Gladstone Pacific Nickel and CQU unite for PhD scholarship
Published on 07 May, 2008
Gladstone Pacific Nickel Ltd and Central Queensland University recently congratulated Amie Anastasi, the very first recipient of the newly-established Co-Funded Industry Scholarship (CIS).
Amie's PhD topic, to be completed under the CIS, is 'Trace Metal Dynamics in Port Curtis, Queensland'.
Using various chemical and biological techniques, Amie will study the extent and impact of specific metals common to the Port Curtis environment.
A joint initiative between GPNL and CQU, the CIS provides the recipient with a $30,000 per annum scholarship ($15,000 is funded by GPN and a similar amount provided by CQU) to undertake a 3-year Doctorate degree.
The co-funded industry scholarship is current for one year, beginning in the second half of 2008, with a view to a further 2 years.
Amie's PhD supervisors are Dr Scott Wilson (CQU), Dr Simon Apte (CSIRO) and Dr Leonie Andersen (CQU). Dr Andersen is also the Coordinator of the Port Curtis Integrated Monitoring Program (PCIMP), which is made up of and funded by members from various industries within the Port Curtis Region, including GPNL, and which regularly monitors the health of the Port Curtis Ecosystem.
"It is encouraging to have ongoing financial support from our PCIMP members to further research into waterway health, in addition to providing support to CQU research students," Dr Andersen said.
GPNL's Chief Executive Officer John Downie said GPNL has been keen to ensure an improved understanding of the impact of major industries on the marine environment in Port Curtis.
"To achieve this requires specialist skills and takes many years of study to really understand the various issues and relationships. I am very pleased that CQU has worked with us to both identify a study that aligns with our interest and selected an excellent candidate for these complex studies to be progressed," Mr Downie said.
"Dr Andersen is to be congratulated on her tenacity to secure this project and to help select Amie. Industry has a responsibility to ensure that we play our part and contribute to the research needed to maintain a healthy ecosystem in Port Curtis and adjacent estuaries."
CQU student and researcher, Amie Anastasi, successfully completed a Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) and a Bachelor of Biomedical Science in late 2006. This month, she is due to graduate with an Honours Degree, also in Biomedical Science.