UWA Research on the Record
Research on the Record highlights academics from diverse disciplines at The University of Western Australia. Dive into their varied research projects, and gain insights into the groundbreaking work and personal stories of Australia’s brightest minds as they navigate the academic landscape in our podcast series.
Episodes
Wednesday May 15, 2024
Research on the Record - Season 2 Episode 4 - Dr Bhagya Dissanayake
Wednesday May 15, 2024
Wednesday May 15, 2024
Research Scientist Dr Bhagya Dissanayake’s work as a Proteomics Specialist sees her applying the expertise she gained as a PhD student with the School of Molecular Sciences at The University of Western Australia to the early detection of plant and human diseases by precisely identifying protein biomarkers associated with the conditions.
Based at Proteomics International in the Harry Perkins Institute her studies seek to help improve salinity and drought tolerance in crops such as wheat and chickpea.
Wednesday Apr 17, 2024
Research on the Record - Season 2 Episode 3 - Professor Michael Small
Wednesday Apr 17, 2024
Wednesday Apr 17, 2024
Professor Michael Small is the Director of the UWA Data Institute where he researches the development of modern mathematical techniques and data science innovations to solve real world problems – from engineering and resource challenges, to modelling the spread of disease, to predicting and assessing mental health risks.
As AI and machine learning tools become more ingrained in our everyday lives, Professor Small, who is also the CSIRO-UWA Chair in Complex Systems, is working to better understand how the tools we increasingly rely upon to inform our decisions actually work – and to identify the potential flaws in their processes – be they ethical or system based.
Tuesday Mar 19, 2024
Research on the Record - Season 2 Episode 2 - Anna Faber
Tuesday Mar 19, 2024
Tuesday Mar 19, 2024
According to Anna Faber’s UWA profile page, the School of Molecular Sciences PhD candidate is a science all-rounder – it’s an apt description, with three majors in biology, chemistry, and high school teacher training, she is also a passionate science communicator.
Her current research involves tackling one of our oceans’ biggest pollution problems by training bacteria to eat plastics in marine conditions to improve recycling efforts – and potentially converting the byproduct into useful bioplastic materials in the process.
Wednesday Feb 21, 2024
Research on the Record - Season 2 Episode 1 - Professor Charitha Pattiaratchi
Wednesday Feb 21, 2024
Wednesday Feb 21, 2024
Professor of Coastal Oceanography Charitha Pattiaratchi’s body of work is, like the ocean, vast and deep.
His research into ocean patterns and ecosystems combines multiple disciplines including oceanography, meteorology, geology, ecology, and engineering which are applied to investigating a multitude of issues.
Friday Feb 09, 2024
Research on the Record - Episode 15 - Julia Haile
Friday Feb 09, 2024
Friday Feb 09, 2024
Julia Haile, from UWA’s School of Psychological Science, is researching how to make the facial expressions of digital avatars more believable, focussing on eye gaze as the key to solving the puzzle.
The study, which combines psychology with the latest evolving digital technology, has implications for a range of fields – from films and video games, to healthcare applications, to AI technology.
Thursday Jan 25, 2024
Research on the Record - Episode 14 - Emma Stephenson
Thursday Jan 25, 2024
Thursday Jan 25, 2024
PhD student Emma Stephenson is exploring a constant activity we perform that’s pervasive in our everyday lives, but one we often struggle to identify – mental load.
Ms Stephenson, from the School of Psychological Science, aims to develop a tool to measure and assess mental labour and its consequences at home and in the workplace – and help provide solutions for individuals and organisations.
Wednesday Jan 10, 2024
Research on the Record - Episode 13 - Emeritus Professor Carolyn Oldham
Wednesday Jan 10, 2024
Wednesday Jan 10, 2024
After 30 years with the School of Engineering, Professor Carolyn Oldham was welcomed by The University of Western Australia as an Emeritus Professor .
During that time, her career in environmental engineering has covered a diverse range of major projects, including her pioneering research into Western Australia’s wetlands that helped unravel the significance of the important ecosystems, creating innovative water management solutions for the State’s urban design and development, and her most recent work to better understand and solve the issues around mine closures and mine-water.
Thursday Dec 21, 2023
Research on the Record - Episode 12 - Dr Jessica Buck
Thursday Dec 21, 2023
Thursday Dec 21, 2023
Dr Jessica Buck from UWA Centre for Child Health Research has, under a Forrest Fellowship, dedicated herself to search for answers to some of the most devastating diseases affecting children, working at the Brain Tumour Research program at Telethon Kids Institute.
Dr Buck has so far had a remarkable early career trajectory from being formally selected as a superstar of STEM after studying at Oxford on scholarship, to recently being awarded a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) grant to investigate more effective and less toxic treatments for embryonal brain tumours.
Wednesday Dec 06, 2023
Research on the Record - Episode 11 - Beth MacLean
Wednesday Dec 06, 2023
Wednesday Dec 06, 2023
UWA Medical School PhD candidate Beth MacLean’s research into iron deficiency focusses on women in their reproductive years who are at higher risk of developing the condition.
Beth runs free public screenings aiming to raise awareness about iron deficiency, the symptoms of which often go ignored, and refer women with risk factors for further testing. Her CAPRI study also collects data to help develop an algorithm to help predict the condition.
Friday Dec 01, 2023
Research on the Record - Episode 10 - Hackett Professor Kadambot Siddique
Friday Dec 01, 2023
Friday Dec 01, 2023
Professor Kadambot Siddique is many things: a world-leading agricultural scientist, WA Scientist of the Year 2023 and an avid campaigner for science-based solutions to global poverty and food insecurity.
As he now prepares to become an official Fellow of the World Academy of Sciences in January, UWA's 'Research on the Record' sat down with Professor Siddique to discuss how it all began with the humble chickpea.