Year: 2019

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.

The University of Adelaide & SAHMRI
Research Field: Neuroscience

Schizophrenia is associated with numerous cognitive defects closely linked to many poor functional outcomes. Many of these debilitating symptoms, including impaired memory and inability to concentrate, currently have no effective treatments.

Dr Rogasch’s research combines non-invasive brain stimulation and neuroimaging methods to uncover differences in prefrontal mechanisms between people with healthy cognitive function and those with schizophrenia, and looks at identifying how best to alter these mechanisms. This research has the potential inform potential new treatments for improving cognitive function across a vast range of brain disorders.

Nigel’s enthusiastic science communication spans national television programs, radio and print interviews, and regular public lectures and school visits. He also established a work experience program that brings school students into the lab, and developed a science club with primary school students. Dr Rogasch received his PhD from Monash University in 2014, and is currently a senior research fellow at The University of Adelaide, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, and Monash University.

Flinders University
Research Field: Psychology

The world is a complex place and our brains can only concentrate on a few things at once, however the brain is continuously and passively monitoring our surrounding environment for change. The disruption of these “pre-attentive” processes, subtle, low-level components of attention, are disrupted in people with schizophrenia or Parkinson’s.

Dr Griffiths research studies the interactions between knowledge, uncertainty and selective attention. He is currently focused on using electrophysiological measures to study pre-attentive and covert attentional processes.

Oren’s science communication has included many media interviews, community presentations, as well as the development of a device for the BrainyBee program, that allowed students to compare neural activity while completing puzzles. Dr Griffiths received his PhD from the University of New South Wales in 2009, and is currently a lecturer at Flinders University.