A total of 103 projects representing $38.82 million in funding over three to five years were awarded to the University of Melbourne, an increase of over $1.3 million in Discovery Grant funding from 2009.

University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor Professor Glyn Davis is delighted with the University’s strong performance in the highly-competitive ARC Discovery grants.  “It is extremely pleasing to see the spread of successful projects across most disciplines in the University,” he said.

Some of the recently awarded ARC Discovery grants and chief investigators include:

• Professor Mark Burgman, Botany Department, on modelling Australian species in the face of future environmental changes, $570,000

• Professor Frank Carbone, Department Microbiology and Immunology, on investigating new generation vaccines targeting peripheral T cell memory, $1,649,000

• Associate Professor Sun Sheng Han, Architecture, Building and Planning, on configuring low carbon cities in China, $481,000 

• Professor Marcus Pandy, Department of Mechanical Engineering, on using computer modeling to reduce falls and fractures in elderly, $545,000  

• Professor Steven Prawer, School of Physics, on developing diamond based systems for quantum technologies, $820,000

• Professor David Karoly, Department of Earth Sciences, on clarifying the link between ozone layer and surface weather patterns, $940,000

• Dr Devi Stuart-Fox, Department of Zoology, on investigating the evolutionary development and the biodiversity of the South Australian tawny dragon lizard, $590,000

• Professor Johanna Wyn, Melbourne Graduate School of Education, on young people negotiating risk and opportunity: A reassessment of transition pathways, $1,119,000

The University of Melbourne also received funding for 25 ARC Linkage grants (Round 1) worth a total of $6,976,733 ARC funding in addition to $12,013,378 linkage partner contributions.

Some of the recently awarded ARC Linkage grants and chief investigators include:

• Professor Philip Batterham, Genetics/ Bio21 Institute, on insecticide targets in the nervous system: discovery and design for sustainable insect pest control, $520,000

• Professor  Robin Gasser, Veterinary Science, on identifying new methods of control for blood-feeding hookworms, $600,000

• Dr Lisa Gibbs, McCaughey Centre, Teeth Tales: A culturally competent community intervention for child oral health in low SES areas of urban Melbourne, $491,000

• Associate Professor Spas Kolev, Chemistry, on plant-based approaches for mitigating heavy metal release from unlined and loosely capped rural landfills, $318,000

• Professor Steven Prawer, School of Physics, on designing the Quantum-Classical Interface: Technologies for the Diamond Quantum Co-Processor, $650,000

• Associate Professor Ian van Driel, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology/ Bio21 Institute, investigating new genes and models for inflammatory bowel disease, $330,000

• Dr Yongping Wei, Australia-China Centre on Water Resources Research, investigating systemic and adaptive water governance: lessons for Australia from China and South Africa, $320,553