Professor Jenny Webster-Brown, a scientist recognised internationally for her research into water chemistry and quality, has been appointed Chair of the new Waterways Centre for Freshwater Management established jointly by the University of Canterbury and Lincoln University.

Professor Webster-Brown was previously at the University of Auckland where she was Associate Professor of water quality and environmental science in the School of Geography, Geology and Environmental Science, and in the Department of Chemistry. Her previous roles include senior research scientist with the ESR.

Professor Webster-Brown is particularly interested in the processes that control the behaviour and toxicity of trace elements such as arsenic, copper, lead, zinc and cadmium in natural freshwater systems. These are the areas in which she has published most extensively and achieved international recognition.

The new Waterways Centre for Freshwater Management was established in response to calls by local authorities and businesses for more water management specialists. The Tertiary Education Commission's Encouraging and Supporting Innovation Fund has awarded UC and Lincoln just over $1 million over three years to establish the Centre.

The joint project, which will lead work with authorities and industry to address specific skill shortages, has support from CPIT, the Canterbury Water Cluster, the Primary Sector Water Partnership and the Water Industries Skills Steering Group. It has been developed in consultation with Environment Canterbury, Canterbury Development Corporation (CDC) and the Department of Labour.

Professor Webster-Brown, who took up the position in January, has a BSc Hons (First Class) in geology and chemistry from the University of Otago and a PhD (Distinction) in geochemistry from the University of Western Australia.