UA31316 Lumen Spring 2024 Final Digital - Flipbook - Page 35
nature of the work, and has found the
ambassadorial role of playing for a national
orchestra “profoundly meaningful”.
During his career there have been many
stand-out concerts including performing
Shostakovich Symphony No.11 at the
Royal Albert Hall.
“IT WAS SO INTENSELY
MOVING YOU COULD FEEL
THIS INCREDIBLE TENSION
IN THE AIR AFTER THE LAST
NOTE AS IF EVERYONE IN THE
HALL WAS HOLDING THEIR
BREATH.”
Pei-Jee Ng, Scotland
Pei-Jee Ng has performed across the globe
as an orchestral player, soloist, chamber
musician and with his piano trio, Fournier.
His journey began at Elder Conservatorium
while still attending school, learning cello
from Janis Laurs who he says, “had a
wonderful way of treating my young
teenage self with the same seriousness as
if I were one of his degree students”.
Global impact
The University of Adelaide has more
than 300 partners in 47 countries.
Our partnerships with many of the world’s
leading higher education institutions,
research centres, corporations and
government agencies allow for the free flow
of people and ideas, shape future global
leaders, and provide the scale required to
address the most pressing global challenges.
The work we do has real-life impact around
the world:
New rice variant – North America
University of California, Davis and
University of Adelaide researchers were part
of an international team which identified a
new gene variant in a type of rice that can
be modified to improve the performance of
the crop. UC Davis is also an international
partner in the University of Adelaide-led
Centre for Excellence in Plants for Space.
Elder Hall Lunchtime Concerts were
another highlight. “They were brilliant
concerts to attend and perform in and the
audiences were always so enthusiastic.”
It’s a long journey to becoming a
musician and Pei-Jee says using your time
wisely during your degree can set you up
for the future. “Be humble, take the time to
do things right and face your weaknesses.
Right now, I am still excited every day to try
to be a better cellist. Hopefully in 10 years’
time I will still be of the same mindset.”
Pei-Jee recently completed his first year
as Principal Cello with the Royal Scottish
National Orchestra having moved there
from Co-Principal Cello at the London
Philharmonic. He says he has loved working
alongside inspiring colleagues, the varied
B Mus (Hons), 2004
Current position: Principal Cello
Current employer: Royal Scottish
National Orchestra
Ancient human DNA –
Latin America and the Caribbean
Digital technology – Europe
An international team of researchers has
completed the first large-scale study of
DNA belonging to ancient humans of the
central Andes in South America.
Associate Professor Bastien Llamas,
from the University of Adelaide’s
Australian Centre for Ancient DNA,
was part of the research team.
Malaria nets – Africa
The World Health Organisation has updated
recommendations for malaria-preventing
mosquito nets based on new research from
the University of Adelaide. Mosquito nets
treated with pyrethroid insecticides have
been distributed into malaria-prone
regions since 2005, but some mosquito
populations have developed a resistance to
the substance. Dr Timothy Barker, from
the JBI GRADE Centre at the University
of Adelaide, led a team which proved the
effectiveness of a combination of
insecticides to treat malaria-preventing
mosquito nets.
LUMEN
The University of Adelaide has
developed a close partnership with French
3D experience company Dassault Systèmes
to enhance the focus of its curriculum on
digital technologies and support innovative
collaboration in cutting-edge research and
education. Dassault Systèmes’ South
Australian centre is co-located on the
University’s North Terrace campus and is
their first office to be established at an
Australian university.
Food sustainability –
Southern and Central Asia
University of Adelaide researcher,
Dr Tamara Jackson, is leading the Rupantar
Project, funded by the Australian Centre
for International Agricultural Research.
The project explores processes and
practices to achieve sustainable, efficient,
diversified food systems at scale in the
Eastern Gangetic Plains of Bangladesh,
India and Nepal. This region has the world’s
highest concentration of rural poverty and a
strong dependence on agriculture for food
and livelihood security.
