Two bright minds from The University of Western Australia have been awarded prestigious Fulbright Scholarships, recognising their potential to drive innovation in climate science and agricultural sustainability.
The scholarships, part of the world's largest educational exchange program, will see Masters of science candidate Caleb Adams and Adjunct Professor John Kirkegaard pursue groundbreaking research at leading US institutions.
UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Amit Chakma said the scholarships reflected the University's growing influence in addressing global challenges.
“These Fulbright Scholarships recognise not just individual excellence, but UWA's commitment to fostering research that transcends borders,” Professor Chakma said.
“Through exchanges like this, we strengthen the bonds between Australia and the US while tackling some of humanity's most pressing challenges.”
"Through exchanges like this, we strengthen the bonds between Australia and the US while tackling some of humanity's most pressing challenges."
UWA Vice-Chancellor. Professor Amit Chakma
Mr Adams, a Fogarty Scholar from Fremantle, will advance bilateral collaboration in climate science through his Kinghorn Foundation-funded scholarship.
“My Fulbright research aims to build academic and industry partnerships in the US to enhance global climate science collaborations,” he said. “Ultimately, I'd like to study and work in the space sector, where the US leads globally.”
Dr John Kirkegaard, appointed as the Fulbright Distinguished Chair in Agriculture and Life Sciences, will bring his expertise in sustainable agriculture to Kansas State University.
An Adjunct Professor at UWA, Chief Research Scientist at Australia's national science agency CSIRO and Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, Dr Kirkegaard's work focuses on improving water use efficiency in farming systems.
“At Kansas State University, I'll share research approaches to improve wheat production in the face of climate change and build partnerships to propel the next generation of agronomists in Australia, the US and beyond,” he said.
The exchange will also welcome a PhD candidate from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Gwendolynn Hummel, to UWA to collaborate with maternal health experts on innovative approaches to prevent preterm births.
“My research aims to use a mother's microbiome in pregnancy to predict and prevent preterm birth in babies at risk,” Ms Hummel said. “This experience will help develop accessible therapeutics with a global perspective.”
The 2025 Fulbright cohort will be formally recognised at Parliament House on 27 February.
Photographs at top of page: (from l to r) Gwen Hummel, Caleb Adams and Dr John Kirkegaard (photograph courtesy of CSIRO).