The work of Garvan PhD student Kendle Maslowski was honoured by the Cooperative Research Centres Association (CRCA) at its annual conference in Alice Springs.

Winning a competition that showcased the work of CRC ‘early career scientists’, Kendle was presented with a $1,500 cheque at a Gala Presentation Dinner on 28 May at Alice Springs Desert Park.

Out of eight finalists, four were chosen to give a 10 minute talk, and four to give a 3 minute talk. Kendle competed in the 10 minute category and the audience voted her the winner. Competitors were assessed on their ability to present a complex topic simply and clearly to a lay audience.

It was not an easy choice! Topics ranged from The Genetics of Beef Cattle to the Use of Microbes in Mining.

Kendle’s own PhD, focusing on a mechanism that links dietary fibre, gut bacteria and the immune system, has been supported by the CRC for Asthma and Airways. Her results, which confirmed the potential anti-inflammatory effects of dietary fibre in a range of conditions including asthma, were published in the very prestigious journal Nature last October. Click here to see Garvan’s media release.

“Obviously I was very excited to win the competition, and very pleased to be able to draw attention to my collaboration with the CRC for Asthma and Airways,” said Kendle.

“The whole experience was interesting as I hadn’t realised the diversity of CRCs.”