CQUniversity Biology graduate Dr Andrew van den Hurk has been awarded one of the prestigious 2009 Queensland International Fellowships.

The inaugural fellowship will allow Dr van den Hurk to pursue his research interests at the University of Texas Medical Branch where he will continue his work on the role of mosquitoes as vectors of viruses.

In particular he will investigate the ability of Australian species of mosquitoes to carry the Yellow Fever Virus.

CQUniversity entomologist Dr Bob Newby recalls Andrew as a Rockhampton student "who became hooked on insect biology during his final year and has not looked back since".

After studies at CQUniversity, Andrew completed his PhD at Queensland University in 2002 then went on to work on health-related mosquitoes in tropical Queensland

There is a looming national shortage of entomologists both in the biosecurity and agricultural fields: a fact recognised by the Commonwealth skills audit.

Dr Newby said young scientists like Dr van den Hurk are making an important contribution to our future well being.