- MRIWA PhD scholarships contribute to a vibrant minerals research landscape cultivated by the State Government to support the future of WA's mining industry
- These coveted scholarships help to develop graduates able to work across the boundaries of the mining and research sectors, supporting the flow of fresh ideas and innovation
- Four new awardees for 2024 will be working on challenges including decarbonisation of mining and finding new resources to maintain the industry's productivity
Mines and Petroleum Minister David Michael today welcomed four new awardees to a PhD scholarship program funded by the State Government through the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA).
The recipients recognised by Minister Michael join a cohort of talented research students working across WA's universities to support the future of the State's mining industry.
Emad Al-Hemyari has been awarded the 2024 MRIWA Odwyn Jones PhD Scholarship, named in honour of pioneering Western Australian mining educator Professor Odwyn Jones AO.
Emad is investigating how sound waves and AI can visualise geology below the surface in real-time, making it easier for miners to discover and target hidden ore bodies.
Yamini Kannappan has been awarded the 2024 MRIWA PhD Scholarship for Women to support her work on developing cost-effective and environmentally friendly methods for extracting rare earth elements from low-grade host rocks.
Due to the exceptional quality of applications received this year, MRIWA has awarded additional PhD Scholarships to Sistine Sun, for her work on the impact of CO2 emissions reduction targets on the WA mining industry, and to Muzammil Khan for his research into technologies supporting low-carbon steel production.
As stated by Mines and Petroleum Minister David Michael:
"The Cook Government is attracting exceptional talent to WA's universities to deliver on our vision for the State as a world leader in research and inventiveness.
"MRIWA scholarships are an important part of a vibrant culture of minerals research in Western Australia, attracting some of the best future mining innovators from around the world.
"I'm excited to see the new ideas this group will generate as they work together to reimagine the future of our mining sector."
