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24 September 2008

Dr Catherine Yule

Dr Catherine Yule became entranced with the beauty of Papua New Guinea while listening to a university lecture more than 30 years ago.

At the first opportunity Dr Yule packed her bags and caught a flight.

"From the first moment I saw the Bougainville Island from the air I fell in love. The towering mountains swathed in rainforest, the coral reefs and beautiful beaches were magical," Dr Yule said.

While in Bougainville Dr Yule began her PhD research working on the ecology of a mountain stream.

She then continued her academic career at Monash University's Sunway campus in Malaysia, teaching tropical biology, ecology and environmental science and supervising research students.

"I love tertiary teaching because there is the opportunity to align teaching and research," Dr Yule said.

"It is wonderful to assist my research students to find the answers to the puzzles we come across in these tropical environments."

Dr Yule's lessons go beyond the lecture halls and into the forests and swamp areas of Malaysia and Borneo.

"Establishing field trips as a component of the lectures has been difficult. It has been hard convincing people of the benefits of field work," Dr Yule said.

"The enthusiasm these field trips instill in students helps them evolve as scientists and transforms them into better academics. It is highly rewarding to see students develop from first-year students to postgraduates."

Dr Yule has introduced more than 1000 students, including students from Australia, to tropical habitats. For many it is their first experience of a tropical forest.

"I hope that my contribution as an educator and mentor influences students for many years beyond their Monash experience," Dr Yule said.

"Judging by the feedback from past and present students and the contributions they're making in the fields of conservation and environmental management, I'm confident they've been inspired by my classes and the Monash Malaysia experience."