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Announcement of 2019 Scholars

10 March 2019

The Forrest Research Foundation has announced its 2019 scholars.

Since the program began in 2015, 26 scholars from 17 countries around the world have commenced their studies through the program in Western Australia. The annual scholarship program is quickly becoming recognised on a global scale, which is reflected in the diversity of the 2019 recipients;

  • Adam Wdowiak (UWA) from Poland, who will pursue his PhD on synthetic chemistry.
  • Akila Balachandran (Murdoch) from India, to pursue her PhD on treatments for liver cancer. She plans to return to India after her studies to set up a lab equivalent to Murdoch University’s in India.
  • Claire Doll (UWA) from Canada, who will pursue her PhD on using econometrics to assess effectiveness of agri-environmental policies.
  • Monica Danilevicz (UWA) from Brazil, to pursue her work on machine learning and use of drones to remotely scan for disease and other conditions among canola crops.
  • Nicholas Lawler (UWA) from Bunbury, who will pursue his PhD on using lasers to achieve genetic treatments in brain cells.

The program seeks to attract outstanding minds to Western Australia to undertake high quality research with the potential to change the world.

The scholarship includes fees, stipend, accommodation and travel allowance. Scholars are accommodated in the purpose built Forrest Hall, located on the banks of the Swan River adjacent to the University of Western Australia.

The Forrest Research Foundation has already helped to position Western Australia as a global centre of discovery, innovation and creativity. The scholars participating in the program undertake cutting-edge research at one of Western Australia’s five universities – The University of Western Australia, Murdoch University, Curtin University, Edith Cowan University and University of Notre Dame. The annual scholarship applications are open each September, with Fellowship applications due to open in March.

The Forrest Research Foundation aims to attract the brightest minds to conduct research in Western Australia. Supporting international and domestic students to enrol in a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree at one of the state’s universities, the scholarships also support leading researchers who are at the start of their career by providing post-doctoral fellowships.