27 April 2023
Receiving this top-up scholarship has made all the difference to the final year of my candidature… I'm able to invest more time and effort into my research and activities which engage with the wider academic community. Ezra Kneebone, Mahendra Mahadevan Scholarship recipient.
The field of infertility and reproductive research is a key global health challenge and in order to continue groundbreaking innovations in this specialised area, there needs to be a continued commitment to the nurturing of postdoctoral researchers to create the next generation of research leadership.
Former Monash PhD Alum, and former Professor of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, USA, Professor Mahendran Mahadevan (Maha), has an impassioned ambition and vision to nurture a pipeline of reproductive health PhD Scholarships to sustain the research required to continue to elevate and evolve this field.
Maha’s generous gift of $100,000 supports the creation of the Mahendran Mahadevan Scholarship within the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, going towards students studying reproductive biology or infertility.
The gift has been made in honour of Dr Alan Trounson and Dr John Leeton, who were influential supervisors of Maha’s, during his own training at Monash, and is a wonderful demonstration and acknowledgement of mentor recognition, the Monash Health research and PhD community, and the impact cultivating research leadership can have on a field.
“The Monash scholarship in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology gave me an opportunity to start a long and wonderful applied science career. My PhD supervisors Drs. Trounson and Leeton were so helpful. I wish all of the scholarship recipients well in their studies and careers. You will be happy that you came to Monash.” - Professor Mahendran Mahadevan.
Maha’s demonstrated investment in supporting talented and hardworking students to fully dedicate themselves to their research, and develop their careers and expertise, will ensure that these students thrive and deliver ongoing impact in the sector and to the wider community.
Continued development and progress within Monash’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology now looks towards delivering further transformational impact to the wider community by making access to fertility services more equitable.
Giving talented and hardworking doctoral students a top-up to their existing financial support allows them to fully dedicate themselves to their research project without distractions such as a part-time job. This means they’re more likely to sustain their research and build their academic careers.
Professor Mahadevan’s generous philanthropic gift contributes to the university’s Change It. For Future Generations campaign, which is the largest public fundraising initiative in Monash’s history.
Ezra Kneebone is a current postgraduate student supported by the prestigious Mahendran Mahadevan PhD Scholarship. "Receiving this top-up scholarship has made all the difference to the final year of my candidature. Because the financial burden associated with completing a PhD full time has been alleviated, I'm able to invest more time and effort into my research and activities which engage with the wider academic community, such as national academic conferences'. Her research in infertility and assisted reproductive technologies aims to bridge the gap between research and policy.
The extra funds provided by a top-up scholarship such as this also allows students to engage more deeply with research mentors and networks, and to participate in career advancement opportunities. It can mean the difference between surviving and thriving.