Bright futures for southside PhD scholarship recipients

Southside scholars Colleen Morgan (Greenslopes) and Hayley Moody (Mt Gravatt East) 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.

Colleen’s doctorate will examine the relationship between mobile information and communication technologies (ICTs) and learning spaces in schools of the future.

“I’m excited to embark on my PhD as it will allow me to combine my interest in education and ICTs,” Colleen said.

“Education in the 21st century is about teaching students the skills for independent thought and analysis – students can’t be treated as passive receivers of knowledge anymore.

“There’s a knowledge gap in understanding how ICTs fit in with curricula and the built environment, and I hope my research can have an influence on teaching practices and school/classroom design.”

Colleen will be based at Queensland University of Technology’s Kelvin Grove campus, where she did her undergraduate and honours studies in communication design.

Hayley will also be conducting her research through QUT, at Gardens Point campus. With two undergraduate degrees and a Masters in Medical Engineering, Hayley’s doctorate will combine her interest in science and engineering - investigating cellular progression of osteoarthritis in the cartilage of the knee joint.

“Ultimately I hope to develop a diagnostic instrument to improve diagnosis of osteoarthritis,” Hayley said.

“There’s been quite a bit of research on general progression of osteoarthritis, however no research has explored the cellular changes due to osteoarthritis at different locations within the knee.

“Knowing how the cells alter with progression of disease could aid much earlier detection, whereas now our diagnostic tools generally pick-up later stage degeneration, so there are fewer options for treatment.”

Ms Boyle added the other projects undertaken by the scholarship-holders would include climate change on the Great Barrier Reef, skin cancer treatment, obesity intervention, 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.

“These 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.

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.

“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 photo of Colleen Morgan:
http://www.dtrdi.qld.gov.au/media/20093001_smartfutures/Smart%20Futures%20PhD%20scholarships%20winner-%20Colleen%20Morgan.jpg

Link to photo of Hayley Moody:
http://www.dtrdi.qld.gov.au/media/20093001_smartfutures/Smart%20Futures%20PhD%20scholarships%20winner-%20Hayley%20Moody.jpg


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