Top Doctoral awards for Wellington's brightest students
Three Victoria University PhD students have been awarded Top Doctoral Achiever Scholarships at an average value of
$99,300.
Administered by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC), the scholarships are awarded to the top 10 per cent of PhD
candidates nationwide, and provide financial support for three years of research at both New Zealand and overseas
universities.
A fourth Oxford University student who completed her undergraduate degree at Victoria has also received a Top Doctoral
Achiever Scholarship to the value of $109,400.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Neil Quigley says that Victoria University students are leaders in their
respective fields, as acknowledged by their consistent success in the annual TEC scholarships.
"These scholarships acknowledge the value the Government places on the importance of these outstanding students to New
Zealand's future. They recognise the cutting-edge research underway at Victoria that will see breakthroughs in medicine,
industry and law among other areas," Professor Quigley says.
The Top Doctoral Achiever scholarship recipients are:
Teresa Vaughan—School of Chemical & Physical Sciences
Theresa Vaughan's PhD research will develop new catalysts that are water-soluble—making them more environmentally
friendly—but that act in ways comparable to traditional catalysts. The successful synthesis of active water-soluble
catalysts will enable two-phased catalyst systems. It will also solve two major problems encountered in the use of
homogenous catalysts—product separation and problems recovering the catalyst.
Funded $98,316
Rebecca Bednarek—Victoria Management School
Rebecca Bednarek's PhD research looks at the strategic balancing of salient and contradictory stakeholder demands. She
will examine how organisations can best be strategically managed in an environment of complex, competing and, at times,
contradictory demands and requirements. Her research will address a significant gap in academic analysis of
organisational legitimacy.
Funded $98,904.
Emma Dangerfield—School of Chemical & Physical Sciences
Emma Dangerfield's PhD will examine potential new cancer therapies that may offer treatment without debilitating
side-effects. She will determine at how the modification of glycolipids in relation to the enhancement of anti-tumour
immunity—glycolipids are fat-soluble substances particularly abundant in nervous system tissues.
Funded $100,812
Chelsea Payne—Oxford University, graduated from Victoria University in 2005
Chelsea Payne's PhD will examine the rule of law and transitional justice in post-conflict society. Her research will
look at how foreign governments and partners should engage with those involved with local ownership—financially,
technically and strategically. She will also examine how, when and to what extent local ownership should be supported.
Funded $109,443
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