A Curtin University psychology graduate has been named the 2012 Western Australian Student Scientist of the Year.
Mr David Erceg-Hurn, who completed a Bachelor of Psychology in 2006, received the award for making a significant contribution to programs that aim to reduce drug and alcohol misuse.
He is currently working to reduce the stigma associated with seeking professional treatment for clinical depression.
Mr Erceg-Hurn, who is now completing a PhD at the University of Western Australia, speaks highly of the training he received as an undergraduate in Curtin’s School of Psychology and Speech Pathology.
“I thoroughly enjoyed the Bachelor of Psychology course. It equipped me with an excellent grounding in psychology. The skills I acquired in critically evaluating research have served me well in the projects I’ve been involved with since graduating from the course,” Mr Erceg-Hurn said.
“I also received outstanding supervision while completing my honours research project. My supervisor, Dr Lyndall Steed, was very dedicated and put a considerable amount of effort into my development as a researcher.
“I am very grateful for all of her hard work, and that of the other staff members who were involved in my undergraduate training.”
Professor Adrian North, Head of the School of Psychology and Speech Pathology said the team at the School were immensely proud of Mr Erceg-Hurn’s achievement.
“David is achieving outstanding research outcomes early in his career and shows great promise in leading the State’s future research advancements,” Professor North said.
“His research is making a real difference, influencing change in drug policy in the United States, and locally he has engaged with more than 3,500 people in the Western Australian community, who participated in his research.”
Contact:
Susanna Wolz, Public Relations, Curtin University
Tel: 08 9266 9085 Email: Hillary.lambert@curtin.edu.au Web: http://curtin.edu.au
Twitter: @CurtinPR
