Monash Researchers Receive Over $6.6 Million in Industry Laureate Fellowships
Monash University has won two prestigious Australian Research Council (ARC) Industry Laureate Fellowships to support collaborations with industry and community.
Professor Bruno David was awarded $3.6M to transform how coastal archaeological sites are researched, and to partner with a new generation of Aboriginal Sea Rangers to map, monitor and manage coastal landscapes threatened by erosion.
“This project has been in the planning in partnership with GunaiKurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation for many years. It’s a partnership concept that will bring the university to the people, and community knowledge and approaches to university practices. It aims to prioritise community-driven aspirations and culturally appropriate ways to research and education. By combining Indigenous, archaeological and geomorphological knowledge, we will research whole landscapes threatened by sea level rise, and how the cultural places they hold can be documented and managed over the short to long term,” said Professor David.
“What a wonderful opportunity to engage with exciting generations of emerging specialists and wisdom of Elders all working and learning together with the past, present and future in mind. Thank you to the GunaiKurnai Elders and community members.”
Professor Benjamin Boyd was awarded over $3M to establish a new framework for better food and nutrition in partnership with New Zealand dairy co-operative, Fonterra.
“The project aims to better understand the way food interacts with our body, especially during digestion, to enhance nutritional outcomes, especially for infants and the elderly,” said Professor Boyd.
“We aim to boost our understanding of what is occurring structurally after we consume foods and how we can harness and utilise structure to design more efficient nutrition through more precise delivery to the body where and when needed.”
“To the consumer, their favourite foods may still feel and taste the same, but the changes at the microscopic level to control structure may be imperceptible, but could dramatically change the way the food interacts with the body.”
Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) and Senior Vice-President, Professor Mike Ryan said the grants showcased the strength of Monash’s partnerships.
“Receiving two Industry Laureate Fellowships is really special given only eight are awarded nationally every year. This really speaks to Monash’s strong collaboration with industry and community partners as well as our commitment to innovation – also evidenced by the fact that we are the top university in Australia for industry research income.”
“Congratulations to Professor Bruno David and Professor Ben Boyd on this remarkable achievement.”
The ARC’s Industry Fellowship Program aims to promote national and international collaboration partnerships between key stakeholders in research and innovation.