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Nanotechnologist is RMIT’s Alumnus of the Year
A young, internationally renowned nanotechnologist has been named RMIT
University’s Alumnus of the Year.
Dr Amanda Barnard, who graduated from the University as an undergraduate in
2001 and finished her PhD in record time in 2003, will be presented with the honour
in a ceremony at RMIT Storey Hall tonight.
Dr Barnard said she was thrilled with the award.
“With the current pressures to ensure scientific research is targeted to practical
outcomes, the applied focus of RMIT science degrees are invaluable in creating the
right mind-set,” she said.
RMIT Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Margaret Gardner AO, will present
the award to Dr Barnard.
“Dr Barnard has done so much in a short time,” Professor Gardner said.
“RMIT can be truly proud of her. She is an excellent role model for young women
scientists.”
Dr Barnard’s achievements since receiving her PhD include:
A 2008 L’Oréal Australia for Women in Science Fellowship – one of only four
awarded in Australia. She will use this Fellowship to develop new computational
tools to predict the behaviour of nanoparticles in the environment.
A
prestigious Australian Research Council award – the Queen Elizabeth II
Fellowship – with a total grant amount of $775,000 over five years.
A position as a Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellow in the Center for Nanoscale
Materials at Argonne National Laboratory (USA).
Three years as a Violette & Samuel Glasstone Fellow at the University of Oxford
(UK), where she investigated the safety of nanoparticles and wrote a commentary
on nano-hazards for Nature Materials.
Dr Barnard is the second recipient of the Alumnus of the Year award. The RMIT
Alumnus of the Year awards acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of
exceptional RMIT graduates.
For interviews: Dr Amanda Barnard, 0488 604 128.
For general media enquiries: RMIT Media and Communications, David Glanz,
(03) 9925 2807 or 0438 547 723.
9 December, 2008
NEWS 
