Three USC researchers studying consumer services, koala conservation and bee resin will tomorrow receive the annual 2017 Rotary Postgraduate Scholarships.

Each year, the Rotary and USC Community Fund awards three $4,000 scholarships to outstanding postgraduate students who also completed undergraduate degrees at USC.

Since 2001, the 17 combined Rotary Clubs of the Sunshine Coast have raised more than $155,000 to support the fund.

A presentation ceremony will be held during the annual joint meeting of Sunshine Coast Rotary Clubs on Wednesday 10 May from 6pm. The event will be held at USC’s Innovation Centre Auditorium at Sippy Downs.

The 2017 recipients are:

Kye McDonald, 41, of Eumundi. The Science (Honours) graduate who received a University Medal in 2009 has since worked to save thousands of native animals, particularly koalas, from land-clearing during infrastructure development across Queensland. In his new research with USC’s Detection Dogs for Conservation team, Kye will analyse data collected from radio-collared koalas he helped monitor in a recent South-East Queensland project.

Luke Hawley, 31, of Sunshine Beach. The Business (Marketing) graduate and former national account manager with consumer product company Procter & Gamble now works as a sessional lecturer and tutor at USC. Luke’s research aims to find out how to improve students’ wellbeing and graduate skills via more immersive digital learning environments.

Ryan Newis, 35, of Alexandra Headland. The Science (Honours) graduate who is director of USCEco (the University’s student environmental collective) is expanding on his recent research, exploring how and why social and solitary bee species use resins from different plant species for different purposes, ranging from nest construction to their anti-microbial properties.

Guest speaker at the event will be 7 News Queensland online presenter and USC Communication graduate Katie Toney, who won last year’s Outstanding Alumnus of the Year, Regional Achievement. It will be hosted by USC Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Hill.

— Julie Schomberg