The countdown is on! It’s only a couple of weeks before I’m a Scientist, Get Me Out of Here! in Australia starts again in August. So it’s time to announce the scientists and schools taking part.
The event is supported by our major partner TechNyou and will be running from 27th August – 7th September. It features three zones – one general zone (Boron), and two themed zones on Disease and Organs. We have scientists from across the country in disciplines including health, medical research, ecology, geology and astronomy.
Schools
We have a record 33 regional and metropolitan schools taking part, from all states and territories in Australia, and from year 5 – Year 12. We’re hoping energy levels will be high and classes at these schools will have a great experience. Thirteen of these schools are participating for a second or third time, and we look forward to welcoming many more new ones!
Scientists
Competition for scientists was again tough and we are thrilled that the demand has enabled us to again field three zones. We would like to thank the South Australian Museum with the support of the Thyne Reid Foundation for sponsoring James Smith in our Boron Zone.
Scientists have thoroughly enjoyed previous events and found the experience useful. One of our May Scientists said this: “I learnt how to better explain my work and other scientific concepts to non-experts. I also learnt a little about how the public perceive what I do, and found that renewed my own enthusiasm for my work.”
So here are the Zones for August!
Boron Zone
Scientists
| James Smith@fauNat(Sponsored by the South Australian Museum) | South Australian Museum (SA) | My expertise is primarily with urban wildlife; particularly birds, mammals and a broad range of invertebrates. My background and experience also cover a number of different parts of the country. |
| Matthew Davis@mjd_nz | University of Queensland (QLD) | I study the quantum mechanical properties of gases when cooled down to billionths of a degree above absolute zero – they can reveal amazing properties such as superfluidity. |
| Mark Hamann @turtlesatJCU | James Cook University (QLD) | I am an ecologist working on biological and social research question that help Government manage threats to marine turtles, dugongs, dolphins and other wildlife. |
| Simon O’Toole @drsimmo | Australian Astronomical Observatory (NSW) | I’m looking for planets orbiting stars like our Sun, with the ultimate goal of finding a planet like Earth that can support life. |
| Heather Sheldon @Doc_Sheldon | CSIRO (WA) | I’m a geologist investigating the potential for geothermal energy in Western Australia |
Schools
- Broadbeach State School, QLD, Years 5,6,7
- Rochedale High School, QLD, Years 8, 9, 10
- Tamborine Mountain State School, QLD, Year 6
- North Sydney Boys High, NSW, Years 7,10
- Riverside Girls High School, NSW, Year 9
- Brindabella Christian College, ACT, Years 9,10
- Red Cliffs Secondary College, VIC, Year 7,9
- Annesley Junior School, SA, Year 5
- Mannum Community College, SA, Years 8, 9, 10, 11
- Darwin Middle School, NT, Year 8
- Kapinara, WA, Years 5,6,7
Disease Zone
Scientists
| Vanessa Vaughan @andanin | Deakin University (VIC) | I’m a molecular nutritionist, and my research looks at a muscle wasting syndrome in cancer patients, known as cancer cachexia, and how nutrition may help prevent and treat this condition. |
| Steven Hamblin @BehavEcology | University of New South Wales (NSW) | I currently study the theory behind how viruses evolve, like how they mutate to avoid the immune system or how they evolve to control animal and human behaviour for their own benefit. |
| Natasha Langley @Tash_Langley | Garvan Institute of Medical Research (NSW) | By accident, we found that reducing body iron levels prevents mice from getting fat on a high fat diet and we are now trying to find out exactly how this works. |
| Haeng Soon Park @haenhsoonpark | Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Nepal | Beta-lactam antibiotics-hydrolyzing enzyme, which is called Renal Dipeptidase in mammalian kidney including human. |
| Kym Pyke @mykkpet | St John of God Pathology (WA) | Analysis of pathology samples for diagnosis of disease state. |
Schools
- Beerwah State School, QLD, Years 5,6,7
- Holland Park State High School, QLD, Years 10, 11, 12
- Guyra Central School, NSW, Year 9
- Lisarow High School, NSW, Years 7,8
- Moriah College, NSW, Year 10
- Riverside Girls High School, NSW, Year 8
- Elwood College, VIC, Years 7, 8, 11, 12
- Mentone Girls Grammar, VIC, Year 9
- The Hutchins School, TAS, Year 6
- Christ Church Grammar School, WA, Year 7,8,9
- Leeming Primary School, WA, Years 5,6,7
- Manea Senior College, WA, Year 12
Organs Zone
Scientists
| Emma Burrows @embws | Florey Neuroscience Institute (VIC) | I research how the environment can impact on brain plasticity. |
| Melina Ellis @cassiopeia160 | University of Melbourne (VIC) | Exploring how different nutrients influence gut function and how this is controlled by the enteric nervous system. |
| Carina Marshall @carinarynn | University of Western Australia (WA) | I’m looking at a big population study of children that has been running for 21 years, and examining the data to answer questions about cardiovascular (heart) health. |
| Hannah Brown @DrScienceLover | The Robinson Institute, University of Adelaide (SA) | The work I do focuses on how the cells in the female ovary, and in particular, the egg, get enough oxygen and how we can use this knowledge to help women with infertility! |
| Yashar Razavi | Monash University (VIC) | I’m interested in how a novel method of cellular communication and the link between resident cells and nerves are involved in maintaining the healthy eye and in an immune response. |
Schools
- Beerwah State School, QLD, Years 5,6,7
- Graceville State School, QLD, Year 6, 7
- Holland Park State High School, QLD, Years 8,9
- Kelvin Grove State College, QLD, Year 10
- St. Monica’s College, QLD, Years 8,9
- The Armidale School, NSW, Year 8,11
- Covenant College, ACT, Years 7,8, 9,10
- Princes Hill Secondary College, VIC, Year 9,10
- Seymour College, VIC, Year 7
- The Knox School, VIC, Year 7,8,9
- Pedare Christian College, SA, Year 8
- Seymour College, SA, Year 10
- Georgiana Molloy Anglican School, WA, Year 12
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