Published Tuesday, 20 February, 2007 at 02:07 PM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
THE SMART STATE HONOURS DR ZHOU WITH FELLOWSHIP GRANT
A special Smart State grant, worth three-quarters of a million dollars over three years, has been created to encourage innovative medical research in honour of cervical cancer vaccine co-developer, the late Dr Jian Zhou.
Queensland Premier Peter Beattie said the Dr Jian Zhou Smart State Fellowship for Immunology and Cancer Research was a special one-off research grant, made available under Round Two of the Smart State Innovation Funds.
“Dr Zhou was a dedicated and tremendously talented scientist whose life was tragically cut short,” Mr Beattie said.
“The Dr Zhou Fellowship is the first formal recognition by the Government of Dr Zhou’s significant contribution to the development of the world’s first cervical cancer vaccine, Gardasil.
“It’s important we acknowledge his work with Professor Ian Frazer in discovering the vaccine and his considerable contribution to Queensland and Australian science.
“Therefore, in line with Dr Zhou’s area of expertise, the Fellowship will specifically target innovative research in the fields of immunology and cancer.”
Mr Beattie said CSL Limited, the company making Gardasil, would contribute $50,000 a year for each of the three years, towards the research grant.
Prior to his sudden passing in 1999, Dr Jian Zhou headed up the Papillomavirus Virology Unit at the Princess Alexandra Hospital where he worked with Professor Ian Frazer on the breakthrough cervical cancer vaccine.
Approximately 800 Australian women are diagnosed annually with cervical cancer requiring treatment involving surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. In addition, about 230 women are claimed by the disease each year.
Premier Beattie said the first round of the Smart State Innovation Funds had proved widely successful in helping to put an end to the ‘brain drain’, helping to retain the expertise of some of the State’s leading scientists and researchers, including Professor Ian Frazer.
“Last year Professor Frazer received more than $1 million in funding to help translate the immunotherapy success of his cervical cancer vaccine to address other diseases,” Mr Beattie said.
Premier Beattie said the Government’s commitment to innovation in Queensland was a crucial step in developing a knowledge-based economy that would guarantee the State’s future prosperity.
“Investing heavily in the Smart State’s foundations is where it all begins. And this includes building world-class research facilities, attracting and retaining top-quality scientists and stimulating cutting-edge research.”
Later in the year, the Australasian Chinese Foundation will host their own tribute to Dr Zhou, a Memorial Symposium, to celebrate his scientific achievements and encourage more Chinese students to become scientists.
The symposium will feature a series of addresses from Dr Zhou’s former colleague Professor Ian Frazer, an internationally recognised Chinese scientist and other high profile scientists.
Premier Beattie said applications for the Dr Zhou Fellowship, valued at $250 000 per year for three years, were open until Wednesday, 21 March 2007.
For further information on how to apply visit www.sd.qld.gov.au/innovationfunds
Media contact: 3224 4500
20 February, 2007
Queensland Premier Peter Beattie said the Dr Jian Zhou Smart State Fellowship for Immunology and Cancer Research was a special one-off research grant, made available under Round Two of the Smart State Innovation Funds.
“Dr Zhou was a dedicated and tremendously talented scientist whose life was tragically cut short,” Mr Beattie said.
“The Dr Zhou Fellowship is the first formal recognition by the Government of Dr Zhou’s significant contribution to the development of the world’s first cervical cancer vaccine, Gardasil.
“It’s important we acknowledge his work with Professor Ian Frazer in discovering the vaccine and his considerable contribution to Queensland and Australian science.
“Therefore, in line with Dr Zhou’s area of expertise, the Fellowship will specifically target innovative research in the fields of immunology and cancer.”
Mr Beattie said CSL Limited, the company making Gardasil, would contribute $50,000 a year for each of the three years, towards the research grant.
Prior to his sudden passing in 1999, Dr Jian Zhou headed up the Papillomavirus Virology Unit at the Princess Alexandra Hospital where he worked with Professor Ian Frazer on the breakthrough cervical cancer vaccine.
Approximately 800 Australian women are diagnosed annually with cervical cancer requiring treatment involving surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. In addition, about 230 women are claimed by the disease each year.
Premier Beattie said the first round of the Smart State Innovation Funds had proved widely successful in helping to put an end to the ‘brain drain’, helping to retain the expertise of some of the State’s leading scientists and researchers, including Professor Ian Frazer.
“Last year Professor Frazer received more than $1 million in funding to help translate the immunotherapy success of his cervical cancer vaccine to address other diseases,” Mr Beattie said.
Premier Beattie said the Government’s commitment to innovation in Queensland was a crucial step in developing a knowledge-based economy that would guarantee the State’s future prosperity.
“Investing heavily in the Smart State’s foundations is where it all begins. And this includes building world-class research facilities, attracting and retaining top-quality scientists and stimulating cutting-edge research.”
Later in the year, the Australasian Chinese Foundation will host their own tribute to Dr Zhou, a Memorial Symposium, to celebrate his scientific achievements and encourage more Chinese students to become scientists.
The symposium will feature a series of addresses from Dr Zhou’s former colleague Professor Ian Frazer, an internationally recognised Chinese scientist and other high profile scientists.
Premier Beattie said applications for the Dr Zhou Fellowship, valued at $250 000 per year for three years, were open until Wednesday, 21 March 2007.
For further information on how to apply visit www.sd.qld.gov.au/innovationfunds
Media contact: 3224 4500
20 February, 2007