New research into prenatal services, aged care, mental health, sustainable construction and remote energy supplies is starting at Flinders University with the latest funding under the National Industry PhD Program (NIPP).
In the latest round of targeted grants from the Australian Government Department of Education, Flinders University was awarded a further seven PhD placements to engage with a range of companies and government agencies on cutting-edge projects.
Australia’s R&D engagement between industry and universities is vital and Flinders University researchers are leading the way under the National Industry PhD Program.
The new NIPP projects take the University’s project grant total to 34 since the program started in 2023, with 17 PhD grants in the past two rounds alone.
This aligns with the ‘for industry and enterprise’ strategic pillar in Flinders University’s Agenda 2035, says Flinders University Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Raymond Chan.
“These projects build on Flinders University’s national leadership and excellence in a wide range of disciplines. They highlight our commitment to engage with external partnerships to develop innovative solutions to real-world issues,” says Professor Chan.
“While some of these projects address immediate problems in health and essential services, all ongoing innovation and enterprise is vital for our nation’s advancement and economic viability.
“Our success in this Australian Government-industry program confirms Flinders University’s flexible and open approach to partnerships and collaborations.”
Collaborating with organisations delivering direct services and technologies to the public, these projects are already yielding strong results in the key fields of health and wellbeing, environment and sustainability and economic productivity.
For example, Professor in Nutrition and Dietetics Tim Green will supervise a second PhD project under the NIPP scheme to investigate parents’ attitudes towards use of essential vitamin and micronutrient supplements for their babies – both in Australia and developing countries, where mothers’ diets might be compromised or limited.
Meanwhile, PhD candidate Olivia Gray was awarded one of the University’s 2024 NIPP PhD grants to examine the role of prenatal folic acid supplements in preventing postnatal depression.
With an estimated 1 in 5 women experiencing postnatal depression, the findings from a large-scale clinical trial being conducted in South Australia could have far-reaching implications.
Mrs Gray, a Flinders University graduate in Nutrition and Dietetics, is looking forward to helping future generations, as she prepares to become a new mum herself.
“I am very grateful for the PhD opportunity and am excited to be working with the SAHMRI Women and Kids research group in Adelaide and our generous industry partner Factors Group,” she says.
Supervised by Professor Green, the study is funded by the Women’s and Children’s Hospital Foundation with industry partner Factors Group Australia. Her PhD will use data collected from hundreds of South Australian mothers.
Postdoctoral degree candidates will be selected for the next round in coming weeks. The projects commencing under the new round are:
Health and Medicine
Infant health – partnering with Factors Group Australia Pty Ltd: A PhD project titled ‘Improving prenatal supplementation through consumer insights, feasibility testing and clinical evidence’ (supervised by Professor Tim Green, College of Health and Enablement).
Public health – with Northern Adelaide Local Health Network: ‘Enhancing chronic condition management in low socioeconomic settings through social prescribing’ (supervised by Professor Maayken van den Berg, College of Health and Enablement).
Aged care – with Catholic Healthcare Limited: ‘Can routine clinical data better prepare aged care services, residents and families for end of life? A Mixed-method Investigation’ (supervised by Dr Priyanka Vandersman, College of Health and Enablement).
Indigenous health – with Deadly Inspiring Youth Doing Good Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation: ‘Promoting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men’s social and emotional wellbeing: Co-design and implementation of the Kunjur Kit’ (supervised by Dr Bryce Brickley, College of Medicine and Public Health).
Chemist shortages – with SA Pharmacy: ‘International migration of pharmacists to Australia: Enhancing workforce integration and addressing pharmacy service shortages’ (supervised by Dr Madhan Balasubramanian, College of Business, Creative Arts, Law and Social Sciences).
Science and Engineering
Sustainable construction – with Backtech Pty Ltd: ‘Tribology‑informed additive manufacturing and digital quality assurance for low‑carbon cementitious materials’ (PhD supervised by Dr Aliakbar Gholampour, College of Science and Engineering).
Remote energy – with Swan Foresight Pty Ltd: ‘Quantum computing-enabled secure and resilient energy management for remote community energy systems’ (PhD supervised by Professor Apel Mahmud, College of Science and Engineering).