[Pictured above] Last week researchers, students, industry partners and officials including Senator the Hon. Arthur Sinodinos AO, gathered for the official launch of the ARC Training Centre for Molecular Technology in the Food Industry. Located on campus, this Centre provides world-class postgraduate research training for the next generation of scientists who will shape the future of food production in Australia.
Last week more than 1000 students were welcomed to Session 2 with a week full of events. Students took part in workshops, tours, and of course games on campus. More than 85 stalls representing almost 100 student groups and clubs were also on display during the week in the Central Courtyard.
[L-R] Matt Hall, the Vice Chancellor S Bruce Dowton and Professor Mark Wiggins.
The Macquarie University Simulation Hub was officially opened on Monday 20 July; an event that comprised an all-day research workshop attended by the Vice-Chancellor, S. Bruce Dowton, and Matt Hall, Australia’s first and only Redbull International Air Race Pilot. The opening began with the Vice-Chancellor describing the vision for the Simulation Hub as a state-of-the-art university facility, offering translational and multidisciplinary research. Matt Hall recounted the importance of simulation in his own career as a military and civilian pilot.
Learn more about our Simulation Hub.
A team led by Dr Martin Whiting from the Department of Biological Sciences recently discovered a beautifully coloured new species of flat lizard, which they have named Platysaurus attenboroughi, after Sir David Attenborough. Dr Whiting and his colleagues thought it fitting the lizard be named after the world-famous naturalist after he made famous a closely related flat lizard species in the BBC series Life in Cold Blood.
For more than 30 years AV Technician Ted Davies [pictured front left] has celebrated the birthday of one very special lady – American born, British-based singer, Suzi Quatro. What began as a block of chocolate shared among colleagues in a small office kitchen, has grown over the years to a fully-catered (at Ted’s own expense) morning of music videos and refreshments. Next year Suzi will perform her final Australian tour – This Week wonders whether Ted will be front and centre. Our guess? He’ll do his jive, down in Devil Gate Drive.
Last year, Sophia Bratenkov, a PhD student from the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, was invited to take part in the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP).
The IODP is an international program of scientific collaboration to recover geological data and samples from beneath the ocean floor to study the history, climate and dynamics of planet earth.
The highly competitive program allows 30 scientists from around the world to participate in a two month expedition on-board the JOIDES Resolution. During the last expedition to the Arabian Sea from March to May this year, Sophie was not only the sole Macquarie representative, but was also the only representative from Australia.