The passion of the late Associate Professor Samson Agboola from Charles Sturt University (CSU) for mentoring emerging researchers was remembered in a moving ceremony in Wagga Wagga.

 

Accompanied by her daughters, Professor Agboola’s widow Bola posthumously accepted the 2012 Faculty of Science Award for Research Supervision Excellence on Wednesday 15 August.

 

Acting Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science, Professor Heather Cavanagh told the visibly moved audience that Samson was a “dedicated and passionate mentor of early career researchers, particularly the PhD students whom he supervised.

 

“He was never too busy to lend a listening ear and never settled for anything less than the best that a student could offer. He also had the ability to organise the supervision process cogently and imaginatively.

 

“Samson was recognised by his students as a mentor and a friend, always there to give simple and realistic directions and guidance.”

 

The Associate Professor of Food Science died in Wagga Wagga Base Hospital in April 2012 after a short illness.

 

He was based in the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences at CSU in Wagga Wagga and member of the EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation – an alliance between CSU and NSW Department of Primary Industries. In 2012, he was part of the Chemistry Teaching Team that won the 2011 CSU Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence. Professor Agboola authored approximately 50 refereed publications, numerous national and international conference papers and five book chapters. He was also the recipient of more than $1 million dollars in grant income.

 

Professor Cavanagh also announced the Faculty of Science Samson Agboola International Travel Grant, an annual award in memory of the scientist’s passion for international experience in higher education.

 

The travel grant will provide $1 000 each year from 2013 to enable a CSU research student focusing on any aspect of chemistry or food science to attend an international conference or complete part of their research project overseas. 

 

“I firmly believe Samson would have been delighted with the introduction of this grant,” Professor Cavanagh said.