UWA trio scores Fulbright Scholarships

Three graduates from The University of Western Australia have been awarded 2009 Fulbright Scholarships to carry out research in the US. 

Law graduate Hugo Leith and engineering/science graduate Alexander Wyatt were awarded Fulbright Western Australia Scholarships; while science graduate and PhD in botany, Dr Tina Bell, has won the Fulbright Professional Business/Industry (Coral Sea) Scholarship.

Cancer study looks into tea, mushrooms

Eating mushrooms and drinking green tea could protect women against breast cancer, according to a study conducted by The University of Western Australia and Zhejiang University in China.

The researchers looked at the mushroom and tea consumption of more than 2,000 women aged from 20 to 87 in relatively affluent south-east China.

Sara shines as Figaro's spouse

UWA music graduate Sara is a soprano who has established herself as one of Australia's most popular and versatile artists.

She recently sang to packed houses in WA Opera's production of the much-loved The Marriage of Figaro. (Photo: James Rogers)

Sara is a leading exponent of Baroque repertoire in Australia, and a regular performer with Symphony Australia Orchestras, Musica Viva, the Australian Chamber Orchestra and the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs.

Louden lands new role

Teacher, academic and curriculum expert Professor Bill Louden has been appointed UWA's Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor.

Professor Louden was Dean of Education at UWA from 2006 to 2008 inclusive. He took up the position of Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor when Margaret Seares retired.

Len's sculptures are a people pleaser

Five quirky emus sculpted from recycled tyres have won Len Zuks the People's Choice Prize at this year's Sculpture by the Sea exhibition at Cottesloe. In a winning week, Len was also presented with a Chancellor's Medal at the graduation ceremonies, for his outstanding contribution to the University over many years.

Vaughn helps East Timorese engineers

Twenty-five-year-old mechanical engineer and UWA graduate Vaughn Grey has won the National Young Professional Engineer of the Year award.

As well as working full time as an engineer, Vaughn is also vice-president of the WA chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB), and has been working to help provide clean water in East Timor and Bali.

High achievers honoured

Well-known AFL footballer and prominent businessman Mike Fitzpatrick is one of several members of the community who have been awarded an Honorary Doctorate from UWA.

They include Associate Professor Veronica Brady, Trevor Eastwood, Justice Nicholas Hasluck QC, Alex Campbell, Stan Perron, David Griffiths and Dr Peter Tannock.

Kim Beazley unravels Oz-US links

The US has the new Obama administration and Australia has a new defence White Paper - so how might these two factors affect Australia's key alliance?

They're the issues being looked at by the Honourable Kim Beazley, Professorial Fellow Political Science and International Relations at UWA, at a UWA Extension event on 7 May at 7.30pm.

Here's your chance to study at Oxford

If you've ever wanted to study at Oxford University, here's your chance - thanks to UWA Extension.

'The Oxford Experience' is a residential program offering courses of up to five weeks at the University of Oxford in England. Participants need no formal qualifications, just an interest in their subject.

Alumni events

In Melbourne, join us on Friday 29 May when the Eagles play the Blues at Docklands Stadium. In Sydney, Brisbane and Singapore we'll be hosting cocktail parties.

• Melbourne Alumni event on Friday 29 May - WCE v Carlton
• Sydney Alumni cocktail party on Tuesday 9 June
• Brisbane Alumni cocktail party TBA
• Singapore Alumni cocktail party on Thursday 3 September

Brian's book tells Jolley's story

Brian Dibble was a friend and colleague of well-known WA writer Elizabeth Jolley - and now he's written a biography of her, Doing Life: A Biography of Elizabeth Jolley, published by UWA Press.

Brian was given complete access to her private papers and spent more than a decade travelling the world following leads on her story.

New dates for 'In The Zone'

UWA is to host a major regional conference highlighting Western Australia's proximity to the emerging global powers of the twenty-first century.

The 'In The Zone' conference will now be held in Perth on 8-10 November 2009 to coincide with the lead up to the next APEC Leaders' Meeting in Singapore.