Deakin and CSIRO enter new partnership

Deakin University has entered into a Research Collaboration Agreement with CSIRO Livestock Industries’ Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL).

The Agreement covers a number of areas including the opportunity for joint PhD Scholarships and research projects. AAHL scientists will also present lectures at Deakin in the areas of bioscience and infectious diseases.

The Agreement also provides Geelong with yet another opportunity to enhance its position as a regional hub for scientific research and development and related tertiary studies.

AAHL is a world leading research facility, particularly in the area of new and emerging exotic infections diseases, and currently has more than 20 postgraduate students undertaking studies at the laboratory.

A third of these students are from Deakin and this number is continuing to increase each year.

“This Agreement cements a growing partnership between the two organisations, which is creating new opportunities to train future world class researchers,” said Professor David Stokes, Deakin University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research).

Martyn Jeggo, Director of AAHL, said there were a number of drivers that made signing the agreement both timely and pertinent.

“AAHL is increasingly working with pathogens that affect both humans and animals, including Hendra virus, SARS coronavirus and avian influenza virus and with the recent establishment of Deakin’s new Medical School there are exciting research possibilities around, for example with influenza viruses,” he said.

There is also the development of the ‘one health’ concept under which those working in the bioscience area work collectively to deliver together solutions to the biosecurity risks that threaten both humans and animals.

“AAHL and Deakin are clearly naturals for such a partnership and today marks a watershed in the development of a ‘one health approach for Geelong’,” Mr Jeggo said.

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