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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-09-14 Daily Xml
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIPS

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (15:38): I rise today to congratulate the six female scientists awarded the South Australian government's 2011 research and professional development scholarships. All six scientists are leaders in their fields of research, all have extensive publication records and all of their research will deliver on the objectives of South Australia's Strategic Plan targets.

The six recipients who will receive scholarships valued at $15,000 each are: University of Adelaide's Professor Bronwyn Gillanders, Dr Ying Zhang, Dr Claire Jessup and Dr Rachel Gibson; Flinders University's Associate Professor Catherine Abbott; and University of South Australia's Associate Professor Linda Davis.

Today, I would like to spend a few minutes highlighting the remarkable work being done right here in South Australia by these fabulous scientists. Professor Bronwyn Gillanders' research focuses on marine ecology and sustainable fisheries. She has a particular interest in marine habitats, fish population dynamics and replenishment and native fish stocking of Australian rivers. She is an expert on the giant Australian cuttlefish and the Spencer Gulf kingfish. Professor Gillanders also studies the use of chemical signatures in the ear bones of marine life to track migratory patterns.

Dr Ying Zhang's research examines the impact of climatic factors on health. Her previous research looked at the likely future burden on health services from diseases predicted to become more prevalent with change in the earth's temperatures. Dr Zhang's current research focuses on ways we can reduce the adverse effects of heatwaves on our ageing population.

Dr Claire Jessup's research is related to pancreatic islet transplantation, which is an emerging curative therapy for type 1 diabetes. In particular, Dr Jessup's work focuses on the intricate interaction between the tiny blood vessels within the pancreas and the insulin producing beta cells within pancreatic islets.

Dr Rachel Gibson's work over the past decade has focused on reducing the side effects of chemotherapy. Those who have watched loved ones go through chemotherapy treatment will know how valued this research is and will be. Dr Gibson has established her own research laboratory, the Gut Microbiome Laboratory, within the University of Adelaide School of Medical Sciences, and is highly regarded in her field of speciality, gastrointestinal mucositis.

Associate Professor Catherine Abbott has a particular interest in the molecular basis of chronic diseases. It is predicted that the professor's research will lead to increased understanding of the immune system and in disease pathogenesis. This research could potentially reveal new treatments for such diseases as diabetes, obesity, cancer, inflammatory bowel disease and Alzheimer's.

Associate Professor Linda Davis was awarded a scholarship for her research into defence radar and communications. Professor Davis is a professional engineer and technical project manager. Her research interests include wireless communications, broadband communications systems, receiver design and implementation, communications theory and signal processing, mapping algorithms to architectures and low power, and reduced complexity signal processing.

I congratulate all six scholarship recipients on their achievements so far, and look forward to the fruits of their research. Finally, I would like to say how delighted I am that the South Australian government recognises the importance of providing scholarships and practical support to our emerging scientific thinkers. It just makes good sense to do so.

We know that South Australia's economic growth is reliant on the defence, minerals and resources, agriculture and health science industries. We also know that a lot of our best and brightest in these fields are lured overseas to work due to better funding and career opportunities. When those emerging scientists leave South Australia, our state loses hundreds of thousands of dollars of investment in their education and training, as well as their expertise and contribution to South Australian scholarship.

If South Australia can better support, retain and promote our home-grown scientists, and if we can address the gender imbalance that currently exists in these fields and maximise the participation of women in these key industries, this can only be a positive thing for the health of the South Australian economy and for our emerging industries.

This is a fantastic achievement and initiative of our government and I am pleased to congratulate the ministers responsible, the Minister for Science and Technology, Jay Weatherill, and the Minister for the Status of Women, Gail Gago.

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