Aussie researcher wins inaugural CNR Rao Award
Blake Plowman wins Indian award for Materials Science research. GAURAV PANDEY reports
Blake Plowman, a third year PhD student at RMIT University in Melbourne, has been awarded the inaugural CNR Rao Award for outstanding contribution in materials science, an important frontier area of interdisciplinary research.
Prof. Margaret Gardner, Vice-Chancellor and President, RMIT University, presented the award to Blake in Bangalore, India recently.
The award, named after one of the most prominent Indian scientists and a former RMIT University visiting Fellow Prof. CNR Rao, was open to all PhD students. Prof. Rao’s work on transition metal oxides has led to basic understanding of novel phenomena and the relationship between materials properties and the structural chemistry of these materials.
“Blake was chosen for the quality of research he has carried out, specifically in the area of functional materials development, and the significance of his publications,” says Prof. Suresh Bhargava, Deputy Pro-Vice Chancellor (International) at College of Science, Engineering and Health at RMIT University.
“Blake’s work focuses on the electrochemical formation of noble metal nanostructures, including gold. His work on gold electrochemistry can open new avenues and give exciting insights on the function and fate of gold in the body.”
Blake, whose work has been published in reputed international journals such as Chemical Communications and Electrochimica Acta, is currently carrying out his research under Prof. Rao at the International Centre for Materials Research in India.
Much of Blake’s success can be credited to the positive professional research culture, open access to most important research journals and conducive environment provided to researches in Australian universities.
It also highlights the growing collaboration between Australian and Indian universities in the field of research.
The Indo-Australian Science and Technology Fund, Indo-Australian Biotechnology Fund and the recently introduced Grand Challenge Fund are examples of this.
“More programs are being initiated and most Australian universities are planning to establish their research centres with top Indian universities,” Prof. Bhargava says.
Blake is a part of the Prof. Bhargava Advanced Materials and Industrial Chemistry Group at RMIT University. The group consists of 12 post-doctoral fellows, 20 Ph.D students and three honours students.
Prof. Bhargava is among the growing number of academics of Indian origin who have carved out a niche for themselves in the field of research in Australia. His work has resulted in a major breakthrough in alumina technology and three industry-related patents.
The CNR Rao Award was introduced by the donation of an Indian academic working at RMIT University to respect Prof. CNR Rao’s contribution to chemical sciences.
“The inspiration behind the award was Prof. Rao’s recent visit to RMIT University, and the fact that this year is the International Year of Chemistry. Given the research strength of the university in the development of functional materials Prof. Rao was seen as the perfect role model for young scientists in this area,” Prof. Bhargava says.
