Early Career Boost for Young Researcher

December 10th, 2008 - Media Statement

Lesmurdie resident Ross Thyer has been given an early career boost, last month taking out one of 15 Science and Innovation Studentship Awards for hands-on research at WA's premier adult medical research institute, the Western Australia Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR).

The University of Western Australia honours student's initiative earned him the Department of Industry and Resources Award, which will facilitate a 10 week stint in the laboratories at WAIMR.

Mr Thyer said he was thrilled to receive the $7,000 award and the opportunity to further his research with some of the top WA researchers in the field.

"It's really exciting to receive this award, firstly because of the calibre of the other nominated students' work, and because I can now take my research to the next level with the help of the WAIMR staff and facilities," he said.

"The aim of my research is two-fold - to create a new screening system that would enable scientists to identify certain, interacting proteins that may point to conditions like cancer - this would help broaden our understanding of the causes of these diseases and possible treatment targets."

"The other aim of my work hopes to find a way to program bacteria to manufacture specific proteins that scientists don't yet fully understand - this would help in generating large amounts of the proteins quickly, to investigate in more detail."

During his summer vacation, Mr Thyer will undertake the research at WAIMR's Perth campus, under the guidance of Dr Aleksandra Filipovska.

Mr Thyer said his interest in science began at a young age and was drawn to medical research because of the varied opportunities it offered.

"Medical research is a field that offers so much freedom - what I love most is the freedom to choose your own, unique problem and go about finding a solution," he said.

WAIMR Director Professor Peter Klinken said he was pleased to welcome Mr Thyer to the WAIMR team.

"It's wonderful to see a young researcher with initiative making a real contribution to their field - we're pleased to be able to help Ross along his career path," he said.

"Prizes like the Science and Innovation Studentship Award that recognize our up-and-coming stars are vital to fostering a strong medical research community in WA, and it's important to WAIMR that we play a positive role in shaping young careers."

For more information please contact:
Sarah Hayward
Media Consultant for the WA Institute for Medical Research
Mobile: 0411 404 415
Office: (08) 9388 9280