Murdoch University team wins BASF Asia Pacific PhD Challenge

A PROPOSAL for an alternative, sustainable technology for fuel production was the grand prize winner in the BASF Asia Pacific PhD Challenge, a competition to provide advanced solutions from chemistry, material science, and engineering to address challenges of future mobility. The winning team, which bested others from all over the region, was made up of two PhD candidates, Sofia Chaudry and Ashiwin Vadiveloo, both from Murdoch University in Perth, Australia.

 

For their winning proposal, entitled “Sustainable Hydrocarbon Production from Microalgae”, Ms Chaudry and Mr. Vadiveloo will receive an all-expense paid trip to the  BASF International Summer Course in Germany, in August 2015, and will also be invited to take part in the Creator Space Science Symposium in Shanghai, China, in November 2015. 

 

The team from Murdoch University wins the grand prize in BASF Asia Pacific PhD Challenge. (from left): Dr. Sébastien Garnier, senior manager, Scouting and Open Research Center Asia Pacific & Research, Care Materials, BASF; Ashiwin Vadiveloo from Murdoch University, Dr. Harald Lauke, president, Advanced Materials & Systems Research, BASF; Sofia Chaudry from Murdoch University; and Dr. Stefan Dreher, senior vice president, Care Materials Unit, BASF

 

The finalists of the top five shortlisted teams will not go unrewarded, as they can potentially be involved in further research collaboration opportunity with BASF.

 

Dr. Harald Lauke, president, Advanced Materials & Systems Research at BASF and a member of the judging panel, said he was delighted to see the broad range of innovative ideas created by the next generation of scientists from around Asia Pacific. 

 

“The winning idea is a great example of how chemistry and science can make a contribution to meet the current and future needs of the society,” Dr. Lauke said. “We hope that the winning team will not only continue to pursue their innovation strengths, but also encourage others to do so.”

 

The competition is just one highlight of BASF’s 150th anniversary year. On the interactive platform, Creator Space™, businesses, scientists, the public and BASF experts are encouraged to exchange thoughts and ideas on developing solutions to global challenges related to urban living, smart energy and food, throughout the company’s 150th anniversary year.