Four alumni receive Cambridge Australia Scholarship
Four University of Melbourne alumni, three of whom are Faculty of Science alumni, have been awarded prestigious Cambridge Australia Scholarships, allowing them to commence their postgraduate study at the University of Cambridge in October 2020. Read on for their aspirations.
Dr Elina Ziukelis graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience.
Eilna has been awarded the Cambridge Australia Patrick Moore Scholarship and will be studying an MPhil in Basic and Translational Neuroscience at the University of Cambridge.
“I am interested in understanding connections between genetics, neuroanatomy, neurochemistry, neural circuitry and the clinical picture of neurodegenerative diseases,” Elina shares. “I will fervently apply myself to investigation of one or more of these aspects of the disease process during the MPhil in Basic and Translational Neuroscience. I appreciate that insights into abnormalities associated with neurodegenerative diseases at any level may help to advance clinical approaches.”
Alex Rafaniello graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2019 after completing a Master of Science in Chemistry. Alex was the 2018 recipient of the prestigious Dr Rex Williamson and Family Scholarship in the School of Chemistry. Alex also completed his undergraduate study at the University of Melbourne, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in 2017.
Alex has been awarded the Cambridge Australia Poynton Scholarship and will be undertaking a PhD in Chemistry at the University of Cambridge.
“Immediately following a PhD, I intend to continue researching within the fields of organic, medicinal and synthetic chemistry either in a postdoctoral position within academia, or in industry,” Alex shares.
“I am heavily invested in using my knowledge and skills in synthetic chemistry to pursue research that improves the lives of others, and the environment around us. I am fascinated by the process of drug synthesis and development, and could see myself pursuing a career within the biomedical research sphere.
“I also believe in shifting chemical synthesis to adopt a framework of greater environmental awareness. Hence, researching 'greener' synthetic chemistry is something I would prioritise for my own research as my career develops. Another great passion of mine is education, and I am thrilled by the prospect of being an educator for generations to come.”
Kulunu Dharmakeerthi graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2019 after completing his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics/Statistics. Kulunu has been awarded the Cambridge Australia Allen Scholarship and will be beginning his Masters in Mathematical Statistics at the University of Cambridge.
“It is my aim to understand the mathematics and statistics underpinning modern approaches to data analysis,” Kulunu shares. “Firstly, to apply statistical and applied mathematical methods in cross-disciplinary research, and secondly, to investigate current statistical theory, particularly regarding learning and inference.
“After a master’s degree, I intend to pursue a PhD in Mathematical Statistics. At the moment, my fascinations within this field are too scattered, as evidenced by my diverse research activities and coursework. It is my hope that the flexible course structure at Cambridge, as well as the multifaceted research ethos, allows me to narrow my interests further and discover a sub-field suitable for PhD research. I am hopeful that the Cambridge PhD program is the likely progression after this course. After a PhD, I am eager to join academic circles as a researcher, with the eventual goal being to work at a university as a professor.”
Congratulations also to Adaena Sinclair-Blakemore, who graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2018 with a Juris Doctor in Law.
Adeana has been awarded the Cambridge Australia Frank Downing Scholarship and will be studying a Master of Law at the University of Cambridge beginning in October 2020.
Adeana hopes her time at Cambridge will allow her to practise and teach international law.
“I hope to practise as a barrister in international human rights law and international criminal law,” Adeana shares. “I would like to appear before international and regional courts, such as the International Criminal Court and the European Court of Human Rights.
“After the LLM, I would like to undertake a PhD in international law at Cambridge. Subsequently, I wish to teach international law, research and publish books and articles and eventually pursue an academic pathway to professorship.”
Cambridge Australia Scholarships (CAS) provides scholarships for outstanding Australian graduates to undertake Masters and PhD studies at the University of Cambridge, England. In collaboration with The Cambridge Commonwealth, European and International Trust, Cambridge Australia Scholarships awards up to ten PhD scholarships and a number of Masters degree half-scholarships each year. The scholarships are funded entirely by private philanthropy.