JCU marine scientist named 2026 Rhodes Scholar

Marine scientist and James Cook University (JCU) climate change researcher Joshua Lesicar will continue his studies at the prestigious University of Oxford after being named a 2026 Australia-at-Large Rhodes Scholar.

The Rhodes Scholarship postgraduate awards began in 1903 under the will of the late Cecil John Rhodes and recognise outstanding all-round students by enabling them to study at the world-renowned University of Oxford in England.

Mr Lesicar will use his Rhodes Scholarship – which covers all University and College fees, a personal stipend and return airfare – to continue his environmental studies and undertake a Doctor of Philosophy in Earth Sciences at the University of Oxford from October 2026.

He was one of three Australia-at-Large Rhodes Scholars elected in Canberra on 23 October, joining six others elected in each of the Australian states, and spoke of his immense relief and excitement at hearing his name called.

“It was an incredible moment. My first thought was that I needed to call my parents and share the news with them. They’ve supported me every step of the way,” he said.

“They were absolutely thrilled and incredibly proud.”

“In Queensland, only one Rhodes Scholar is selected, but the committee can nominate up to two additional candidates for an Australia-at-Large round. I was fortunate enough to be one of the two nominated after the Queensland round. I then spent three days in Canberra with all the other candidates from around the country going through interviews.

“From that pool, they selected three, and I was fortunate enough to be one of them.”

Mr Lesicar is from Adelaide originally and said he was eager to join the Rhodes community to broaden his worldview and learn how to advocate for science in policy settings.

“As a Doctor of Philosophy student, I will be able to immediately begin addressing critical knowledge gaps by publishing new findings, speaking at conferences, and engaging policymakers to make well-intentioned policies well informed,” he said.

“To really change the world, you need to persuade people who have different ideas to you.

“I’m looking forward to meeting new people at Oxford, because they will all be really passionate and highly motivated, so being around that will be really conducive to my studies and also just exciting to be a part of.”

“I’m also excited to experience life in another country, as I've always lived in Australia. There might be a big difference of culture that I'll experience.

“JCU’s Prof Jan Strugnell has been my primary supervisor for my honours, so I've worked closely with her throughout this whole year, and she was the one who encouraged me to apply.

“So, it's nice to be following in her footsteps as a Rhodes Scholar as well.”

Mr Lesicar, 23, graduated with distinction from JCU in Townsville in 2024, placing first in his Bachelor of Marine Science cohort. He is currently completing his Honours in Marine Biology at JCU, with a thesis on Antarctic sea slug dispersal.

His research interests focus on phytoplankton – the microscopic marine organisms that produce half of the world’s oxygen and absorb 30 per cent of carbon dioxide emissions.

“The ocean is our best resource to mitigate climate change,” he said.

“Paradoxically, it’s the largest and most important environment on Earth, yet the one we know the least about. This is completely inexcusable.

“Understanding how phytoplankton adapt to climate change and contribute to world oxygen production is essential to protecting the planet.”

For more information about Rhodes Scholarships: https://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk