PhD student Davoud Zare has received $2,500 as the winner of the ‘Howard See Young Rheologist Travel Award’ from the Australian Society of Rheology (ASR).

Davoud is the first New Zealander to win the award, bestowed to an outstanding young researcher working in the field of rheology - the science of deformation and flow of matter.

Working with Vice-Provost (Research) Professor Kate McGrath, Davoud's research investigates how proteins, which are at least 1000 times smaller than the width of a human hair, are held at the oil/water interface in emulsions and can totally define the behaviour of food products, such as how they feel in the mouth, spread or pour.

Three candidates were shortlisted for the award, each preparing a ten minute slideshow presentation delivered via teleconference. This was followed by an intensive, five minute, question and answer period.

Davoud will travel to the 7th International Symposium on Food Rheology and Structure in Zurich later this year to present his research.

"It’s a great opportunity for me to share my latest results with the international food rheology community and network with world leading scientists", says Davoud.

"This will also allow me to showcase the leading research we perform at Victoria University on a world stage."

The award honours Howard See, a former ASR council member and rheologist who passed away in 2010. It is open to all young rheologists studying or working in Australia or New Zealand, with the aim of advancing their research career.