Palaszczuk Government invests in Queensland researchers

The Palaszczuk Government has funded 110 early and mid-career researchers to conduct key studies potentially impacting thousands of Queenslanders, Science Minister Leeanne Enoch announced today.

Ms Enoch said the funding has been allocated under the government’s Advance Queensland Research Fellowships and PhD Scholarships programs.

“With another round of funding imminent, this government has already committed $12.4 million to research fellowships and PhD scholarships,” Ms Enoch said.

“We have funded 110 early and mid-career researchers through our Advance Queensland Research Fellowships and PhD Scholarships programs – demonstrating our commitment to bolstering science in Queensland.

“Our $420 million whole-of-government Advance Queensland initiative is not only good for the Queensland economy, it is also making people’s lives better.

“These are some of the brightest minds in our state and we are funding their research into key areas that impact thousands of Queenslanders, including early detection of cerebral palsy and world-first 3D technology which could deliver significant benefits for women who have had breast cancer.”

Ms Enoch also launched a network today connecting nearly 200 Palaszczuk Government research fellowship recipients from funding programs, including Accelerate Queensland, Smart Futures, Smart State and Advance Queensland.

“The Queensland Science Network will help us shine a light on another important part of the story – what happens after the funded research has finished,” Ms Enoch said.

“The network will help create working relationships between reef ecologists and drone experts; agtech researchers and robotics experts – fostering collaborations between many of the leading researchers across our state.”

Dr Pratheep Annamalai was last year awarded a Research Fellowship worth $300,000 over three years to study ways of increasing the strength and durability of construction materials such as cement, concrete and bitumen using spinifex nanofibres.

“For a mid-career researcher like me, networking is an important avenue for learning and sharing experiences,” Dr Annamalai said.

“This year, there have been lots of new ideas supported through the Advance Queensland fellowship scheme. It will be mutually beneficial to share information about the experiences and how we work with industry partners and clients to deliver.”

Associate Professor Idriss Blakey was one of the original research fellows under the Smart State program in 2003. His research looked at how polymeric materials could improve computer chip manufacture.

“The Queensland Science Network will build a community of interdisciplinary researchers, drawing on an extensive pool of current and previous recipients of Queensland Government science funding from the past 14 years,” Assoc. Prof. Blakey said.

“This will undoubtedly lead to a broad range of networking prospects, such as the initiation of new collaborative research projects, the sharing of experiences, and mentoring opportunities.”

Associate Professor Helen Cooper, a 2009 Smart State Fellow, is conducting research that aims to understand the molecular mechanisms controlling the generation of new neurons in the embryonic and adult brain.

“The very successful Smart State and Advance Queensland Fellowship schemes have highlighted the wealth of scientific expertise and innovation within Queensland universities and institutes,” Assoc. Prof. Cooper said.

“The Queensland Science Network builds on this legacy by providing a unique forum in which scientists from diverse research fields can exchange ideas and establish innovative

For more information, visit the Advance Queensland Queensland Science Network webpage.

ENDS
MEDIA: Ben Doyle 0437 859 987