The University of the Sunshine Coast is brimming with great science – it’s changing the way we do food, tourism, development, healthcare, environmental protection and more.
Below are just a few of USC’s researchers available to discuss their work during National Science Week from 11 to 19 August:
Koalas: USC’s team of “Chlamydians” at USC are getting to the bottom of the horrible afflictions faced by our local koalas. The team is using microbiology to find solutions.
Contact: Martina Jelocnik: 07 5456 3585, 0401 726 510, martina.jelocnik@research.usc.edu.au
Tropical diseases: Adapting the basic pregnancy test for use to rapidly detect the presence of diseases, including Zika, Ross River, dengue, Barmah Forest and Ebola. Contact: Dr Joanne Macdonald, 07 5456 5944 or jmacdon1@usc.edu.au
Environmental monitoring:
- Coastsnap: Monitoring coastal erosion using citizen science
- Teaching about drones and environmental applications, coastal mapping to combat beach erosion
- Seagrass mapping and monitoring on the Noosa River.
Contact: Dr Javier Leon: 0413 090 821, 07 5456 3405, jleon@usc.edu.au
Galip nut industry: Using Australian knowledge to grow galip nuts for a new export industry in Papua New Guinea to help people out of poverty. The nuts will eventually be made available in Australia.
Contact: Professor Helen Wallace, 07 5430 2887 or hwallace@usc.edu.au
Adolescent Brains: Researchers are recruiting 500 12-year-olds in high school to be assessed several times a year for five years. The data will be used to inform the development of youth mental health intervention and support programs.
Contact Professor Dan Hermens, USC Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience – Thompson Institute: d.hermens@usc.edu.au.
Killer starfish: Researchers are working on genome sequencing of the crown-of-thorns starfish to learn more about threats to conservation.
Contact: Associate Professor Scott Cummins, 07 5455 5501 or scummins@usc.edu.au
A comprehensive guide to USC’s current scientific research is available here.
A searchable database of researchers and their specialisations is available at USC Experts.
Media contact: Janelle Kirkland, 07 5459 4553, jkirklan@usc.edu.au.
Media enquiries: Please contact the Media Team media@usc.edu.au