Shaping the nation’s future with the help of the Westpac Future Leaders Trust

University of Queensland post graduate student Alicia Kirk will undertake important research on enzymes in Brisbane, after being named a 2020 Westpac Future Leaders Scholar.

Ms Kirk is one of just 15 bright young Australians to share in the $1.8 million scholarship program, allowing them to investigate solutions to global challenges.

After graduating from UQ with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Chemistry last year, Ms Kirk was considering continuing her research overseas, but said the scholarship would give her the best of both worlds.

“It definitely encouraged me to stay based here in Australia, but also gives me opportunities to explore other places,” Ms Kirk said.

Her PhD project is investigating a group of enzymes that are important to processing drugs in our body as well as a range of other things.

“I’m trying to find out how these enzymes control those reactions,” she said.

“It’s important because it helps us to predict some drug toxicity that’s caused by these enzymes in our body.

“We might also be able to use these enzymes as tools to do some chemistry, such as producing biofuel and drug molecules, or for bioremediation.”

She said the scholarship gave her the chance to make a positive impact for the future development of Australia.

“The Future Leaders Scholarship will take me through a year-long program that focusses on leadership development, and I get the opportunity to meet and get to know other amazing scholars in the W100 network.

“As I move forward, I know I have a network of people supporting me Australia wide.”

The PhD student will continue her work under the supervision of UQ’s Professor James De Voss and Associate Professor Elizabeth Krenske.

The scholarship will also allow her to gain further expertise in both computational and experimental chemistry that isn’t covered by groups in Australia.

“When I look back, I’ll know this is a crucial point where I was encouraged to step up,” Ms Kirk said.

“I have been given an incredible opportunity and will find a way to pay it forward.”

UQ Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global Engagement and Entrepreneurship) Dr Jessica Gallagher said Ms Kirk represented a new generation of young students, who are driven to set benchmarks in innovation, research and social change. 

“The partnerships Alicia will make with overseas institutions and colleagues, experts in their fields, will only benefit Australia’s science community in the future," Dr Gallagher said.  

“Thanks to the Westpac Future Leaders scholarship, UQ has a gifted young chemist remaining on campus.

“I look forward to hearing from this exceptional scholar in the future.”

For a full list of 2020 Westpac Future Leaders Scholars and to learn more about their studies, visit the Westpac Scholars Trust website. 

Media: UQ Communications, communications@uq.edu.au, +61 7 3365 1120.