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Winthrop Professor Gary Kendrick has been praised for his major role in establishing The UWA Oceans Institute.

Professor Kendrick officially stepped down as Acting Director of the Oceans Institute on June 15. More than 40 staff and students attended a function at the OI building to acknowledge his achievements.

Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Alistar Robertson commended Professor Kendrick for his "terrific work".

"We've come a long way in the 20 months since the Oceans Institute was launched, and a lot of it goes down to Gary, so thank you very much," Professor Robertson said.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Alan Robson has also acknowledged Professor Kendrick's achievements.

"You've shown great dedication to the part and I note the progress that's been made under your leadership," Professor Robson wrote in a letter to Professor Kendrick.

"I'm particularly pleased with all your work with our collaborating research institutes, such as management of the UWA-AIMS-CSIRO collaboration, the excellent positioning of the OI within the recently funded NERP (National Environmental Research Program) marine hub, and the way in which the OI is such an active member of ANNiMS (Australian National Network in Marine Science).

"The Oceans Institute brand is now well known and understood."

Professor Kendrick thanked many people for their support, and praised the efforts of Oceans Institute postgraduate students and postdoctoral staff.

"The reason we've had successes like we've had is because the junior staff members, the Post-docs and the Phd students are dying for this (OI) to be a success."

In March, The University of Western Australia appointed Professor Carlos Duarte as the new Director of the Oceans Institute.

Professor Kendrick is taking conference and long service leave, and is travelling to the US and England. He will resume an ongoing research position at the Oceans Institute in September 2011.

Media references

Christine Shervington (UWA Oceans Institute)  (+61 8)  6488 8014
Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 5563  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716