Dr Peter Pockley, one of Australia’s preeminent science writers and broadcasters, will be giving a free public presentation entitled:

“One chemist’s odd journey – from Olympic flame to lead isotopes, satellite TV, other media and bungling politics.”

It will be held at Melbourne University in the Cuming Theatre, School of Chemistry, on Wednesday 24 November, 4:15pm.

Please RSVP to Rachel Caruso, rcaruso@unimelb.edu.au

Enquiries (03) 8344 7146

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Free ANZAAS talk, Melbourne Wed 17th November, 6:30pm

All welcome, no booking needed At: Gene Technology Access Centre, 1H Royal Parade, Parkville Free drinks and pizza after the talk Professor Andrew Gleadow

Head, School of Earth Sciences, University of Melbourne

“The Geology of the Melbourne Region: our Place in a Plate Tectonic World “

The Plate Tectonics Revolution of the last 40 years has changed forever the way in which we look at planet Earth and its behaviour, but there is often a failure to relate this to the ordinary geology we see around us on a local scale. This talk will discuss the geology of the Melbourne region in the context of the origin and evolution of the much larger Australian Plate within which we reside. The geological record of this area can be traced through four distinct stages from its turbulent origins in an active plate boundary setting of converging plates and continental collision, through a relatively placid period within Gondwana, to the breakup of that Supercontinent and finally the northwards flight of Australia and emergence of the present plate configuration. All of these stages have left their mark on our local geology, and the now-distant boundaries of our Plate still exert a local influence on our region today.

_____________________

Enter off Story Steet, GTAC is at the western end of University High School’s oval

ANZAAS Vic is pleased to acknowledge the support by GTAC, CSL and La Trobe University for the ANZAAS Melbourne science talks series

Further Info: Peter Kemeny 0409 028 165 peter.kemeny@gmail.com

http://www.anzaas.org.au/vic

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Free ANZAAS talk, Melbourne Wed 20th October, 6:30pm

All welcome, no booking needed At: Gene Technology Access Centre, 1H Royal Parade, Parkville Free drinks and pizza after the talk Professor Rob Saint

Dean of Science, University of Melbourne

“Science on the fly: how genetics reveals molecular, cellular and developmental processes in animals”

Development of an embryo can be viewed as the sum of a range of cell behaviours such as cell division, migration, death and differentiation. Each of these processes requires a complex set of regulatory and mechanical molecules and all have to be coordinated to generate an organism with the appropriate body plan. In this talk I will explain how genetics has been used to dissect such complicated processes. I will focus on the way that genetic analysis of a model organism, Drosophila melanogaster, has been used to better understand two processes, animal development and cell division, and how these studies have impacted on our understanding of the biology of other animals, including ourselves.

*

Enter off Story Steet, GTAC is at the western end of University High School’s oval

ANZAAS Vic is pleased to acknowledge the support by GTAC, CSL and La Trobe University for the ANZAAS Melbourne science talks series

Further Info: Peter Kemeny 0409 028 165 peter.kemeny@gmail.com

http://www.anzaas.org.au/vic

_______________________________________________ ASC-list mailing list list@asc.asn.au http://www.asc.asn.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=97&Itemid=115

OzBio2010 Public Forum WEDNESDAY 29 SEPTEMBER 2010 1830-2000

This public forum is free, and no registration required. It is held in conjunction with OzBio2010, an international meeting of life scientists

BIOSCIENCES AND GLOBAL WARMING – OPTIONS FOR LOW CO2 ENERGY PRODUCTION

Sponsored by ANZAAS, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, Bio21 University of Melbourne and The Victorian Government

Location: Plenary Hall 2, Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre

The program will consist of the 3 panel members who will give a 10 minute talk, and the rest of the time will be questions and answers, and general discussion.

***Special Guest Comments from Tim Flannery****

18:30 Introduction: Moderator / Host: Robyn Williams Robyn Williams is a science journalist who has hosted the Science Show on the ABC since 1975.

Speaker 1: Dr Deborah O’Connell, Sustainable Ecosystems, CSIRO, Canberra ACT Australia “Energy from Biomass”

Dr O’Connell leads a major interdisciplinary team of 20 scientists on a project entitled Sustainable Biomass Production for Biofuels and Bioenergy in Australia: Can biomass provide low emission fuel and energy without compromising food, water and biosecurity? She has specialised in the emerging area of ‘integration’ science and systems analysis to provide insight into complex issues. Since 2005 Dr O’Connell has led the CSIRO team that produced a series of industry reports including the high profile report Biofuels in Australia – an overview of issues and prospects. T

Speaker 2 A/Prof Kirsten Heimann, Director of the North Queensland Algal Identification/Culturing Facility (NQAIF), James Cook University, QLD., Australia “Algae for biodiesel and CO2 removal”

Kirsten Heimann leads a microalgal research team focusing on ecotoxicology and the development of microalgae for the commercial production of fertilizers, animal feeds, neutraceuticals, and biofuels. Her research and teaching has won several awards, the most recent the Queensland Smart Women – Smart State Award for Research Excellence in 2008.

Speaker / Panel Member 3 Professor Lucas van Zwieten, Department of Primary Industry, NSW, Australia “Biochar for energy production and carbon sequestration”

Lucas van Zwieten is adjunct Professor at the National Centre for Rural Greenhouse Gas Research, University of New England. Research on biochar is internationally acclaimed through the 2007 United Nations association of Australia World Environment Day Award “Meeting the Greenhouse Challenge”. He currently manages over 200 field plots testing biochar in Australia, and is a project collaborator on the National DAFF biochar project administered by the CSIRO.

Special guest: Professor Tim Flannery, Faculty of Science, Macquarie University, NSW, Australia

“Here on Earth”

Tim Flannery is Chair of the Australian Government’s Coasts and Climate Change Group, represents Australasia on the National Geographic Society Research Grant Committee and is a director of the Australian Wildlife Conservancy. His books include The Future Eaters and The Weather Makers. From 2006 to 2009 he was Chair of the Copenhagen Climate Council. In 2007 he was named Australian of the Year.

Further info: http://www.asbmb.org.au/ozbio2010/public.html

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Public Forum in conjunction with OzBio2010 WEDNESDAY 29 SEPTEMBER 2010 1830-2000 This public forum does not require registration and is free of charge. BIOSCIENCES AND GLOBAL WARMING – OPTIONS FOR LOW CO2 ENERGY PRODUCTION Sponsored by ANZAAS, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, Bio21 University of Melbourne and The Victorian Government Location: Plenary Hall 2, Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre Three panel members will each give a 10-15 minute talk, and the rest of the time will be questions and answers, and general discussion. Moderator: Robyn Williams (host of the ABC’s Science Show since 1975) Speaker / Panel Member 1: Dr Deborah O’Connell, Sustainable Ecosystems, CSIRO, Canberra “Energy from Biomass” Dr O’Connell currently leads a major interdisciplinary team of 20 scientists on a project entitled Sustainable Biomass Production for Biofuels and Bioenergy in Australia: Can biomass provide low emission fuel and energy without compromising food, water and biosecurity? She has specialised in the emerging area of ‘integration’ science and systems analysis to provide insight into complex issues. This requires integrating multiple disciplines, being able to elicit complex research questions and provide tractable research approaches that draw on different forms of knowledge and skills. Since 2005 Dr O’Connell has led the CSIRO team that produced a series of industry reports including the high profile report Biofuels in Australia – an overview of issues and prospects. These reports have set the agenda for biofuels and bioenergy research in Australia. Speaker / Panel Member 2 A/Prof Kirsten Heimann, James Cook University, QLD., Australia “Algae for biodiesel and CO2 removal” Kirsten Heimann is the director of the North Queensland Algal Identification/Culturing Facility within the School of Marine and Tropcial Biology at James Cook University and leads a microalgal research team focusing on ecotoxicology and the development of microalgae for the commercial production of fertilizers, animal feeds, neutraceuticals, and biofuels. She has published extensively in diverse research areas in high ranking journals including Nature, Molecular Biology of the Cell, and Journal of Biological Chemistry. Kirsten’s research and teaching has won several awards, the most recent the Queensland Smart Women – Smart State Award for Research Excellence in 2008. Speaker / Panel Member 3 Professor Lucas van Zwieten, Department of Primary Industry, NSW “Biochar for energy production and carbon sequestration” Lucas van Zwieten (PhD) is a Principal Research Scientist with NSW Department of Primary Industries and Energy, and adjunct Professor at the National Centre for Rural Greenhouse Gas Research, University of New England. Research on biochar is internationally acclaimed through the 2007 United Nations association of Australia World Environment Day Award “Meeting the Greenhouse Challenge”. Work has been shown on ABCs Catalyst program (2007), a CNN “special report” in 2008, BBCs ecopolis in 2009 and ABCs Landline in 2009. Findings from his research have been published in the “Financial Review,” “Sydney Morning Herald” and “the Age” business sections. He is currently supervising 3 PhD students and manages over 200 field plots testing biochar in Australia, and is a project collaborator on the National DAFF biochar project administered by the CSIRO. Lucas also works on risk assessment and remediation of chemicals in the environment.

ANZAAS Kids Ask Scientists Questions Sunday 22 Aug 2010 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Kids aged 6-14 years ask questions to leading scientists. This forum provides children with the opportunity to put questions directly to prominent Australian scientists. As part of National Science Week 2010, this program is designed to get children thinking about how things work – not just getting the ‘right’ answer. This forum encourages them to think about the ‘big’ questions. Speakers Dr Clare Scott, Dr Jan Strugnell, Dr Roger Rassool, Dr Sandra McLaren and Dr David Vaux Location: Scienceworks Auditorium Included with museum entry. MV Members receive FREE general museum entry. Bookings essential. Phone 13 11 02 Sponsored by: ANZAAS – The Australia New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science – 122 years old and still going strong

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Free ANZAAS talk, Melbourne Wed 18th August 6:30pm

All welcome, no booking needed At: Gene Technology Access Centre, 1H Royal Parade, Parkville Free drinks and pizza after the talk Professor Bryan Williams

Director, Monash Institute for Medical Research, and Director, Centre for Cancer Research

“Interferons and cytokines, a toll tale”

Interferons were discovered over fifty years ago and are now recognised as key components in the body’s natural defence against viruses, bacteria and parasites. Interferons have long been used as anti-cancer agents in the clinic and have earned pharmaceutical companies billions of dollars in revenue for a modest investment in research. Despite modest clinical activity interferons are approved for use in chronic myeloid leukaemia, melanoma and other malignancies. Until recently the mechanisms of action of inteferons in these diseases have remained obscure. This is despite an enormous body of work on their basic biochemical mechanisms which has laid the groundwork for much of our knowledge of how cytokines including interferons signal cells to grow, differentiate or die. Over the past fifteen years it has become apparent that our cells have the capability of recognizing specific pathogen associated molecular patterns by virtue of toll-like receptors and responding to these by producing interferons activating our innate mechanisms of defence and setting in train the acquisition of specific immunity to future exposures. This lecture will discuss how these complex pathways interact as part of an auto amplification loop that is key to survival from infectious disease and protection from malignancy.

*** This talk will be preceded by a short presentation from Dimitra Zotos,

a PhD student from The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute ***

Enter off Story Steet, GTAC is at the western end of University High School’s oval

ANZAAS Vic is pleased to acknowledge the support by GTAC, CSL and La Trobe University for the ANZAAS Melbourne science talks series

Further Info: Peter Kemeny 0409 028 165 peter.kemeny@gmail.com

http://www.anzaas.org.au/vic

_______________________________________________ ASC-list mailing list list@asc.asn.au http://www.asc.asn.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=97&Itemid=115

Free ANZAAS talk Melbourne Wed 21st July 6:30pm

All welcome, no booking needed

At: Gene Technology Access Centre, 1H Royal Parade, Parkville

Free drinks and pizza after the talk

” Architecture + Science = Innovations in Green Buildings “

John Macdonald

Director, DesignInc

John has over thirty years experience in the design and delivery of a wide range of projects, including many award winning projects in the scientific and biotech fields. He is well known for his laboratory design skills and has acted as Project Director to many major government and corporate organisations in this field.

He also has particular skills in the application of ecologically sustainable design and energy management. He is the ESD consultant to several local councils and major development groups. He is responsible for the delivery of ecologically sustainable facilities as a core business of DesignInc Melbourne. He has published widely, represented awards juries and delivered many conference papers on ecologically sustainable design.

John will talk about application of science and technology to improve the green credentials of architecture.

***Enter off Story Steet, GTAC is at the western end of University High School’s oval***

We are pleased to acknowledge the support by GTAC, CSL and La Trobe University for the ANZAAS Melbourne science talks series

Further Info: Peter Kemeny 0409 028 165 peter.kemeny@gmail.com

http://www.anzaas.org.au/vic/

_______________________________________________ ASC-list mailing list list@asc.asn.au http://www.asc.asn.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=97&Itemid=115

Free ANZAAS talk Melbourne Wed 16th June 6:30pm

All welcome, no booking needed

At: Gene Technology Access Centre, 1H Royal Parade, Parkville

Free drinks and pizza after the talk

“Photonics for a sustainable future”

Professor Min Gu Professor of Optoelectronics Centre for Micro-Photonics Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Sciences Swinburne University of Technology

The award of the 2009 Nobel Prize in physics (for revolutionary inventions of optical fibre and charge coupled cameras) reveals the unequivocal impact of photonics, a discipline in which photons are studied and used, on our everyday life, global economy and sustainable future. A sustainable future means a better environment and a healthier life. Nanophotonics, defined as nanoscale optical science and technology, is a new frontier in photonics. The nanophotonic endeavours on information technology, green energy, early cancer detection, cellular engineering, and clean water resources are providing a better environment and a healthier life to our community. In this presentation, I will present our recent nanophotonic progress on five-dimensional optical data storage, nonlinear optical endoscopy, and nanoplasmonic solar cells.

Professor Min Gu, Pro Vice-Chancellor and a University Distinguished Professor, is Director of the Centre for Micro-Photonics at Swinburne University of Technology. He is a sole author of two standard reference books and has over 500 publications in nano/biophotonics. He is a Past President of the International Society of Optics within Life Sciences and a Vice President of the International Commission for Optics. He is a member of the editorial board of 14 internationally leading journals in optical science and photonics. He is an elected Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, the Australian Institute of Physics, the Optical Society of America, the International Society for Optical Engineering and the Institute of Physics (UK).

***Enter off Story Steet, GTAC is at the western end of University High School’s oval***

These talks are supported by CSL

http://www.anzaas.org.au/

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Free ANZAAS talk Melbourne Wed 21st April 2010 6:30pm

All welcome, no booking needed

At: Gene Technology Access Centre, 1H Royal Parade, Parkville

Free drinks and pizza after the talk

“Research in Reproduction: You never know where it will take you”

2010 ANZAAS Free Science Talk- by Professor David de Kretser AC, Governor of Victoria,

At: Gene Technology Access Centre, 1H Royal Parade, Parkville Victoria 3052

Time: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Professor David de Kretser AC, Governor of Victoria

“Research in Reproduction:-You never know where it will take you”

Professor David de Kretser AC  received his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degrees from the University of Melbourne in 1962, and his Doctorate of Medicine from Monash University in 1969. His doctoral research focussed on the structure and function of the human testis.

Professor de Kretser was the founding Director of the Monash Institute of Reproduction and Development from 1991-2005, and a Professor of Anatomy of the Faculty of Medicine of Monash University since 1978. He was also Associate Dean for Biotechnology Development in the Faculty from 2002 to 2006.  In 2003, he was named a Sir John Monash Distinguished Professor. In 2000, with support form the Federal Government, Professor de Kretser initiated a highly successful program of community and professional education in male reproductive health called Andrology Australia.

Professor de Kretser’s research into reproductive biology, infertility and endocrinology has seen over 600 papers featured in national and international peer reviewed journals, with many being presented at international meetings.  Professor de Kretser has made important contributions to our understanding of how sperm and testosterone are produced and how these processes can be disturbed in infertile men. His laboratory also pioneered a program of research that resulted in the isolation of novel proteins that, in addition to controlling reproductive processes appear to have key roles in modulating the inflammatory response.

Professor de Kretser assumed office as the 28th Governor of Victoria on April 7th, 2006.

***Enter off Story Steet, GTAC is at the western end of University High School’s oval***

These talks are supported by CSL

http://www.anzaas.org.au/

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