Dr Qilin Wang
University of Technology Sydney
Research Field: Environmental Engineering
Dr Qilin Wang’s research has contributed to the development of sustainable wastewater management systems with low to zero greenhouse gas emissions.
Nitrous oxide (N₂O) is a potent greenhouse gas that can damage the ozone layer and can be directly emitted from wastewater treatment systems.
With a global warming potential stronger than carbon dioxide, the development of detailed knowledge and reliable predictive tools for quantifying and mitigating N₂O emissions is extremely important for achieving greenhouse gas-neutral wastewater treatment systems.
Dr Qilin Wang’s research has contributed to the development of tools and biotechnologies to achieve low to zero greenhouse gas emissions in wastewater systems. Qilin revealed that organics in wastewater can cause significant N₂O production from side-stream wastewater treatment systems and developed a model to successfully predict emissions from systems in Australia and overseas.
Qilin’s research enhances our ability to mitigate greenhouse emissions from our wastewater and paves the way for achieving larger scale greenhouse gas neutral wastewater treatment.
Dr Wang’s work has been featured during National Science Week and mentioned on ABC Radio and his public outreach includes lectures to the general community and students.
Dr Qilin Wang received his PhD from The University of Queensland in 2014 and is currently an ARC DECRA Fellow and Senior Lecturer at the Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and IT, University of Technology Sydney.
Dr Simon Clulow
Macquarie University
Research Field: Conservation Biology
With Earth in the midst of what scientists describe as the planet’s sixth mass extinction event, Dr Simon Clulow’s passion for conservation and interest in reproductive biology has led to his strong advocacy for stopping species extinctions through biotechnological means.
Dr Clulow’s work on de-extinction (or resurrecting extinct species), controlling global pathogens such as the chytrid fungus, and understanding the impact of the invasive cane toad on Australia’s fauna has received considerable media attention, notably his work on a cutting-edge collaborative de-extinction project that saw the revival of live embryos of an extinct frog species through cloning.
The conservation ecologist’s research is diverse and interdisciplinary, focused on the fields of ecology, behaviour, conservation and reproductive biology, specifically assisted reproductive technologies and gene banking within terrestrial vertebrates.
Dr Clulow’s research has had significant impact, for example a study he led demonstrated that a simple environmental manipulation can significantly reduce levels of the chytrid fungus responsible for the decline and extinction of frog populations and species worldwide.
Simon’s published work includes 58 peer-reviewed papers, a book chapter and the book, A Complete Guide to Frogs of Australia.
Dr Simon Clulow was awarded his PhD in 2017 by the University of Newcastle and is currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow with the Department of Biological Sciences at Macquarie University.
The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales
Research Field: Sexual Health
Professor Rebecca Guy’s research focuses on the implementation and evaluation of public health interventions related to HIV and sexually transmissible infections (STIs).
The central goal of Rebecca’s work is to reduce the social and economic health burden of HIV and STIs, which requires extensive and effective engagement with policy makers, stakeholders and the general public.
As an example of her positive impact on policy, Rebecca implemented the first research on point-of-care testing for gonorrhoea and chlamydia in remote Aboriginal communities, subsequently expanded across Northern Australia and now recommended in the National STI Strategy.
At an international level, Professor Guy engages with policy makers through membership on the World Health Organization Guidelines Development Group for HIV self-testing. At a national level, she was a member of the Australian Government’s key advisory body on the national response and management of blood borne viruses and STIs.
Professor Rebecca Guy was awarded her PhD by Monash University in 2008 and is currently Professor with the Faculty of Medicine and Head of the Surveillance Evaluation and Research Program at The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales.
Flinders University
Research Field: Psychology, Neuroscience
While we know that behaviours, including psychological disorders, are heritable, we know this is also not deterministic. Just because we have a genetic risk for depression does not mean we will become depressed.
Associate Professor Cohen-Woods’ research works on understanding how nurture influences our nature by studying how environments can influence genetic predisposition and gene expression, influencing psychological outcomes. Sarah’s research investigates immunogenetic risks for depression moderated by childhood maltreatment, and epigenetic variation associated with chronic early-life adversity, and whether this mediates a relationship of poor mental health.
Sarah’s extensive public engagement has spanned public talks across a range of groups, radio and television interviews, advocating for science at the Australian Parliament, and numerous visits to primary and secondary schools. Associate Professor Cohen-Woods was awarded her PhD from King’s College London in 2008, and is currently an Associate Professor at Flinders University.
The University of Adelaide
Research Field: Psychology, Behavioural addictions
While digital technologies can have many benefits, they can also be overused and generate problems for many individuals and their families. Video gaming becomes problematic when players develop an online identity that demands a daily playing schedule, always meeting social obligations to play, and striving for constant rewards and challenges.
Dr King’s research focuses on ‘Internet gaming disorder’ and its conceptualization, measurement, prevention, and treatment. His work has identified practical ways to combat excessive gaming, such as challenging unhelpful thoughts, understanding the ways that games are designed to be addictive, and promoting ‘technology-free’ days and engagement in other activities.
Daniel actively promotes his research findings in an array of areas, including at public lectures and at events focused on gambling addiction, contributes to online resources for parents through the Raising Children website, and engaged with young people about the benefits and drawbacks of technology. Dr King received his PhD from The University of Adelaide in 2010, and is currently a senior research fellow at The University of Adelaide.
The University of Adelaide
Research Field: Malaria Biology, Parasitology
Every year more than 400,000 children globally die of disease caused by malaria parasites. The mosquitoes that transmit the parasite are becoming resistant to our best insecticides, and in some places, the parasite is becoming resistant to many of the drug therapies that were previously effective.
Dr Wilson’s research is focused on tackling this issue on two fronts: developing new drugs that kill malaria parasites, and working on developing a vaccine for the parasites. He has identified new drug chemotypes to develop as antimalarials, and developed new parasite tools to fast-track malaria vaccine development.
Danny communicates his science through numerous radio interviews, using a claymation video, and through science evenings at kindergartens. Dr Wilson received his PhD from the University of Melbourne in 2009, and is currently a senior postdoctoral fellow at The University of Adelaide.
The University of Adelaide
Research Field: Mathematics, Applied Probability
Randomness affects the world around us every day. In order to make decisions, it is important to predict and understand the range of possible outcomes, and their likelihoods.
Dr Nguyen’s research uses probability and statistics to develop models to gain insight, and aid in decision-making processes in real-life situations. She has applied these models to a wide array of fields, ranging from cancer treatment, to predicting the South Australian power grid.
Giang’s enthusiasm for mathematics is shown by her numerous maths outreach activities, including, volunteering in the CSIRO Mathematics in Schools program, development of a Maths in Life app, and contributing to The Random Sample podcast. Dr Nguyen received her PhD from the University of South Australia in 2009, and is currently a senior lecturer at The University of Adelaide.
University of South Australia
Research Field: Information Studies, Information Technology
Using technology to find information and participate in society is playing an ever-increasing role in modern life. While many of us are more empowered by having more access to information, some have become more vulnerable.
Dr Du’s research seeks to enhance the interplay between people, information, and technologies, with the aim of providing better user experiences in human-information interactions. She is studying the information behaviour of vulnerable communities in the digital age, to improve online social inclusion in Australian society.
Jia Tina’s public outreach includes participating in Think Tank debates at the Australian Academy of Science, contributing to Science Week events, interviews with the media, and work with digital literacy charity. Dr Du received her PhD from Queensland University of Technology in 2010, and is currently a senior lecturer at the University of South Australia.
University of South Australia
Research Field: Biomedical Engineering
From 5 weeks into a pregnancy, fetal cells that naturally break off from the placenta can be found in the mother’s blood stream. These rare cells, occurring about 1 in a billion of the mother’s cells, enable the non-invasive testing for a range of pregnancy conditions. However, current technologies used to isolate these cells are poor.
Dr Winter’s research has focused on developing technology that can separate these rare fetal cells from the mother’s cells. This technology in currently in the process of being further developed, and commercialised for future clinical implementation.
Marnie is passionate about science outreach and communication, spanning from national radio and television interviews and newspaper articles, organised events for National Science Week, hosted laboratory tours, and visited numerous high schools to talk about maths and science. Dr Winter received her PhD from University of South Australia, and is currently a research associate at the Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia.
Associate Professor Majid Ebrahimi Warkiani
University of Technology Sydney
Research Field: Cancer Research
Cancer is a devastating and silent disease that kills more than 50,000 people annually in Australia. If detected early, more than 90% of human cancers can be treated successfully. However early detection of cancer currently relies on an invasive procedure, where a biopsy is surgically removed from a tumour.
Majid Warkiani leads a team developing patient-friendly and innovative methods to better detect and treat cancer, including a non-invasive diagnostic called the ‘liquid biopsy’ to identify cancerous cells in the blood earlier than biopsies.
Majid and his team aim to improve quality of life for people with late-stage cancer by eliminating the need for harsh chemotherapy or radiation therapies in the treatment of cancer.
They have developed a filtration system similar to a kidney dialysis machine to filter cancer cells from patients’ blood and slow the spread of cancer to other parts of the body.
A/Prof Warkiani promotes STEM subjects at university open days, runs workshops on 3D printing for students and their families and has promoted nanotechnology to high school groups through scientific museum exhibits in Sydney and Singapore.
Associate Professor Majid Ebrahimi Warkiani was awarded his PhD in 2012 by the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore and is currently Associate Professor, School of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Technology, Sydney.
