Student's research on microalgae earns him top science award

PHYSIOTHERAPY student Shaun Williams's first semester at Griffith University was enlivened by a trip to Qatar, where he zoomed up and down 60m sand dunes, bargained in the souk wakif (markets) and, courtesy of some research he undertook last year at high school, won the gold medal at the World Virtual Science and Engineering Fair.

PHYSIOTHERAPY student Shaun Williams's first semester at Griffith University was enlivened by a trip to Qatar, where he zoomed up and down 60m sand dunes, bargained in the souk wakif (markets) and, courtesy of some research he undertook last year at high school, won the gold medal at the World Virtual Science and Engineering Fair.

His work on the value of using microalgae as a biodiesel feedstock netted $16,000 towards his university fees, $2500 to spend at his own discretion, and a laptop.

He represented Oceania and was up against entries from Pakistan, Qatar, Germany and Canada.

The judges liked the practical nature of his research, showing microalgae oil was as efficient as oil from other potential feedstocks.

He became interested in the idea after seeing a television story that examined the prospects of replacing non-renewable fossil fuels with biofuels. The biofuel industry in Australia is in its infancy and still in the process of working out how to produce large quantities on a commercial basis.

"It turned out microalgae had a similar energy content to mustard and sunflower seeds, but both of them required arable land and you can only extract oil from their seeds, most of the plant is not of any use," he explains.

Microalgae are photosynthetic organisms grown in ponds.

Williams epitomises the hyper-bright self-starters the university is seeking to attract for its experimental, elite program, the Griffith University Honours College. This is an adaptation of programs in North America.

Williams, graduating from the Gold Coast's Keebra Park State High School with an OP2 (the highest score in the Queensland system is OP1), was automatically eligible to apply for membership of the college.

He was among its first intake of 140 undergraduates. Benefits include a tailored orientation program, access to a mentor, and opportunities for international study and high-value experiences beyond those available to other undergraduates, program co-ordinator Kim Holmes says.

"Two of the Queensland Conservatorium students were introduced to Brian Howard, the composer-in-residence of the Queensland Orchestra, and showed him their compositions, and four film school students attended a masterclass with film director George Miller," Holmes offers by way of examples.

Of eight Australian university students selected to attend the World Federation of United Nations Associations Conference in Incheon, South Korea, in July, four were from the college.

Williams has landed on his feet via his membership of this elite group as he pursues his longstanding commitment to physiotherapy. "I've always wanted to do physiotherapy, as an ex-rugby league player with a couple of knee reconstructions," he says wryly.

And while he is clearly a potential high-flyer and flush with funds, life is still down-to-earth: he lives at home with his father and works part time at Subway, making submarine sandwiches.