Flinders University PhD candidate Adele Mastroyannis will lead research on utilising Australia’s unique seaweed resources for developing plant-based biomaterials, after receiving a top-up scholarship funded jointly by Wonderful Capital Biotechnology Group (WCBG), Flinders University and the MBCRC.
“The health benefits of seaweeds are phenomenal but have not been fully utilised. My long-term goal is to play a defining role in developing Australian marine bioproducts, by connecting industry with research expertise to drive innovation and to guarantee the sustainable future of the emerging industry,” Ms Mastroyannis says.
“The sector needs to invest in building national talent through industry-embedded research with young researchers such as Adele, to ensure we have future leaders for the industry as it develops,” adds her supervisor, Dr. Yifei Xu, CEO of WCBG, a partner in the MBCRC.
MBCRC’s Connect Educate Train (CET) program will train the required workforce and develop future industry leaders. Associate Professor Kirsten Heimann notes, “For Australia to be competitive and recognised globally in the marine bioproducts sector, it needs innovation, excellent science and business aptitude, and increased investment into research and development, which is synthesised in the MBCRC CET program.”
Find out more about MBCRC’s Connect Educate Train program or email kirsten@mbcrc.com for further information.
Photo of Adele Mastroyannis courtesy Tania Bawden