High School students to hear about cancer research from Ian Frazer

Senior high school biology students will hear about the latest in cancer research from 2006 Australian of the Year, Professor Ian Frazer, at USQ next Wednesday (14 February 2007).

Ian Frazer is the Director of the Centre for Immunology and Cancer Research, a research centre of the University of Queensland at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane.

Last year he was awarded ‘Australian of the Year' for his development of a cervical cancer vaccine which experts say could eliminate cervical cancer in the next generation. At present approximately 55,000 women are affected by cervical cancer each year in Australia alone.

Professor Frazer will give his address ‘What's new in cancer prevention and treatment' after he opens the Centre for Systems Biology (CSBi) research centre.

Oakey State High School, St Saviour's College, St Mary's Toowoomba and Toowoomba State High School will all bring students to the event.

Biology teacher from St Mary's Toowoomba, Mr Robin Lim, said the talk presents a valuable opportunity for students to hear directly from a great Australian scientist.

'We are trying to make the students aware that the last three winners of Australian of the Year were scientists,' said Mr Lim.

'The talk will show students what is going on in current research, how research is progressing and the relevance of science in today's society.

'Cancer is always a hot topic of interest to everyone and it fits in nicely with what the children have been learning,' he said.

CSBi Director, Professor Mark Sutherland (pictured), said he hoped the address would inspire students to consider careers in science.

'We need our very best students to take up careers in science to help our society address considerable challenges which lie ahead for human societies.

'The development of this vaccine by Professor Frazer demonstrates the advances that good science can make for the benefit of human society.

'Professor Frazer has performed some really important scientific research that has addressed an important issue in women's health.'

Though cancer is a popular area there are many fields of research for aspiring scientists to explore.

For example, the Centre for Systems Biology conducts research in bioinformatics, plant sciences, muscle physiology, human disease and wine science.

'Our research involves the collection and interpretation of very large data sets and requires multi disciplinary teams of biologists, mathematicians and computing experts to get the job done,' Professor Sutherland said.

The Opening will be held at the USQ Clive Berghoffer Centre from 9.30-10.40am on Wednesday 14 February 2007. Members of the public are welcome to attend. Please contact Tania Moore on +61 7 4631 2265 for more information on the event.

Media Contact: Josh Ada, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 1628