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The Awards aim to build deep and enduring education and professional linkages between Australia and Asia. As part of his award, Alexander will travel to Japan for 1 year to undertake research in the world-leading laboratory of Professor Yoshinori Ohsumi at the Tokyo Institute of Technology. Alexander will further his research into mitochondrial autophagy - how cells recycle their energy-producing components for reuse. The malfunction of this process has been linked to neurodegenerative diseases and ongoing research promises insights into fundamental cell biology.
Alexander is no stranger to Japan. As a part of his of Arts degree in Japanese and Politics he studied at Waseda University in Tokyo in 2007 and is fluent in Japanese. He will have the opportunity to undertake an internship or work placement in Japan at the completion of his research.
Alexander is currently undertaking a Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology under the supervision of Mark Prescott and Rod Devenish. Alexander was awarded a Monash University Jubilee Honours Scholarship, Australian Postgraduate Award and the Stuart Stone Medal for the top performing Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Honours student (2010).
Alexander recently attended an award ceremony and dinner held in the Great Hall of Parliament House. During his stay in Canberra he had the opportunity to meet with Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Senator Chris Evans and the other 19 recipients of the award.
Details of Monash past recipients of the award can be found at:
http://www.mrgs.monash.edu.au/scholarships/students/endeavouraward/
Photograph: Alexander May is standing directly behind PM Julia Gillard
