Rockhampton region home to some of Australia’s brightest research students

Three Rockhampton region residents are among Australia’s top 27 research students who will take up Smart Futures PhD scholarships at universities across the state in 2009.

Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry Desley Boyle said the Queensland Government scholarships award each postgraduate $22,500 over three years for full-time research in varied disciplines.

Among the recipients is Morwenna Kirwan who will explore the effectiveness of an electronic self-management tool to assist young people with type 1 diabetes.

Morwenna said she hopes her research will enable adolescents to manage their diabetes through a mobile device that would record glucose readings, insulin injections, lab results, food intake and physical activity.

“Young people are very comfortable using technology, so to be able to monitor their health through software applications that could be linked to mobile phones or other devices would be a practical way for them to manage the disease,” she said.

Morwenna, who will undertake her research at Central Queensland University, will be joined by fellow scholarship recipient Mitchell McClanachan who will study the optimisation of train haulage operations, while Yeppoon’s Erica Todd will focus on endemic freshwater turtles at Townsville’s James Cook University.

Ms Boyle said other projects undertaken by the 27 PhD scholarship-holders will include climate change on the Great Barrier Reef, skin cancer treatment, obesity intervention, developing new learning methods, improving police investigative practices and the effects of aerosols on rainfall.

“The scholarships foster innovation in Queensland’s research and development sector, helping to build the foundations for a sustainable state-wide research community.

“This in turn plays a key role in our economic prosperity and social advancement,” she said.

Member for Rockhampton Robert Schwarten said the local community is very proud of the achievements of these three scholars.

“Although they have three years of hard work in front of them, it’s clear Morwenna, Mitchell and Erica are all dedicated to their research and I wish them the best of luck in their future endeavours.”

Ms Boyle added that Queensland has a reputation for building world-class R&D infrastructure and now there is a push to attract leading researchers too.

“During the past 10 years the Queensland Government has invested $3.4 billion in 36 new research institutes and more than 230 research scholarships and fellowships,” Ms Boyle said.

“The four-year $120 million Smart State Strategy, launched in 2008 and incorporating the Smart Futures scholarships, will boost science and industry’s capacity to solve problems through research, innovation and key partnerships across public and private sectors.

“The 28 scholarship-holders are to be congratulated on their success, given the calibre of applications received, and I look forward to the outcome of their research.”

12 February, 2009

Media contact: Marcus Taylor 3225 1005/0419 025 326 or Zoe Russell 3224 2007/0437 436 914
2009

CQUniversity Australia: Michael Donahue 4930 9384




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