18 October 2012
Four University of South Australia researchers have successfully achieved Australia-India Fellowship Awards (AIFA) from the Australian Academy of Science which will enable them to travel to India and work with leading Indian research institutions.
The award recipients include Dr Natasha Howard and Dr Mizanhur Rahman who have received Early Career Fellowships, and Professor Sanjay Garg and Professor Jiuyong Li,who have been awarded Senior Visiting Fellowships.
Fellowship funding will support the researchers to work with organisations including the Indian Institute of Science, the Indian Council of Medical Research, IBM India and International Clinical Epidemiology Network (INCLEN) Trust.
Dr Howard, a current Research Fellow within the Social Epidemiology and Evaluation Research Group, Sansom Institute for Health Research, is aiming to expand her area of research in New Delhi, in partnership with the INCLEN Trust.
In undertaking research across an area that includes 48 villages, Dr Howard will examine how social and built environments relate to the development of cardiometabolic diseases in the local population.
“I was delighted to achieve this award. India presents new population health challenges that arise from rapid economic growth and social change,” Dr Howard said.
“Through this Australia-India partnership the fellowship will enable intercultural exchange concerning the contexts in which people live and health outcomes in both Australia and India.
“Fellowship activities will include exploring cultural notions of “place” and its contribution to healthful environments.”
The Australia-India Fellowships are supported by the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF), a platform for bilateral collaboration in science jointly managed and funded by the governments of Australia and India.
Professor Suzanne Cory, Australian Academy of Science President, explained the value of the fellowships.
“Australia’s science collaboration with countries in Asia is essential in tackling the problems facing us in the 21st Century,” Professor Cory said.
“These fellowships are an excellent opportunity for emerging and established scientists to expand research activities and establish collaborative networks between Australia and India.”
Contact for interview:
Natasha Howard office 8302 2776 mobile 0414 376 408 email natasha.howard@unisa.edu.au
Media contact: Will Venn office 8302 0965 email Will.Venn@unisa.edu.au
