Science Alliance Newsletter
News and events for our community from the Faculty of Science
October 2024
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Welcome to the final issue of Science Alliance for 2024, where we learn more about a Faculty of Science graduate's pathway to his dream career; find out about the winners and runners-up of the 2024 Australian Museum Sleek Geeks Eureka Prizes; learn how researchers at the University have been working with Qantas to help fight jetlag; look at how the crown-of-thorns starfish seems to be thriving in degraded coral habitats; ask where the multitudes of dragonflies have come from over the last couple of months; hear from Dr Karl about his convoluted cacophony of a career; meet a PhD student using mathematical AI in his research; and do a round-up of the latest public and school events coming up.
Enjoy this edition and the rest of the year!
The Science Alliance Team | Faculty of Science | The University of Sydney
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Turning childhood dreams into a reality – how Harry landed his perfect job
From visiting Featherdale Wildlife Park at three years old, working at his local pet supply store at 15, to pursuing Veterinary Science at the University of Sydney, Harry Sollom's path to becoming a vet was clear from a young age.
We caught up with Harry, a 2022 graduate of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, about the varied and rewarding work he's doing now out in the field.
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2024 Sleek Geeks Science Eureka Prize recipients announced
Primary and high school students from across Australia have been recognised for their creative science films in the 2024 University of Sydney Sleek Geeks Science Eureka Prize.
This year, students were asked to use the theme 'energy' to create two-minute films that communicate scientific concepts in accessible and engaging ways.
For their insightful, creative and amusing takes on the science of energy, six finalists and 14 highly commended award winners were celebrated during the Eureka Prizes ceremony held last month.
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How science can help combat jetlag
University of Sydney researchers are working with Qantas to design evidence-based lighting for the new Qantas A350 aircraft to help reduce jetlag. Light plays an important part in controlling our body clocks and the unique design will help align our body clocks to our destination's time zone.
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Follow your dreams to find your ideal job
How did a shy Polish immigrant kid – Karl Sven Woytek Sas Konkovitch Matthew Kruszelnicki – evolve into the fabulously eccentric Dr Karl?
Before he became a clever scientific storyteller, he ambled through a convoluted cacophony of a career before he came to realise that it's okay to not take a linear path through life, and that by following your curiosity and your passions, you can bend the universe to your liking.
Story by Dr Karl Kruszelnicki.
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Crown-of-thorns starfish thrive in degraded coral habitats
Research into one of the most persistent coral predators on the Great Barrier Reef has revealed a troubling paradox in reef ecosystems: the crown-of-thorns starfish appears to thrive in the very conditions of coral degradation it helps create.
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Where did all these dragonflies come from?
A warm start to spring is having an impact on dragonflies and other insects.
Dr Caitlyn Forster from the School of Life and Environmental Sciences explains why dragonflies are maturing earlier than usual this year.
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Meet Manoj Wagle, one of our science PhD students
We're proud to introduce Manoj, a current PhD student whose research focuses on utilising artificial intelligence and deep learning in biology to advance precision medicine, with an interest in neuroscience. His work is based between the School of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Sydney and the Children's Medical Research Institute.
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Redbacks to Wrangle and Mountains to Climb Lecture
- Wednesday 16 October
- 6–7:15 pm. Doors open 5:45 pm
- Charles Perkins Auditorium, Camperdown, The University of Sydney
Take a walk on the wild side of nature as Professor Maydianne Andrade (University of Toronto Scarborough) weaves together the thrilling world of deadly spiders, the intrigue of sexual cannibalism and the daring heights of the Rocky Mountains in her fascinating public lecture at the University of Sydney.
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Ian Beveridge Memorial Lecture
- Thursday 7 November
- 6–8:15 pm. Doors open 5:45 pm
- Lecture Theatre 321, Susan Wakil Health Building, Western Ave, The University of Sydney
- Free. Registration essential by Monday 4 November for catering purposes
Join veterinarian and epidemiologist Professor Jackie Benschop as she presents our second Ian Beveridge Memorial Lecture for 2024.
Jackie will explore the challenges of leptospirosis and the transdisciplinary approach needed for best management.
At the end of the talk, there will be a Q&A followed by a cocktail reception.
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Alumni Festival: Battle for $1 billion – research ideas to save a species
- Saturday 30 November
- 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
- Eastern Avenue Auditorium and Theatre Complex (F19), The University of Sydney, Camperdown Campus
Get ready to engage your mind and join us for some serious fun as three University of Sydney scientists face off in a pitch battle about the survival of a species.
Imagine this scenario, an anonymous philanthropist with a penchant for scientific adventure wants to invest $1 billion in research for species survival led by one lucky University of Sydney scientist.
Each of our scientists has ten minutes to convince this anonymous investor that their research agenda is the one to back.
Join us as Dr Laura Driessen, Professor Dieter Hochuli and Dr Taylor Szyszka go head to head and argue the case for investment in research in space, animals and plants and help us to decide who is most convincing.
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Alumni Festival: Dr Karl presents 'A Periodic Table'
- Saturday 30 November
- 5:15–6 pm
- The Quad General Lecture Theatre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown Campus
Dr Karl – writer, broadcaster and University of Sydney alumnus – is a qualified physicist, mathematician, biomedical engineer and medical doctor. At this year’s Alumni Festival he’ll discuss how large chunks of the Moon ended up a few thousand kilometres under our feet; the science behind the longest piloted plane flight’s one month in the air; and why all the gods of metal-working walked with a limp (including Thor – yes, Marvel lied to you!).
Celebrating the release of his memoir, A Periodic Tale, this show will blend science with Dr Karl’s stories. Buckle up for a journey through our most (or least) pressing scientific conundrums. Bring your best questions for the Q&A!
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| Resources for high school students and teachers
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 | Towards Net-Zero: Grand Challenge Program
- For Years 9 and 10 ($0 – $29 per student + booking fee)
- Wednesday 6 November
- 8:25 am – 2:45 pm
- The University of Sydney, Camperdown Campus
In a program known as the Grand Challenge, Years 9 and 10 students will spend a day with Future Anything learning about a real-life global problem. Students will meet Dr Eleanor Kearns from Net Zero Institute, an expert in carbon capture and renewable fuel. They will then brainstorm, develop and pitch their own energy solutions to their peers and facilitators for a chance to win cash prizes.
Register here.
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 | Camden Open Day
- For Years 10 and 11 ($11 per student)
- Friday 8 November
- 8:45 am – 2:30 pm
- The University of Sydney, Camden Campus
Engage your Year 10 and/or 11 classes with an interactive visit to the University of Sydney's Camden Campus to study and explore career pathways in real and applied agricultural sciences.
The day will include a visit to mixed-enterprise facilities at the John Bruce Pye Farm, where students will learn about cutting-edge precision agriculture, animal-handling practices and visit some resident cows on the farm. There will then be three interactive workshops to participate in from a variety of choices, such as plant productivity, poultry nutrition, veterinary practices, fish farming and more. Register here.
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 | Proble(m) – new maths program for 2025
- For Years 9 and 10 classes
“When will we need this maths in real life?” You'll have the answer to this question commonly asked by students once you experience our syllabus-driven exploratory maths program, run in your school with the support of our expert facilitators from the University of Sydney.
Students will learn how to use their Stage 5 topics to design solutions to problems relevant to their school and community, and develop and show off their STEM communication skills.
Interested in finding out more? Contact Martine Illing-Kelly, Senior Science Communicator (Mathematics and Statistics).
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 | Science Extension Intro Week – Camperdown Campus
- For Year 12 students
- 4–8 November
- The University of Sydney, Camperdown Campus and Online
Get ready to jump-start your research journey! Our Science Extension Intro Week offers Year 12 Science Extension students a chance to dive into scientific research with workshops, mentoring info sessions and networking opportunities.
All events are free.
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 | Congratulations to Dr Jasmine Fardouly from the School of Psychology, who has won the NSW Young Tall Poppy of the Year!
Dr Fardouly, whose research focuses on the impact social media has on young people’s body image, mood and eating behaviours, was selected from 12 winners from across the state.
| |  | Discover how an exchange program transformed one student's life, leading him from the UK to regional NSW.
A study abroad program brought Ed Chaplin to the University of Sydney in 2019, where he fell in love with Australia, continued his studies, started a family, and is now pursuing a PhD at our Narrabri research centre.
| |  | Researchers have unveiled two public health projects in Hanoi, Vietnam, highlighting vital work undertaken in public health and in training 'animal disease detectives' in South-East Asia.
The two programs, SAPPHIRE and APCOVE, focus on disease detection, prevention and training for veterinarians.
| |  | Wonderful to see Doctor Karl's autobiography, A Periodic Tale – My Sciencey Memoir, was published recently.
We are proud to have him as our Julius Sumner Miller Fellow in the School of Physics.
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In case you missed it ...
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