Dr Chris Reid
Macquarie University
Research Field: Biological Sciences
Imagine a swarm of robots that can join together to create structures or tools as needed, or a blob of cells that transforms itself into a replacement ear, bladder or heart.
These capabilities are within reach if we can understand and harness the rules that govern how groups of simple interacting units achieve coordinated behaviour. We call these groups ‘complex systems’ and they span from physics to biology and operate on all scales, from global weather patterns to neurons in the brain.
Dr Chris Reid aims to advance our understanding of complex systems like tissue development and wound healing by uncovering knowledge about biological complex systems.
Chris researches biological complex systems such as ant colonies, honeybee hives and slime moulds to understand how simple interactions between individuals lead to the sophisticated capabilities observed at the level of the group.
By shedding light on biological complex systems, Chris aims to enhance our understanding of other complex systems like tissue development and wound healing; improve our problem-solving computer programs; and provide behavioural rules for swarms of robots to enhance their capabilities as a collective.
Chris’ public engagement is extensive, for example through his ‘Are you smarter than a slime mould?’ exhibit and the annual Minibeast Day event, where Macquarie researchers present invertebrates to children to showcase biodiversity and conservation.
Dr Chris Reid received his PhD from the University of Sydney in 2013 and is currently an ARC DECRA Fellow with the Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University.
Flinders University
Research Field: Environmental Health
Water quality and food safety are important for maintaining public health. Diseases from contaminated food and water can be deadly, especially to people with chronic health conditions, infants, and pregnant women.
Dr Whiley’s main areas of research are water quality and food safety. Her water quality research is focused on the presence of opportunistic pathogens in potable and reuse water, while her food safety research utilises a multifocal approach to tackle emerging food safety issues.
Harriet has communicated her science to the media, including ABC News, The Advertiser, and The Sydney Morning Herald, appeared on Scope, and engaged with industry to translate her research into policy. Dr Whiley received her PhD from Flinders University in 2015, and is currently a Lecturer in Environmental Health at Flinders University.
Flinders University
Research Field: Psychology
People with delusions jump to conclusions, where they make hasty decisions based on very little information. Delusions can cause significant emotional and social distress. People with delusions disregard information
that does not support their beliefs, which could explain why delusions are resistant to change.
Dr Balzan’s research focuses on the role that cognitive biases play in the development and maintenance of delusions. His research is currently focused on the study of a metacognitive training programme that targets the underlying cognitive biases that foster and maintain delusions.
Ryan has worked with mental health advocacy organisations to promote greater understanding and acceptance of severe mental illnesses, as well as working with carers to provide up-to-date information on treatment of psychosis. Dr Balzan was awarded his PhD from The University of Adelaide in 2012, and is currently a Vice-Chancellor’s Early Career Research Fellow at Flinders University.
