Miranda Blake

Miranda Blake is currently working towards a Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics degree at Monash University. In 2010-2011 she undertook research into improving dairy consumption in aged care facilities. This sparked her interest in public health nutrition and policy research which has brought her to ACERH for the ANU Summer Scholarship Program for 2011-12. Under the supervision of Dr Julie Smith, Miranda will be researching changes in marketing practices of infant formula manufacturers over the past 60 years in response to national commitments to protect and promote breastfeeding.

Rachel Dennis

Rachel Dennis is currently completing a Health Science/Commerce double degree at the University of Western Australia with majors in Public Health, Pathology, Management and Human Resource Management.  In 2009 she received the inaugural scholarship in the Undergraduate Learning and Teaching Internship Scheme for the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Science and conducted research regarding the interactions between students and staff that enhance learning.  Keen to pursue research and her interest in health economics, Rachel will be attending ANU in the 2010-11 summer period to investigate the role played by paid leave access in reducing lost maternal employment income, increasing family income and increasing new mothers time for health and nutrition activities under the supervision of Dr Julie Smith.

Patrick Tan

Originally from a small fishing town in the northern reaches of Canada, Patrick came to Australia following the completion of a degree in Biochemistry and Commerce at the University of British Columbia and travelling in various parts of Asia.  Currently working towards an MBBS degree at the University of Wollongong, inspiration to be involved with health policy research and reform brought him to ACERH at ANU as a Summer Scholar in 2009-10.  Patrick is primarily analysing recent reform proposals put by various federal commissions with a comparative analysis between other countries undergoing similar reforms.  The purpose is to highlight lessons that Australia and such countries might learn from each other.  Another of his interests is the equity and health outcomes of health prevention in rural regions compared to non-rural regions, an area of research he may pursue further in the future.

Chris Ang

Chris Ang is a pharmacy student from the University of South Australia (UNISA). During his undergraduate studies, he developed a particular interest in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and its long term sustainability. During his ANU-UNISA summer research scholarship in 2009-10, he is undertaking a project under the supervision of Professor Jim Butler and Dr Renata Hasanova. His work revolves around studies on PBS reform over the years and its impact on manufacturers, pharmacists and government. During 2010 he will undertake an honours year at the University of South Australia before graduating.

Michal Dick

Following the completion of a Bachelor of Science degree in 2007 at The University of Sydney with majors in Biochemistry and Immunology , Michal undertook her Masters in Bioethics at that University in 2008.  In February 2009, she will be commencing a postgraduate Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery program at  ANU . Her interests include immunology, infectious disease, medical ethics, rights & liberties philosophies, public health and health policy. In sync with completing her Masters in Bioethics at the University of Sydney, Michal has partaken in a summer 08-09 scholarship at ACERH, under the supervision of Dr R enata Hasanova and Professor J im Butler. During this period she has participated in an ongoing project analysing organ donation policy in Australia. She has contributed her interdisciplinary perspective to ACERH research, highlighting the ethical aspects relating to the sale and purchase of human kidneys.

Loc Thai

Loc begins his final year at the University of South Australia in 2009 completing his Pharmacy degree.  In his studies toward being a pharmacist, he has taken an interest in the regulatory systems for pharmaceuticals in Australia and elsewhere in the world.  As a Summer Scholar at ACERH (ANU) in 2008-09, he will work on deepening his understanding of the PBS and study the research and development capabilities of pharmaceutical firms.

Sonn Palalikit

Sonn Palalikit is a third-year student, completing his degree in actuarial studies and economics at the Australian National University (ANU). He will undertake an honours year in Actuarial studies in 2009. His period as a Summer Scholar at ACERH was interspersed with an internship with Ayudhya Allianz C.P. Life (AACP), a health insurance firm based in Thailand. Sonn’s interest lies in the area of heath insurance and reinsurance. At ACERH, he will be working on risk adjustment processes in Australia.

Desmond Ko

Desmond completed his Science degree at ANU in July 2007 and will complete his Law degree in December this year. He will undertake an Honours year in Science in 2008. During 2007, he completed an Australian National Internship Program with Nicola Roxon MP, the Shadow Minister for Health (ALP) in the Australian Parliament. Desmond's area of interest lies in the regulatory and administrative processes within health economics. As a Summer Scholar at ACERH in 2007-08, he will work on the reinsurance arrangements for private health insurance in Australia.

Karl Noronha

Having completed his third year of a BEc/BComm (Honours) program at ANU in 2006, Karl has chosen to use his ANU Summer Research Scholarship for the summer of 2006-2007 to visit ACERH (ANU). During 2006, as part of the ANU's Industry Based Learning program, Karl was selected to undertake a year long internship with Access Economics. At ACERH, he will be assisting with a research project on the effect of the Australia-USA Free Trade Agreement on the prices of pharmaceuticals listed on Australia 's Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.