VLSCI backs UROP for bioinformatics in life sciences
The Bio21 Cluster today announced sponsorship of its flagship education and training program by the Victorian Life Sciences Computation Initiative (VLSCI). The sponsorship deal will ensure the ongoing delivery of the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) for the next three years.
UROP provides a key program in building skills in the biomedical and health sciences sector. Participants join biomedical research teams as casual employees to be mentored and supported by the team as they get exposure to the world of scientific research at a very early stage of their career. Participants are able to experience the highs and lows of research and tackle real research issues and start “making a difference”.
The Bio21 Cluster, a non-profit network of biomedical research organisations, universities and hospitals, delivers the UROP recruitment service. In announcing the sponsorship, CEO of the Bio21 Cluster, Dr Stella Clark said “In an era where bioinformatics and computational biology are key components of biomedical research, we are delighted that VLSCI are cementing their relationship with UROP through support of its operational activities. This sponsorship will secure UROP for the future, ensuring many more students have the opportunity to gain early experience in health and biomedical research”.
Outreach such as this is an important part of the work of VLSCI, which is a $100 million initiative of the Victorian Government, hosted at the University of Melbourne and providing high performance computation facilities and research services for the entire Victorian Life Sciences research community. Since 2009, VLSCI has offered half-stipends to offset the cost of salaries for students working on bioinformatics projects. In 2010 VLSCI also offered a travel scholarship for the best Bioinformatics paper at the annual UROP Conference Day.
Professor Peter R. Taylor, Director of VLSCI, is happy to be extending VLSCI’s support for this program, “The explosion of data being generated in Life Sciences research today needs the high-calibre students UROP attracts. They will be the ones to help us find the gold among all this information. It is an exciting time to be doing computational biology here in Melbourne and there are also many opportunities to work on international collaborations and all the richness this can provide a young researcher.”
UROP began in 1999 as an initiative of a cooperative research centre, championed at the time by Professor Doug Hilton, now Director of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute. In 2004, the program expanded when it was adopted by the Bio21 Cluster with support from the Victorian State Government, through the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development. In 2009, CSL became principal sponsor with the Victorian State Government continuing in a supporting role.
Since 2004, over 330 participants have been employed through the scheme with at least 45% continuing to postgraduate studies and many receiving awards and accolades.
UROP Key Dates: Annual Conference Day 21st July; Intake 2 application closing date: 23rd September.
For further information on VLSCI, please contact: Helen Gardiner | Communications Manager | t +61 3 8344 2055 | m 0448 920 235 | f +61 3 8344 9130 | e:hg@unimelb.edu.au | www.vlsci.org.au
For further information on UROP, please contact: Dr Michelle Zajac I UROP Program Manager | t +61 3 8344 2199 | f +61 3 9347 9823 | e: mzajac@unimelb.edu.au | www.bio21.com.au
Australian of the Year, Mr Simon McKeon - Patron of UROP
The Bio21 Cluster is delighted to welcome Mr Simon McKeon as the new Patron of UROP. His social philosophy, philanthropic activities and business skills will be highly valued by the Program. Simon replaces former Governor of Victoria, Professor David de Kretser, AO, whom we warmly thank for his wonderful support as Patron.
Kyle Slater wins IET Present Around the World competition
The Bio21 Cluster congratulates Kyle Slater, a former UROPer and now PhD student at the Bionic Ear Institute, who has won the global final of the Present Around The World competition in London on Nov 25th. Heats are held around the world where students and young engineering professionals give verbal presentations of a project they have developed. More infomation is available at the Bionic Ear website at http://www.bionicear.org/news.html
Davis McCarthy wins Sir John Monash Scholarship
Congratulations to Davis McCarthy, a past UROP for winning a prestigious Monash Scholarship. More information is available on the Monash Foundation website at http://www.monashawards.org.default.html