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The University of Western Australia's strengths in climate change and biodiversity, and sustainability and health, will be boosted by the addition of two Premier's Research Fellowships.

Leading scientists Professor Malcolm McCulloch, currently at the Australian National University, and Professor Shaun Collin, from the Queensland Brain Institute, were named as Premier's Fellows today.

UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Alan Robson said the State would derive great benefits from having these internationally recognised researchers working at the University.

"Professor McCulloch and Professor Collin bring a breadth and depth of knowledge and experience that will enhance science at the University and will have a positive impact on the broader community," said Professor Robson.

Professor McCulloch's work involves examining living corals up to 400 years old to better understand the impacts of environmental and climate change.  At UWA, he will continue researching the effects of global warming on coral reefs.

Professor Collin, a senior neurobiologist with the Brain Institute's School of Biomedical Sciences, has traced the prehistoric origins of colour vision using ‘living fossils' such as lungfish.  At UWA, he will continue his research into the eco-physiological impacts of light and vision.

UWA received both fellowships awarded this year.  Each is valued at $1 million, with UWA matching this amount.

Professors McCulloch and Collin join four other Premier's Fellows at UWA-Professors Peter Quinn, Lister Staveley-Smith, Klaus Regenauer-Lieb and Ian Small.

Media references

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