarawak to expand their research capabilities and contribute to our reputation for producing quality research,” said Dr. Prasanna.

Award winner Dr. M.V Prasanna