Invited Speakers
Professor Chris West is currently CEO of Zoos SA, Professor of Zoology at Adelaide University and Professor of Biodiversity Conservation at Flinders University. He qualified as a vet nearly 25 years ago and has worked in academia, the corporate world (as a General Manager in an international Pharmaceutical company) and was previously Zoological Director at London Zoo. He describes himself as a conservationist and environmentalist but also a pragmatist, consensus seeker and optimist. Widely traveled, he is fascinated by all cultures, perhaps because he spent his early years in West Africa. Africa remains in his blood, along with malaria. Chris is adapting to an Australian way of life and getting used to the idea that national teams can win.
Prof Ian L Gibbins has been researching the nerves that control and monitor the activity of the internal organs for more than 25 years. His specific expertise is in microscopy, electrophysiology and statistics, with his work resulting in over 100 scientific articles. Ian's work uses combinations of advanced microscopic and electrical recording techniques to study how nerves communicate with each other and their target organs throughout the body. His research has been recognised by an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, and the Lawrie Austin Lecture at the Australian Neuroscience Society.
Ian teaches widely on functional anatomy, embryology, neuroscience, microscopy and statistics. He was heavily involved in the design and implementation of the Graduate Entry Medical Curriculum (GEMP). He also coordinates and teaches in the Graduate Certificate in Neuroscience (Learning) - a unique postgraduate program developed in collaboration with neuroscientists at the Universities of Adelaide and South Australia. His teaching is highly regarded and, although not a clinician, he won a Burns-Alpers Award for Clinical Teaching.
Ian actively promotes science to the community, and regularly collaborates with artists and performers in public events bringing together science and art, such as the SA Government sponsored "Science Outside the Square" events. He writes regularly for "Australian Book Review" and gave the 2007 ABR / Flinders Annual Lecture. Ian is a musician and published poet. His poetry and electronic music have been featured in ABC Radio National's "All in the Mind" Program and "Best Australian Poems 2008".
Abstract
Dr Craig Williams heads mosquito research at the University of South Australia's Sansom Institute for Health Research. His team is engaged in a number of projects concerned with local mosquito problems through to international efforts to combat diseases such as dengue fever. Dr Williams is also Senior Lecturer in Biological Science at the School of Pharmacy and Medical Science, teaching biology and physiology to undergraduate students. A large focus of his research group is communication of mosquito-borne disease risk information to government, health authorities and local council workers. In addition, through a regular presence in the media, Dr Williams attempts to deliver clear messages to the public concerning mosquitoes and health. In 2007, Craig was recognized as the South Australian Tall Poppy of the Year for his scientific work and public engagement. This complemented his 2005 IgNobel prize in Biology, for doing science that makes people laugh, then think.
Abstract
Colin Pitman has a background in Agriculture and Engineering holding degrees in both. He has had extensive experience in the private sector prior to working at the City of Salisbury. In recent years, Colin has been an active proponent of Stormwater being the partial solution to Adelaide’s water supply issue. Amongst other responsibilities, he has led a team that has been innovative in Energy Management, Environmental Design, Waste Management and the traditional Civil Engineering works of Local Government. More notably however, over the last 21 years he has been a leader locally and internally in Water Management having won numerous awards culminating in the World Water Association Award in Beijing in 2006.
He is past President of the Institute of Municipal Engineering and holds a Bachelor of Technology in Civil Engineering, Local Government Engineer Certificate, Master of Business Administration in Town Planning and holds a Building Surveyor’s Certificate. City Engineer at the City of Salisbury from 1989 – 2010
Abstract
.bmp)
