UNSW Science

2024 saw our science community driving progress and impact, and now we've raced to the end of the year! This year, we watched students take flight with work integrated learning, we hosted the scientific extravaganza that was SciFest, we shared the achievements of our scientists in driving progress for a sustainable future, and we even welcomed a greater bilby onto campus. While science never sleeps, we will be taking a short holiday break, returning on 6 January 2025. Our page won’t be monitored during this time, but our future students’ team will be available to contact here: www.unsw.to/call Wishing you safe and restful holidays!

Honouring the Legacy of Dallis Hardwick 🌟 This year marks 10 years since the passing of Dallis Hardwick, a trailblazing UNSW Science alum 👣 whose groundbreaking research in nickel-based superalloys continues to shape aerospace innovation. Her work, advanced by Aerojet Rocketdyne and the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), remains critical to next-generation US launch systems. Dallis earned her PhD in Metallurgy from UNSW in 1977, one of the first women to do so. Facing limited opportunities in Australia for women with her specialisation, she forged a pioneering career in the US, contributing to Space Shuttle materials, developing Mondaloy alloys, and earning accolades like the Meritorious Civilian Service Medal. A passionate mentor and advocate for women in STEM, Dallis’s legacy lives on in her research and the many scientists she inspired. Read her full story, here: https://lnkd.in/gwhHgrzi 

We are thrilled to announce that Emeritus Professor David Black AO has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Science by UNSW 🌟 This recognition honours Prof. Black’s outstanding contributions to organic chemistry, global scientific leadership, and service to UNSW Science 🔬🌐 From pioneering biomimicry-based synthetic chemistry to publishing over 310 papers and serving as Secretary General of IUPAC, Prof. Black’s impact continues to be profound. His commitment to research, education, and international collaboration has left an indelible mark on the scientific community. Congratulations Prof. Black, on this well-deserved recognition and thank you for delivering an inspirational graduation address this December, encouraging science graduates to think globally, actively seek opportunities, and be brave enough to pursue what excites them. Read more, here: https://lnkd.in/gC9eBry5

UNSW researchers are have received support from The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) for 25 projects in medicine, science and engineering, securing over $27 million in the latest round of funding. Funding from the NHMRC Ideas and Development Grants reflect UNSW’s commitment to driving innovation to address some of the major challenges of our time.  A huge congratulations to all those from who were recognised in these grants, including those from UNSW Science:  ⭐ Professor Sylvia Gustin from UNSW Psychology and NeuRA (Neuroscience Research Australia) and Associate Professor Dr Matthew A. Brodie from UNSW Engineering were awarded funding to create a new treatment using VR and spinal cord stimulation to help people with complete paraplegia feel touch again.  ⭐ Associate Professor Fatemeh Vafaee from UNSW BABS and Deputy Director of UNSW AI Institute was awarded for her project ‘Game-changer in early breast cancer detection: AI-powered multi-analyte blood test’.  ⭐ Dr Joanna Yau from UNSW Psychology received funding for her project ‘Learned safety: novel brain mechanisms of fear inhibition’. Read more, here: https://lnkd.in/gFPvpBzB  

What a year it’s been for UNSW Science! I’m incredibly proud of how our community has embodied the values that define scientists: ingenuity, curiosity, and a steadfast commitment to making a difference. We’ve had a standout year with remarkable achievements. From celebrating the world-class contributions of our academics, to hosting engaging events that brought science to life, to a continued commitment to blue-sky research, alongside impactful translational efforts that drive real-world change. This year, the faculty has made real strides in evaluating and highlighting work that shows a tangible impact on the world. I am deeply passionate about championing science beyond the walls of academic publications, ensuring its impact resonates within society. A highlight for me was the collaboration with Prof Frederik Anseel and Prof Richard Holden from UNSW Business School to produce a report on the economic impact of science both nationally and internationally. As always, we honoured a new cohort of graduates with brilliant minds who are ready to tackle the world’s big questions and use science as a force for progress. We are excited to welcome them into our alumni community. While there’s always more to do, now’s the time to pause, reflect, and recharge. Wishing everyone a safe, restful, and well-deserved end-of-year break.

“There are so many unknowns in the world’s wild places,” says Tim Cutajar, a PhD Candidate in the UNSW School of BEES, Australian Museum and The University of Copenhagen (Københavns Universitet). Tim, whose research is funded by National Geographic Society, is using innovative techniques to detect rare and hard-to-find frog species. A recent project took Tim to the Sunshine Coast hinterland, in search of the southern gastric brooding frog, believed to have gone extinct in the 1980’s.  But nearly every year, species we believe to have gone extinct are rediscovered.  Using environmental DNA, Tim and a team of scientists believe they may be able to forensically detect this rare species of frog. Check out the full video to find out more about this incredible research: https://lnkd.in/gTmvrrcu 📷  Matt Carson-Drever   

A bluebottle sting can ruin any good beach day, but soon avoiding bluebottles could be more than just a matter of luck. Dr Amandine Schaeffer is leading a team of researchers from the UNSW Bluebottle Watch program, Mediterranean Institute of Oceanology and the University of Toulon, who are developing a tool to predict when and where bluebottles will wash ashore. These predictions will rely on understanding how bluebottles move with the winds, waves and currents. This data is being collected by 3D-printed bluebottle replicas, each fitted with internal satellite tracking technology.  The plan is to integrate the predictive tool into the Surf Life Saving Australia app Beach Safe. “Hopefully we will be able to have some kind of warning on the beach the day before – for example, at Bondi Beach there’s a 70 per cent chance there’ll be bluebottles the next day,” says Dr Schaeffer. Read the full story, here: https://lnkd.in/ew9qu5Rt  

How do you take a passion and turn it into a career? For many, this question marks the beginning of a journey.   In this edition of UNSW Science News, we spotlight two remarkable Science alumni who have taken very different paths, but share a common thread – their careers are a testament to bold decisions, innovative thinking, and a deep commitment to their passions. Their journeys offer inspiration, proving that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to a successful career in science.   Read more from Alinta Furnell, Dr Jessie Christiansen and Prof. Richard Holden ⤵️

Congratulations to Professor Steven Sherwood, who has been elected a Fellow to the American Geophysical Union – the world’s largest Earth and space science association. Professor Sherwood, who is based at the UNSW Climate Change Research Centre, has made critical advances in our understanding of the atmosphere, global warming and human tolerance of heat stress. “I am motivated to try to clarify what climate change will look like so that society can make wiser decisions about how hard to avoid it,” says Prof. Sherwood. “One practical goal of the work is to figure out how climate models might be improved for regional predictions of weather and climate. A more academic goal is just to unlock the secrets of our atmosphere.” Read more about Prof. Sherwood’s research and his prestigious appointment:  https://lnkd.in/gdj9k_sb  

Congratulations to Dr Jodie Pestana, from the School of Psychology, who will now be shining bright in the Superstars of STEM program, led by Science & Technology Australia 🌟 Dr Pestana and UNSW Engineering colleague Dr Wendy Lee are part of a cohort of 60 new Superstars of STEM, who will undertake two years of training to be experts in the media, on stage and in schools. “As scientists, I believe we have a responsibility to share our scientific knowledge with the public,” says Dr Pestana. “My goal is to enhance female representation in STEM and encourage other women and young girls to pursue STEM so that they can answer the burning questions that interest them.” Read more, here: https://lnkd.in/g-iZi6Kn