SCHOLAR SPOTLIGHT: The man who reads minds

In a new series, Westpac Wire is shining a light on Westpac Scholars – the everyday Australians who have big plans for a better future. 

More than five years into the program, overseen by Westpac Scholars Trust, there are more than 500 scholars who have received more than $31 million, including university co-funding. 

One is Associate Professor Nicholas Opie, at the University of Melbourne who has designed the Stentrode, the world’s first brain recording device that can be implanted without invasive surgery. 

In the first episode of our new series, Scholar Spotlight, we take you inside Nick’s work and its potential to treat a wide range of neurological conditions.

“The idea was that we would give them mind control or the ability to control a computer using their thoughts,” he says. 

“Essentially performing different types of mouse clicks, allowed them to communicate through emails and text messaging.

“Watching the patients use it, certainly was magical.” 

Working with 14 university partners, Westpac Scholars Trust offers 100 scholarships a year over five programs across three focus areas – Australia’s relationship with Asia, technology and innovation, and enabling positive social change.  

Applications for 2022 scholarships are now open.