September 27, 2001 - 5:00pm
Malaspina University-College Biology graduates are at it again – busy making a name for themselves and the institution.
Recent graduate Aaron Jex (B.Sc. 2000) is the recipient of a prestigious international scholarship.
Aaron has received the “Queen Elizabeth II Centennial Scholarship” worth $20,000 to start his Master’s Degree at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia in January, 2002.
Additional funding for this exciting opportunity comes from his research advisor ($17,000 a year) and from the University of Queensland ($6,500) a year.
This generous amount of funding will ensure that Jex can conduct his research studies and course work free of financial worries. Jex will be studying several novel aspects of the ecology of animal-parasite interactions.
“Aaron is the first of the Biology graduates from Malaspina to receive this kind of substantial funding to study in such a spectacular place,” says Tim Goater, Chair of the Biology department.
“The department of Parasitology and Microbiology at the University of Queensland has a world-renowned reputation. This is a tremendous honour and opportunity for Aaron.”
ex says one of the most instrumental attributes that Malaspina’s undergraduates have at their disposal is the many hours of cutting-edge research and hands-on lab experience they receive as part of their degree.
“This sets us apart from the graduates of many other schools,” says Jex. “It is one of the major reasons why I, and others like me, have been able to go on from Malaspina and be successful.”
Matt Hoch, Jex’s undergraduate research advisor, agrees the Queensland scholarship is a unique opportunity for Aaron.
“I’m not too surprised given Aaron’s dedication, perseverance and technical skill demonstrated during his research at Malaspina,” says Hoch.
“Aaron is another example of how learning to practice science as an undergraduate via a solid research experience like our BIOL 491 program places students on top of the competition for graduate scholarships and jobs in biological sciences.”
Jex is a Nanaimo local and a graduate of John Barsby Community School.
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