A NEW LEAF OF LIFE HOME ADVANTAGE DREAM WEAVER How to change a koala’s diet Making a difference to maternal health Smart T-shirt detects sleep apnoea

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ONThe space SPACE junk tracker

inspired by nature 36351661

42807672 67200727 EDITORIAL

ON THE COVER BRINGING WORLD-CLASS

A NEW LEAF OF LIFE HOME ADVANTAGE DREAM WEAVER How to change a koala’s diet Making a diff erence to maternal health Smart T-shirt detects sleep apnoea RESEARCH TO

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ONThe space SPACE junk tracker inspired by nature 36351661 New knowledge empowers people, it encourages schemes, is helping to realise Australia’s next the open inquiry and debate crucial for addressing generation of research leaders.

42807672 67200727 the world’s most pressing issues. At Western The stories of discovery and research Sydney University our researchers are delivering translation delivered in Future-Makers are research that informs and leads this debate. exciting and intriguing but, perhaps most Western’s rigorous research, and our outstanding importantly, they are relevant to peoples’ lives. A camera that works collaborations with industry and end users, This issue reflects the often unique cross- in a similar manner confronts real world challenges. The research disciplinary and collaborative lens through which to the human eye can produced at Western is robust, transparent and, problems are viewed and research is driven at detect fast-moving importantly, reproducible. Western. The research projects discussed in space debris. In the second edition of Future-Makers this publication are wide-ranging and include: we showcase some of Western’s incisive a complementary medicine–based education Cover image: and innovative research. It is a glimpse of our program that can significantly reduce medical © Science european work that is empowering communities and interventions during childbirth; the use of space agency/ improving lives, locally, regionally and globally. biologically inspired cameras to make space safer; Science Photo Library Genuine research impact is not achieved in the development of non-intrusive methods to isolation. Western’s research is inclusive and monitor both cardiac and respiratory functions; co-designed with those beyond the University’s professional and volunteer home visiting support gates, those who know the issues through programs for families living with adversity; lived experience. and the documentation and analysis of the Western Sydney University is ranked among transformation of Sydney’s Chinatown into a the top two per cent of universities worldwide transnational, hybrid economic and cultural space with a growing international reputation as in the context of the rise of China. an impact driven, research led institution. We are delighted and proud to share these and Western’s world-leading research teams other stories arising from the excellent work by continue to attract outstanding researchers Western Sydney University’s researchers. from across the globe to add to our intellectual excellence and cutting-edge research facilities. Professor Barney Glover AO We are continuing this strategy by launching Vice-Chancellor and President new research centres that bring together and support our cohorts of research excellence and Professor Deborah Sweeney our partnerships with industry. This strategy, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President coupled with our prestigious scholarship (Research and Innovation)

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FUTURE-MAKERS 06 Grassroots support for 05 Delivering better birthing strategies a threatened habitat 1 Editorial 3 Infographic

09 Accidental trip reveals 07 Tiny tongues talking a hidden pathway 10 Surviving when water gets low

11 Recognising excellence 12 New roads to sustainable construction 13 A new leaf of life COVER STORY

15 Dream weaver 17 FEATURE: An eye on space COVER STORY COVER STORY

20 FEATURE: Blueprint for a land of droughts and flooding rains 23 FEATURE: Home advantage COVER STORY

29 How an enclave became 32 Remembering the heroes of 26 Finding the X-factor in resilience a cultural hub the Top End

WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY FUTURE-MAKERS 2 INFOGRAPHIC

WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY IN NUMBERS Located in Greater Western Sydney, one of the fastest growing regions in Australia, Western Sydney University is home to a vibrant and diverse community of staff and students.

GLOBAL RANKINGS

2018 EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH FOR 2018/2019 SUBJECT RANKINGS AUSTRALIA (ERA) NATIONAL REPORT WSU ARWU: Academic Ranking of World Universities DISCIPLINES ABOVE WORLD STANDARD QS: QS World University Rankings

ECOLOGY th in the World • Agricultural and • Applied Mathematics 39 in ARWU rankings Veterinary Sciences • Biochemistry and Cell Biology • Biological Sciences • Communication and CIVIL NURSING ENGINEERING • Complementary and Media Studies 49TH (ARWU) TOP 75 (ARWU) Alternative Medicine • Environmental Science • Cultural Studies and Management AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES EDUCATION • Ecological Applications • Human Geography TOP 75 (ARWU) TOP 75 (ARWU) • Ecology • Human Movement and • Electrical and Sports Science COMMUNICATION SOCIOLOGY Electronic Engineering • Language, Communication & MEDIA STUDIES TOP 100 (QS) TOP 100 (QS) • Environmental Sciences and Culture • Evolutionary Biology • Linguistics • Forestry Sciences • Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry • Microbiology 2018 LEIDEN RANKINGS • Materials Engineering • Nursing Western Sydney University is ranked • Mathematical Sciences • Oncology and Carcinogenesis 2nd in Australia and 109th in the TOP • Medical and Health Sciences world for research collaboration • Pharmacology and 2 Pharmaceutical Sciences • Performing Arts and Creative Writing • Plant Biology • Psychology • Soil Sciences 2018 TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION • Psychology and • Zoology Cognitive Sciences WORLD UNIVERSITYRANKINGS • Pure Mathematics • Sociology TOP • Statistics 2%

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STUDENTS STAFF ALUMNI EDUCATIONAL GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE ATTAINMENT IN FAMILY WSU ACADEMICS 60% FROM INTERNATIONAL 190,000+ 20,000+ BACKGROUNDS GRADUATES WORKING OVERSEAS IN 128 COUNTRIES

ACADEMIC STAFF 63% 48,537 COMPOSITION FIRST IN FAMILY TOTAL TO OBTAIN STUDENTS TOTAL UNIVERSITY 1,146 STAFF DEGREE RESEARCH 970 ENGAGED STAFF = 10 people

RESEARCH

TOP 5 INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATORS

COLLABORATION SCORE 1 5 3 4 1 13.3 University of Minnesota, USA 2 2 4.9 Chinese Academy of Sciences, China 3 3.7 U.S. Department of Agriculture, USA 4 3.7 King Juan Carlos University, Spain 5 2.4 Max Planck Society, Germany

based on collaboration score in the Nature Index between January 2014 – October 2018 * see www.natureindex.com for more info

HIGHER DEGREES RESEARCH WITH IMPACT RESEARCH INCOME BY RESEARCH COMPLETED A global atlas of IN LAST 5 YEARS Million$ YEAR ON YEAR the dominant bacteria 9% AVERAGE GROWTH found in soil 40 720 Journal: Science 35 792 Published: 2018 COMPLETED DEGREES * More details at: 30 (2014-2018) www.altmetric.com/details/31912411 (as of 15 March 2019) 25

20 $162M+ RESEARCH OUTPUT BY SUBJECT IN EXTERNAL RESEARCH INCOME In the Nature Index (1 Nov 2017 – 31 Oct 2018) 15

Life Sciences 20 10 Earth & Environment Sciences 17 5 Chemistry 12 45 Physical Sciences 5 ARTICLES 0 Articles in the Nature Index may appear in more that one subject category 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY FUTURE-MAKERS 4 RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

of those who also attended a two-day information session DELIVERING NEED TO KNOW about acupressure, upright BETTER BIRTHING birthing positions, breathing, relaxation techniques, massage STRATEGIES More than 50% of and how partners could support Educating pregnant women about pregnant Australian the birthing process. complementary therapies could save women choose to have “The aspects of Kate’s course millions of dollars every year. an epidural I found most helpful were the Around a third of breathing techniques for labour, Australian women have and acupressure,” says Joanna When Kate Levett public health researcher at a caesarean section — Allton. “I used acupressure prior was told, during her third Western Sydney University’s one of the highest to birth to relieve swelling in my pregnancy, that complications NICM Health Research rates in the OECD ankles, and during birth to help during her previous delivery Institute, decided to Educating expectant contractions ramp up.” meant she wouldn’t be able to test whether educating mothers about Levett found that women have an epidural during labour, women about complementary complementary attending the CTLB course she was flummoxed: “My first therapies might reduce the therapies could save experienced 45% fewer reaction was, ‘what do you rates of medical intervention the health system epidurals compared to mean? I’m already pregnant; how during childbirth. $97M each year women who only attended am I going to get this baby out?’” Thus, the Complementary the standard course; they she recalls. Therapies for Labour and Birth also had significantly lower After giving birth to her baby (CTLB) study, which included The study compared rates of caesarian sections (18% without any pharmaceutical 176 women with low-risk women’s birth experiences after vs 32%) and minor trauma to pain relief and using natural and first-time pregnancies, a standard hospital antenatal the perineal area; a significantly methods, Dr Levett, a was launched. course only, with the experience shorter ‘pushing’ stage of labour © Insung Jeon/Getty Images © Insung Jeon/Getty

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(1hr vs 1 hr 32 minutes); in the soil, as it can be rapidly and their babies were less likely GRASSROOTS depleted by nutrient-hungry to need resuscitation after birth crops. “We are working with (14% vs 29%). SUPPORT FOR Australian Steel Mill Services Around one third of to see if we can reuse the by- Australian women give birth A THREATENED product of steel production, by caesarean section, and more calcium silicate, by adding it to than 50% opt for epidural HABITAT soils. But first we have to test pain relief. Levett stresses that Ecologists go underground to investigate how ecosystems respond to such there’s nothing inherently how grass roots bear up against bugs. an intervention.” wrong with epidurals, but Climate change is at the like any medical procedure, forefront of this work. “We may there’s a risk of side-effects: Pests that feast on plant see more pest outbreaks as the “If you have an epidural, your roots are a significant threat to climate warms” said Johnson, NEED TO brain stops registering that Australia’s vulnerable grassland KNOW “and droughts have highlighted you’re in labour, and the whole habitats. Researchers have been the need for resilient crops”. process can slow down,” says investigating the ways grasses Recent studies from Johnson’s Levett. If this happens, the defend themselves against these The combined weight team suggested that higher levels chances of needing additional insidious attacks. of root-eating insects of carbon dioxide in the air medical interventions, such as Root-eating herbivores, exceeds that of sheep reduces silicon uptake by plants, synthetic oxytocin or the use of including beetles, can reduce on some pastures further weakening their defences. forceps, increases. plant productivity by up to Root-munching One solution may be to breed A follow-up study 25%, slashing crop yields and herbivores can reduce grasses to absorb more silicon. suggested that education about threatening food production. plant productivity by The future of staple food complementary therapies could Roots suck up nutrients and up to 25% crops could depend upon such also save money. The course moisture from the soil to ensure Research shows plants research. “Root feeding grubs are itself costs approximately plant re-growth and stability, so take strength from the biggest threat to the sugarcane

$149 per participant, but the the whole plant suffers when its silicon to brace them- industry” says Kevin Powell from Images Getty © Dr James Ryalls/ net saving to the healthcare roots are ravaged. Remarkably, selves against attacks Sugar Research Australia. “They system or insurers was between the combined mass of root A scarab beetle $659 to $808 per woman — herbivores can exceed that of larva. The majority mostly due to a decrease in sheep grazing on Australian of scarabs eat grass roots in their the rate of uncomplicated pastures, yet as most research larval stage. caesarean sections. focuses on above-ground Levett has recently secured defences, little was known about funding through the National how roots protect themselves. root herbivores, including the affect nearly every grower. If we Health and Medical Research Scott Johnson, a professor greyback cane grub, a member don’t find a way to protect plants Council to trial a refined at Western Sydney University, of the scarab family. “Our early against pests — and there will version of the course, now leads a multi-pronged project studies revealed how much be more of them as the climate called ‘Birth Course’, in a more that adopts an innovative and silicon was in the roots. Silicon warms — farmers will lose crops generalised population. The holistic approach to investigate strengthens plants and helps and money.” government funded project, plant self-defence. “Beetle larvae them retain water, and we found The direction of Johnson’s which seeks to reduce medical have a below-ground phase that that plants under attack took research continues to respond interventions in labour and can last up to two years” explains up extra silicon from the soil to to developments in the field of birth, will include researchers Johnson. “They chew away at defend themselves.” ecology. “We are now starting from the University of Notre plant roots until the root loses all Johnson and his team of to look at the soil microbiome,” Dame in collaboration with anchorage. This is a big problem postdoctoral scientists and PhD he says, “and how symbiotic Western Sydney University’s during droughts”. students at the Hawkesbury microbes affect nutrient uptake.” School of Medicine, In 2014, Johnson and Institute for the Environment are Harnessing natural processes School of Nursing and fellow ecologist, Dr Ben Moore, now investigating how they can to help crops defend themselves Midwifery and NICM Health tested the way in which grasses exploit silicon to protect plants. could help sustainably safeguard This research was supported by the Australian Government through the Australian Research Council. Research the Australian through Government the Australian by supported was research This This research was supported by the Australian Government through the National Health and Medical Research Council. Health and Medical Research the National through Government the Australian by supported was research This Research Institute. responded to attacks from One way is to increase silicon the future of food.

WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY FUTURE-MAKERS 6 RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

“It was really great that the TINY TONGUES programme worked across health NEED TO and education sectors to improve KNOW TALKING outcomes for kids,” Jones says. Taking a community-based approach Jones, a language researcher to early childhood language promotes LiTTLe programme who has worked with Aboriginal children’s communication and identifies encouraged communities for more than 25 hearing problems. children’s early years, was invited by Sunrise language Health to evaluate the LiTTLe development and programme through an ARC In remote communities A recent evaluation hearing abilities Linkage Grant with Macquarie east of Katherine, conducted by Western Sydney Based on research, University and the University in Australia’s Northern Territory, University researchers found the ERLI checklist, of Otago. She and colleagues Sunrise Health Service provides that the programme, staffed by comprising 120 typical interviewed many of the parents healthcare to Aboriginal local Aboriginal women, has first words and and caregivers who had taken part families. Many of the children brought significant value to gestures, was in the programme over the years. experience early, chronic otitis the community and beyond. developed for The goal was not to teach media (middle ear infection) and Associate Professor Caroline children in remote NT the children English, but to resulting hearing loss. Jones from The MARCS Institute ERLI can be used to work with whatever language In 2006, an innovative at Western Sydney University help identify children was used in their home and programme called ‘LiTTLe’ and her colleagues found the who have language local environment, including (Learning to Talk, Talking programme provided a way to and/or hearing Kriol, a creole language that to Learn) was set up by identify children experiencing problems and is the first language of many husband and wife team language difficulties caused by facilitate support at Aboriginal adults and children Fred McConnel, a local GP, and hearing problems, and connect an earlier age in remote communities in the Robin McConnel, a teacher the families with support. Katherine region. of the deaf. LiTTLe provided Nationally, the situation “It supported parents to use a space for local Aboriginal is improving but Indigenous home language with their kids,” parents and their babies and children with hearing loss still LiTTLe, some children with Jones says. toddlers to hang out, chat, typically don’t receive a hearing hearing problems were identified Parents were encouraged and play, while promoting the aid until the age of six years, earlier, and able to access to talk more to their children; children’s hearing and early compared to 12 months of age for treatment and hearing aids. for example, naming and language development. non-Indigenous children. Through Jones and colleagues have talking about things they published the lessons learned saw, and what they were from LiTTLe in the international doing. “The research around Project Officer, Eugenie journal BMC Pediatrics, helping language development shows Collyer’s daughter, Heidi, has her hearing tested to inform services for families that the input matters a lot, so by Australian Hearing and infants. the more you talk to your kids, at Wurli-Wurlinjang Aboriginal Health Service. LiTTLe was run by Sunrise and the more caring responsive Health Service — an Aboriginal language that you use with controlled primary health kids, the quicker they learn,” service — and supported by Jones says. Ian Thorpe’s Fountain for Youth, For some, this had a significant The Honda Foundation, and positive impact. Jones describes Communities for Children, one child who wasn’t talking much with The Smith Family as at all when they started attending Facilitating Partner. The the sessions, causing his parents programme was tuned to local concern. With encouragement languages and dialects, and for from staff, the parents started eight years, it provided a vital talking more to the little boy, service to remote communities which led to a major improvement

east of Katherine. in his language skills. Council. Research the Australian through Government the Australian by supported was research This

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Researcher Jaidine Fejo and her daughter

For some parents, simply “WE WANT “For instance, a child might Aboriginal Corporation to trial meeting up with other parents know the word ‘dog’ in English, the checklists as a package to and giving their child the chance TO WORK but they might also know it in identify children with language to play was enough. “It was good WITH PARENTS Kriol or a traditional language, or and hearing challenges. This all the way,” says one mother AND SEE IF even in a language from another project is funded by the ARC interviewed by Jones’ team. part of the world, so the checklist Centre of Excellence for the “When I brought her along every IT’S POSSIBLE allows parents to report on their Dynamics of Language of which morning, she loved playing, TO PROVIDE progress in learning to talk,” Jones Western is a partner, and has talking, and having fun.” SUPPORT AT says. “The checklist respects the recently received support to Other parents and parent as the expert on their Australian Hearing, NAL from caregivers were keen to get the MUCH child, at age 0-3 years, when the Prime Minister & Cabinet. children familiar with a school EARLIER AGES.” parent knows most about the “We want to use the checklists environment and processes. “It child’s language development”. to find the kids who have hearing was good to bring kids to the Jaidine Fejo and Chantelle That checklist has attracted and language problems earlier school, to let them learn, so Khamchuang, have used the attention of Australian in life, work with the parents when they are four or five they what they learned during the Hearing and National Acoustic collaboratively, and see if it’s can go to Transition [the first LiTTLe evaluation process to Laboratories (NAL), keen to possible to provide support at compulsory year of schooling, develop a practical tool, the validate their own hearing much earlier ages,” explains similar to Kindergarten],” another ERLI (Early Remote Language checklists against the ERLI Jones. “Our next step is providing interviewee told the researchers. Inventory), a checklist of language measure. Together, and evaluating training for Jones and her team, including 120 typical first words and they have recently partnered with professionals in early childhood project officer, Eugenie Collyer, gestures for children in that Wurli-Wurlinjang Aboriginal health and education to use the and Aboriginal researchers, multi-lingual region. Health Service and Tharawal checklists themselves.”

WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY FUTURE-MAKERS 8 RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

CLINICAL COLLABORATION ACCIDENTAL To examine the clinical relevance NEED TO KNOW of SMG1 activity, Roberts and her TRIP REVEALS PhD student, Patricia Rebeiro, A HIDDEN PATHWAY collaborated with haematolo- The enzyme encoded gists from Liverpool Hospital, An unexpected discovery could lead by SMG1 regulates and biobank managers from the to new predictive biomarkers of drug inflammatory Cancer Institute NSW’s Centre response for cancer patients. responses for Oncology Education and Re- The loss of SMG1 search Translation (CONCERT) could make cancers to collect blood samples from An immunologist by she landed a job at Western more susceptible to patients with chronic lympho- training, Dr Tara Roberts Sydney University with a dual mTOR-targeted cytic leukaemia, a slow-growing wasn’t planning to study cancer. appointment at the Ingham drugs now in cancer that affects a type of white In an effort to find out how genes Institute for Applied Medical clinical testing blood cell. affect cellular responses to DNA Research, where she created An interferon inducing They found that around a damage, she engineered mice the Cancer and Inflammation pathway can affect third of these patients had no to have only one working copy research group that would whether cancer detectable levels of the protein of a gene called SMG1, and was apply immunological expertise patients respond to encoded by the SMG1 gene in surprised to find a dramatic to oncology. immunotherapy drugs their bloodstream. What’s more, increase in the incidence of lung Her team’s first order of in these same patients, cancer tumours and blood cancers. “It business: determining how exactly cells showed signs of increased was one of those serendipitous SMG1 is implicated in tumour mTOR signaling. That suggested discoveries,” says Roberts, who growth. As Roberts reported at SMG1 resulted in elevated levels the loss of SMG1 could make published her findings in 2013 major cancer meetings last year of a critical protein complex called cancers more susceptible to in the Proceedings of the National in Australia, Europe and the mTOR, one with known links mTOR-blocking agents, a premise Academy of Sciences of the United United States, her group showed to aberrant signaling pathways supported by preliminary lab tests States of America. A year later, that in cell lines, the loss of involved in cancer proliferation. on patient samples. Roberts and her colleagues exposed cancer cells to an experimental mTOR-targeted drug called sapanisertib, now in mid-stage clinical trials. They discovered that, among cells lacking SMG1 activity, “there was more growth suppression and cancer cell death in response to mTOR inhibition,” Roberts says. This finding could have significant impact, notes study co-author, and CONCERT programme manager, Nicole Caixeiro, who credits Roberts’ multi-disciplinary training and openness to collaboration for making the project possible. “Roberts is one of those basic scientists who appreciates the importance of research that is inclusive and calls upon all different health professionals,”

Caixeiro says. Images Images; © puruan/ Getty Getty LIBRARY/ PHOTO KON/SCIENCE © KATERYNA

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COMMON PATHWAYS

Before coming to Western, Roberts had also been studying the role of inflammation in ataxia telangiectasia, a neurodegenerative brain disorder caused by mutations in a gene called ATM. In rat models, she and her colleagues from the University of Gauthey © Alice The legacy of a mass die-off of mangroves in the Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia. In one of the worst instances of Queensland showed mangrove forest dieback recorded globally, more than 7,000 hectares of mangroves died suddenly after a period of that the loss of ATM extreme temperature and drought in the summer of 2015-16. leads to the activation of an immune signaling molecule, SURVIVING NEED TO called interferon, KNOW that underpins WHEN WATER neuroinflammation in the brain. GETS LOW Droughts prevent Bringing her research Scientists from Western Sydney efficient transport full circle, this same University are helping policy-makers of water to leaves interferon inducing plan for climate change. Western researchers pathway was shown are trying to to determine a cancer understand patient’s response to Recent droughts and Choat. “Droughts cause a the physiological the latest life-saving heatwave conditions reduction in soil moisture mechanisms behind immunotherapy in northern Australia have and increased evaporation, drought tolerance drugs. Roberts is now led to the death of more than causing blockages in the xylem This could lead examining how this 7,000 hectares of mangrove and preventing the efficient to better forest may be exploited to forests. Brendan Choat, transport of water to leaves, management determine the best an associate professor at leading to a decline in the tree’s in the face of treatment for individual Western Sydney University, canopy cover.” extreme climate cancer patients. is investigating the Supported by an Australian physiological underpinnings Research Council Discovery of this widespread die-off. grant, Choat, along with Science Division at Understanding this is essential colleagues from the University’s the NSW Office of for predicting forest mortality Hawkesbury Institute for Environment and Heritage and better managing the risk the Environment are examining says: “Brendan’s work will to natural ecosystems posed by water and carbon uptake help us to identify which tree drought and extreme climate. under drought conditions, and species are at most risk from “Trees use an intricate the ability of vascular tissues water scarcity, allowing us plumbing system of hollow like xylem and stomata to to predict where problems tissues, called xylem, to lift withstand desiccation. may arise and leading to large volumes of water to their Dr Tony Auld from the better management of forests

This project was funded by the Cancer Institute New South Wales. New Institute the Cancer funded by was project This canopies from the soil,” explains Ecosystem Management and woodlands.” Foundation.. Science Pacific and the Australia Council, Research the Australian through Government the Australian by supported was research This

WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY FUTURE-MAKERS 10 (Left-right) Lynn Kemp and Greg Cohen.

Early Career Researcher award. Her Maternal Early RECOGNISING “It’s great to get an award for Childhood Sustained Home doing something different or visiting programme, or EXCELLENCE difficult. It’s really nice to have that ‘MECSH’, involves family and Western Sydney University research acknowledged.” child health nurses visiting excellence awards are given to the best He attributes much of his pregnant women at home for of a stellar spread of work. success to the conditions at eight weeks before birth, and Western. “It’s a great working for the first two years of their environment, from my child’s life. As well as meeting colleagues working in the lab, their physical developmental From detecting fast-moving way the brain processes signals right up to the people who milestones, children from the pieces of space junk, to helping — at the University’s MARCS make the decisions at the top. trial MECSH cohort consistently children reach their full potential, Institute for Brain, Behaviour It’s been a fantastic experience. met or exceeded the national two award-winning Western and Development. And I don’t think you get this average in school performance, Sydney University researchers “Western gave me the freedom anywhere else.” indicating the programme’s exemplify the diversity of study to try things and to do things This is a sentiment echoed by long-term impact. being undertaken at the University. differently. Particularly in an area Distinguished Professor Lynn Kemp joined the University in “Two years ago, it sounded of research that I didn’t think Kemp, from the School of Nursing 2015 as the Director of the School crazy,” recalls Associate Professor would be easy to get support for,” and Midwifery. “Everyone at of Nursing and Midwifery’s Greg Cohen of his idea to use explains Cohen. Western has a ‘can do’ attitude — Translational Research and Social biologically-inspired cameras to That freedom paid off, and he they recognise that what we do in Innovation team. At Western track space debris as it travelled has since received funding from the world matters.” her work has flourished, leading around the Earth (full story p17). both the Royal Australian Air A leader in the field of to her being named Researcher But fortunately, Western didn’t Force, and the United States Air community-based early of the Year for 2018. think so. Force to continue exploring the childhood interventions, Kemp’s “It’s just so wonderful to be In January 2017, Cohen application of these cameras for work has made a difference to recognised by my colleagues and began his postdoctoral space traffic management and the lives of more than 20,000 the University for the work we’re fellowship in neuromorphic space situational awareness. families in New South Wales, doing and the impact that we’re engineering — a field of electrical Cohen was thrilled to receive and some as far away as Seoul, making for families and children engineering inspired by the WSU’s 2018 Excellence as an South Korea (full story p23). across the world,” says Kemp.

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done by spraying water on dusty use other binders,” Abtahi NEW ROADS TO surfaces — but vast quantities of says. He is developing concrete water, often delivered by truck, based on heavy industry waste SUSTAINABLE are required. materials such as fly ash, slag CONSTRUCTION “Our alternative is a water- and clay, known collectively based, environmentally friendly as ‘geopolymers’. Polymers could reduce the environmental polymer spray that forms a Whereas cement is calcium- footprint of heavy industries, while improving durable film that traps the dust,” based, these geopolymers are health outcomes for workers. Abtahi says. “You only have to rich in aluminium and silicate. spray it once.” The key to making a geopolymer Another dust source at mines concrete is to mimic the It was fossil hunting is that stirred up by heavy vehicles chemical bonds that form when during his childhood in Iran that NEED TO on the dirt roads. Abtahi has cement is mixed with water. set Dr Bob Abtahi on the road to KNOW developed a polymer formulation Abtahi is tapping his expertise scientific research and discovery. for that too. “By using a polymer with regular polymers, which he “My father and his cousin would coating to hold the surface is adding to the mix to improve take me to river banks and Polymers are together, I can make a temporary the concrete’s final properties. mountain slopes, often carrying substances made up of road,” he says. The polymer’s “Not many people have tried me on their backs,” recalls the repeating chemical units makeup can be tailored so that the using polymers to modify Western Sydney University Polymers can be used sun’s UV rays break it down after a geopolymers,” he says. research fellow. to suppress dust in predetermined time, and the road The research forms part of What caught young Abtahi’s the mining industry is reclaimed by the bush. a project Abtahi is working on attention was not the fossils Geopolymers based on with building materials company themselves, but his cousin’s wish fly ash could be used in NOT JUST CARBON James Hardie. “Bob’s enthusiasm that a temporary plastic coating eco-friendly concrete When most people think for the technologies he is could be invented that could of polymers, carbon-based involved with is infectious, and protect the day’s delicate finds materials come to mind. But we have found the experience of during the trek home. The world friendly concretes, and polymer Abtahi’s research at Western’s working with him and WSU to of polymer materials the adults coatings that contain dangerous Centre for Infrastructure be constructive and rewarding,” described, from hard plastic tools, dust on mining sites. Engineering has begun to their spokesperson says. to the rubbery soles of his shoes, The re-emergence of the investigate the potential of other Objects made from plastics had Abtahi hooked. incurable and often fatal ‘black types of polymers for application and other polymers have become Today, Abtahi’s research on lung’ disease, or coal workers’ in cement-free environmentally so ubiquitous in modern life, these highly versatile materials is pneumoconiosis, among friendly concrete. it is easy to forget what world- focused on their potential to clean Australian miners highlights the “To make 1 tonne of changing materials they are.

up heavy industry in applications critical importance of dampening cement, almost 1 tonne of CO2 Abtahi’s research is a reminder of

© doug steley / Alamy Stock Photo Stock / Alamy © doug steley such as polymers used in eco- dust in mining. That’s currently emissions are created — so let’s their potential.

WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY FUTURE-MAKERS 12 RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

preferred food tree, most individ- NEED TO uals didn’t switch to feeding on KNOW the less preferred messmate (E. A GUT obliqua) trees nearby. He realised that even though Researchers have koalas can survive on both FEELING profiled the gut manna gum and messmate leaves, Crucial work to understand bacteria of koalas they seemed to be selective about Research found that the gut bacteria of koalas is raising the exact species of gum leaf they gut bacteria ate, creating a situation where the possibility of a new treatment communities can be koalas could be surrounded by for hospitalised koalas, which artificially altered edible gum leaves, yet starve to could enhance survival rates of Probiotic pills for sick death. Moore wondered whether this vulnerable species. koalas could be their microbiome played a role. derived from this work He and Blyton designed an experiment to test whether koala feeding had any relationship to South Wales, Queensland and their gut bacteria. Along with When koala, Bingara a research fellow at Western the Australian Capital Territory, collaborators, they captured Liz was admitted to the Port Sydney University’s Hawkesbury the survival rate of koala hospital koalas from a manna gum forest Macquarie Koala Hospital, she Institute for the Environment. patients is critical to the species’ and kept them for two months, was in a bad way. Suffering “The assumption has always success in those states. collecting their faeces and from a severe case of chlamydia, been that the antibiotic treatment Moore and Blyton have running DNA sequencing on it her eyes were red and almost has wiped out their useful gut been profiling the diversity, to identify the resident bacterial swollen shut. She was put on a bacteria and they’re not digesting abundance and activity of koala species and their functions. course of intravenous and topical appropriately, they stop eating, intestinal bacteria revealing an By night, the marsupials antibiotics to treat the infection. and they just go downhill.” astonishing, complex relationship were given an abundance of Liz is just one of many koalas between koalas, their food and messmate leaves; by day, they (Phascolarctos cinereus) treated “IT’S their microbes. They found were offered manna gum to in wildlife hospitals every year. that the microbial community ensure they would still feed. The Australian Koala Foundation IMPORTANT of a koala’s intestine can be For nine days, the animals estimates perhaps 20,000 koalas IN TERMS OF artificially altered. were also administered two have been treated in facilities like CONSERVATION Moore started down the daily probiotic pills. Some the Koala Hospital since the mid- unusual path of examining koala were dosed with the bacteria 1990s. As few as one fifth survive BIOLOGY, NOT faeces because he noticed that extracted from the faeces of their treatment. JUST HELPING when koalas overbrowsed manna messmate-eating koalas living “They’ll be on the antibiotic A FEW LITTLE gum (Eucalyptus viminalis), their in the wild that had been and the chlamydia will be starting to clear up but then the animal ANIMALS crashes,” says Dr Michaela Blyton, THAT ARE SICK ON THE SIDELINES”

Research from Blyton, and her colleague, Dr Ben Moore could lead to a new treatment for koalas to counter the harmful effects of the antibiotics, boosting their chance of survival. Koala faeces being analysed. With the animal listed as

threatened or vulnerable in New Council. Research the Australian through Government the Australian by supported was research This

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previously caught and fitted with radio tracking collars, others were inoculated with their own manna-gum-conditioned bacterial community. When Blyton looked at the results of the DNA sequencing she found that five out of six koalas’ microbiomes were changed by their messmate diet and probiotic course. “Some shifted a lot, while others shifted a bit: their microbiomes became more similar to those of the messmate-eating donors,” she says. Curiously, the researchers also found that the degree of change in the microbiome determined how much messmate they ate. “The more the microbiome shifted, the more messmate an animal was willing to eat,” says Blyton. The researchers are now exploring the possibilities for koala microbiome manipulation in more depth. While Bingara Liz survived, many koalas don’t. The researchers say their work could lead to a koala-specific probiotic pill to help maintain the delicate balance of intestinal flora during and after a course of antibiotics. “It’s important in terms of conservation biology, not just helping a few little animals that are sick on the sidelines,” says Moore. “There’s enough seriously threatened koala populations in New South Wales and Queensland where a substantial part of the population is coming into care. Losing those animals from the population is actually dooming the survival of those populations in the wild. We need to get them out of the hospital and back into those wild populations.”

WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY FUTURE-MAKERS 14 RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

invasive procedure that requires using — silicon rubber bands patients spending a night in a doped with silver or carbon — sleep laboratory with electrodes were sensitive enough to pick on their body and catheters run up minute volume changes in REALISING down their nose and throat. These the limbs or chest due to the single-night sleep studies give no blood pulsing underneath the indication of how behavioural stretched sensors. A DREAM factors, such as alcohol intake, Place a hand on your chest or environmental factors, such and you’ll notice it expand and as pollen count, might influence contract with every breath, as TECHNOLOGY sleep apnoea from night to night. well as the smaller fluctuations Tackling the condition of sleep apnoea of your heartbeat. Sewn into the could be as simple as slipping on a T-shirt “AS VitalCore T-shirt, Breen and developed by Western Sydney University RESEARCHERS, Gargiulo’s sensor strips wrap researchers. around the torso. A low current WE WANT fed through the sensors by a TO WORK ON battery produces a voltage, and as STUFF THAT the wearer breathes or their heart beats, the sensors stretch and the LOOKS LIKE voltage changes. Unbuttoning his shirt people with sleep disorders THE FUTURE. during a presentation around the world. VITALCORE SLEEPING EASY was not the way Dr Gaetano Gargiulo and fellow “It’s like a second skin,” Breen Gargiulo imagined he would engineer, Associate Professor LOOKS LIKE explains. “The sensors move with launch a new medical device. But Paul Breen from Western THE FUTURE.” the skin to capture the very small- as the Western Sydney University Sydney University’s MARCS est of fluctuations.” Next-gener- biomedical engineer revealed Institute for Brain, Behaviour “The VitalCore alternative is ation Bluetooth technology then the prototype he wore beneath and Development, introduced so simple, we had a hard time relays the sensor’s voltage data — a seemingly simple T-shirt — their ‘VitalCore’ technology at explaining it to other engineers,” to an app which analyses the he both captivated his audience the industry pitch evening of Gargiulo says. The researchers signals to reveal how often the and potentially brought relief for the 2014 NSW Medical Device had been investigating a new wearer breathes, the volume of Commercialisation Training method for monitoring blood their breaths and how often they Programme. Now funded by a flow when they discovered that swallow — providing a snapshot Cooperative Research Centre the sensors strips they were of disturbance during sleep. NEED TO project grant of $10 million-plus, KNOW Gargiulo, Breen and the VitalCore team are set to transform how researchers understand sleep. More than a million In Australia, more than a people suffer from million people suffer from sleep sleep apnoea apnoea, a disorder in which in Australia the throat briefly closes during Sleep apnoea is sleep, forcing someone to gasp typically diagnosed via for air several times every hour. a laboratory sleep study The condition disrupts regular VitalCore is a T-shirt sleeping patterns and, if not that can monitor a treated correctly, can lead to person’s sleep in their high blood pressure, irregular own home The sensors heartbeat, diabetes, and stroke. continuously over embedded in Currently, doctors diagnose the VitalCore multiple nights can detect tiny sleep apnoea and monitor changes

treatments via a sleep study, an in blood flow. © Michael Amendolia

15 FUTURE-MAKERS Issue 2 | MARCH 2019 FUTURE-MAKERS

Gaetano Gargiulo (left) and Paul Breen examine VitalCore technology.

To begin an at-home sleep working with Oventus Medical, Eckert, who has been studying the revolutionary technology study, a patient simply slips on CSIRO and Neuroscience sleep and respiration for more could have several other the VitalCore T-shirt, switches on Research Australia (NeuRA) than 15 years, says that while medical applications, and may an app and goes to sleep. to refine the prototype and run VitalCore is still in its early days, even one day be used by elite To commercialise VitalCore, clinical trials. initial results are promising. He athletes to track performance in Gargiulo and Breen licenced Danny Eckert is leading sees the technology as “a really real time. the technology to Medical the VitalCore clinical trials at powerful research tool, given how “Our technology is really Monitoring Solutions, led by NeuRA. “I’m excited about rolling easy it is to use and wear”. invisible – that’s where I think we Neil Anderson, the former CEO out studies that we typically do in For now, Breen and Gargiulo have the edge,” says Breen. “As of medical devices company, the lab into the home to get some are focusing on developing researchers, we want to work on Oventus Medical. The team work insights on how treatments are the VitalCore for monitoring stuff that looks like the future.

This project was funded through a Cooperative Research Centre Project Grant. Project Centre Research a Cooperative funded through was project This closely with this company and are going over time,” he says. sleep apnoea. But they say VitalCore looks like the future.”

WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY FUTURE-MAKERS 16 FEATURE STORY

Associate Professor Greg Cohen at the MARCS Institute.

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FOCUSING ON SPACE JUNK Biologically-inspired cameras can track satellites that even the best optical telescope cannot, thanks to Western Sydney University’s revolutionary, world-first approach to space imaging.

Greg Cohen vividly camera was designed to mimic After graduating, he worked laughs Cohen. Still dissatisfied, recalls the moment that the way the eye works. for a while as an engineer, but, six years ago he embarked on changed the course of his career. Now, Cohen in collaboration feeling restless, decided to study a PhD, jointly at Western and He and his colleagues were with one of his former PhD finance and tried working in at the University Pierre and star-gazing through a telescope supervisors, Professor Andre share portfolio management Marie Curie in Paris, in the rigged with a prototype camera van Schaik and the team at the for a while. “It was a disaster,” intriguingly-named field of that they were working on in newly formed International neuromorphic engineering, his engineering lab at Western Centre for Neuromorphic which involves developing Sydney University’s MARCS Systems are developing their biologically-inspired electronics. Institute for Brain, Behaviour biologically-inspired imaging NEED TO It was during his PhD that and Development. Suddenly, the systems to track the space junk KNOW Cohen started working on camera picked up a mysterious zooming around, in danger cameras being designed by his bright object streaking across of crashing into Earth. The Biologically-inspired lab-mates. Dubbed “silicon the sky. “It was spectacular,” technology could also be used cameras can track retinas”, these cameras borrow says Cohen. to spot asteroids on a collision speeding satellites by the abilities of the human The team realised that course with our planet, and for mimicking how eye. Normal cameras, Cohen Cohen’s camera had captured a navigation by spacecraft, drones, an eye works explains, can be relatively satellite speeding across the sky and submersibles. Tracking and inefficient for tracking the in real-time. Standard cameras Cohen concedes that his managing debris motion of specific objects, for — even the sophisticated models path into space-tracking was in space is critical instance, because they are built used by professional astronomers a bit unusual. Born in South in ensuring both to capture everything in a scene. — can’t perform this feat as Africa, he originally applied future space travel and The hope is that there will be satellites are simply too fast to the University of Cape communications enough visual information to register as they pass by. But Town to study medicine, but on Earth recorded in the photograph for rather than snapping images in was instead accepted into an our eyes to figure out what was

© Michael Amendolia; © Madmaxer/ Getty Images; © releon8211/ Getty Images Getty Images; © releon8211/ Getty © Michael Amendolia; Madmaxer/ the conventional way, Cohen’s electrical engineering course. going on. “Biological eyes don’t

WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY FUTURE-MAKERS 18 FEATURE STORY

work like that — they don’t see pinning us to the planet. Such do this because its individual ideal for putting into orbit or what they don’t need to see,” a ring of debris would also pixels do not image background at a remote sensing site,” says says Cohen. Rather, animal disrupt global communications, daylight superfluously, so they Henry. He hopes that they may eyes are highly refined and wireless internet, military do not become saturated. be able to use the technology to have adapted to see only things intelligence and a host of other Today, the gold-standard start to build a critical network pertinent to their survival and applications that rely on satellites for tracking satellites is radar, of sensors. to the functions they need to Most exciting for Cohen is perform. “Biology is much more that these benefits were found careful about extracting only using general prototypes of the the information that it needs,” camera — which were originally says Cohen. built by the first generation With that alternative of neuromorphic researchers, paradigm for image capturing in and are now produced by mind, Cohen, with his colleague, companies in France and in Saeed Afshar, has been working Switzerland, to help investigate with cameras that are made up how the eye works, rather of a grid of independent pixels than specifically for space that each work like photo- applications. His WSU team is receptors in the eye. Rather than now tailoring the designs and the photographing static images, the processing algorithms for space pixels only fire when they see tracking to see how much better movement. It’s this quality that they will perform. makes them ideal for tracking Cohen is also in talks fast-moving satellites in real with NASA and ESA scientists time, which, as Cohen explains, about using the cameras for is a crucial application, given deep space navigation. They our reliance on satellites for could potentially be placed One of the communications and GPS. When bio-inspired on orbital stations to look for old satellites are eventually cameras used in early signs of asteroids veering Cohen’s work. abandoned and left to float in dangerously close to Earth. space, they become potentially Cohen also hopes that the dangerous junk. cameras could one day find “We’ve been launching things to function. Though we’re a their way on to autonomous into space for just over 60 years long way from that, the issue of vehicles and drones, and be now,” Cohen notes. “It’s getting space safety is taken seriously, “WE’VE BEEN used by submersibles for crowded up there.” That means notes wing commander LAUNCHING underwater searches. that the chance of collisions Steven Henry, the deputy THINGS INTO The take-home message, between satellites is high — and director of space surveillance SPACE FOR JUST according to Cohen, which when satellites crash, they break with the Royal Australian Air OVER 60 YEARS inspired him to come up apart. The International Space Force, which is supporting NOW. IT’S GETTING with these applications for silicon Station is regularly struck by Cohen’s project. “There are CROWDED UP retinas in the first place, is that such debris, moving at bullet more and more satellites, so engineers still have much to speed, with larger objects the debris has increased,” says THERE.” learn from biology. “I can have able to puncture a hole in the Henry. “We can’t go on without a sandwich for breakfast and station’s side. paying attention.” then do tasks that high-powered The doomsday scenario For Henry, a major attraction which works in the day and computers and robots can’t do — — outlined in the 1970s and of the silicon-retina camera at night, but is power-hungry and I do them faster, and far more known as the Kessler syndrome is that it doesn’t just pick out and expensive. By contrast, reliably, using far less power,” says — is that a ring of high-speed satellites at night, but also during because the pixels only fire Cohen. “Clearly biology is doing junk will build up around the day — something even the when necessary, Cohen’s camera things in a completely different, Earth, making it too dangerous best optical telescope systems drains very little power, which but far more effective and efficient for us to launch craft into space, cannot do. The camera can is another advantage. “That’s way, than today’s electronics.” © Michael Amendolia

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Professor Sally Power at the PACE facility.

BLUEPRINT FOR A LAND OF DROUGHTS AND FLOODING RAINS ‘Stress testing’ pasture plant species to help safeguard Australia’s

© Michael Amendolia livestock and dairy industries.

WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY FUTURE-MAKERS 20 FEATURE STORY

The PACE facility at WSU’s Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment.

conditions for pasture production PACE, which involves how well pasture species perform NEED TO may be considered ‘normal’ by 12 faculty members, three when exposed to warmer, drier KNOW the middle of this century,” says postdoctoral researchers and four conditions, and understanding Professor Sally Power, leader of PhD students, is investigating the what biological characteristics Western’s Pastures and Climate response of widespread pasture influence species’ climate PACE measures Extremes (PACE) project. grasses, including fescue, ryegrass sensitivity. We are also interested the response of Climatologists warn that and phalaris, and legumes, such in how the seasonal timing of widespread pasture the severity and the frequency as alfalfa, (also known as lucerne) growth and plant nutritional plant species to of extreme weather events will to extreme climate conditions, quality are affected by more extreme climate increase as the planet warms. including heatwaves, droughts and extreme climates.” conditions In Australia, these events are changes in rainfall regimes. This Early results indicate likely to include intense heatwaves, innovative project will help ensure SETTING THE PACE that warmer conditions longer droughts and more the long-term sustainability of The PACE field facility is located may not be as good for frequent flooding, along with a Australia’s pasture grazing systems. at the University’s Hawkesbury cool-season pasture more variable and less predictable “We know too little about Institute for the Environment. productivity as we climate. As a result, Australia’s the likely impact of climate It includes six large polytunnels, might expect natural and managed ecosystems, change and climate variability on each divided into eight plots. The PACE project is including pasturelands, will Australia’s pasturelands. PACE Each plot is further sub-divided exploring ways to ensure be exposed to unprecedented should provide important answers, into four sub-plots, resulting the sustainability of the combinations of heat- and helping to ensure the future in a total of 192 experimental livestock, wool, meat water-stress. sustainability of the livestock, planting areas. Some of these and dairy industries This could spell trouble for wool, meat and dairy industries,” plots are warmed using infra- Australia’s dairy and livestock says Power. red heat lamps, and because farmers. Cattle and sheep need a Power has long investigated natural rainfall is prevented from ‘Extreme’ could become reliable and consistent supply of the effect of human activities reaching the experimental plots, the new normal for pastoral high-quality forage, consisting on plants, as well as ecosystem researchers can experimentally conditions within the next mainly of grasses and legumes. functioning and sustainability. manipulate rainfall patterns by 30 years, an ecologist at Western A future, more extreme climate, PACE fits well within this artificial irrigation. Sydney University predicts. including changes in seasonal research agenda. “The set-up will allow us “Due to climate change, what rainfall patterns, could disrupt “The project is multi-faceted,” to ‘stress test’ pasture species we today perceive as ‘extreme’ this supply. says Power, “We are interested in by exposing them to climate © Michael Amendolia

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ECONOMIC The red meat and livestock IMPACT industry $18.4 billion Dairy industry In September 2018, $3.7 billion Australia’s Red Meat Advisory Council unveiled its ‘State of the Industry Report 2018’, compiled by Meat and = Roughly $0.2billion Livestock Australia. The report notes that the red meat and livestock industry employs well over 400,000 Australians, either directly or indirectly, and that it contributed $18.4 billion to Australia’s economy in the 2016/17 financial year alone. The dairy industry contributed $3.7 billion over the same period, according to Dairy Australia figures, while the value of Australian wool exports in 2016-17 was estimated to be around $3.6 billion.

conditions predicted for the end of began in April 2018, and a requirements, which is critical to the century,” says research fellow, seasonal drought treatment our sustainability.” Dr Amy Churchill. “For example, commenced in June, at the “WE KNOW TOO Dairy Australia anticipates we are exploring the effects of beginning of the winter season. LITTLE ABOUT that PACE will improve warming and drought during PACE has already revealed THE LIKELY understanding of the impact of the crucial winter and spring intriguing findings: “Winter IMPACT OF changing climate and extreme growth periods.” 2018 was our first opportunity CLIMATE CHANGE weather on the feedbase required “Ours is a holistic approach,” to examine pasture responses AND CLIMATE for milk production. But it is explains Power, “PACE provides to the combination of drought VARIABILITY also looking to future-proof the opportunity to go beyond and warming conditions,” says itself. It is interested to learn, for plant-level studies, allowing us, for Power, “As expected, we found ON AUSTRALIA’S example, what species will thrive example, to delve into the role of that reduced rainfall in winter PASTURELANDS. under climate extremes and that plant-microbe interactions, and to and spring greatly reduced the PACE SHOULD could potentially be introduced assess what happens at the plant- growth of most pasture species. PROVIDE to pasture-based dairy systems, soil interface. By undertaking We thought that warming might IMPORTANT as well as the reasons for their detailed studies of above- and increase cool-season activity ANSWERS.” survival. “This knowledge will below-ground responses to across the board, but what we contribute to solutions for future warming and drought treatments, actually found is that increased air dairy production under climate we hope to uncover mechanisms temperature can have positive and and Livestock Australia (MLA) extremes,” says Catherine Lescun, underlying climate sensitivity and negative effects on productivity, and Dairy Australia. the programme development resilience in pasture species.” depending on species. Early “Australia is a land of drought manager of feedbase and animal The core facility was completed indications are that warming can and flooding rains,” says Doug nutrition at Dairy Australia. in 2017. Warming treatments exacerbate the effects of drought McNicholl, supply chain Power agrees. “Ultimately,” she through increased water stress, sustainability innovation manager says, “PACE should inform the implying that warmer conditions at MLA, “The impact of these development of adaptation strate- may not be as great for cool- events determines the economic, gies, including new management season pasture productivity as we social and environmental practices, aimed at ensuring the might predict.” sustainability of the red meat long-term sustainability of Aus- The PACE facility and research and livestock industry. PACE tralia’s pasture grazing systems, This research was supported by the Australian Government through the Australian Research Council. Research the Australian through Government the Australian by supported was research This programme is co-funded by provides industry with the ability and reducing industry exposure to Western Sydney University, Meat to consider future feedbase climate-related risk.”

FUTURE-MAKERS 22 FEATURE STORY

HELPING CHILDREN REACH THEIR POTENTIAL A maternal visiting programme developed in Western Sydney is helping children in Australia, and around the world, thrive.

Distinguished Professor Lynn Kemp, Director of the School of Nursing and Midwifery’s Translational Research and Social Innovation team.

23 FUTURE-MAKERS Issue 2 | MARCH 2019 This research was supported by the Australian Government through the Australian Research Council and the National Health and Medical Research Council. © Michael Amendolia WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY nurse coming to my home. and Ihad weigh-ins,the while appointments to go to doctors the mothers’ group had to make all other women “The recalls. in my scheme,” home visit of the she acute. more fourhad died years earlier, feel of support from her mother, who it because time made absence the first pregnancy was an emotional father and sister, Tina says her west Sydney. Macarthur region, insouth- for Aboriginal families inthe visiting (MECSH) programme Sustained HomeChildhood baby’) Maternal Early (‘healthy pregnancy, healthy to join Bulundidi the Gudaga baby, Tina was approached impact around globe. the programme that is making an family nurse health home visit involvement inaunique child and parenting, due is partly to her Tina’swell as confidence in her engagement with learning, as thrived. has firstdays of life inintensivecare, that her daughter, spent who the age of considers seven it amiracle mother of three girls under the Tina The recalls. Indigenous her writing, she’ssee amazing’,” by Mindy’s work and said, ‘You efforts. academic an honour badge for her assemblythe stage to receive watching, on she to was called With her proud mother Tina School, Mindy Taylor is flying. at Campbelltown North Public In her first year schoolof Before of birth the her first Mindy’s and health, principal was “The blown away “It was first the I’d heard Although she had her husband,

difficult circumstances. MECSH wasin born like Mindy. visit programme for children benefitswitnessed the the of home founderthe of MECSH, she has and translational research. As andprimary community health interventionsearly childhood in international field inthe leader of of Nursing Lynn Kemp, an University Distinguished Professor tosurprise Western Sydney retelling it,” she says. my Ididn’t so story have to keep at home withknew achild. They itbecause is quite lonely being visit and to was them great talking traumatic “Having birth. them an emergency caesarean and havinghealth, through been for critical also Tina’s mental early days of Mindy’s life were mothers’ stories.” having ababy until Iheard other I didn’t how realise it easy made The weekly homevisits the in Like manyLike of its clients, Tina’s reflections are no programme KNOW NEED TO

It hashelpedaround It isembeddedinto MECSH stands for the USandSouthKorea Australia, theUK, 15,000 families across their capabilities and buildsup existing services Home visiting Childhood Sustained Maternal Early at drivers.” the were kids because throwing rocks “Even Pizza Hut wouldn’t deliver area down,” closed Kemp recalls. moved, and only the GPinthe shut down, station police the firebombed, most the of shops community centre health got west of Sydney’s CBD. suburb of Miller, just south- 38km region of 2168that centered on the Sydneyfractured inthe postcode structures were some societal MECSH would better ifit be was programmes: “I that realised differentiates MECSHfrom other key approach the devised that nurses,”health says Kemp. She were child and the family people getting door inthe children aged up to two years. and wellbeing outcomes for finding ways to improve health Kempwhich was tasked with for community solutions, under Government money allocated fragmentation, NSW the retained trust. their families living area, inthe and continued to have access to child and family nurses health I HEARDOTHER “There was unrest. The local was unrest.“There local The By end the of 1990s, the “We that knew only the In response to social the Throughthe chaos, all EASY ITMADE REALISE HOW BABY UNTIL MOTHERS’ STORIES.” HAVING A “ DIDN’T “I FUTURE-MAKERS Then continuevisits those until prepare for them parenthood. child was totheir born, help women up to eight weeks before visiting homes the of pregnant saw nurses regularlyservices, University, health and local University of NSW, Macquarie at Western Sydney University, upset by Kemp and her colleagues separate,” she says. rather than setting up something and improving capacity, their inexistingembedded services food andfood how to store it,” she says. show me how to prepare fresh nurses the because food helped weaned. they babies home-cooked when food family nurse health to the feed was supported by child and the three children to sixmonths and at four months, she breastfed all weanedher babies friends their results.these Where many of engagement with mothers. their milestones, and had stronger longer, met developmental were trial in the breastfed for development.babies The conducive to child’s their cognitive home environment that was more and themselves, and created a confident careto forbabytheir and birth vaginal felt more were more likely to have a MECSHin the programme Newstriking. mothers involved control trial. conditions for arandomized families, creating perfect the programmethe to 50%of eligible had enough funding to provide child turnedtheir two. The MECSH programme “I’ve never fed girls the packet Tina’s reflects experience resultstrial The were At time, the Kemp’s team only FUTURE-MAKERS 24 programme into is embedded are result the of how the impact.”wide have long-term and community- programmethe clearly does than, national the average, so children were to, equal or better doingto be poorly, but these childrenhave these expected emotional control,” she says. language, development social and for laying foundations the for years, it isperiod areally critical domainsall first inthe two occur inbrain developmentperiod for work. “We know that sensitive the outstanding validation of their school performance. or bettered national the average in children met, 2168postcode inthe Census. The census showedthat Australian Early Development 2009, coinciding with first the cohort schoolin started trial the began schoollife. Serendipitously, MECSHoriginal babies as they mirrors results the of the in her first year school of 25 Likewise, Mindy’sLikewise, success Kemp impacts these believes “[Prior to MECSH] You would For Kemp it was an

UK FUTURE-MAKERS FEATURE STORY Tasmania Victoria South Korea that MECSH the training and staff immediately recognised is strengths. “One advantage that on impact is one of MECSH’s Kingdom, flow- the believes United inthe in Lewisham, MECSH implementation whole community effect.” familywork we so get a with every spillthen over into way the nurses The skills nursesall service. inthe is that training the is provided to important things about MECSH “Oneexisting services. of the CIRCUMSTANCES MECSH PROGRAMMESWORLDWIDE LIMITED BY THE OPPORTUNITIES THEY AREBORN THAT NOCHILD Beulah Lewis, who oversees who Lewis, Beulah “MY PERSONAL “MY PERSONAL INTO WHICH HAS THEIR AND LIVE.” ON EARTH DRIVER IS MECSH programmes 15,000 NSW (under discussion) Queensland (under discussion) The NorthernTerritory families Around worldwide are partof to such support. previously families had no access city’s 10million residents, where MECSH programme, the serving system, includes which the child and family service health establishment of auniversal instrumentalhas inthe been In South Korea, Kemp’s work MECSH programmes worldwide. around 15,000families are of part Queensland. It is estimated that Northernin the Territory and to implementunderway MECSH and Tasmania, and discussions are rolled out across NSW, Victoria Korea. In Australia it is being well as UK,and inthe inSouth Vermont United inthe States, as interest and is now operating in MECSH beganto attract global government accreditation, she says. support afamily’s needs,” health resources and onward referrals to enables effectivetargeting of of programme the which delivery is akey outcome need of further to MECSH. Early identification families, not just families recruited tools applied can be across all After receiving US federal Vermont, US local areas.”local and thus could of needs the meet applicablebe inmany settings account situations. local It could Khang says. “MECSH into takes inhomecookbook visitation,” “MECSHas needed. is not a inequalities by delivering help was its ability to address health adopting MECSH the programme of Medicine, says akey factor in NationalSeoul University College of Health Policy and Management, and aProfessor Department inthe HealthySeoul First Step Project, of support the team for the is engaged.” one more community that more family supported, being at my and goal that there is one day, Ifeel like I’ve chipped away to myself that at end the of every at her vast ambition. “I can say andborn live,” she says, laughing circumstances into are they which opportunities limited by the that no child has on their earth to grow. “My driver personal is launched, Kemp’s continues goal communities,” she says. system and local service local the to and embed build capacity the of it It goes. everywhere is designed its adaptability. “MECSH changes six weeks postpartum.” pregnancy, including up to to enrol at any point during and enables our communities with regard to enrolment criteria allows foralso more flexibility children,” shemodel says. “This of referral for families with young with Vermont’s statewide system coordinate and collaborate “It to specifically is designed Department of Health, agrees. Health, inVermont’s State Division of Maternal and Child Ann Giombetti, from the Young-Ho Khang, director Fifteen years after MECSH was Kemp is not by surprised Issue 2|MARCH 2019

© Tania Bondar/GettyBondar/ Getty Images Images FUTURE-MAKERS

FINDING THE X-FACTOR IN RESILIENCE Critical insights from a collaborative Western Sydney University-Mission Australia study could help identify and help families at risk of homelessness. This project was funded by Mission Australia. © Hugo Fernandes / EyeEm/Getty Images / EyeEm/Getty © Hugo Fernandes Australia. Mission funded by was project This

WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY FUTURE-MAKERS 26 RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

accessing specialist homelessness “To have clients’ stories stepfather. When his ex-partner NEED TO services in Australia,” she heard, and evidence provided on and her associates threatened KNOW says. “Yet we know little about what is and isn’t working to help violence, Nathan and his son their experiences because the them is really beneficial, because moved interstate. research, where it exists, is in our sector there isn’t a lot Subsequently, he returned to The number of mostly from the US.” of evidence on how to support Sydney to support his mother homeless people in The chance to address that families,” Jasprizza-Laus says. after his stepfather died. It took NSW has increased by lack of knowledge came in 2014 Importantly, the research was five years for him to secure his 37% since the 2011 through a collaboration with able to identify what Jasprizza- own accommodation, with the census (based on Mission Australia, who had Laus calls the “X factor,” families help of Mission Australia, and 2016 data) opened MAC-K as a centre for that “can experience trauma he now lives within walking The MAC-K family bringing together its services and debt and be able to navigate distance of his mum. “Everything homeless project for disadvantaged families in through it”. I do, I do it for my son. He has aims to understand western Sydney. “It means we can identify very made me a better person,” he how some people Conroy says the MAC-K early those families that don’t told interviewers. avoid homelessness project provided an opportunity have the resilience and wrap despite having similar for her team and Mission some services around them for risk factors as those Australia to better understand support,” she adds. who don’t. both the risk and what allows some people to avoid “WHILE family homelessness. “Although we know poverty THIS Nathan decided it was time is a key driver of homelessness, it GROUP IS to leave home when he had to is not deterministic — it doesn’t VULNERABLE, sleep in the same bed as his two- mean you will necessarily end year-old to stop his partner from up homeless.” The study, she IT ALSO HAS AN taking the toddler with her to explains, aimed to understand INCREDIBLE score drugs during the night. how some people escape AMOUNT OF For parents like homelessness despite having Nathan (a pseudonym), the similar structural risk factors as STRENGTH.” decision to flee violence those who don’t. and substance abuse often The project involved Of the 14 interviewees, leads to homelessness. But one-on-one interviews with four Mission Australia clients Nathan had a different Mission Australia clients including Nathan, had not experience and now his journey about their lives and the experienced homelessness — to securing a home for himself circumstances that led to their and the “X factor” for each, and his son is helping inform current situation. “We looked was the existence of at least research on family homelessness. for commonalities across these one family member who was The Mission Australia Centre stories, and the key tipping always there for them. “Trauma, Kingswood (MAC-K) family points or risks that elevated grief and loss were still quite homeless project, led by Western people’s likelihood of becoming prominent in their stories,” Sydney University’s Dr Elizabeth homeless,” explains Conroy. Conroy says, “but they at least Conroy, is breaking new ground The interviewers also explored had one person they described as thanks to insights gleaned from resilience in clients and how they ‘their rock’ and were able to draw clients like Nathan. overcame challenges. on that support.” As Conroy, from the Mission Australia Western Nathan’s rock was his mother. University’s Translational Sydney area manager, Julie The pair had formed a tight bond Health Research Institute, Jasprizza-Laus, worked with when they were forced to flee points out, research is scant Conroy on the project, and says Nathan’s violent father. When on family homelessness in it was inspiring to see Conroy’s Nathan could no longer live with Australia. “Families account team bring academic insights his partner due to her drug use, for just over half of all people into the field. he moved in with his mother and

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Conroy says the support of They also developed a “It really shows the “There is often a portrayal a key individual is critical. Two reflective tool to improve the importance of early intervention of people at risk as being other factors highlighted by centre’s practices; an outcome and knowing how to build ‘leaners’, and it tends to paint the research: the importance of Jasprizza-Laus says has resilience factors in those a picture of people being belonging to family; and achieving been invaluable. families that might not have incompetent, not putting effort the right balance of self-reliance “Having a framework that the resources they need,” she into their lives and making the and support, also help stop the provides questions to ask each says. “Having that evidence wrong decisions.” slide into homelessness. other and challenge your thinking and research allows us to But as Conroy emphasises, With the knowledge gleaned so that you continually improve have strong proof behind the MAC-K project quite clearly from the interviews and a survey and stay present in what is our advocacy.” demonstrates that such a portrayal of clients, the research team then happening with your families is Away from Kingswood, Conroy is unfounded. “One of the held workshops with Mission an amazing tool to have,” she says. hopes the pilot study will also help clear messages coming out of this Australia staff at the Kingswood Jasprizza-Laus says the study redefine the thinking about the work is that while this group is centre to help them interpret will also feed into Mission homeless community at a political vulnerable, it also has an incredible the findings. Australia’s wider advocacy work. and social level. amount of strength.” © Tim Trzoska / EyeEm/Getty Images / EyeEm/Getty Trzoska © Tim

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HOW AN ENCLAVE BECAME A CULTURAL HUB From a haven for new migrants, to an attraction for curious Sydney-siders, Chinatown is now a cosmopolitan bridge between Australia and Asia.

Once a showcase in Chinatown 50 years ago, it of Chinese culture, bustled with lively cookhouses NEED TO Sydney’s Chinatown has changed KNOW run by Chinese families and over time and has emerged as an migrants selling produce at important gateway to Asia. As street markets. ‘the Asian century’ progresses, Sydney’s Chinatown But today, Chinatown is Chinatown is expected to evolve emerged in the 1920s home to Korean barbeque further. Pioneering work by It became a magnet restaurants and Japanese karaoke Stock Shutter Kosonen/ © Panu researchers from Western Sydney for tourists in the 1980s bars, and hallmarks of other University’s Institute for Culture Chinatown has become Asian cultures are beginning to and Society is elucidating how more multicultural emerge among the traditional cultural and economic changes and transnational, food stores and Cantonese-style are shaping the City of Sydney incorporating elements yum cha restaurants. strategy for Chinatown in the of many Asian cultures “From cuisine to property, 21st century. there is a swing away from The future of this much- traditional Chinese culture,” says loved feature of Sydney is teamed up with the City of Wing Kee, a co-founding member anything but certain, says Ien Sydney in 2012, funded by an of the Haymarket Chamber Ang, Distinguished Professor of Australian Research Council of Commerce. “The growth in Cultural Studies at the Institute Linkage grant. The researchers student and migrant numbers for Culture and Society. used a variety of approaches, has altered the social structure “Sydney’s Chinatown has including an analysis of of Chinatown.” always been seen as this exotic population, immigration and ethnic precinct where you can employment data, interviews, A WOODEN START eat Chinese food and experience student surveys, and observation Sydney’s Chinatown was traditional Chinese culture,” of participants at events such as originally a timber storage yard says Ang. “But we wanted to the Chinese New Year Festival on Dixon Street in Haymarket in look at what is taking place in to research the factors impacting the 1920s. The White Australia Chinatown now and demystify on the cultural development policy, Australia’s racially the stereotypes that surround it.” of Chinatown. exclusive immigration rules, To explore what factors are Real estate agent George Wing restricted Chinese immigrants shaping Chinatown in the 21st Kee has witnessed the changes. from working in most century, Ang and her colleagues When Wing Kee first set foot professions, thereby shaping Council. Research the Australian through Government the Australian by supported was research This

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THE CHINATOWN AESTHETIC

As Chinatown’s demographic becomes younger, the area’s facade is also becoming more contemporary. The traditional red-and-gold aesthetic is slowly being complemented by bold Australian-Asian art, such as the neon-blue angels of Jason Wing’s artwork, In Between Two Worlds. This modern take on Chinese culture is also finding its way into urban design. The New Century Garden, a sprawling public artwork at the junction of Thomas and Hay Streets designed by artist Lindy Lee, seamlessly merges with the area’s streets and buildings, while the Chinese Garden of Friendship’s more

‘In between two traditional walled design creates a space detached from the worlds’ an artwork by rest of the city. Jason Wing located in Haymarket, Sydney.

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the area and its activities. of the city, Ang says that many The Chinese population of the businesses in Chinatown take early 20th century sold produce their cues from trends in Asian in the nearby Hay Street market cities, from restaurant design to and opened shops, restaurants shopping mall management. and lodgings to cater for the “A lot of these businesses have Chinese community. links to their home countries, When the White Australia either through imported products policy was abolished in the or foreign capital,” says Ang. 1970s, Chinatown was reborn “This exchange has transformed as a tourist attraction with Chinatown into a bridge between the trappings of an ‘authentic’ Australia and Asia.” Chinese village. Ceremonial archways were erected at both LOOKING TO THE FUTURE ends of Dixon Street and street Chinatown’s evolution into a corners were decorated with vibrant multicultural hotspot lanterns, pagodas and stone lions has fostered both connection (see right). and alienation in its residents. This revitalization soon On the one hand, many Asian transformed Chinatown students see Chinatown as a from an ethnic ghetto home away from home. But on into a tourist attraction. the other, many older Chinese With the influx of tourists residents feel the area has become came a growing number of disconnected from its history. migrants from other Asian The move from tradition to countries, such as Thailand, inclusion, such as the renaming Indonesia, Korea and Taiwan, Chinatown has increased been funded by investors from of the Chinese New Year Festival settling in the area and eightfold. Data from the 2016 China and elsewhere in Asia. to the Lunar New Year Festival in establishing businesses. census revealed that some 68% of November 2018, has also stirred these residents were born in Asia, “THIS up controversy between some A CULTURAL CHANGE the highest density in greater in the Chinese community and Over the past 20 years, Sydney. With the University of EXCHANGE HAS other Asian groups. the number of residents in Technology Sydney and other TRANSFORMED Since the team’s report was educational institutions just a CHINATOWN published in 2016, the City of few blocks away, the number Sydney has used the findings The Golden INTO A BRIDGE Water Mouth of visiting Asian students in to develop a strategic plan for sculpture on Chinatown has also increased. BETWEEN the area. Ang’s team has also Hay Street, Sydney. As a consequence of this AUSTRALIA summed up the findings in a surging population growth, book, Chinatown Unbound, to be the boundaries of Chinatown AND ASIA.” published in 2019. have expanded beyond Dixon Ang points out that as Sydney Street to include the broader In addition to strengthening becomes a more globalised Haymarket precinct and beyond. economic links between Asia and city, urban policies for the Similar to Hong Kong and Australia, these developments have area need to strike a balance Bangkok, Chinatown’s residents also created a thriving hyperlocal between celebrating heritage live in newly developed high- economy which shows no signs and strengthening global ties rise apartments. Many of these of slowing down. The majority to ensure that Chinatown buildings bordering Chinatown, of these businesses are small can continue to thrive in the such as World Square, and the enterprises, including restaurants, 21st century. “It’s important soon-to-be-complete Greenland beverage shops, and independent that Sydney does not forget Centre, which is to be Sydney’s fashion brands. To stand out Chinatown’s meaning in the

tallest residential tower, have from the competition in the rest history of the city,” says Ang. Leong/Shutterstock © CO / Shutterstock.com; © DENOZUKE

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REMEMBERING THE HEROES OF THE TOP END Brett Bowden brings World War II to life in his book Direct Hit: The Bombing of Darwin Post Office.

Around 10am on They took a direct hit from a February 19, 1942, 500-pound bomb, smashing in the Darwin Post Office, a crater the size of a bus. telegraph supervisor, Archibald No-one survived. Halls, was testing a connection It was the first of almost to Adelaide when he interrupted 100 raids by Japanese himself: “The Japs have found bombers on mainland Australia. us and their bombs are falling The combined death toll on that like hailstones,” he tapped out in day was more than 240 people, Morse code. “I’m getting out of perhaps as many as 300. here. See you later.” Australia’s communications Halls sheltered with eight link with the world, others, including the Postmaster an overland telegraph that Hurtle Bald and his family, met an undersea cable, had in an air-raid trench dug into run through the post office The Darwin Post Office before (top) and after the bombing (bottom). the backyard of the post office. and was severed in the strike. With Japanese planes still buzzing in the sky, three men of pages of first-hand accounts “People will go and walk the emerged from their shelters to piece the details together. Kokoda Trail in remembrance to reconnect the line. The rest and they’ll visit the Gallipoli of Australia needed to know Peninsula on Anzac Day, but the threat. In less than an “HAVING A GOOD very few bother to go to the

Archibald Halls (left) and Hurtle Bald (right). hour, they had jury-rigged a UNDERSTANDING north of Australia to see what connection and tapped out OF HISTORY happened in 1942,” Bowden says. a message that the first ever The popular history book wartime attack had occurred on MEANS THAT was a change of pace from his Australian soil. HOPEFULLY WE usual, more academic work. NEED TO Brett Bowden, Professor DON’T MAKE THE Bowden says he found a great KNOW of History and Politics in deal of satisfaction in telling the School of Humanities & SAME MISTAKES the story. “I am still getting The Darwin Post Communication Arts at Western AGAIN.” emails or letters, old-fashioned Office was bombed Sydney University, detailed the handwritten letters, from people in 1942 bombing and the heroic acts that Bowden was inspired when who are grateful to me for telling It was the first ever saw Australia’s communications he stumbled across a personal this story.” wartime attack on restored, in his book, Direct connection with Postmaster He says that it’s important, Australian soil Hit: The Bombing of Darwin Hurtle Bald. He hailed from particularly with the recent rise of Brett Bowden is Post Office. the same town as Bald and he the far-right, that Australia knows the first to examine It was the first time the story couldn’t put aside the thought its own history, “Having a good aspects of the incident of the post office had been told. that this important part understanding of history means Bowden dug out never-seen of Australian history was missing that hopefully we don’t make the archives, comprising thousands the recognition it deserved. same mistakes again.”

WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY FUTURE-MAKERS 32 CAMPUS MAP

Ho Chi Minh City

AUSTRALIA NEW SOUTH WALES

Lithgow

Hawkesbury CENTRES OF

Nirimba Westmead DISCOVERY Parramatta Western Sydney University campuses Penrith Parramatta City are situated in regional and CBD SYDNEY Sydney locations throughout Greater Olympic Sydney Park City Liverpool City Western Sydney. Bankstown Further information can be found here: Campbelltown westernsydney.edu.au/campuses_ structure/cas/campuses

ADMINISTRATION/ EDITORIAL BOARD ABOUT THIS MAGAZINE ABOUT Professor Deborah Sweeney Future-Makers is published for Western Sydney Western Sydney University is a large, student-centred, Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Vice-President University by Nature Research Custom Media, research-led university, embracing Australia’s global (Research and Innovation) part of Springer Nature. city, Sydney. Established in 1989, the university proudly T +61 2 9685 9822 Level 8, 227 Elizabeth Street, traces its history to 1891 through the Hawkesbury E [email protected] Sydney, NSW 2000 Australia Agricultural College. Today the university has more than 180,000 alumni, 45,000 students and 3,300 staff. Mr Steve Hannan Copyright © 2019 Western Sydney University. The university is now ranked in all major global Executive Director, Research Engagement, All rights reserved. The information in this publication university ranking systems and is in the top two per Development and Innovation (REDI) was correct at the time of going to press. March 2019. cent of universities worldwide. Through investment T +61 2 9852 5149 Some of the research contained in this publication in its academic strengths and facilities, the university E [email protected] was supported by the Australian Government continues to build its profile as a research leader through the Australian Research Council (ARC) or in Australia and is nurturing the next generation Dr Shantala Mohan the National Health and Medical Research Council of researchers. Director, Research Impact and Integrity, REDI (NHMRC). The views expressed herein are those of Western Sydney University graduates go on to take up T +61 2 4736 0581 the authors and are not necessarily those of Western rewarding careers that make real contributions to E [email protected] Sydney University, the Australian Government, the societal change, lifting the pride of students, staff and the ARC or the NHMRC. community. A guiding principle for the university is that Mr Craig Bromley there is no limit to potential success for those with drive, Production Coordinator talent, confidence and ambition. T +61 2 4736 0895 westernsydney.edu.au E [email protected] image: © Michael Amendolia Background © Poligrafistka/Getty;

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