UWA sets up Elizabeth Pearce Marine Sciences Fund in honour of former student who ‘loved the ocean’

Master’s students studying marine science will be supported by a fund set-up by the family of Dalkeith crash victim Elizabeth Pearce in honour of her love of the ocean.

Elizabeth Pearce, 24, was killed after Rhys Bellinge’s Jaguar allegedly travelled onto the wrong side of the road at speed and crashed into her Uber on February 15.

Ms Pearce was studying a master’s degree in marine biology at the University of WA and was set to graduate later this year.

A university spokeswoman said Ms Pearce’s family had requested UWA’s Ocean’s Institute set up the Elizabeth Pearce Marine Science Fund in honour of her memory.

“Elizabeth loved the ocean and was about to start her research project as part of her Master of Marine Science at UWA,” the spokeswoman told The West Australian.

“The fund will be used to support master’s students based in UWA’s Oceans Institute and their affiliated schools and will honour Elizabeth’s passion for marine sciences.”

UWA Oceans Institute deputy director professor Nicki Mitchell said the fund would offer financial support to students studying their master’s in fields like marine biology and oceanography.

“Unlike PhD students, master’s students have limited access to research support, so the Elizabeth Pearce Marine Science Fund stands to benefit those working across disciplines such as marine biology, conservation, restoration, oceanography, ocean energy and social sciences,” she said.

Courtney Gray, who studied marine biology alongside Ms Pearce at UWA, said her friend had been keen to pursue a career in mining.

“She was so switched on, motivated and funny,” she said.

Ms Pearce had just finished a summer internship with Woodside, where her father worked for decades.

Dr Bellinge — an obstetrician at Concept Obstetrics and Gynaecology — was allegedly speeding at 130km/h and was almost four times the legal blood alcohol limit when he crashed into the Uber.

Ms Pearce — the passenger in the rideshare — was critically injured and died in Royal Perth Hospital.

The Uber driver, Muhammad Usman, sustained two broken legs and a fractured arm and was placed in an induced coma before being moved out of intensive care last Wednesday.

Mr Usman created a fundraiser on Tuesday evening asking the public for financial support and prayers after his life took a “devastating turn”.

His GoFundMe raised $114,200 in less than 24 hours from more than 2200 donors.

People can donate to the Elizabeth Pearce Marine Science Fund here.