31 July 2007
Monash University today welcomed a new era in scientific research with the official opening of the Australian Synchrotron by Victorian Premier John Brumby.
Monash University is a founding member of the Australian Synchrotron, which is adjacent to the University's Clayton campus in Melbourne.
Centre for Synchrotron Science Director, Professor Rob Lewis said the formation of the Monash Centre for Synchrotron Science is another chapter in the University's almost 50-year track record of scientific advancement, which includes innovations in IVF, drug design and stem cell research.
"The creation of the Synchrotron Science Centre means Monash is taking a pro-active position in Australia's development of synchrotron science and in the application of the synchrotron to many research fields," Professor Lewis said.
"Our scientists are well placed to take a lead in many of the scientific, health and environmental issues facing our community."
The Centre unites elite Monash experts from a diverse range of disciplines and faculties, and is dedicated to finding new uses and approaches of Synchrotron science to the challenges facing our community.
The centre:
- provides advice and assistance to researchers;
- develops platform technologies;
- engages in education programs across the university; and
- funds research fellowships and student scholarships.
Monash University researchers are guaranteed a minimum 1,500 hours access to the facility's beam lines each year. Instead of travelling to overseas facilities, they can use world-class technology at their door.
Monash synchrotron research includes fields ranging from x-ray crystallography and medical imaging, to materials science and nanotechnology.
Monash University is Australia's largest and most internationally focused university. Next year celebrating its 50th anniversary, Monash University was recently ranked at number 38 in the world in the 2006 Times Higher Education supplement.
For more information please contact Professor Rob Lewis, Director Synchrotron Science Centre on: +61 3 9905 8059 or Ms Samantha Blair, Media and Communications on: +61 3 9905 9315.
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