Canberra
A Queensland researcher developing a new clinical therapy for patients suffering from painful eye disorders has received the inaugural Prime Minister's Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Award.
Queensland University of Technology's Dr Laura Bray will receive up to $118,000 of post-doctoral assistance to perform the research in Dresden, Germany over two years.
The new award, announced as part of Australia's commemoration activities for The Queen's Diamond Jubilee, will allow a high achieving Australian female postgraduate or postdoctoral student to undertake research overseas.
The Award is designed to develop recipients into internationally-aware and skilled future leaders.
The Award will allow Dr Bray to use the world-class facilities at the Leibniz Institute for Polymer Research, in collaboration with the Dresden University of Technology.
Dr Bray's research will help improve outcomes for patients with severe injuries to the surface of their eye, for which there is no current long-term treatment option anywhere in the world.
The Prime Minister's Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Award will help Dr Bray become a leader in biomedical research in Australia and globally.
Having Australia's best and brightest female postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows undertake research or study overseas will help develop enduring links between Australia and the host country.
The experience of studying and living overseas also helps Australian students build life-long professional connections and friendships, and develop leadership skills.
Dr Bray will be recognised at the 2013 Prime Minister's Australia Awards Presentation Dinner at the National Gallery of Australia tonight.
The Prime Minister's Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Award is an achievement-based scholarship awarded through the merit stream of the Australia Awards - the Endeavour Awards.
The Endeavour Awards is the Gillard Government's international, merit-based scholarship program providing life and career changing opportunities for recipients in countries around the world.