Centre for Plant & Water Science
Centre for Plant & Water Science web pages are currently undergoing changes & updating of research data. Over the months of July to October 2008 current and past research project reports and data will be added to existing web pages.
Please use the left-hand side navigation menu to view all research project information and please re-visit the Centre's web pages over the coming months to check on updates to the Centre's research activities.
Any comments/queries may be emailed to the Centre's Administration Officer.
June 2008
The Sanitarium-CQU Post-graduate Scholarship for Stevia Research
Applications are invited from graduates of botany, plant science, agriculture or a similar discipline for a two-year scholarship for a higher degree (MSc) working with Stevia rebaudiana - the plant which produces steviol glycosides, the natural intense sweetener that is expected to become the preferred sweetener for weight-loss, diabetic and reduced calorie foods and beverages.
The Sanitarium and Central Queensland University (CQU) sponsored scholarship is to be undertaken at Rockhampton, Central Queensland. The research/study will concern the agronomy and plant physiology of issues such as leaf growth, glycoside production, flowering and seed production of stevia under a range of climatic conditions.
The Centre for Plant and Water Science (CPWS) at CQU has been involved with stevia for a number of years and made the application for the approval of stevia extracts to be an allowable food ingredient in Australia and New Zealand. Final approval of this application is expected within a few months. Current stevia activities of CPWS include the use of NIRS for leaf analysis and studies on glycoside accumulation patterns in the plant.
The scholarship, valued at more than $30K per year (of which $23K is for a stipend), is aimed to assist and enhance future plant variety selection programs and the growing of high quality stevia leaf in Australia.
Interested persons are asked to contact CPWS for formal application procedures.
Contact: Professor David Midmore (07) 4930 9770 or via e-mail.
Applications close: 31st July 2008 for commencement before 31 August 2008