ATA Scientific Supports Up-And-Coming Research Students

Specialising in marketing and servicing scientific and analytical instruments, ATA Scientific has had a significant influence across Australia and New Zealand’s pharmaceutical, polymer, chemical and mining industries. We endeavour to stay abreast in the latest research and developments in the scientific world, and as such have over time acquired a very large contact base around the globe.

At ATA Scientific we believe supporting this industry’s up-and-coming research personalities is key to bettering our own products and service, but even more importantly, is vital to sustaining scientific communication, growth and discovery. This is why we regularly sponsor promising academics and researchers; helping them achieve their goals has a flow on effect to the rest of the scientific community, and society in general.

Nicolas Alcaraz is one such student who we have supported in recent months. A PhD student at Monash University, Australia, Nicolas has already completed his Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Honors. Under the supervision of Prof Ben Boyd, he is currently completing his thesis entitled ‘Targeting Drug Carriers Using ‘Copper-Free’ Click Chemistry and Metabolic Labelling’.

Metabolic labelling and copper-free click chemistry are two techniques which so far have been predominantly used in conjunction for metabolic imaging. What Nicolas’ research will investigate is how these imaging techniques could instead be used to monitor and better understand metabolic processes and target specific cells. Such information could lead to the development of new drug delivery systems such as liquid crystal lipid systems. This in turn could lead to new ways of curing diseases such as cancer.

Made aware of the leaps Nicolas is taking in his research field, ATA Scientific awarded him our Travel award. This award enabled Nicolas to attend the 42nd Annual Controlled Release Society Meeting in Edinburgh, from the 26th to the 29th of July, 2015.

This 5 day conference is strongly focused on drug delivery and imaging, and with over 1,500 attendees is the largest congregation of drug delivery researchers in the world. Leading names and researchers within this field made an appearance, giving speeches, networking, mentoring, and sharing information with colleagues around the world. Nicolas, post-attending, suggested that his experience was invaluable;

“These connections will be helpful in both the short and long term. In the short term making these connections has benefitted my PhD by finding suitable mentors to provide me with insight and tips on my current research. In the long term it will help my career by increasing my contacts across the globe that could be future colleagues or employers. From the talks and posters I gained helpful information regarding alternative techniques and instrumentation that will be useful in answering a number of tough questions in my project, and also alerted me to limitations of many other techniques and instruments. I was also pleased with feedback and attention that my poster presentation received and I was able to explain and discuss my project with other delegates.”

During his visit, Nicolas was also able to visit the Department of Chemistry at the University of Warwick. Here he met Dr Matt Gibson and other students working on similar chemistry to that in his project, and Nicolas was able to benefit from their advanced knowledge in some areas of surface chemistry, as well as experience working in a different lab environment.

ATA Scientific is proud to be able to support and encourage scientific entrepreneurs such as Nicolas, whose research and skills will undoubtedly benefit us in years to come. Without support scientific minds may not be given the voice or assistance they deserve.

Win a Young Scientist Encouragement Award

Every year ATA Scientific awards to leading scholars and researchers with the hope our assistance may enable them to reach their full potential. One up-and-coming award is our ‘Win a Young Scientist Encouragement Award’. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation recently donated $100,000 to researchers at the University of Wollongong to build a hydrogel condom. They also donated another $100,000 to RMIT to assist them in developing a biosensor, which could be used to diagnose malaria and other diseases.

Inspired by their benevolence, ATA Scientific awards $1,500 to a young scientist who can best answer.

The current competition has closed applications and the winner will be announced on the Award page.

Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) Sub Micron Sizing & Zeta Potential

We also often run courses designed to help educate and update researchers. This course is for users of Malvern Zetasizer particle size analysers. Learn how to use this technology correctly and efficiently, and how to interpret data accurately.

Laser Diffraction Particle Sizing – Course 1

For users of Malvern laser diffraction particle size analysers. Learn more about this instrument; how it works, how to use it properly, and how to read data.

Laser Diffraction Particle Sizing – Course 2

You can conduct this course from your very own lab! Using your Malvern particle size instrument undergo a routine maintenance session, learn to make reliable measurements and read data correctly.

There are always conferences and events being held around the world to support and educate the scientific community. ATA Scientific often sponsors these kind of events, and encourages people in relevant fields to take part. For a full list of 2016 events please visit our website.