Student Ferran Nadal-Bufi has won the 2020 QUT Graduate Research Student Showcase Three Minute Thesis (3MT) with his presentation on an innovative strategy to design the next generation of drugs for anti-cancer therapy.
The announcement was made at the QUT Graduate Research Student Showcase today (September 9), with Kelly Wilson-Stewart named as the runner-up and Aleesha Rodriguez a special mention.
Kelly Wilson-Stewart was also announced as the winner of the Visualise Your Thesis (VYT).
Designed to promote projects and cultivate academic, presentation and research communication skills, the winner of the Three Minute Thesis will now enter the Asia-Pacific competition with participants from more than 85 counties and 900 universities.
Faculty of Health student Ferran Nadal-Bufi (supervised by Dr Sonia Troeira Henriques) summarises his research which looks at how cancer cells can be starved to death using peptides – an innovative strategy to design the next generation of drugs for anti-cancer therapy.
"In my research I am trying to develop new drugs to shut down cancer's main source of energy," Ferran said.
Runner-up, Science and Engineering Faculty's Kelly Wilson-Stewart (supervised by Associate Professor Jamie Trapp) presented research which investigates the levels of radiation staff are exposed to when patients undergo x-ray procedures. It aims to inform future efforts to minimise occupational dose to better protect staff.
Announced as a special mention, Creative Industries Faculty’s Aleesha Rodriguez’s work focused on how controversies spark public debate and can break up old opinions and power dynamics to introduce new people, concerns and ideas. Her research (supervised by Associate Professor Peta Mitchell) looked at how a wager on Twitter resulted in the construction of the world’s largest lithium-ion battery which sparked a controversy that has shaped Australia’s renewable energy transition.
Other finalists included Creative Industries Faculty's Zoe Mellick whose research explains how understanding people’s perspectives around the value of sustainability in the fashion supply chain is critical to improving how clothing is made.
QUT Business School's Sarah Dillon looked at how entrepreneurs thrived while facing fear, isolation and the unknown every day. She says the strategies they use to manage their emotions through uncertainty can be used by everyone every day.
Science and Engineering Faculty's Jayanti Mendhi discussed her research which coats dental implants with an adhesive chemical allowing the incorporation of antibacterial elements to prevent bacterial infection and enhance healing at the same time. This allows for better implant integration and less need for revision surgeries.
Stephen Hausler (Science and Engineering Faculty) presented research which is about improving autonomous navigation, whether it be for a robot or a driverless car. He discusses how recent neuroscience research can inspire solutions to the challenges faced by robots during autonomous navigation.
The Faculty of Education’s Zoe Vaill looks at bullying in universities – a worldwide problem affecting up to 60 per cent of university students. Her research looks at the lack of regulations amongst universities and how they are not required by law to have student and anti-bullying policies.
The Visualise Your Thesis winner was Kelly Wilson-Stewart. Other finalists included: Julie Vermeir and Mohammad Hassan Faramarzian Borojeni (Faculty of Health) Raquel Sanchez Diaz, Samar Amari and Sara Respati (Science and Engineering Faculty), Mehrnoosh Mirzaei (Creative Industries Faculty) and Nicole Simone (Faculty of Education).
To view their videos, click here
For information on QUT's annual research scholarship round, which is now open, visit qut.edu.au/research/annual-scholarship-round
Media contact:
Madeline Healy, QUT Media, 3138 3083 or m5.healy@qut.edu.au
After hours, Rose Trapnell, QUT Media team leader, 0407 585 901, media@qut.edu.au
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