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Professor George Stewart, Dean of Life and Physical Sciences, hosted a number of awareness raising events including in-house information sessions for faculty staff and a cocktail party for 100 of the University’s senior academics and administrators.

Professor Stewart both applauded the achievements of existing academics, such as Professor Peter Hartmann; the worlds leading expert on human lactation, and highlighted the need to support those researchers commencing their science career at UWA.

“When I get applications for tenure and promotion from my young staff, I am in awe of their achievements,” said Professor Stewart. “I look back on my own career and ask myself: ‘How they can achieve so much in such a short time?’”

The challenge, he says, is to attract and retain the best staff, who in turn will attract the best students. An important component of the campaign is to fund Professorial Chairs and Postdoctoral Fellowships to attract leaders of international standing to develop new research in areas such as physics; sleep and sports science; ‘green’ chemistry; and neuro-psychological health. A Chair in Tropical Microbiology has already been funded by the generosity of Marjorie le Souef. The Rising Stars Fund which supports new researchers is another important element.

“It is the first few years of a researcher’s career that are critical for their future success, but these are also the most difficult,” Professor Stewart said. “Getting your first research grant, securing facilities and equipment, and attracting PhD students to work with you all take time. Our Rising Stars Fund will give our new researchers the freedom to shine brightly, spreading their light to others that work with them.

“I also want to attract the best students from around Australia, and the world, to UWA by developing pathways to science programs in schools and by providing more scholarships.”

The Foundation has recruited a number of high profile community leaders to the cause. Patrons include one of Australia’s most esteemed corporate leaders; Sir Rod Eddington, West Australian Chief Scientist; Professor Lyn Beazley, the Chair of Scitech; Dr Erica Smyth and Nobel Laureate; Professor Barry Marshall.

Well known Perth businessman, Ivan Hoffman has been appointed as the Foundation’s Chairman. Mr Hoffman has a long philanthropic history with the University, having been instrumental in raising funds for the Laurence Wilson Art Gallery.

The public awareness phase of the campaign commenced in late 2008 with tours of the Biomedical, Biomolecular and Chemical Science building and Sports Science, Exercise and Health. The tours which will continue throughout 2009, commencing in April with a visit Anatomy and Human Biology, provide an opportunity for each School to showcase their achievements and how their programs will benefit from the funds raised by the Science Futures Foundation.

Media references

To join one of these tours or for information on the Science Futures Foundation contact Judith Giddings , Office of Development UWA, phone +61 8 6488 7954.