WA Environment a big winner out of Murdoch research success

Western Australia’s environment was the big winner out of Murdoch University’s share of Australian Research Council Linkage grants, announced yesterday by Dr Brendan Nelson MP, Federal Minister for Education, Science and Training.

Murdoch University secured more than $2.7 million in Commonwealth funding, 47 per cent above the national university average. Murdoch was ranked 11 out of 38 institutions nationally in terms of total funding.

“Murdoch’s continued success in the ARC’s Linkage Scheme reflects the University’s ongoing commitment to developing and maintaining long-term strategic research alliances with industry for projects that lead to national economic and social benefits in the designated National Priority Areas of Research,” said Dr Paul D’Sylva, Director of Research and Development at Murdoch University.

“Murdoch researchers in the University’s identified Areas of Research Strength in: (1) Agricultural and Veterinary Biotechnology; (2) Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecosystems Management and Restoration; and (3) Technologies and Policies for Sustainable Development, have been instrumental in the University’s continued success in this Program.”

Murdoch University’s successful research pool included more than $1.73 million for agricultural and environmental based projects, aiming to fight salinity, plant pathogens and animal disease. Nearly $730,000 was also secured to support the remediation of coastal habitats and the conservation of endangered animals and a further $223,000 was awarded to investigate Perth’s CBD air pollution.