Bayside PhD scholars seek cure for skin cancer and disease

Manly West’s Ken Dutton-Regester and Thornlands’ Simon de Veer have research under their skin. Both men are among 27 top Australian research students taking 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.

Ken’s doctorate will research genetic causes of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, and Simon’s PhD will examine causes and treatments for skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis.

“Cancer is such a significant problem, and I’m looking forward to being involved in research that can benefit the community,” said Ken.

“The focus of my PhD will be to identify gene mutations responsible for melanoma progression, which will hopefully lead to the development of suitable drugs for treatment of this cancer.

Ken will be based at the Queensland Institute for Medical Research in Herston, which is also where he completed his honours project on colorectal cancer.

Simon’s tertiary background is in applied science and is part of a research group at the Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation on Queensland University of Technology’s Kelvin Grove campus.

“Investigating the role of enzyme activity in skin disease is the focus of my research, with the ultimate goal to produce new and effective treatments for a variety of conditions,” Simon said.

“I’m rather excited at the prospect of a research career, and a PhD is the first step towards that, so this scholarship was a very welcome Christmas present,” Simon said.

Member for Redlands John English said the recipients should be very proud of their achievements.

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

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

“A landmark study into the Aboriginal perspective on health will also be conducted by Maryborough’s Victoria Close, the first Indigenous recipient of a Smart Futures PhD scholarship.

“Scholarships foster innovation in the state’s research and development sector, helping 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.

“Brisbane universities will host seventeen of the scholarship-holders, the other ten will study at universities across the state from James Cook University in Townsville to Griffith University on the Gold Coast.”

Ms Boyle said 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

Queensland University of Technology: Astra Dadzis 3138 2361

Link to photograph of Ken Dutton-Regester:
http://www.dtrdi.qld.gov.au/media/20093001_smartfutures/Smart%20Futures%20PhD%20scholarships%20winner-%20Ken%20Dutton-Regester.JPG


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