Steve Coventry's PhD is looking at factors affecting short and long distance dispersal of fungal pests and he is using Chickpea Ascochyta blight as a model. He is studying at the University of Adelaide where he received his honours degree in agricultural science degree, majoring in integrated pest management.

He chose the CRCNPB because it related so well to his undergraduate program and he's particularly interested in biosecurity because it deals with more than one aspect of pests and diseases. It has a whole system approach.

"It brings all areas of technology, science, community and educational awareness together making it complete and comprehensive," he says.

Steve enjoys living in Adelaide -  "It doesn't have the hustle and bustle of Melbourne and Sydney but it has beautiful hills, great wine, the best beer and people are generally friendly and work hard."

He likes to be active on his weekends and regularly does martial arts training.

Steve believes biosecurity research is important for Australia's future to stop incursions of pest and diseases that may threaten our ecosystems and because it will mean economic sustainability. This will in turn lead to high quality products which are highly competitive the world over.