University of Tasmania
Research Field: Earth Sciences
Despite the overwhelming majority of Earth’s volcanism occurring underwater, we know very little about deep sea volcanic eruptions. Dr Carey leads international multidisciplinary research teams who study these volcanoes using underwater robots to investigate eruption deposits. She is currently working with ecosystem modellers to predict the recovery of biological communities devastated by submarine volcanic eruptions.
Rebecca’s enthusiasm for science communication is shown in her work informing disaster management policy and practice, and international policy development on the impacts of deep sea mining. She has also had many television, newspaper, and radio media interviews, and has visited numerous primary schools.
Dr Carey completed her PhD at the University of Hawai’i in 2008, and is currently a Senior Lecturer at the University of Tasmania.
MONASH UNIVERSITY
Research Field: Autoimmune Disease
Autoimmune diseases affect more than a million Australians and hundreds of millions of people worldwide. These diseases occur when a person’s immune system attacks their own body; current treatments suppress a patient’s entire immune system, leaving them vulnerable to infections and significant side effects.
Dr Ooi’s research aims to understand why immune systems become misdirected. His team are using insights from these findings to develop new therapies that target the causes of these diseases.
Joshua’s community outreach includes hosting high school students in his laboratory, speaking at community events, and volunteering as a Scientist in School at primary and secondary schools.
Dr Ooi received his PhD from Monash University in 2010, and is currently a Senior Research Fellow at Monash University.
H2SG ENERGY
Research Field: Hydrogen Energy
Improvements in hydrogen production will allow a transition to a greener, hydrogen-based energy economy. Dr Kolodziejczyk’s research focuses on the development of electrolysers to generate hydrogen.
His team have developed improved catalysts and more efficient membranes to improve the production of hydrogen from splitting water.
Bart engages with the public through his role as director of Scientists in Residence, which connects local governments with scientific advice, organises workshops, and through this has spoken at more than 100 Victorian schools.
Dr Kolodziejczyk has completed two PhDs, his first at Monash University in 2014, and his second atEcole des Mines de Saint-Étienne, France, in 2015.
MONASH UNIVERSITY
Research Field: Clinical Psychology
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common psychological condition, and more prevalent in refugees and those who have experienced war.
Dr Jobson’s research has challenged the assumption that PTSD can be treated in universal ways by studying how people from different cultures remember and make sense of trauma. From this research, she has developed culturallyinformed assessment tools and PTSD interventions.
Laura’s extensive public outreach has included having her research documented by the United Nations, public science talks and workshops, and school visits.
Dr Jobson completed her PhD at the Australian National University in 2008, and is currently a Senior Lecturer at Monash University.
UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE
Research Field: Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a disease that affects the whole joint, not just the cartilage. Exercise is recommended for all people with osteoarthritis, however we currently do not know what types of exercise are most effective, or how much exercise people with osteoarthritis should be doing. Dr Hall’s research aims to understand how exercise provides pain relief for osteoarthritis.
By understanding how exercise reduces osteoarthritis-related pain, health care professionals such as physiotherapists will be able to provide exercise prescriptions that result greater pain relief.
Michelle’s public outreach includes promoting science to high school students as a BrainSTEM mentor, radio and magazine interviews, and establishing a Patient & Public Involvement group.
Dr Hall completed her PhD at the University of Melbourne in 2015, and is currently a Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne.
RMIT UNIVERSITY
Research Field: Biomedical Engineering
Traditionally, medical implants have been made from metals using subtractive manufacturing making a single implant to fit all. With 3D printing, we can now make personalised, patient-specific implants.
A/Prof Fox’s research focuses on the development of 3D-printed diamond implants. As diamond is made of carbon, a material readily found inside human tissue, it bonds better with human bone than traditional titanium implants. Kate is a passionate advocate for STEM, and has been recognised as a Superstar of STEM. Her public outreach includes numerous national and local TV and radio interviews, many public speeches, school visits, and through the LittleBIGidea initiative.
A/Prof Fox completed her PhD at the University of South Australia in 2007, and is currently Associate Professor at RMIT.
MONASH UNIVERSITY
Research Field: Aerospace Engineering
Our world is governed by the movement of fluids, however understanding the turbulent motions of these fluids remains the last unsolved problem of classical physics. Dr Edgington-Mitchell uses laser diagnostics to study how aircraft turbulence produces sound and develop systems to reduce community aircraft noise exposure.
His team have also studied the fluid physics in medical inhalers, aiming to facilitate a more consistent delivery of medicine to the lung. Daniel’s extensive public outreach includes facilitating From STEM to Space at the Astrolight Festival, numerous school visits, public talks, and media interviews.
Dr Edgington-Mitchell completed his PhD at Monash University in 2013, and is currently a Senior Lecturer at Monash University.
BURNET INSTITUTE AND MONASH UNIVERSITY
Research Field: Infectious Diseases and Public Health
In Australia, approximately 155,000 people are estimated to live with hepatitis C. With access to improved treatments and medical care, it has become possible for Australia to become one of the first countries to eliminate hepatitis C as a public health threat.
Dr Doyle’s clinical and public health research brings together the tools to eliminate hepatitis C by simplifying treatment pathways to ensure treatment is accessed by vulnerable populations. Joseph’s public outreach includes extensive media interviews, public outreach events, and through serving on advisory boards for State and Commonwealth Governments.
Dr Doyle completed his PhD at Monash University in 2014, and is currently a Deputy Director at the Burnet Institute and a Senior Lecturer at Monash University.
MONASH UNIVERSITY
Research Field: Mathematics
Symmetry abounds in many areas of science, and group theory, as the “Mathematics of Symmetry”, models this natural concept. Dr Dietrich’s fundamental research in group theory studies the omnipresence of groups in mathematics and science, to understand their structure in detail. He also develops computer programs to study symmetries, distributing these programs world-wide to assist the work of other researchers.
Heiko has participated in the Mathematicians-in-Schools program for many years, and has run many hands-on workshops and presentations to school children.
He completed his PhD at the University of Braunschweig, Germany, in 2009, and is currently a Senior Lecturer at Monash University.
MONASH UNIVERSITY
Research Field: Computer Science and Engineering
Indoor navigation systems would be used in a wide variety of applications including helping visually impaired people, emergency services, and assisted healthcare systems, however the Global Positioning System only works outdoors where it is visible to satellites.
A/Prof Cheema’s research aims to address these challenges and develop techniques that utilize WiFi signals to enable GPS-like capabilities indoors.
Aamir’s public outreach includes promoting computer science to high school students through the Australian Informatics Olympiad Committee, organising programming competitions, and through public talks.
A/Prof Cheema completed his PhD at the University of New South Wales in 2011 and is currently an Associate Professor at Monash University.
