A Werribee-based scientist has been recognised as one of the world’s most promising people in his field.
Dr Josh Aleri was recently named winner of the Gustav Rosenberger Award for his work in cattle science.
The international award is presented to one person annually and recognises the best postgraduate student in the bovine science industry.
Dr Aleri is from Kenya, where he worked as a vet before moving to Australia two years ago.
Growing up with 11 brothers and seven sisters, Dr Aleri, 29, felt he always needed to achieve something special to stand out from the crowd, and his latest award has helped him do that.
As well as the prestige that comes with the award, Dr Aleri was also given about $14,500 to help him further his studies.
While studying at the University of Melbourne’s faculty of veterinary science in Werribee, Dr Aleri has been undertaking a fellowship in cattle health and welfare.
“I’ve always liked working with cattle,” Dr Aleri said.
“They’re very special animals. They can talk to you without even speaking and I think I’ve developed that way of communicating with them that makes my work easier.”
Most of what he is studying is still confidential, but he says the main goal of his work is to “answer questions we have around different production parameters”.
As for the future, Dr Aleri says he wants to become a professor and help teach the next generation of scientists as his mentor, Professor Andrew Fisher, has done.
“If I can improve people’s lives by foretelling animal health and wellbeing then I will be happy every day,” he said. “But if I can discover something then I’ll be even happier.”
Dr Aleri will travel to Cairns on July 26 to accept his award.
