The announcement of the 2008 Fulbright Scholars has reinforced The University of Queensland’s status as a hub of international academic exchange.
The Fulbright program is the largest educational Scholarship of its kind and operates between the US and 150 countries.
Under the prestigious awards scheme, UQ’s David Liu and Jenny Giles will study at the University of Utah and Nova Southeastern University, Florida, respectively, where they will make use of specialist expertise in their research areas.
For Ms Giles, a PhD student with UQ’s School of Integrative Biology who heads to the US in May 2009, this means utilising the resources of the world’s only laboratory specialising in shark DNA forensics and fin trade research – Nova Southeastern University’s Guy Harvey Research Institute (GHRI).
“Shark and ray resources are being over-exploited globally, primarily for the lucrative international trade in fins for shark-fin soup… and the GHRI offers an exceptional collaborative environment to develop techniques for trade monitoring in our region,” Ms Giles said.
“My work aims to provide valuable forensic tools for collecting species-level and population-level data on the trade and harvest of shark fins in Australia, which is vital for identifying national shark and ray conservation priorities.”
Mr Liu, who will make his way to the University of Utah in January 2009, is equally excited about the chance to further his research towards his PhD in computer science.
“I feel extremely honoured to be awarded a scholarship with such a rich history,” he said.
“When I first applied for the scholarship, I was only aware of the opportunities that the funding directly provided.
“However, having experienced the induction program and attended various Fulbright-related events, I now feel like I've been accepted with open arms into a large network of former Fulbright scholars, who are now successful leaders in their respective fields.
"I’ll be collaborating with Utah's Anaesthesiology Bioengineering Laboratory to develop software that will make it easier for doctors to simulate patients' vital signs, such as ECGs (electrocardiograms) and pulse oximetry (the beep-beep-beep sound you hear in operating rooms).
“This software would give doctors the same level of flexibility in manipulating vital signs signals as Apple's Final Cut Pro software provides for video editors and Adobe's Photoshop provides for photographers."
UQ has again shown itself to be a desirable research destination with 2008 US Fulbright Scholar Maggie O’Haire making the decision to study with the University’s Centre for Companion Animal Health.
Ms O’Haire will have the opportunity to investigate the effects of Animal-Assisted Therapy on adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Australia.
UQ has a strong record for hosting US Fulbright Scholars, last year luring a record of five American researchers.
Applications for 2009 Fulbright Scholarships are now open. To apply visit www.fulbright.com.au
MEDIA: David Liu (davel@itee.uq.edu.au), Jenny Giles (jenny.giles@uq.edu.au) or Penny Robinson at UQ Communications (07 3365 9723, penny.robinson@uq.edu.au)
