2005 New South Wales Award Winner

Dr Brendan Burns

University of New South Wales Brendan heads an astrobiology research group at the University of New South Wales. This group is considered to be a world leader in the study of modern stromatolites – ‘living rocks’ that provide insights into early life on earth. Brendan’s research on the Shark Bay stromatolites provided valuable insight into…

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Dr Dominic Dowling

University of Technology Sydney Dominic endeavours to devise methods to improve the seismic resistance of adobe-mudbrick houses. His specific focus is on simple, affordable and effective solutions suitable for application in developing countries. In 2002 he undertook a research study focused on the damages to adobe housing and the process of reconstruction. Later, he co-ordinated…

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Dr Katharina Gaus

University of New South Wales Katharina focuses on cellular membrane organization in signal transduction processes. She endeavors to ultimately understand cellular immune reactions. In 2002 – 2004, she was an Australian Research Council Post-doctoral Fellow at the Centre for Vascular Research at UNSW. In 2005, she was awarded an Alexander-von-Humboldt Research Fellowship to spend six…

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Dr Geoffrey Isbister

Newcastle Mater Hospital Geoffrey’s interests lie in the area of clinical toxinology. His focus is on the effects of bites and stings of venomous land and marine creatures, including snakes, spiders and jellyfish. Geoff’s clinical work includes appointments as a clinical toxicologist to the NSW and Queensland Poison Information Centres and the Hunter Area Toxicology…

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Dr Tracy Langkilde

University of Sydney Tracy’s main research interest is in the area of community ecology, working towards understanding how animals interact with each other and their environment, and how they are able to co-exist within larger communities. Tracy received a BSc with a first class Honours in the School of Biological Sciences at James Cook University….

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Dr Mike Manefield

University of New South Wales Mike is a microbiologist with an interest in applying ecological theories to medical and environmental applications alike. Mike commenced postgraduate studies in microbiology at UNSW exploring novel ways of controlling bacterial infections. His approach was to interfere with bacterial communication systems using compounds extracted from an Australian seaweed. Mike’s work…

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Dr Deborah Marsh

Royal North Shore Hospital and University of Sydney Deborah is a molecular geneticist conducting research into the development of both inherited and non-inherited cancers. Her work focuses on tumours affecting endocrine organs as well as ovarian cancer. Deborah undertook three years of postdoctoral study at the Harvard Medical School. One of the highlights was her…

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Dr Naomi Rogers

University of Sydney Naomi’s main research interest is in the effects of circadian disruption and sleep loss on physiological and neurobehavioural functions. She is currently studying the effects of circadian disruption using jet lag as a model and sleep restriction in people who already experience sleep disturbance due to other medical disorders such as obstructive…

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Dr Tracey Rogers

Zoological Parks Board NSW and University of Sydney Tracey focuses on the impacts of climate change on the Southern Ocean ecosystem, using the leopard seal, an Antarctic apex predator, as an indicator of large-scale changes. Tracey’s post-doctoral career includes the appointments of Research Biologist and Director of the Australian Marine Mammal Research Centre, Zoological Parks…

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Mr Simon Walsh

University of Technology Sydney Simon has practised as a forensic biologist, supervising and reporting for criminal cases and providing expert testimony on over 50 occasions. Simon has worked extensively with the implementation and operation of DNA database technology.  Simon supports State and Territory laboratories in casework involving complex evidence interpretation in his role on the…

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