The new program involves 12 talented students – selected from Fudan University, Nanjing University, Nankai University and Tsinghua University – in Melbourne on a fully funded 10-week internship to gain research experience.
Students will rotate among three different Institute laboratories and receive one-on-one mentorship in a broad range of biomedical research areas including computational biology, biological imaging and biochemistry.
InSPIRE program lead and laboratory head of the cell signalling and cell death division at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute Dr Grant Dewson said the initiative was central to the Institute’s strong spirit of international collaboration.
“Australia is a world-class destination for biomedical education and InSPIRE offers students from China the opportunity to foster new and long-standing collaborative ventures with some of Australia’s leading medical research teams.
“The Institute is deepening ties with top Chinese universities to unite the world’s best and brightest minds around addressing important challenges to global health,” Dr Dewson said.
Dr Dewson said the students would be exposed to the cultural richness of studying in Melbourne.
Professor Doug Hilton and the inaugural cohort of InSPIRE interns from leading Chinese universities.
“Throughout their visit, the students will be invited to attend weekly lectures at the Institute given by leaders and pioneers in their fields of study,” Dr Dewson said.
A program of Melbourne activities will also include a visit with the Lord Mayor, Mr Robert Doyle, and to the Melbourne Museum’s Biomedical Breakthroughs, an exhibition showcasing 100 years of medical research in Victoria.
Institute director Professor Doug Hilton said he was excited about the new interns joining the Institute’s 750-strong research force working to understand, prevent and treat cancers, immune disorders and infectious disease.
“We warmly welcome the students into the Institute family and look forward to providing them with every opportunity to engage with our passion for medical research and making discoveries for humanity,” Professor Hilton said.
For more information:
Arunee Wilson Media and Publications Advisor P: +61 3 9345 2719 M: +61 478 714 757 E: wilson.a@wehi.edu.au
