Team from Murdoch University wins BASF Asia Pacific PhD Challenge
- Innovative and creative ideas to solve future mobility challenges
- Prizes include all-expense paid trip to BASF International Summer Course in Germany and invitation to high-level science symposium in China
- Finalists can potentially be involved in further research collaboration opportunity with BASF
Shanghai, China – March 26, 2015 – A team of two PhD candidates, Sofia Chaudry and Ashiwin Vadiveloo, both from Murdoch University in Perth, Western Australia, have won the grand prize in the BASF Asia Pacific PhD Challenge. In this unique program, teams from all around the region competed to provide advanced solutions from chemistry, material science, and engineering to address challenges of future mobility.
The winning team will receive an all-expense paid trip to 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 in November 2015. The finalists of the top five shortlisted teams can potentially be involved in further research collaboration opportunity with BASF.
“As a member of the judging panel, I 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. We hope that the winning team will not only continue to pursue their innovation strengths, but also encourage others to do so,” said Dr. Harald Lauke, President, Advanced Materials & Systems Research, BASF.
The winning proposal, entitled “Sustainable Hydrocarbon Production From Microalgae”, is an idea of adopting microalgae as an alternative sustainable way for fuel production.
“We are excited to win the first BASF Asia Pacific PhD Challenge – what an honor,” said Sofia Chaudry and Ashiwin Vadiveloo. “We are already looking forward to meeting the science and chemistry community around the world at the BASF International Summer Course in Germany and the Creator Space Science Symposium in Shanghai,” continued Chaudry and Vadiveloo.
More information about the competition is available at Creator Space™ online at http://basf.com/phd-challenge . On this online interactive platform, businesses, scientists, the public and BASF experts are invited to exchange thoughts and ideas on developing solutions to global challenges related to urban living, smart energy and food, throughout BASF’s 150th anniversary year.
About BASF
At BASF, we create chemistry – and have been doing so for 150 years. Our portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. As the world’s leading chemical company, we combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Through science and innovation, we enable our customers in nearly every industry to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring nutrition and improving quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF had sales of over €74 billion in 2014 and around 113,000 employees as of the end of the year. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.
