Fulbright scholar Josh reaches new watermark

Engineering

Adelaide's latest Fulbright Scholar stands to lead the way in the global push to better capture, convey, treat and reuse water.

Joshua Cantone, a first class Honours graduate in civil engineering, won the 2005 Fulbright Postgraduate Award in Science and Engineering sponsored by BHP Billiton. He joins Music PhD student Aleksandr Tsiboulski as the university's two Fulbright recipients for 2005 (visit Global talent goes local for new music series story for more information about Alex).

Josh says his research will focus on Chicago's ambitious Tunnel and Reservoir Project.

"This is a project designed to manage the area's combined sewer overflow, minimise pollution of surrounding waterways and reduce street and basement flooding after heavy rains," he said.

"I will be investigating ways to control this enormous system and best utilise its capabilities. The outcomes of this project could pave the way for the development of similar systems worldwide. This would be a significant step in the global push to better capture, convey, treat and reuse water."

Josh will be working as a research assistant with Professor Arthur Schmidt from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, in addition to completing a Masters Degree in Civil Engineering.

The winner of a variety of awards including the Frank Bull Scholarship for excellence and leadership, Josh said he gave himself a reasonable chance of winning the scholarship.

"You never know who you are up against when you apply for an award as prestigious as the Fulbright," Josh said. "I felt I had a good chance, but I am glad the wait is over and I am now looking forward to future challenges."

Currently employed as a civil engineer with Kellogg, Brown & Root, he has played a critical role in the development of the Urban Stormwater Master Plan for Victor Harbor in South Australia.

The plan assesses the effectiveness and adequacy of the existing storm water infrastructure before identifying remedial measures and better methods of management. His goal is to explore the tried and tested practices in the US as well as emerging technologies that could have a positive long-term result for Australia.

The prestigious Fulbright program is the largest educational scholarship of its kind and was created by US Senator J. William Fulbright and the US Government in 1946. Aimed at providing mutual understanding through educational exchange it currently operates between the US and 150 other nations.

In Australia, the scholarships are administered by the Australian-American Fulbright Commission headquartered in Canberra and are funded by the Australian and US Governments and a select group of corporate partners. Josh joins 19 Australians to become a Fulbright Scholar in 2005.

Story and photo by Howard Salkow