UniNews recently caught up for a brief chat with CQU alumnus and microbiologist Andrew van den Hurk. Andrew, based now in Brisbane, is studying the ecology of mosquito- borne diseases in remote and rural communities.

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where were you born and where did you grow up?.

A: I was born in Geelong in 1972 and grew up in Geelong, Penshurst (a small town in Western Victoria), before moving to Rockhampton in 1981. I attended Crescent Lagoon Primary School and the Rockhampton Grammar School in Rockhampton. I was always interested in science and biology. During my undergraduate degree, I probably enjoyed Entomology and Parasitology the most.

Q: And that interest led you to CQU, and just recently a PhD. What are your credentials?.

A: 1990-1992 Bachelor of Applied Science (Biology) CQU. 1995-1998 Master of Science (Entomology) UQ. 1999-2002 Doctor of Philosophy (Microbiology) UQ. My PhD thesis was entitled "The role of mosquitoes in the emergence of Japanese encephalitis virus in Australia".

Q: Do you love what you do?.

A: Yes, I think if you don't enjoy what you do, you should get out of it and do something you enjoy (after all, we spend a third of our lives at work).

Q: Tell me more about your work.

A: I undertake research on mosquitoes and the pathogens that they transmit, such as encephalitis viruses, malaria and dengue. The majority of my work has direct relevance and application to most areas of Australia, if not the world. I am now employed on a grant to study the ecology of mosquito-borne diseases in remote and rural areas. Much of the work I have and will be doing has been in areas such as the Torres Strait and Cape York Peninsula.

Q: And your advice to young scientists?.

A: Choose a project that pretty well guarantees that you will get results within the allotted time. Research the topic you are studying thoroughly (for example read the literature, talk to researchers in the field). Stay focussed on your particular topic/research (for example don't get sidetracked and waste valuable time). Enjoy what you do.

Q: You enjoyed CQU? What are your recollections of CQU Rockhampton?.

A: Looking back 10 years on, I was very pleased with study at CQU. I particularly enjoyed 3rd year, where a lot of the things that we learnt in years 1 and 2 started to make sense and were tied together. As I said before, I enjoyed Entomology (with Dr Bob Newby), Parasitology (with Dr Lesley Warner), Plant Physiology (with Dr Kerry Walsh) and Microbiology (several lecturers) the most. I think they had a good balance between theory and practical work in the biology faculty. The size of classes was not too large, which is always a good thing. The majority of people who did their degrees at the same time as me were good to work and study with and I have kept in touch with several of them.

Q: You’re researching in Brisbane now at another uni... Do you think so-called regional universities are under-recognised or under-appreciated?.

A: I think so. I believe that CQU gave me an education that was more than comparable to that which would be offered at a "bigger" university (such as where I am now based).

Dr Andrew F van den Hurk is an NHMRC Research Officer at the Department of Microbiology and Parasitology at UQ’s School of Molecular and Microbial Sciences.