Professor Alison Stewart, Director of the Bio-Protection Research Centre, has been appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in recognition of her services to biology, in particular plant pathology.

Professor Stewart says the appointment came as a complete surprise and that she fully appreciates the honour.

"I've always believed in the value of science and in particular the value of bioprotection science. I'm delighted by the appointment, not just on a personal level, but because I see it as a public acknowledgement of the importance of bioprotection research and of the success of the Bio-Protection Research Centre as a whole."

A plant biologist who has focused on plant disease management, biological control and microbial ecology, Professor Stewart has developed microbial technologies that reduce plant disease and stimulate plant growth and discovered new genetic pathways in Trichoderma biocontrol agents. 

She has also developed a number of integrated disease management strategies and commercial products for a range of economically important plant diseases, such as Allium white rot, Sclerotinia lettuce drop, and Botrytis grey mould of grapes. 

In 1988 she was appointed the first female Professor at Lincoln University and became the Director of the Bio-Protection Research Centre, a Centre of Research Excellence (CoRE), on its formation in 2003.

Professor Stewart has published more than 300 refereed journal articles, books and conference papers and contributed to many professional societies, committees and advisory panels in the areas of biosecurity, biodiversity and bioprotection.

Professor Stewart is deemed an A-rated Scientist by the Performance Based Research Fund. She received a Lincoln University Excellence in Research Award in 1997, the Agricom Significant Achievement Award in 2001, the AgResearch Technology Transfer Award in 2002 and the MAFBNZ  Biosecurity Award for Excellence in 2008. She was made a Fellow of the NZ Institute for Agricultural and Horticultural Science in 2006.