Research among four projects to receive funding in ARC Linkage schemes
Four innovative and collaborate research projects led by the University of Wollongong (UOW) have received $4.5 million as part of the Australian Research Council's (ARC) Linkage Program.
The ARC Linkage Program encourages cooperative approaches to research and promotes national and international research partnerships by strengthening links with business, industry, community organisations, and other research groups.
The ARC last week (Wednesday 6 November) announced the successful recipients of two research funding rounds – the Linkage Projects Round 1 and the Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities Scheme.
Four UOW researchers, across the disciplines of medical biochemistry, chemistry, atmospheric science, and cybersecurity, were named the successful recipients of grants from these two schemes.
Dr John Le, from UOW's School of Computing and Information Technology, will lead a project that aims to modernise the management of healthcare data. Using blockchain and cryptography, the researchers will drive the development of a secure digital medical passport system, which will protect personal health data and reduce the risk of cyber breaches and cyber attacks.
The project will position Australia as a global leader in healthcare data while at the same time, improving trust in digital health services and reducing the health care's industry's impact on the environment.
Dr Le, working alongside researchers at UOW and UNSW, and with industry partner Sample Assist Pty Ltd, was awarded $450,332 over the next five years under the Linkage Projects scheme.
In the ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities Scheme, Associate Professor Christopher Hyland, Associate Professor Shane Ellis, and Associate Professor Nicholas Deutscher were named successful recipients for their three projects that were awarded over $4 million in funding.
Associate Professor Deutscher, from UOW's School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, in collaboration with University of Melbourne and UNSW, received funding to establish a network of sun-sensing spectrometers that will detect changes in the composition of the atmosphere. Named RUGGED (Regional and Urban Greenhouse Gas Emission Detection), the tool will allow for targeted, independent estimates of greenhouse gas emissions and support Australia's move towards a net-zero future.
Associate Professor Christopher Hyland, from the School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, was awarded funding for his project titled 'A Self-Driving Automated Molecular Synthesis and Formulation Platform'. In collaboration with UNSW and Newcastle University, the project will look at a new way of making molecules for all sorts of applications, ranging from new medicines, agrochemicals, paints, and materials.
Lasty, from the School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Associate Professor Shane Ellis (pictured above) will lead the project, 'Mass Spectrometer for Label-Free Molecular Imaging at Ultra-High Resolution'. This will establish next-generation mass spectrometry capabilities for imaging and identification of molecules in complex systems such as tissue, cells, plants and marine organisms.
UOW Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research and Sustainable Futures) Senior Professor Eileen McLaughlin was delighted with the ARC Linkage Program outcomes and congratulated the research teams and their partners on their success.
"This is a wonderful result with an incredibly diverse line up of technologies and projects. It reflects the researchers' hard work and ability to work collaboratively to solve scientific challenges facing our country and our world. I look forward to seeing the findings and results that emerge from this world leading infrastructure," Professor McLaughlin said.
