James Daniell, 24, from South Australia (Field: Engineering)
James has Bachelor of Engineering (Civil and Structural) with1st Class Honours from the University of Adelaide and a Bachelor of Science (Geology and Geophysics) from the University of Adelaide. He was awarded the Honours Alumni University Medal and the University Medal by the University of Adelaide. In March 2009, he will complete a Master of Earthquake Engineering and Engineering Seismology from Université Joseph Fourier, France, and the Università Degli Studi di Pavia, Italy.
James will use his John Monash Award to study for Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Karlsruhe in Germany. James is determined to become a world leader in vulnerability assessment and risk management of cities leading to better policy, early warning systems and relief efforts.

Amy McLennan, 25, from South Australia (Field: Medical Anthropology)
Amy has a Bachelor of Medical Science (Physiology and Neuroscience; Nutrition) from Flinders University, a Bachelor of Science (First-Class Honours in Anatomical Science) from the University of Adelaide and a Diploma of Language (Advanced French) from Flinders University. She is currently studying for a Master of Philosophy (Medical Anthropology) at Oxford University.
Amy will use her John Monash Award to study for Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Oxford to support a future role in health governance. Amy hopes her research will lead to better policies to address obesity at individual and population levels.

Sarah Meyer, 27, from Victoria (Field: International Development/Public Health)
Sarah has Bachelor of Arts – Dean’s Scholars (Honours) Degree from Monash University. She also has a Masters of Philosophy in Development Studies (with Distinction) from Oxford University, where she was a Rhodes Scholar in 2004.
Sarah will use her John Monash Award to study for Doctor of Philosophy from the Johns Hopkins University in the United States of America. Sarah is a researcher, policy-maker and advocate.

Rebecca Nelson, 27, from the Australian Capital Territory (Field: Law & Water Engineering)
Rebecca has degrees in Law and Engineering, both with First Class Honours, from the University of Melbourne. She also has a Diploma in Modern Languages (German) from the University of Melbourne.
Rebecca will use her John Monash Award to study for a Master of the Science of Law at Stanford University in the United States of America. She intends to play a leading role in the development of environmental and water laws to promote water sustainability. She hopes to lead legal Australia scholarship on water laws to more effectively meet ecological and community needs.

Timothy O’Shea, 21, from Queensland (Field: Engineering – Medical)
Tim is completing a Bachelor degree in Engineering (Medical) and a Masters Degree in Engineering Management, both at the Queensland University of Technology.
Tim will use his John Monash Award to study for a Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering at Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, United States of America. Tim is focused on tissue engineering, regenerative medicine and drug delivery. Tim is interested particularly in the repair of Spinal Cord injuries, being inspired after his friend suffered a spinal cord injury.

Katie Quinn, 21, from Queensland (Field: Engineering & Science – Biotechnology)
Katie is completing her Bachelor degrees in Engineering (Chemical & Biological) and Science (Molecular Cell Biology) at the University of Queensland.
Katie will use her John Monash Award to study for a Doctor of Philosophy Chemical Engineering or Bioengineering at the University of California, San Diego, United States of America. Katie is excited by the prospect of using biotechnology to gain a better understanding of the complex biological systems that govern all life and applying this knowledge to make chemical products in biological systems.

Mark Schembri, 31, from New South Wales (Field: Veterinary Science & Public Health)
Mark has a Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Bachelor of Science Veterinary Medicine from the University of Sydney. He is also a member of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists (ACVS) specialising in Animal Reproduction.
Mark will use his John Monash Award to study for a Masters of Public Health Degree at Harvard University, United States of America. Mark intends to gain expertise in viral pandemics. He wants to ensure that Australia maintains world-class security against viral outbreaks in animals and humans.

Shaun Lin Yow, 24, from New South Wales (Field: Economics)
Shaun has a Bachelor of Commerce with First Class Honours and the University Medal from the University of New South Wales.
Shaun will use his John Monash Award to study for a Doctor of Philosophy in Economics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, United States of America. Shaun will study the application of public policy for managing the economic consequences of demographic change, in particular looking at ways in which governments can influence saving and retirement behaviour. He believes demographic change is a major economic and social challenge confronting society and that a failure to respond to this change will have enormous implications for Australia.