Sharing PhDs: Shanghai Jiao Tong students in Sydney

10 June 2008
Four students undertaking their PhDs with Shanghai Jiao Tong University will do part of their research at the University of Sydney, under the China Scholarship Council program.

Students will have two supervisors – one from Shanghai Jiao Tong University and one from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Sydney, and will be in Sydney for up to 12 months.

The successful candidates are Zhang Ning, Li Na, Zheng Zhong and Shao Xinyu. Their four research projects are the genetics of phaeochromocytoma; the role of glucocorticoids; therapeutic targets for ovarian cancer; and on the interaction of insulin and colon cancer. In Sydney, they will be supervised by Professor Pu Xia from the Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology; Professor Bruce Robinson and Dr Dindy Benn from the Kolling Institute of Medical Research; Associate Professor Dong Qihan from the Bosch Institute and the Discipline of Medicine; and by Dr Zhou Hong from ANZAC Research Institute.

"We have had a perfect strike rate with securing PhD scholars under this scheme", says Louise Freckelton, Manager of International Relations for the Faculties of Health. "These scholars provide physical evidence of our deepening relationship with Shanghai Jiao Tong University. In addition to the sharing of these 4 PhD candidates, we are about to hold a joint research symposium with Shanghai Jiao Tong University focused in cancer research in late June. In July, we will be holding a Teacher Training Program for 14 staff members covering the PBL methodology and integrated curriculum. A two-way exchange of medical students will also commence this year."