As the weather heats up, the AMSI Vacation Research Scholars are warming to their tasks.
In its tenth year, the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI) has attracted record applications for the annual Vacation Research Scholarship (VRS) program. And with the continued support of the Commonwealth Department of Education the project continues to grow — supporting and inspiring tomorrow’s mathematical professionals today.
The program offers scholarships to pure and applied mathematics and statistics students to participate in six week research projects over their summer vacation. These projects give the students a taste of applying their skills in an industrial or academic setting. More often than not they continue their research into the fourth year of an honours degree. The scholars present their work in February at CSIRO’s Big Day In.
‘A number of this year’s record 58 scholars have chosen research areas focussed on the health and wellbeing of Australians. These projects demonstrate the capability of mathematics and statistics to have real impact in unexpected ways’, says AMSI Director Professor Geoff Prince.
Melanie Kaasinen at Queensland University of Technology is building a reputation, not only as a formidable mathematician but also as a role model for young women in mathematics. Her research aims to improve and accelerate the development of new wound therapies using mathematical models.
‘Mathematics underpins not only the natural world, but also the society we live in. Being awarded the AMSI VRS scholarship is a huge affirmation that my pursuit of a career in mathematics and physics is valued by others. Investing in the mathematical sciences is crucial if we are to advance as a species and overcome the many challenges faced by society,’ Melanie said.
This summer, Flinders University student Anthony Clissold will tackle an increasingly urgent problem in the Australian health system – pressure on patient management. Hospitals have detectable daily and weekly operational patterns that can be modelled mathematically. Anthony will use these models to simulate hospital environments to design a decision support tool for medical practitioners. The prototype will allow staff to explore different management strategies, and observe the effects through simulations – all before a patient comes through the hospital doors.
‘It is imperative that the mathematical sciences continue to be funded so that Australia can continue its reputation as a world leader in scientific research and delve deeper into the field of mathematical research. The AMSI VRS will be a great way for me to practically apply the theory which I have been studying in my university degree. I am excited about my future pursuits in mathematics and statistics,’ Anthony said.
For Interview:
AMSI Director, Prof. Geoff Prince
Media Contact:
Stéphanie Pradier
M: 0424 568 314
E: stephanie@amsi.org.au
