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PhD scientist takes top job in Germany
A former Nambour schoolboy and University of the Sunshine Coast science graduate who recently found evidence of new bacteria species breaking down toxic substances in the Timor Sea has gained a prestigious position in Germany.
Ken Wasmund, 27, delivered his PhD seminar at USC’s Sippy Downs campus before flying to Leipzig to start his post-doctoral fellowship, funded by the European Union, at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research.
After doing his Bachelor of Science (Microbial Ecology), Honours degree and now Doctorate of Philosophy at USC, Ken successfully applied on the internet for the three-year job.
“I’m pretty excited about this opportunity because it’s great for scientists to work overseas early in their career,” said Ken, who has travelled briefly in Europe.
“Initially I expect to be studying bacteria that can degrade toxic substances in groundwater in Europe.”
The marine microbiology research in Australia’s Timor Sea is also ongoing, with Ken’s USC supervisor Dr Ipek Kurtböke continuing to work collaboratively with the Australian Institute of Marine Science in Townsville.
Dr Kurtböke, USC Senior Lecturer in Environmental Microbiology, said she was very proud of Ken, who gained respect at the Townsville institute for his hard work and quiet achievements.
“Knowing his commitment and dedication, I have no doubt that Ken will return in the future as an internationally reputed scientist,” she said.
The pioneering research is based on observations of natural oil and gas seeping out of cracks in the sea floor off Western Australia.
Ken said the research was vital because many bubbles contained hydrocarbons such as methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.
“During my PhD we found a high diversity of bacteria species, which is good because they break down the seeping oil and gas and use it as energy.
“The microbes are actually chewing up the oil so fast that the ecosystem is quite healthy and coral is growing."
Ken, who went to Burnside State High, received numerous grants and awards during his studies, including:
- Australian Biological Resources Study (ABRS) scholarship
- CSIRO top-up grant
- ABRS grant to attend conference in Austria
- Maroochy Council Young Achievers Award
- International Society for Microbial Ecology grant to attend conference in Cairns
Dr Kurtböke’s own PhD work at the University of Liverpool, UK in 1990 led to the development of a technique to isolate bacteria which was adapted by many pharmaceutical companies and research institutions.
– Julie Gatehouse