Congratulations to Dr Jessica Kretzmann, Dr Matthew Dodd, Dr Mark Wong and Dr Benjamin McAllister (alumnus) who are recipients of the Discovery Early Career Researcher Award scheme (DECRA).
The scheme supports outstanding early-career researchers with federal funding for projects which have economic, commercial, environmental, social or cultural benefits for Australia.
Dr Jessica Kretzmann received a DECRA award to map the structure-function relationship of DNA origami in cells. Dr Kretzmann’s project addresses the limited fundamental knowledge regarding the interactions between DNA origami nanotechnology and the intracellular environment. It will also dissect the structure-function relationship between DNA origami nanotechnology and the intracellular environment.
Dr Matthew Dodd‘s project pioneers a ground-breaking method using nitrogen species trapped inside carbonate minerals to directly measure ocean nitrogen abundances and isotope compositions over Earth history. The new method developed by this project will revolutionise our grasp of complex patterns in the nitrogen cycle and its effects on life and Earth.
Dr Mark Wong‘s project aims to build a general and predictive understanding of the causes and consequences of biological invasion, by investigating how alien species’ traits and ecological strategies influence their capacities to spread globally and invade local communities.
Dr Benjamin McAllister’s research aims to enhance Australia’s efforts in dark matter detection by designing new experimental searches for dark matter and developing quantum technologies to improve existing experiments. Future quantum technologies are expected to revolutionise computing, sensing and other fields.
Image: (L-R) Dr Jessica Kretzmann, Dr Matthew Dodd, Dr Mark Wong and Dr Benjamin McAllister (alumnus).