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Monday, 10 April 2006

A graduate of the University of Adelaide has been named the 2006 South Australian Young Achiever of the Year - the third successive graduate of the University to win this prestigious award.

Amanda Sferruzzi-Perri, 25, of Para Hills West, was awarded the honour for her work investigating the growth and function of the placenta in pregnancy. Her ground-breaking research, which is laying the foundation for future therapies, is designed to stimulate placental development and improve pregnancy outcomes.

The 2005 South Australian Young Achiever of the Year was Mr Patrick Lim, an Honours graduate from the Elder Conservatorium at the University of Adelaide. Mr Lim was recognised for his contribution to the arts as a performer and a leader.

In 2004, the first year the awards were run in this form, University of Adelaide graduate Dr Erin Symonds was recognised for her medical research work in developing non-invasive breath testing for gastro-intestinal disease sufferers.

Winners were announced last Saturday night for each of the eight categories, including science and technology, outstanding young indigenous achiever, the arts, regional initiative, the environment, sports, career achievement and community service.

Ms Sferruzzi-Perri said she was not expecting to win the science and technology category, but was merely honoured to be a finalist.

Ms Sferruzzi-Perri praised the University of Adelaide for its outstanding research facilities and thanked the Obstetrics and Gynaecology faculty for its support.

Other finalists in the category, both graduates of the University of Adelaide, included Danny Eckert for his work on sleep disorders and respiratory diseases, and aerospace engineer Sarah Crook for her work on space travel.