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Monday, 2 July 2012

Projects by researchers at The University of Western Australia to develop music-based teaching and learning strategies in remote Aboriginal communities; install new sensors to monitor blockages in liquefied natural gas production and to identify genes responsible for resistance to a serious disease affecting wheat crops were among those to attract funding in the latest round of Federal Government grants.

UWA received more than $4.5 million to support 12 research projects - more than 70 per cent of the total funding ($6.2 million) to universities in Western Australia.

UWA Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Robyn Owens, said the University's strong record in gaining research funding in Western Australia was a result of the University's ability to attract high-quality researchers.

"This latest funding allocation will ensure research at the University continues to advance important and innovative benefits for both our national and international community," Professor Owens said.  "This is competitive funding and as such is an indicator of the standing of our researchers in an Australian context, as well as our effective engagement with industry and other partners.

"We were particularly pleased with our excellent funding performance in plant science."

Project leader Dr Andrea Emberly, from UWA's School of Music, received a total of $215,115 over four years for her project to evaluate and develop music-based teaching and learning strategies in an effort to sustain endangered cultural practices in remote Kimberley communities.

Assistant Professor Brendan Graham, from UWA's School of Mechanical and Chemical Engineering, received a total of $822,695 over five years for his project to determine how and under what conditions cryogenic hydrocarbon solids form during LNG production, which often cause unplanned plant shutdowns.

Associate Professor Guijun Yan, from UWA's School of Plant Biology, received $380,000 over five years for his project to develop DNA markers for marker-assisted breeding to understand the genetic causes of resistance to a serious wheat disease, Fusarium crown rot, which affects crops in Australia and worldwide.

And Winthrop Professor David Blair, Director of the Australian International Gravitational Research Centre and UWA's School of Physics, has been awarded $330,000 over four years for his project to use a patented breakthrough in vibration isolation to create instruments able to detect minerals 50 to 100 per cent deeper than normal.

The Federal Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Chris Evans announced more than $58 million in funding for 185 new Australian research projects as part of the national Australian Research Council Linkage Projects scheme.

The Linkage Projects scheme funds collaborative projects between university researchers and partner organisations in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors.

Media references

Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 5563  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716

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