Millis Jackson Research Scholarship

About

Through the generous support of the Millis Jackson Fund, funding is available to provide support for students in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology to undertake research in biotechnology or environmental microbiology.

About Nancy Millis 

Professor Nancy Millis AC MBE, BAgrSc 1945 (Melb) MAgrSc 1946 (Melb) PhD (Bristol) DSc (Honoris Causa) (Melb) Hon LLD (Melb) Hon DSc (LaTrobe) joined the University’s Department of Microbiology in 1952. She is recognised as a pioneer of the study of fermentation technology. She is credited with overseeing the introduction and surveillance of genetic engineering in Australia. She was appointed Chair of the Commonwealth Government’s Recombinant DNA Monitoring Committee (subsequently known as Genetic Manipulation Advisory Committee) in 1981. In 1982, Nancy Millis was only the fourth woman to be appointed a Professor at the University. She later served as Chancellor of La Trobe University from 1992-2006. She has the rare distinction of being featured on a stamp issued by Australia Post in 2002, which honoured the work of five eminent Australian scientists. Coinciding with her retirement, the April 2006 issue of the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology reported a newly discovered bacterium named ‘Millisa brevis’ in recognition of Professor Millis’ contribution to water microbiology.

Noted for her candour, wisdom, humour and common sense, Professor Millis was a great scientist, educator and humanitarian. She remained actively involved in the life of the University and the Department of Microbiology and Immunology until her death in 2012.

About Jean Jackson

Dr Jean Jackson, the older sister of Prof Nancy Millis, was a biochemist specialising in dietetics and nutrition. Dr Jackson graduated from the University in 1934 with a Bachelor of Science degree, and an exhibition in biochemistry. She was appointed lecturer (and later senior lecturer) in biochemistry at the University in 1935. In 1950 she was appointed senior lecturer in charge of nutrition at the University of Malaya in Singapore. She taught medical, dental and social studies students but much of her time was spent on research into the influence of nutrition on the development of infants, especially those of low socio-economic status. This information was useful in directing government programs to improve the nutrition of infants. She obtained her doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Malaya in 1954.  In 1957, the donor married Arthur Jackson, who was to become the chief scientist of Singapore. When the donor retired from Singapore in 1960, she returned to Melbourne where she demonstrated in biochemistry at both the University and Monash University to medical students. However, her knowledge of the nutritional scene in the Far East led the World Health Organisation to employ her as a consultant to their applied nutrition program.  In 1973 she was a consultant to the World Bank for their nutritional work in Indonesia. She was a member of that government’s committee developing the rationing program for the population, for orphanages, homes for the elderly, hospitals and prisons. She was also concerned in developing food standards and establishing standards for the scales used in the supply of food. She was instrumental in the establishment of the Dietetics Association of Victoria and a very active member of the Victorian Women Graduates Association.

Eligibility

The objective of the Millis Jackson Research Scholarship is to encourage and support students undertaking research in Biotechnology or Environmental Microbiology.

The scholarship is provided directly to the awardee, and may be used for travel, conferences, workshops or courses, visiting laboratories, industry partners or other organisations to learn techniques, or gain further biotechnology related expertise.

The Department of Microbiology and Immunology Graduate Researcher Committee will select scholarship recipients using the following criteria:

* Alignment with the aims of the Millis Jackson Research Scholarship for “research in Biotechnology or Environmental Microbiology”

* Benefit to the development of the student

* Scientific merit of the proposed work or undertaking

Selection

The Head of Department will make a recommendation to the Dean, Faculty Medicine Dentistry and Health Science as to the recipient(s) and amount of the scholarship.

The scholarship(s) is awarded annually dependent on the Trust fund allocation and is expected to be approximately $7,000 p/a. This amount may be allocated to one or more students.

Applications are welcomed from current students in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology.  All students must be enrolled at the University of Melbourne to receive payment of the scholarship.

Application

All applicants for the Millis Jackson Research Scholarship must complete and submit the Scholarship Application Form to Aradhana Deoki aradhana@unimelb.edu.au by the 8 April.