Groundbreaking opportunities for next generation of scientists

26 April 2007

Daniel Mitchell will continue his research in the field of aircraft mechanics at Stanford University.

Three more Monash University postgraduate students have received Fulbright Scholarships to pursue cutting-edge research that may change the way we treat cancer, fly supersonic jets, and manage our water supplies.

Danny Gelman is undertaking a PhD at Monash University on an Australian Postgraduate Award researching the construction of natural and non-natural steroids to treat cancer. He will continue his studies at Harvard University over the next 12 months.

Mr Gelman's research focuses on developing a new synthesis of steroids that will be utilised to develop new treatments for hormone-linked diseases such as prostate cancer, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), breast cancer and other related diseases.

"By undertaking this research I hope to promote the work being done in Australia as well as learn from and collaborate with world leaders in the field of organic synthesis," he said.

Daniel Mitchell will undertake research at Stanford University into the fluid mechanics of fuel injection for scramjets - engines designed for supersonic and hypersonic flight. The research will go towards his PhD in Aerospace Engineering at Monash University.

"Australia has recently achieved international prominence in the field of scramjet research and I hope to increase Australia's involvement in the development of this new technology," he said.

Robin Brimblecombe is currently working towards a PhD in Chemistry and will undertake research at Princeton University into the development of catalysts that with solar energy can create hydrogen.

Robin explains, "The development of an efficient water oxidation catalyst that utilises solar energy has been described as the ‘holy grail of electrochemistry' as it is a vital component of a device that could provide a renewable sustainable fuel source in the form of hydrogen gas (H2)."

Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Larkins congratulated the students.

"This is the highest number of Fulbright Postgraduate Scholars from any one university for a number of years, and we very much look forward to their continued excellence in the field of science," Professor Larkins said.

Robin Brimblecombe will further his PhD research at Princeton.

The Fulbright Program is one the largest and most prestigious educational exchange programs in the world. It was established in 1949 to further mutual understanding between the people of Australia and the United States through educational and cultural exchange.

To honour Mr Gelman, Mitchell and Mr Brimblecombe, the 2007 Fulbright Presentation Dinner at Customs House in Brisbane will be held on Thursday 24 May 2007.

More details on the Fulbright Scholarship Program can be found by visiting the Fulbright website

Meanwhile, Dean of the Faculty of Science, Rob Norris has extended his congratulations to Professor Doug MacFarlane on his election to the Australian Academy of Science as one of its new 2007 Fellows.

This represents an outstanding achievement and is in recognition of Professor MacFarlane's national and international reputation and the excellence of his research.

Also receiving recognition recently, Dr Bayden Wood, currently a Monash Synchrotron Fellow has been awarded an Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship. Dr Wood will be working with Dr Volker Derkart at the Institute for Analytical Sciences (ISAS) Dortmund and in collaboration with Professor Dieter Naumann at the Robert Koch Institute, Berlin.