Inspired impact
Creating sustainable social impact by investing in research with the potential to deliver systemic change.
Enhancing social, cultural, economic and environmental prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.
Strive to Attain
Kathleen Lumley Foundation is a South Australian philanthropic foundation supporting research that contributes to shared social, cultural, economic and environmental prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.
We do this through supporting researchers and research students at South Australia’s public universities.
The Foundation was established following the sale of Kathleen Lumley College and continues a legacy of innovation and collaboration in the pursuit of academic excellence that contributes to positive social change.
Meet our 2026 Lumley Scholars
Trung Nguyen
Alicia Dallison
Austin Zschech
Trung is currently pursuing a PhD in Electrical Engineering at Flinders University, focusing on power system optimisation. Trung completed his Masters degree at Murdoch University under the Australia Awards Scholarship. Before commencing his PhD at Flinders University, Trung worked as a lecturer at Electric Power University, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Trung’s PhD research focuses on advanced optimisation of modern standalone hybrid renewable energy systems integrating renewable energy sources, energy storage systems, and electric vehicles.
Alicia is a PhD candidate in the College of Medicine and Public Health at Flinders University where she also completed her Bachelor of Medical Science and Honours. Alicia is interested in finding novel, simplified methods to increase bowel cancer screening participation and improve current standard-of-care to reduce cancer incidence and mortality.
Alicia’s PhD research will assess a new type of bowel cancer screening test to improve cancer prevention and allocation of healthcare resources.
Austin possesses a passion for processing efficiency and material recycling, advance industrial chemical and material processing to develop cheaper, cleaner and more profitable material production systems.
Austin’s PhD research aims to synthetically develop passive, selective chemo-luminescent molecular sensor complexes designed for the rapid targeted detection, quantification and extraction of harmful, long-life water-soluble contaminants and heavy metals in urban and environmental water systems.
Olivia Zacchigna
Alex Taylor
Olivia grew up creating fond memories by the ocean with her family and friends. This built upon her growing passion for marine science into her tertiary studies. Olivia now holds a Bachelor of Marine Biology and First-Class Science Honours from Flinders University. Olivia aspires to apply the knowledge and skills I have developed to marine environments around the world.
Olivia’s PhD research is investigating the microbe and viral dynamics in South Australian seaweeds, with a focus on the production and fate of carbon from seaweeds under stress during marine heatwaves.
Alex is deeply motivated by understanding and protecting ecosystem health, grounded in the recognition that environmental integrity underpins human well-being, food security, and climate resilience. This perspective led him to study Animal Behaviour and Biodiversity and Conservation at Flinders University, where he developed strong foundations in ecological theory, environmental monitoring, and conservation practice.
Alex’s PhD research investigates the emerging field of soil eco-acoustics to support the monitoring and management of soil health that can support sustainable land management, ecosystem restoration and evidence-based environmental policy.
Generating impact through scholarship
If you would like to support the Foundation’s work, you can make a tax-deductible donation by following the link the Kathleen Lumley Foundation Fund administered through the Australian Communities Foundation.
We’re only just getting started on our journey
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Impact Embodied
Our scholars
Through our scholarships and awards programs, the Foundation is proud to support a growing community of postgraduate and postdoctoral scholars.