Science Alliance Newsletter
Evolution
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Wednesday 23 November 2022
A message from Science Alliance, Faculty of Science
In this issue of Science Alliance, our contributors discuss evolution. Read the latest from Dr Karl and four of our students, Elise Oakman, Fernando Tinco, Louis Casey and Yuqing Li who will share exciting findings on how human beings have adapted over generations.
In the upcoming weeks, we have three international speakers joining us on campus. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from experts in their relevant scientific disciplines as listed below.
- 2022 Murray Lecture – Superhero bats: can bat genomes help us live longer?, presented by Professor Emma C. Teeling, School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin
- 2022 Dr Simon Marais Memorial Lecture – The Unseen Universe - How it Impacts the World We See, presented by Professor Marcela Carena, Department of Physics, University of Chicago
- Nobel Lecture – Generating high-intensity, ultrashort optical pulses presented by Professor Donna Strickland, Nobel Laureate, Physics 2018, Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Waterloo, Canada
Register now and bring along a friend or family member. We look forward to seeing you there!
Your sincerely,
The Science Alliance Team
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| | Seeing infection
Dr Karl talks about our ability to tell if a fellow human is sick, or unwell and how evolution has given us a kind of 'Sick Sense'
by Dr Karl Kruszelnicki
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Aposematism: the flashiest form of defenceExplore aposematism, which is displaying bright colours to communicate bad taste and toxicity between prey and predator, and how it is an effective way to avoid becoming dinner.
by Elise Oakman
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Disentangling the evolved brain from its primitive stateLearn how our human brains have retained their primal counterpart, responsible for instinctual survival responses, and developed a modern neocortex capable of adaptive thought.
by Fernando Tinoco
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Human Evolution is disgusting: Why being disgusted is a survival advantageDiscover how the emotion of disgust acts as a 'behavioural immune system' to protect us from disease and why being disgusted is a survival advantage.
by Louis Casey
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The evolving human bodyLearn more about the evolving human body and how lifestyle factors can have a considerable impact on the changes that occur.
by Yuqing Li
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Public Lectures and Webinar
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 | 2022 Murray Lecture - Superhero bats: can bat genomes help us live longer?
Tuesday 29 November, 6pm - 8pm
Join Professor Emma C. Teeling from the University College Dublin to explore how studying the genomes of wild bat populations from around the world is helping us understand ageing and immunity, as well as informing disease surveillance and pandemic preparedness.
| |  | Life in the field Webinar: Agriculture, food and animal biosciences
Wednesday 30 November, 4pm - 4:30pm
On Zoom
Have you wondered what life in the field of agriculture, food, sustainability, and the environment is like? And what jobs are available in this growing sectors? Join this session and learn about what the sector is about, and how you can pursue studies towards working in the sector yourself.
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 | 2022 Dr Simon Marais Memorial Lecture - The Unseen Universe - How it Impacts the World We See
Monday 5 December, 6pm - 7pm
Discover the unseen Universe and how it impacts the world we see. From invisible energy fields, to dark matter and virtual particles, join Professor Marcela Carena from the University of Chicago as she explores how the invisible determines our everyday existence.
| |  | Nobel Lecture: Generating high-intensity, ultrashort optical pulses
Tuesday 6 December, 6pm - 8pm
Discover how Professor Donna Strickland, Nobel Laureate, Physics 2018 and Gérard Mourou developed chirped pulse amplification, also known as CPA, to increase the intensity again by more than a factor of 1,000 resulting in new types of interactions possible between light and matter.
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| Resources for High School
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 | Quantum Computing Summer Camp (Holiday Program)
For keen individuals in Years 9 - 12
16 - 20 January 2023
Applications open soon for the Quantum Computing Summer Camp for high school students. Scholarships are available to dive into this emerging technology during a 1-week virtual summer camp. Learn about quantum physics, and explore quantum phenomena like superposition and entanglement, and how to code quantum gates and circuits — the building blocks of quantum algorithms. Delivered by Qubit by Qubit (QxQ), a leading educational organisation in quantum, in collaboration with Sydney Quantum Academy (SQA).
| |  | Santos Science Experience - Forensic Science Holiday Activities
For keen individuals in Years 9 & 10, $190 each
18 - 20 January 2023
Your keenest science students can sign themselves up to our 3-day forensic science extravaganza. Them and their fellow detectives will be asked to solve an unusual crime using university wet and dry labs, talking to STEM experts and learning new forensic skills in microscopy, cybersecurity, chemical sample identification and electrical circuitry.
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 | Kickstart 2023 - HSC Biology, Chemistry and Physics
Bookable by schools only, $29.70 incl GST per student
On campus & Virtual
On-campus in our University laboratories and/or virtual online workshops give HSC students a chance to learn key ideas, see demonstrations and perform their own analysis. Hosted by our senior science communicators and science teams. All resources, including pre- and post-work, are included.
Find out about on campus and virtual options. Dates for 2023 will be available shortly.
| |  | University Bridging Courses
Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics Ext 1, Physics
Online, January & February 2023
These online courses with live-Zoom components are ideal for students wanting to enter a University degree that requires assumed science knowledge that they did not complete in the HSC. Students can sign-up to mailing list to be updated when courses open.
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 | Creepy Cures School Visits
School Term 1 2023
Ever thought a deadly spider or a blood-sucking tick could help treat stroke? The researchers from CIPPS are working on exactly this! To help explain this funky science, we have developed some games and presentations including informative and fun spider venom bingo! If your school would be interested in a short talk and demonstration on this topic by engaging PhD students, please contact comms@cipps.org.au.
| |  | Unearthing Science 2023
For Year 9 - 10 classes in rural and regional NSW only, free
Flexible timing throughout the year
Energise the budding scientist in your Year 9 and 10 students with this all-materials-included teaching package that introduces students to the concept of independent scientific investigation, focusing on ecological and environmental science.
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 | International Science School 2023 - it's back, live and in-person!
For science-mad students in year 11 and 12 in 2023
Sunday 2 July - Saturday 15 July 2023
Join top science students from across Australia and around the world for two weeks of inspiring talks by world-renowned scientists, amazing visits to cutting-edge research facilities, loads of hands-on experiments and activities, and a packed program of social events. It’s going to be fantastic, you don’t want to miss this one.
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In case you missed it...
Read the latest news and expert opinion from the Faculty of Science:
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