Perth high school scientists to take on USA

• Outstanding science students to present research to top American experts

• State Government supports BioGENEius Challenge

Science and Innovation Minister John Day today congratulated two local students on winning the Western Australian BioGENEius Challenge.

Abbey Mardon (year 10) from Presbyterian Ladies' College and Tess Douglass (year 11) from Iona Presentation College will travel to United States city of Boston to compete in the International BioGENEius Challenge finals in June this year.

Mr Day said this provided a wonderful opportunity for the young scientists to present their biotechnology research to a panel of top American science experts.

"These exceptional students have achieved wonderful results under the stewardship of their mentors from the WA science community," he said.

"The winning research projects are very relevant to the State and will have real life implications."

Abbey Mardon's research looked at improving the waste treatment process in piggeries, while Tess Douglass' project could assist the development of new devices that can detect breast cancer during surgery. 

The Minister said it was important that students were encouraged at all levels to become the next generation of scientists and scientific thinkers.

"Initiatives like the BioGENEius Challenge are important. I have no doubt that Abbey and Tess will have promising scientific related careers," he said.

      Fact File

• The International BioGENEius Challenge will be held from June 18-21 in conjunction with the world's biggest biotechnology conference, BIO 2012

• The Western Australian competition is facilitated by the Department of Commerce: http://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/biogeneius

Minister's office - 6552 6200

Photograph caption: L-R WA Chief Scientist Professor Lyn Beazley, Tess Douglass of Mosman Park, Abbey Mardon from Wembley, and Science and Innovation Minister John Day

The research

Abbey Mardon from Wembley

Abbey developed a project that will ultimately enhance the competitiveness of the Australian livestock industries.

Mentored by Dr Sasha Jenkins from The University of Western Australia's (UWA) Natural and Agricultural Sciences Faculty, Abbey's research investigated enhancing the removal of biological phosphorus in the waste treatment process in piggery farms. Her research will help to improve manure management systems, and increase profits through reduced fertiliser costs.

Tess Douglass from Mosman Park

The research carried out by Tess will aid in the development of new breast cancer detection devices. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in women in Australia.

Mentored by postgraduate student Kelsey Kennedy from UWA's Optical and Biomedical Engineering Laboratory, Tess' project involves the design and construction of an object that can simulate cancer within the breast.

This object will aid in the development of optical needle probes, currently being researched, which can capture an image of the tumour and determine its properties at a microscopic level, thus improving the detection and excision of the cancer.