University of Queensland Science (Honours) student James Humphries is set to continue his research into the development of the next generation of nano-medicines to diagnose and treat multi-drug-resistant cancers, thanks to the generosity of a donor to UQ.
James is the winner of the UQ Rowe Scientific Chemistry Honours Bursary, made possible by a $2,000 donation from Rowe Scientific Pty Ltd., an Australian owned scientific supplier of laboratory consumables and instrumentation.
“This award is allowing me to pursue my studies and embark on a career in scientific research,” he said.
Growing up in Bundaberg, James’s interest in chemistry and a desire to discover new information was fostered by some “particularly remarkable teachers.”
“I am aware that the decision to pursue postgraduate research is a choice seldom made by people with my background, due to the financial pressures of living away from home and on a minimal income,“ he said.
Although James is only a few months into his Honours project to quantify the behaviour of a family of polymers and develop new diagnosis and treatment vehicles, he could already tell that a career in research was for him.
“Being exposed to inter-disciplinary research at UQ, I have developed an appreciation of how people from a diverse range of backgrounds and fields of expertise can come together and accomplish a common goal,” he said.
He is undertaking his honours year within the Thurecht group at the Centre for Advanced Imaging and AIBN (within the ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent BioNano science and Technology).
This is one of a number of awards being supported through philanthropy by University of Queensland supplier Rowe Scientific and benefiting students at the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences.
Mr Reg Rowe said the directors and staff of Rowe Scientific believed that the future economy of Australia would benefit from Rowe Scientific directly supporting the education of Australia’s future scientists.
“These scientists will be required in the areas of quality control on Australia’s exports, research and value adding to exports, as well as for the education of overseas students, to name a few areas,” Mr Rowe said. .
Philanthropic support to assist other students like James pursue their research potential can be made here.
