These are exciting days for those of us in science teaching and research – even if the economic news is less than rosy. For instance, this year has seen record enrolments in science at UWA, as well as the launch of several major science projects throughout the State. President Obama’s inaugural speech captured this mood well, when he noted that science is going places: “We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise healthcare's quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age.”

Ancient microscopic organisms could become the tools of the future when it comes to advancing material science in areas such as solar cell technology.

Furthermore, a 2008 Honours student has published his proof of the concept in the renowned Journal of the American Chemical Society (JACS).

Jeremiah Toster, who was in the first cohort of Bachelor of Science students to study nanotechnology, has successfully manipulated the silica shells of diatoms so they can be used as platforms for developing useful materials in areas of health, energy and the environment.

In early October, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alan Robson, officially launched the presence of UWA in the acclaimed interactive 3D virtual world of Second Life.

The dream to recreate the beautiful, picturesque grounds of the University of Western Australia in virtual 3-Dimensional glory began in May 2007 and resulted in creation of the UWA Virtual Universe & UWA’s triumph in the Google Earth ‘Build your Campus in 3D’ competition. This dream moves into a new dimension, as creators of the Virtual Universe, Dr Chris Thorne (School of Physics Honorary Research Associate) and Jay Jay Jegathesan (School Manager), have teamed up with 3D visualisation guru, Paul Bourke, Senior Research Fellow with UWA’s Western Australian Supercomputer Program (WASP) to bring UWA into Second Life, a virtual world accessible via the Internet which enables its users to interact with others through avatars and they are able to socialize and participate in individual and group activities, and create and trade virtual property and services or travel throughout the virtual world.

Dr Mark Wood’s hands-on puzzles have been the biggest sellers in a couple of Australia’s leading department store toy sections for the past five years and have won numerous awards here, in the US and the UK.

However, they are more than just a stimulating way to spend a Sunday afternoon; they’re helping create new research opportunities.

Dr Wood, who has a background in psychology and education, creates the puzzles with his research partner Frank Dyksterhuis, a mathematician and physicist.

As well as entertaining people, they can also open children’s and adults’ minds to logical and deductive thinking, enhance problem-solving strategies and encourage creativity.

The Science Futures Foundation is continuing to host public and industry-based events to showcase the groundbreaking research and world-class scientists housed within UWA’s schools and centres.

The foundation followed up the highly successful tours of the School of Sports Science, Exercise and Health; and the School of Biomedical, Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences with a visit to the School of Anatomy and Human Biology.

Again, the univeristy’s “Rising Stars” took centre stage. Dr Thea Shavlakadze outlined her work in the area of skeletal muscle. Dr Stuart Hodgetts discussed spinal cord injury. Mr Oron Catts introduced guests to SymbioticA, the award-winning Centre of Excellence combining art and science. Dr Jennifer Walsh gave an insight into one of the newest areas of research – sleep science.

Tim Perkins
Genetic Research Scientist, rows for Cambridge
BSc (majoring in Biophysics and Chemistry) 2001

I finished my biophysics degree at UWA in 2001 and headed for Europe where I took up a job as Research Assistant at Imperial College, London at the Centre for Molecular Microbiology and Infection.

I now work at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Centre, famous for human genome research, with a world class Pathogen Biology team. The work is on gene expression in salmonella and recently deep sequenced bacterial mRNA which I believe to be a world first.

A new program offered by the Faculty of Life and Physical Sciences is helping first year students adapt to the demands of life as a science student.

The Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) program provides students enrolled in large core units an opportunity to work together in groups under the guidance of study group leaders who have already completed the unit.

PAL provides a nurturing environment for students making the transition from the smaller high school environment to university, where classmates can number in the hundreds. The study groups also give them the chance to meet and interact with fellow students.

UWA will host a prestigious new International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR). The WA Government will fund the new centre and its director will be Premier’s Research Fellow Professor Peter Quinn.

The centre will be a joint venture with Curtin University of Technology and will be a key driver in Australia’s bid to be the site of the $2 billion Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project. The SKA project will be the world’s largest, ground-based telescope array, capable of seeing the early stages of the formation of galaxies, stars and planets.

A number of high profile guests, including a number of distinguished Alumni attended the European Launch of the Science Futures Foundation the Royal Automobile Club London on October 22.

In his pre-dinner speech the Vice-Chancellor, Alan Robson, outlined his vision for the university and the role the Science Futures Foundation will play in enlisting high-performing academic staff and the brightest and best students, develop state-of-the-art facilities, encourage talent and reward outstanding achievement. Special guests at the launch included David MacKinlay, Chair of the Friends of UWA in the UK and Europe; Professor Geoff Laurent, Chair of the Science Futures Foundation UK and Professor Barry Marshall, Nobel Laureate, UWA graduate and staff member.