Dr Leon Wescombe Scholarship in Medicine

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Overview

Dr Leon Wescombe made the most of every moment, whether that be through his love for adventure and travel or his passion for medical research. He was from Devonport, a former student of the Don College and an alumnus of the University of Tasmania achieving first class Honours in microbiology and biochemistry in 2005. Leon’s Honours research area was cystic fibrosis and he was published in the prestigious European Respiratory Journal. After completing his Honours, the natural progression for Leon was to undertake a PhD, which he did at the University of Sydney where he investigated thyroid glands and Graves’ disease. His research into these diseases lead to the discovery of a particular protein in both the thyroid gland and eye which was published in Clinical Endocrinology and Orbit. In recognition of this work, Leon was awarded a Best Emerging Researcher award in 2007. Sadly, Leon lost his life in 2010, at the age of 29, while kayaking on the Consumnes River in California. To recognise the value of his work, the University of Sydney posthumously awarded him a PhD for his doctoral research on gene expression in Graves’ disease. To honour Leon and his considerable talents, Dr Wescombe’s family and friends established the Dr Leon Wescombe Memorial Fund with the University of Tasmania Foundation to raise donations to provide a scholarship at the University of Tasmania.

Eligibility

  • Available to a final-year student completing any undergraduate degree course within the School of Health Sciences on the Launceston campus in Semester 2, 2026 or Semester 1, 2027.
  • Selection will be based on the quality of written application and their contribution and volunteer activity while undertaking undergraduate study in any course within the School of Health Sciences.

On-going Eligibility

  • Achieve a minimum Pass result in all units studied each semester

Amount

$10,000 per year

Duration

Up to 5 years

Opening Date

28 August 2026

Closing Date

27 November 2026

Apply

Apply online prior to closing date. Applications cannot be submitted after closing date.
As applicants will be assessed on the quality of application, all questions should be answered in full. Please ensure care is taken with spelling and grammar.

Application status

Open

Apply
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