By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
A NARRE Warren student will soon be showcasing his smarts on the world stage.
Andrew Leong, who recently completed a PhD at Monash University, has been awarded a position as a post-doctoral researcher at John Hopkins University in Maryland, on America’s East coast.
The position, which could last up to five years, will see Andrew collaborate with a range of different teams, like the Defense Threat Reduction Agency which is responsible for countering weapons of mass destruction.
“My specific project is to study the damage induced on materials under different extreme circumstances such as missile attacks and earthquakes,” Andrew said.
“The knowledge gained from this will help improve the design of buildings and vehicles in withstanding such extreme circumstances.”
For his PhD Andrew investigated respiratory diseases – such as lung cancer, emphysema and cystic fibrosis – a leading cause of death among Australians.
“Many of these respiratory diseases can be successfully treated if detected early,” Andrew said.
“However, our current diagnostic techniques are inadequate in early detection of such diseases.
“The aim of my PhD project was to develop more sensitive diagnostic techniques that were also safe for the patient.”
Working as a physicist Andrew collaborated with engineers and physiologists to develop these techniques, which are currently being tested in advanced facilities including the Australian Synchrotron and SPring-8 in Japan.
When visiting Andrew and his father Ni Tec Leong this month, Holt MP Anthony Byrne commended the “talented young physicist” and remarked on the “bright future” set out before him.
“I am very proud that he will be working at one of the most prestigious medical institutions in the world,” Mr Byrne said.
“I wish Andrew all the best on his future journey and I look forward to hearing reports on his research and his achievements.”
