Summer researchers awarded

Min Zhi Xing receiving her award from the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Professor Bruce Robinson	Summer research scholars: Wade Howden, Soumya Joseph, Stephanie Hing, Min Zhi Xing, Shu Wang, Mitchell O'Connell, Pan Christy Tam, Chuan Jia Jack Zhao and Matthew Lyle

26 March 2007
Top summer researchers scholars had the opportunity to profile their findings to the Dean of Medicine last week and the best were awarded the Dean’s prize.

First prize ($1000) was awarded to Min Zhi Xing, a 3rd year Medical Science student whose project topic was 'The role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in liver cancer'. Min was based at the Sydney Cancer Centre, one of the largest multidisciplinary cancer treatment centres in NSW. Her lab-based research project involved identifying molecules important in liver cancer development. Min is a second time Summer Research scholar who was also the recipient of the Alex Li scholarship, a bequest made possible by the Li family in memory of Alex Li who died of liver cancer.

Second prize ($500) was awarded to Stephanie Hing, a 3rd year Veterinary Science student, also based at the Sydney Cancer Centre, for her project presentation, 'Development of a novel model for the study of prostate progenitor cells'.

The other seven Summer Research students nominated by their host institutions were Soumya Joseph, Mitchell O’Connell, Matthew Lyle, Pan Christy Tam, Wade Howden, Chuan Jia Jack Zhao and Shu Wang.

"The standard of inquiry and the quality of the presentations by the best of our young summer scholars was amazing. I was enormously impressed," said Professor Robinson. "The Faculty of Medicine looks forward to welcoming many such excellent students as postgraduate research students in the future."

Summer Research Scholarships offer a unique opportunity for undergraduate students to discover whether research is for them. Summer Research Scholarship enables students to work with well-established researchers in high quality medical research facilities on a specific research project. The scholarship provides a $200 per week tax free stipend over an eight-week–long project.

For more information on the scheme please see the Summer Research Scholarship website.