Annual Report 2019

Contents

Foreword 5 Message from the Chair 6 Warden’s report 9 A global scholarship and fellowship program 12 Researcher profiles 14 Selecting our scholars and fellows 30 Quick facts 32 2020 scholars and fellows 34 Current scholars and fellows 40 Forrest Hall events 46 Visiting fellows 48 Governors 52 Financial update 53

FRONT COVER IMAGE: TIM HAMMER, FIRST FORREST RESEARCH FOUNDATION ALUMNI DRS ANDREW FORREST AND NICOLA FORREST, CHAIRMAN AND CO-CHAIR OF THE MINDEROO FOUNDATION AND GOVERNORS OF THE FORREST RESEARCH FOUNDATION FOREWORD

Charles F. Kettering, an American inventor of the electric automobile REPORT | 5 ANNUAL 2019 starter said, “keep on going, and chances are that you will stumble on something, perhaps when you are least expecting it. I never heard of anyone ever stumbling on something sitting down.”

A Kettering-esque approach to “generating ideas” is one of This year, we are again amazed at the calibre of work by Minderoo Foundation’s core values. There are so many urgent our scholars and fellows. It has spanned from constructing social, economic and environmental problems to solve, and climate-resistant buildings, to designing sturdier hip and knee we must approach each one with fresh ideas. replacements, to improving salt tolerance in wheat crops and making marine ecosystems more resilient to environmental Innovation is also fundamental to the Forrest Research stressors. As a direct response to the COVID-19 crisis, one of Foundation. This unique platform brings the finest minds in our post-doctoral fellows has taken her research out of the lab their fields together, allowing collaboration and idea-sharing and into the community. She is endeavouring to help solve the to occur organically. mental health challenges of social distancing and isolation. This is how the ideas that will enable humanity to solve its The work our scholars and fellows undertake requires greatest challenges will emerge. enormous self-motivation and determination. They live the 2020 has been a devastating year for Australians, with two value of never ever giving up. unprecedented catastrophes – the worst bushfire season on Charles F. Kettering pushed boundaries and pioneered many record and the COVID-19 pandemic. Both have destroyed breakthroughs in the engineering, science and medical lives and livelihoods; both will require innovations to stop worlds. Of course, he faced setbacks, but his creativity and them becoming the “new normal.” tenacity allowed his ideas to evolve and his work to endure Now more than ever, it is clear that humanity needs to for generations. At Forrest Research Foundation, scholars and prioritise investing in applied research – research that will fellows are encouraged to take risks and recognise setbacks prevent dangerous climate change, research that will protect as a learning opportunity. our fragile ocean ecosystems, research that will improve In the past, Australia has not taken full advantage of the world- our resilience to future diseases. We also need to support class research taking place in this country. It is estimated that research that helps us understand the vital role of arts and only 2.4 per cent of Australian businesses are sourcing ideas culture in building stronger communities. or information from universities. In comparison, the United Research shines a light on the path forward. States, France and Sweden rate considerably higher, and utilise the research sector to address business challenges. Stronger The Forrest Research Foundation challenges its members to engagement is needed between our research sector, industry, push the limits of what is possible, even if it means failing. government and wider Australia. Forrest Hall provides a unique habitat in which researchers from diverse fields live side by side, encouraging collaborations, novel As you read this report, we urge you to recognise the great approaches and re-inventions of old ideas. work of our scholars and fellows and challenge yourself to engage with their projects. They are generating the ideas and solutions we need for tomorrow.

Andrew and Nicola Forrest MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR THE HON ROBERT FRENCH AC

The Foundation, with the enthusiastic support of Andrew and Nicola Forrest and their Minderoo Foundation is ‘leaning into the future’.

To coin an oceanic metaphor, the Forrest Research Foundation I recently read a history of the development of our finds itself, in the first quarter of 2020, in a sea of uncertainty understanding of quantum theory. In part it was a social with the advent of the Coronavirus pandemic. It is not alone. history of the science and it illustrated the importance of the informal interactions of fine minds, young and old, in Universities and colleges across Australia have had to deal the great debate on that topic that occupied most of the with a perfect storm of threats to health and safety posed by 20th century.1 That kind of interaction is made possible the virus, the demands that it places on established methods among early career researchers by a collegial and mutually of course delivery and research and the social and economic supportive atmosphere in which established researchers impacts the pandemic has placed on staff and students and scholars appointed as Fellows play an important part. and generally on national, state and global economies. Needless to say the selection of scholars and fellows is Despite that the Forrest Research Foundation continues its of great importance and I express my appreciation of the important mission. considerable work of Grant Donaldson and his committee When we look back at 2019, which is the period covered by in undertaking that responsibility. this Report, we see a year of growth with 24 PhD scholars The Foundation, with the enthusiastic support of Andrew and and six post-doctoral fellows supported by the Foundation. Nicola Forrest and their Minderoo Foundation is, ‘leaning into The Warden, in his report, gives details of the activities of the future’. The Foundation will continue to seek students the Foundation and at Forrest Hall as well as the ongoing and fellows of the highest quality despite the challenging development of Forrest Hall 2. environment in which it and Western Australian universities I want to emphasise in this message that the reputation of generally have to operate. Forrest Hall in the international academic community is central I thank the Warden for his work in the past year and the to its future as a crucible for the development of outstanding Members of the Board of the Foundation and its Secretary, young scholars and researchers as judged by global standards. Rochelle Gunn. I especially thank Andrew and Nicola Forrest The different disciplines from which our scholars and fellows for their strong support in ensuring that the Foundation are drawn and their colocation at Forrest Hall, provides a is, and is seen to be, an island of optimism in a sea of mechanism for inter-disciplinary discovery which enhances uncertainty. excellence and advances human knowledge. Inter-disciplinary interaction is fostered in Forrest Hall where scholars occupy a The Hon Robert French AC common home-from-home. That home-from-home provides the physical and social framework in which they can simply meet and talk to each other about all the things that young researchers talk about, including their work. It is that special ethos which we hope will mark Forrest Hall as a place to which the best young researchers will want to come. 1. Adam Becker, What is Real: The Unfinished Quest for the Meaning of Quantum Physics (John Murray Publisher, 2018). We want to: Through our research, REPORT | 7 ANNUAL 2019 we work out how to:

Design climate-resilient buildings

Manage the ocean’s fisheries

Eradicate hunger Develop cancer therapies

Protect endangered species

Produce renewable energy

Preserve WA’s biodiversity Conquer disease Track the evolution of the universe

Create new chemical compounds

Improve the management of disease

Live wisely Understand past societies and cultures

Tackle the mental health crisis

Use natural resources more efficiently

Expand Australia’s space science capability Extend human knowledge

Analyse the workings of the brain and body

Grow more food with fewer chemicals

PROF PAUL JOHNSON WARDEN’S REPORT

An exceptional community of early-career researchers. REPORT | 9 ANNUAL 2019

In 2019, the Forrest Research Foundation Donaldson, for his exemplary stewardship of Competition among passed an important milestone with the the process, and to Professor Robyn Owens, extremely well-qualified first two Forrest PhD scholars completing retiring Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at applicants is intense, and their theses. UWA, for the outstanding academic guidance this year the selection she has provided to the selection panel since The Foundation was established, in the committee was again its inception. words of its constitution, ‘to create a world- faced with difficult leading, collaborative centre of research All shortlisted applicants are individually decisions in awarding and scholarship by attracting outstanding interviewed by the selection committee in the scholarships doctoral students and post-doctoral fellows Perth, unless logistics prevent them travelling. and post-doctoral to Western Australian universities and The interviews are a crucial part of the fellowships. developing their potential to address the selection process, and provide applicants world’s most pressing challenges.’ By the end with an opportunity to elaborate on both of 2019, it was supporting 24 PhD scholars their research aspirations and their broader and six post-doctoral fellows, with a further intellectual and personal interests. They also nine scholars and four fellows to join early give international candidates the chance in 2020. They hail from 23 countries and to visit their chosen Western Australian every continent, and their academic prowess university, see something of the City of Perth, and intellectual curiosity has brought them and gain an insight into the life of Forrest to Perth, where they form an exceptional Scholars and Fellows in Forrest Hall. community of early career researchers. In The academic and social activities of the this report we highlight the bold ambition Foundation have expanded greatly over the of four of our scholars and fellows, and their past year as the number of scholars and desire to analyse, understand and improve fellows residing in Forrest Hall apartments our world. has grown. Fortnightly evening meetings Access to this community of scholars and organised by the post-doctoral fellows fellows is not easy. Competition among provide a supportive environment for extremely well-qualified applicants is intense, scholars to try out upcoming seminar and and this year the selection committee conference presentations, and create an was again faced with difficult decisions in opportunity for visiting fellows to offer awarding the scholarships and post-doctoral guidance on building a research career. fellowships. I want to express my appreciation Dr Thomas Mehner visited from Berlin to to all members of the selection committee lead a very successful week-long intensive for the time and care they devote to ensuring scientific writing workshop for Forrest we recruit the very best Forrest Scholars and Scholars. The Chancellor of UWA, Robert Fellows, and particularly to the Chair, Grant French, convened a discussion with scholars and fellows on freedom of speech in universities, drawing Forrest Hall, as well as being a locus for intellectual enquiry on his major report on the issue presented to the Australian and exchange (we hosted more than 80 academic seminars, Government in April. Regular drop-in breakfasts were also workshops and conferences in 2019), is also home to the held in the Forrest Hall lounge, where scholars and fellows scholars and fellows, their partners and families, 80 per have been able to meet and chat with many of the more than cent of whom come from outside Australia. There have 40 Visiting Fellows that the Foundation hosted in 2019. been multiple barbeques, children’s birthday parties and sundowners on the riverside terrace, and the strong sense of The visiting fellow program, run in collaboration with community creates a welcoming environment for each new the Western Australian universities, has brought senior cohort of scholars and fellows. researchers from around the world to work with colleagues in Perth. The Foundation supports visiting fellows by Another new cohort was created in 2019: Forrest Foundation providing them with accommodation in a Forrest Hall alumni. The first two Forrest Scholars, both from the USA, apartment for up to four weeks. The visiting fellow program completed their PhDs – in plant taxonomy and in marine is open to all disciplines, and in 2019 we welcomed fellows ecology – and they have both chosen to carry on with post- in creative arts, humanities and social sciences, ecology doctoral work in Western Australia, thereby demonstrating and environment, biological and life sciences, engineering, that Forrest Foundation scholarships create a ‘brain gain’ physical sciences, and health and medicine. In the latter for the state and the nation. They are the initial members of category, we were pleased to partner with the Raine Medical what will grow to become a strong and powerful network of Research Foundation in supporting four joint Raine/Forrest Forrest Foundation alumni. Visiting Fellows in medical research. Visiting Fellows all give Finally, at the very end of 2019, contracts were signed for the public lectures and masterclasses that are open to members construction of a second Forrest Hall building adjacent to of all five WA universities and the broader Perth research our current home, with completion scheduled for September community. This year we also welcomed our first two 2021. It will house a further nine apartments for scholars distinguished visiting fellows, Professor David Bloom from and fellows; office accommodation; 65 short-stay rooms for Harvard University, and Professor Sir Roy Anderson from academic visitors, conference attendees and other university Imperial College London. In addition to a large number of guests; and food and beverage facilities. This second building public lectures, keynote addresses, workshops and seminars, was also designed by the late Kerry Hill. In recognition of his they each held high-level meetings with government contribution to architecture, and through his design of Forrest ministers and senior public servants to advance policy Hall to the growth of the Forrest Research Foundation development in the areas of, respectively, health economics community, Andrew and Nicola Forrest have agreed to fund and infectious disease epidemiology. an additional PhD scholarship in the area of architecture and To further extend the reach of the Foundation’s research, building design. This new scholarship will be known as the we held our first Forrest Hall open day, in conjunction with Forrest – Kerry Hill Scholarship. We are again indebted to our UWA Convocation (the graduate alumni society) on a rather donors, Andrew and Nicola Forrest, whose generosity has damp Saturday afternoon in June. Over 200 UWA alumni created the Forrest Research Foundation, and whose vision and members of the local community came to meet with 10 will drive its further development and ambition. Forrest Scholars and Fellows who presented posters about Professor Paul Johnson their research. We also hosted an evening meeting with new Warden undergraduates from one of the UWA residential colleges, St George’s, at which three of the postdoctoral fellows spoke about their research, and why they had chosen to pursue a research career. 2019 ANNUAL REPORT | 11 A GLOBAL SCHOLARSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM…

Scholars and fellows come from around the world

DENMARK CANADA

GERMANY

UK

USA SLOVAKIA FRANCE

ITALY

MOROCCO

MEXICO

VENEZUELA

BRAZIL

ARGENTINA POLAND ANNUAL REPORT | 13 ANNUAL 2019

JAPAN

CHINA

VIETNAM INDIA SRI LANKA

BANGLADESH

SINGAPORE

MAURITIUS

AUSTRALIA RESEARCHER PROFILE

FORREST SCHOLAR: AKILA BALACHANDRAN

Born and bred in Trichy, an ancient city in the state of Tamil Nadu, India, Akila Balachandran wanted to be a scientist since she was a child. “Mom wanted me to be a doctor but I always knew that I wanted to do research,” she said.

Her parents, neither of whom were well- ways we can stop the production of proteins educated, worked hard to ensure their in cancer cells is via artificial RNA. The man- children had the best education possible. made RNA sticks to the natural RNA and Apart from health, it was their top priority. affects protein production. This may result in a faulty product or, sometimes, no product at The bubbly 27-year-old has been in Perth for all. As a result, cancer cells become unhappy just over a year, researching brain and liver and become sick. cancer treatments at Murdoch University for her PhD. She is also seeking a way to enable “I am trying to create this trick for liver and early diagnosis of neurological disorders. brain cancer,” Akila said. “Why these two cancers specifically? These two cancers Akila explains her research as simply are less common, but they are deadly. Less as possible. than 20 per cent of people who are affected “Can protein deficiency kill people? Yes. by these cancers live for more than five Can this kill cancer cells as well? It’s yes again. years. I am trying to improve drugs for the treatment of these cancers.” “Proteins are the second most abundant substance in our body. We are made up of Simple. 62 per cent water and 16 percent protein Following school, Akila completed a six- amongst many others. The same applies to year Master of Technology, specialising in individual cells,” she said. Biotechnology, at Bharathidasan University, So, what differentiates a healthy cell from a Trichy, ranking first every semester. cancer cell? Akila explains the difference is “During the initial years of my undergraduate the proteins that they have. Some proteins studies, I was fascinated by stem cells. I was are produced in large quantities in cancer given an opportunity to work on ovarian cells. These proteins help them grow faster. cancer cells for my Bachelor’s dissertation However, we can use such proteins in cancer which was when I gained an interest in cells to help detect and treat cancer. research into cancer,” she said. “The proteins come from DNA. The four Akila spent the next four years as a senior letters of DNA are converted to RNA, which research fellow in Chennai, working with is further converted to proteins. One of the synthetic DNA/RNA molecules. She learnt 2019 ANNUAL REPORT | 15 NUCLEIC ACIDS TARGETING CANCER CELLS several new techniques during this period, There are currently eight children living at One of the ways REPORT | 17 ANNUAL 2019 which laid the foundation for her PhD. Forrest Hall, ranging in age from a newborn we can stop Despite these positive outcomes, she felt to five years. Akila talks of the large network the production that the lack of synthesising equipment of people who surround her and of never of proteins in and other resources were a barrier to her having felt isolated since arriving in Perth. cancer cells is via research progress. She explained, “I decided “This is the first time I am out of my country,” artificial RNA. to do my PhD. My supervisor, Dr Rakesh, has she said. “I have absolutely no clue how well a lab at Murdoch which is equipped with an I might have adjusted to the accommodation oligo synthesiser. Also, my previous areas of and people, if I were to stay somewhere else. research and Dr Rakesh’s research expertise The idea of accommodating scholars and aligned perfectly. Taking all these factors into fellows together in a place like Forrest Hall is consideration, I chose Murdoch University for mind-blowing and it helped me a lot during my PhD.” my first few days in Perth.” When asked what support she receives as She describes herself as a simple, happy a Forrest Scholar, she responds, “I receive person who loves nature. When she’s not excellent guidance and support from my working on her research, she gets outside as supervisor for my PhD work. We have much as she can. “I love to take long walks regular meetings and discussions regarding and bike rides. I enjoy gardening and growing the progress of my work. He is motivating roses. Perth is green everywhere and it is so me to improve my research and analytical beautiful and far less populated than India.” skills. The laboratory environment and infrastructure at Murdoch University are She returned to India briefly last November helping me achieve a lot in my research.” to celebrate the Diwali festival with her family and friends and to get a much-needed dose Akila said the regular Forrest Hall meetings of her Mum’s cooking. She said, “My parents enable her to learn about the research and my brother are my world of happiness. I focus of other scholars and fellows and am blessed to have them in my life. I inherited get updated with the current research in my self-confidence and perseverance from all disciplines. my Mom and Dad.” Forrest Research Foundation Warden Prof What does the future hold for Akila? “I hope Paul Johnson and Program Coordinator that my journey in research continues Rochelle Gunn are always a great source of to contribute to understanding and intellectual and moral support.” Akila said. treating cancer.” “They make sure that they are there whenever I need them. Fellows and scholars at Forrest It’s a hope we at the foundation share. Hall are more like a family to me. They are a great source of emotional support. Every time I see kids around Forrest Hall, I forget all of my worries.” RESEARCHER PROFILE

FORREST FELLOW: DR JULIE JI

MENTAL IMAGERY AND DEPRESSION “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand.” ALBERT EINSTEIN

What is focus of your research? My experimental work during the fellowship thus far has focussed on why individuals I investigate the role mental imagery plays in depressive states are less motivated to in accentuating or mitigating depression, pursue potentially rewarding experiences, anxiety and self-harm. Experienced as and how to change this. To drive this mental pictures and ‘movie clips’, imagery is research, I lead a team of research students the internal experience of perception in the (one PhD and six honours students absence of external sensory input, commonly since 2018). referred to as ‘seeing with the mind’s eye’. We have found that when it comes to I am fascinated by imagery simulations of motivating yourself to do more of the future events because it is a uniquely human rewarding things in daily life, simply capacity that allows us to pre-experience convincing yourself of all the logical reasons hypothetical futures. By depicting (rather and benefits of doing so is not as effective as than describing) what future experiences simulating the experience of doing so using might look, sound and feel like, we can mental imagery. This is particularly true for experience emotional and motivational activities that have been put off, and this responses to our mental simulation in an motivational benefit of mental imagery works as-if-real manner, which serves to guide our irrespective of your level of depression. On behaviour in the present. the other hand, people with depression tend As an inaugural Forrest Postdoctoral first to imagine the high effort or cost, rather Fellow at the Centre for the Advancement than the benefits, of undertaking rewarding of Research on Emotion (CARE), led by activities, and the negative evaluation of ARC Laureate Professor Colin MacLeod, these costs means that they do not move on within the UWA School of Psychological to imagining the benefits. This results in them Science, my current work extends previous not engaging in the very activities that would experimental research on mental imagery deliver positive mental health outcomes. from understanding its impact on emotion to further downstream effects on motivation, judgment and behaviour. 2019 ANNUAL REPORT | 19 DR JULIE JI AND DR LIES NOTEBAERT FROM THE UWA SCHOOL OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE GAVE TALKS AT THE RAISING THE BAR PERTH EVENT IN OCTOBER 2019, WITH DEPUTY VICE-CHANCELLOR (RESEARCH) PROF. ROBYN OWENS AS MC.

DR JULIE JI LED THE INAUGURAL PERTH IMAGERY & MENTAL HEALTH SYMPOSIUM (PIMHS), HELD AT FORREST HALL, IN FEBRUARY 2020. THE SYMPOSIUM BROUGHT TOGETHER LEADING MENTAL IMAGERY CLINICAL RESEARCHERS FROM UWA, CURTIN UNIVERSITY, AND UPPSALA UNIVERSITY, SWEDEN, AND LED TO THE SUBMISSION OF A JOINT GRANT APPLICATION TO THE RAINE MEDICAL FOUNDATION, LED BY DR JI. My postdoctoral research builds on Why do this in WA? While my work has REPORT | 21 ANNUAL 2019 discoveries I made during my doctoral Perth is fast becoming a research hub leading a central focus on research as a Cambridge Australian Poynton the world in basic and applied psychological depression, the Scholar at the University of Cambridge, UK science research on mental imagery and leading contributor to (PhD awarded May 2018). Working with mental health. Together with colleagues at the global burden of my supervisor Prof Emily Holmes, my work UWA Psychology and Psychiatry, Curtin disease, findings from produced the first evidence of depression- School of Psychology, and the Centre for my experimental work linked deficits in imagining positive future Clinical Interventions (CCI), I hosted the carry implications for events during mind-wandering. Prior inaugural Perth Imagery and Mental Health all aspects of human to taking up my Forrest Fellowship, I Symposium (PIMHS) in February this year. behaviour... worked with Prof Bethany Teachman as a postdoctoral research associate at the This event helped to consolidate and School of Psychology, University of Virginia, strengthen my collaborations with leading USA, where we tested ways in which mental mental health researchers in Perth, resulting imagery can enhance scalable web-based in a grant application I led that helped interventions that modify the way people to establish a powerful new partnership suffering from anxiety think about the future. between UWA, Curtin, Telethon Kids Institute, and Uppsala University, connected to vital Why is it important? community partners and end-users through My work on mental imagery is important ‘Embrace @ Telethon Kids’. Together, we are because anomalies in the occurrence powerfully positioned to drive and harness of emotion-laden mental imagery has psychological science research to improve significance for emotion, motivation, and mental health on a global scale in the behavioural dysfunction across mental coming years. disorders. While my work has a central focus What is the potential impact of your on depression, the leading contributor to the research? global burden of disease, findings from my experimental work carry implications for all Ultimately, my research aims to inform the aspects of human behaviour that involves development of innovative cognitive ‘tools’ self-regulatory dysfunction, from food and that can enhance treatment of mental health substance abuse to self-injurious behaviour in conditions. My research is designed to solve young people. specific problems in treatment, and has direct implications for behavioural treatments for Ultimately, understanding how mental depression, as well as risk monitoring and imagery-based anticipation of the future prevention of self-injurious behaviours. I am influences how we feel and act can lead to working with collaborators at the UWA Robin novel insights on when and how it can be Winkler Clinic and the Centre for Clinical leveraged to promote adaptive behaviours Interventions to ensure insights gained in my and reduce harmful behaviours. lab can be translated and tested in the clinic. RESEARCHER PROFILE MODEL OF ROBOTIC FISH FORREST FELLOW: DR GIOVANNI POLVERINO

ROBOTS VERSUS PESTS A new frontier in man’s attempt to control the natural environment through a novel and transdisciplinary approach.

Dr Giovanni Polverino is a behavioural than just the behaviour of mosquitofish. ecologist interested in how animals cope A 15-minute-per-week exposure to the with environmental changes. He works with robotic predator provokes meaningful engineers to develop bioinspired robots (robots stress responses in mosquitofish, triggering that look and behave like the animals they are physiological changes associated with mimicking) which can be used to mitigate the substantial energy loss, and potentially impact of invasive species on our native fauna. compromising their ability to survive in the long term. My research indicates that the Giovanni has undertaken pioneering research robotic predator discriminates mosquitofish with colleagues in the Engineering Faculty at from Australian tadpoles in real time, with New York University (USA) in which they used targeted attacks toward mosquitofish that state-of-the-art technology to study animal lower the fertility of both sexes. Whether behaviour. Giovanni designed the biological lower fertility results in lower reproductive components of bioinspired robots to mimic rates remains unknown. But a large body specific characteristics of fish, enter their social of literature – including my own studies – groups, and interact with live fish in real time, suggests that altering fish behaviour has offering a precise, customisable, and consistent repercussions for their physiology, growth, approach to study animal behaviour from a fertility, and reproduction. novel perspective. Why it is important? What is the focus of your research? Invasive species threaten the biodiversity of My current research takes advantage of the our planet, especially in freshwater habitats unparalleled control offered by bioinspired where native species are confined to smaller robotics to manipulate the behaviour of water bodies and their ability to disperse is the invasive mosquitofish Gambusia( limited compared to other ecosystems. It holbrooki) and mitigate the ecological is therefore imperative to achieve a better impact of this invasive threat to Australian understanding of factors that can help freshwaters. My results show that bioinspired combat freshwater invaders and develop new robotic predators can be designed to repel strategies to eradicate them. The invasive and compromise the health of invasive mosquitofish is a major threat to Australian mosquitofish, and simultaneously attract freshwater fish and amphibians; its impact on non-invasive fish. I found that the threat of biodiversity worldwide has been recognised predation by a robot fish affects much more 2019 ANNUAL REPORT | 23 by the International Union for Conservation Why do this in WA? Understanding REPORT | 25 ANNUAL 2019 of Nature, which lists mosquitofish as Australia’s unique richness in endemic the ecological among the world’s top one hundred species compared to other continents makes and evolutionary worst invasive species. To date, efforts to it the best possible location for me to study vulnerabilities of invasive eradicate mosquitofish from freshwaters and animal invasions and inform management species will be a crucial mitigate their impact on native fauna have plans on how to safeguard endangered first step in developing been labour-intensive, typically dangerous ecosystems. Freshwater bodies in Western effective biosecurity and for native fish, and ineffective. Ironically, Australia are widely colonised by the invasive management strategies mosquitofish acquired their name because mosquitofish, and its negative impacts on to achieve this aim. humans introduced them into wetland areas native fish and amphibians are well known. around the world early in the 20th century In this unfortunate, yet perfect, scenario for to counter the spread of mosquitos and my research, the Forrest Fellowship offered malaria. They were consciously introduced as me a unique opportunity to join the Centre a predator in Australia in 1925, but they have for Evolutionary Biology at UWA, one of predated on native fish rather than insects, the globally recognised leaders of scientific and so have become a greater problem research in the fields of behavioural ecology than the one they were intended to address. and evolutionary biology. Here I joined the Mosquitofish in Australia are an example EVOLab led by Prof. Jon Evans, a leading of a 20th century attempt at biocontrol expert in the study of behaviour and of pests that has spectacularly failed. My reproduction of freshwater fish. research pioneers novel pathways for the technological evolution of pest control What is the potential impact of your agents, creating a 21st century version of research? biocontrol using bioinspired robots that The overarching innovation of my research selectively target invasive mosquitofish. is to demonstrate that bioinspired robotic Robots are inherently safer to use than live predators can selectively alter mosquitofish agents, since robots can be finely controlled behaviour, survival, and reproduction in the and can’t breed. This represents a new lab, and to translate this knowledge into the frontier in man’s attempt to control the natural environment. A key aim of Australia’s natural environment through a novel and Biodiversity Conservation Strategy (2010–30) transdisciplinary approach. is to reduce the impact of invasive species on threatened native species and ecosystems by at least 10 per cent. Understanding the ecological and evolutionary vulnerabilities of invasive species will be a crucial first step in developing effective biosecurity and management strategies to achieve this aim. My research is also pioneering novel pathways for the technological evolution of pest control agents, developing a world-first robotic toolkit to control invasive fish and protect the native biodiversity of Australia. RESEARCHER PROFILE SARAH LEESON COLLECTING SPECIMENS FORREST SCHOLAR: SARAH LEESON

During her honours year at UWA, Sarah Leeson cycled along Mounts Bay Road almost every day, watching Forrest Hall being constructed. Fast-forward four years, she now calls it home – a home which she shares with her partner, Sam, and rescue cat, Elise.

Sarah’s PhD focusses on the genetics of outside and it is there she quickly developed dung beetles brought to Australia around a love of animals and the environment. 50 years ago to combat the problematic “Funnily enough, I spent a lot of time build-up of cattle dung. While 43 species wandering around in our paddocks, trying to were introduced, only 23 have established, avoid stepping in cow dung. Little did I know and many have failed to fulfil their predicted what my future would hold,” she laughed. distribution. Her Dad still lives in Collie, and when she Specifically, her interest is in the role that goes back, they wander around the paddocks genetic variation has played in determining together looking for fresh cow dung for the outcome of these introductions, and how collecting beetles. genetic variation is utilised in local adaptation across climatic gradients. Reflecting on her past, Sarah says she had many dreams and career aspirations “I am also interested in the potential benefits throughout her childhood. of using multiple source populations for species introductions, so I will look for “At around three years of age, in a moment evidence of ‘adaptive introgression’, which of intense environmentalism, I told my Mum is the mixing of genes from different source that when I grew up, I wanted to be a ‘rubbish populations in novel, beneficial combinations”, picker-upper’. She was very supportive but she said. pointed out some problems with that idea! Later, I wanted to be an inventor, then a Understanding the genetic factors mechanic, then an actor, then a guide dog that influence the outcome of species trainer and, finally, in my late teens, I read introductions is important for improving the a book called The Selfish Gene by Richard success of future dung beetle introductions Dawkins. I was completely fascinated by and species translocations undertaken for the ideas presented in the book and started conservation purposes. seeing the actions of genes everywhere. From Growing up in Allanson, a small town just then on, I decided I wanted to be a scientist. outside Collie in the South West of Western However, I still pick up rubbish whenever Australia, Sarah spent most of her free time I can.” 2019 ANNUAL REPORT | 27

I receive a lot of support from the postgraduate community at UWA. A PhD can be a rollercoaster of highs and lows, and no-one understands that quite like your peers.

A common theme amongst Forrest Scholars is the potential She says while she’s a country person at heart, she recognises REPORT | 29 ANNUAL 2019 for collaborations which can occur by bringing together Perth as a ‘lovely city’ and a good place to be if you’re some of the brightest young minds in the world. She says a university student. “UWA, in particular, has a beautiful she is driven by practising good science, finding answers, campus, dedicated teaching and research staff and a great contributing knowledge and practical results, as well as being postgraduate community.” around bright, motivated people. She’s also acutely aware of the advantages that come with Acknowledging the assistance afforded to her as a Forrest growing up in Western Australia. Scholar, Sarah says she receives a huge amount of research “As a biologist, I could talk for hours about the natural beauty support from her supervisors and the other academics in her of Western Australia and the biological research opportunities research group (The Centre for Evolutionary Biology). on offer. The marine and terrestrial environments are both Financially, she receives support from the Forrest Research equally stunning and hugely variable from north to south. Foundation and the Research Training Program Scholarship Western Australia is my favourite place in the world.” through UWA. Her project is funded by a government grant, Sarah hopes the future will see her working with animals and with additional funding from UWA and the Forrest Research working in research. Foundation. “I would like to continue focussing on combining population “On a day-to-day basis, I receive a lot of support from genetics with practical research, which is applicable across the postgraduate community at UWA. A PhD can be a disciplines. While I would welcome the opportunity to work rollercoaster of highs and lows, and no-one understands that abroad, I will always be most at home in Western Australia, quite like your peers. I have benefitted immensely from both and I feel sure I will find my way back here eventually”, idle chit-chat and deeper conversations with my office mates. she said. They are some of the best friends I’ve ever had. When asked where she’d be without this scholarship, “Last but not least, I have made some lifelong friends within Sarah quips, “In a less fancy apartment, with fewer friends, the Forrest Hall community. It is truly unique to live in an less support and no cat. I would be fine, and I would apartment building where everyone is friends and everyone is continue my research, but I would have missed out on a working in research. In both work and personal life, I have the wonderful opportunity.” support of my neighbours, and this is something that I value immensely.”

Sarah completed her undergraduate degree in Zoology at UWA. This is very much aligned with her love of animals and her strong environmental conscience.

“I have a gorgeous adopted cat from Cat Haven and a flourishing worm farm on my balcony, with a resident spider who diligently contains the vinegar fly populations. I’m environmentally motivated, and I spend a lot of time working out ways to reduce food waste and upcycle items that would otherwise be thrown away. This leads to a range of projects, which have varying degrees of success and smelliness, but my intentions are good!” Selecting our scholars and fellows

The Foundation supports early-stage researchers who Candidates for post-doctoral fellowships will have completed think differently, who forge new pathways, who are an outstanding PhD which has demonstrated an intellectual prepared to take risks. contribution to their discipline through high-quality publications. Their research track record will typically include We offer up to 12 PhD scholarships and up to four post- examples of national and international recognition, such as doctoral fellowships each year to outstanding candidates presentations at major conferences, invited research visits who wish to undertake ground-breaking research in Western to other institutions or laboratories, and significant national Australia. Research can be in any subject area and the awards and international research linkages and collaborations. The are open to candidates of all nationalities. The principal post-doctoral research project will be designed to challenge criteria for selection are academic excellence, intellectual convention and develop novel and rigorous research ideas curiosity, and personal determination and resilience. which may establish new paradigms within or across Candidates for PhD scholarships will typically have been disciplines. The post-doctoral fellowships are for three years in the top five per cent of their graduating cohort and will and are non-renewable. have a first-class degree or equivalent, for example, a grade In addition to academic excellence, successful scholarship point average (GPA) of at least 3.8/4.0. The average GPA and fellowship candidates will be intellectually curious, with of current PhD scholars is 3.96/4.00. Candidates will have a deep commitment to their chosen field of endeavour and an innovative research proposal that they have developed an ability to see how this fits into a larger vision for the and discussed with their prospective PhD supervisor, and future of humanity. They will be able to communicate their a demonstrable passion for their chosen field of study. ideas and knowledge in ways that are appropriate to their The PhD scholarships are for a maximum of four years. audience – in technical language with their peers, and in “We are thrilled with the calibre of the scholars and fellows that will be joining the Forrest Research Foundation in 2020. These exceptional minds accessible ways with the general public. They will be collegial will join our state’s thriving REPORT | 31 ANNUAL 2019 in their approach to research, willing to share ideas with scientific research community, others from within their discipline and from outside, and they will demonstrate a level of personal resilience necessary to tackle some of the world’s for success in a challenging and competitive research most pressing problems. environment. They are the research leaders of the future. We look forward to following Applications are reviewed by a selection committee comprised of senior academic members of Western their progress over the next Australian universities, together with some leading few years.” representatives of the business and broader Western Australian community. The selection committee invites each DRS ANDREW FORREST AND NICOLA FORREST, university to produce a ‘long-list’ of its preferred candidates, CHAIRMAN AND CO-CHAIR OF THE but makes its own determination of which candidates to MINDEROO FOUNDATION AND GOVERNORS OF THE FORREST RESEARCH FOUNDATION short-list for interview. To inform its decision making, the selection committee seeks academic evaluations from both nominated referees and independent experts.

All short-listed candidates are interviewed by the selection committee, usually in person in Perth, and otherwise by video-conference.

L-R: SAMALKA WIJEWEERA, KRISTINA HEIDRICH, MARIE WINDSTEIN, CELINA BURKHOLZ, HARRISON CADDY, DAWID MAKOSA, JESSICA MURRAY, AMIE SHUTTLEWORTH, MINGXIN YE Our PhD scholarships

FIELDS OF Number RESEARCH of scholars 31 Archaeology 30% MALE Biodiversity 70% FEMALE Bio-engineering Biological science Chemistry Design Distribution across Ecology universities: Economics Engineering 74% UWA Epigenetics 16% CURTIN Mathematics 7% MURDOCH Medical science 3% ECU Neuroscience Physics Physiology Plant science Public health

Number of scholarship SUBJECT applications in 2019 AREA OF APPLICATIONS 129 32% Biological science 48% MALE and ecology 52% FEMALE 20% Social sciences and humanities 20% Engineering and SUCCESS technology RATE 15% Medical and life sciences % 6.9 12% Natural sciences Our postdoctoral fellowships ANNUAL REPORT | 33 ANNUAL 2019

FIELDS OF Number RESEARCH of fellows 10 Radio-astronomy 70% MALE Bioinformatics 30% FEMALE Chemistry Evolutionary biology Marine physics Materials science Distribution across Medical science universities: Physical chemistry 70% UWA Psychology 20% CURTIN Space science 10% MURDOCH

Number of fellowship SUBJECT applications in 2019 AREA OF APPLICATIONS 177 32% Social sciences 66% MALE and humanities 33% FEMALE 23% Biological science and ecology 23% Engineering and SUCCESS technology RATE 14% Medical and life sciences 2.3% 9% Natural sciences 2020 Scholars

AMIE CELINA SHUTTLEWORTH BURKHOLZ

In late 2019, nine students from (FORREST - KERRY HILL SCHOLAR) Celina’s PhD project will assess the around the world were awarded adaptive capacity of kelp forests in Amie’s PhD addresses the need for Forrest Scholarships to study a changing climate. Kelp forests are climate-resilient buildings due to the at Curtin University, Murdoch among the most productive ecosystems high exposure of much of the built University and The University of in the world while providing numerous environment to the physical risks of Western Australia. The students ecosystem services. Yet, these valuable climate change. Until recently, there come from a broad range of habitats are declining due to climate has been little research in this area, as academic backgrounds and will change and other anthropogenic the focus has been to understand how research everything from kelp influences. As a result, we can see a the built environment can mitigate its forest restoration and resilience decrease in kelp performance and contribution to anthropogenic climate to understanding how the retinal eventually an ecosystem collapse leading change. This research aims to address cardiovascular system responds to to a shift from kelp forests to communities these gaps, to understand the challenges extra-terrestrial environments. dominated by turf algae. However, surrounding climate change risk and different kelp populations show varying resilience for those who invest in, own, responses to climatic stress. Identifying design, develop and operate buildings. these differences will be crucial in In addition, due to the lack of methods predicting possible future scenarios and and metrics available for measuring improving restoration efforts. The aim climate resilience at a building level, Amie of this project is therefore to identify would like to develop an adaptation and thresholds and feedback mechanisms resilience framework which could be resulting in the loss of kelp forests, and to included within the National Construction provide novel solutions to promote kelp Code of Australia, which is due to be forest restoration and resilience. updated in 2022. “My research will contribute to our “I am passionate about sustainable understanding of kelp forests and the engineering, and grateful to have the effects of climate change, in order to opportunity to spend the time to help improve conservation and restoration understand such an important issue efforts in a changing environment.” that will impact all of us who live, work and study in an urban environment that will be put under stress due to a changing climate.” ANNUAL REPORT | 35 ANNUAL 2019

DAWID HARRISON JESSICA MAKOSA CADDY MURRAY

Dawid is a molecular biologist from Harrison is a biomedical engineer Jessica is excited to explore tumour Poland mainly interested in the biology of with an interest in understanding how cell spreading in melanoma at Curtin aging and single cell brain epigenomics. the cardiovascular system responds Health Innovation Research Institute. In his PhD research project, he will to extreme environments, including The aggressive malignant nature of investigate how a crucial layer of the conditions of reduced gravity and melanoma is what contributes to this epigenome, termed DNA methylation, elevated heat stress. His PhD will involve being a major cause of skin-cancer- changes in the brain as we age. developing three-dimensional fluid associated deaths. As a PhD student mechanics simulations of human and in the Melanoma and Molecular Recent research has discovered that DNA animal micro-blood-vessel networks to Immunology Laboratory, Jessica will be methylation, which acts as tiny molecular aid planning for future planetary missions investigating a less well-understood form signposts added to our DNA that can to the moon and Mars, as well as improve of cancer spread, termed extravascular control how the underlying genetic health screening methods for terrestrial migratory metastasis (EVMM). EVMM information is used, is impaired in the workers such as those in military training has been identified to occur in brain during aging, and this is tightly and operations, and remote environments. melanoma, however also in other cancers linked to cognitive decline. During his associated with poor prognosis. These PhD, Dawid aims to utilise diverse “I believe research in one of the most include glioma, pancreatic cancer and cutting-edge genomic techniques and isolated cities in the world can have ovarian cancer. More specifically, these technologies to investigate these global implications and can differentiate studies will focus on the biomolecular epigenetic changes and their role in Western Australia by extending interactions that occur during EVMM. the process of aging. His research will our capability in understanding Findings from this research may provide be particularly useful in developing new physiological effects that extend to the an avenue for future development of therapies to improve the quality of life extremes of Earth and beyond.” effective anti-cancer therapeutics for a of the elderly, reducing health and aged- range of cancers with poor prognosis. care costs and alleviating pressures on the health industry. “It is a privilege to be researching melanoma as part of Western Australia’s “In my PhD project, I aim vibrant research community, to to identify the epigenomic collaboratively strive toward delivering patterns and processes crucial for recovery for cancer patients.” maintaining cognitive functions. I hope that these insights will contribute to the development of novel (epi)genomic therapies improving the quality of life of the elderly and consequently reduce health-care and aged-care costs.” 2020 Scholars

KRISTINA MARIE MINGXIN HEIDRICH WINDSTEIN YE

A vital component of improving Marie has an academic background in Obesity remains a problem in Australia, fisheries management is to fill the data marine ecology and geospatial analysis. now ranked third among the English- and transparency gap for a better Her research interests lie primarily in speaking countries. Mingxin learnt that understanding of the full scope of bridging animal behaviour and landscape the Indigenous Australians suffer most global fisheries for large pelagic species ecology through the study of movement from obesity, along with the wider beyond national jurisdiction. This is and space use. Within this scope, she Australian population, particularly women necessary to find patterns of unreported is particularly interested in studying and the middle-aged. They are also the fishing and to determine the extent of marine predators. During her PhD, she most at risk for arthroplasty replacement. modern slavery and other unethical and will be investigating how variations in the Although alumina ceramic hip joints illegal cost-cutting actions in fisheries. environmental and biological conditions have been used for more than 30 Kristina’s PhD project focusses on the of coastal habitats influence the years with low wear rates, there is still reconstruction and analyses of catches distribution, growth and health of juvenile risk of ceramic fracture due to stripe and fishing efforts of the global large sharks and rays in the coastal nurseries wear resulting in osteolysis and aseptic pelagic fisheries from 1950 to today, to of the Kimberley Marine Parks. loosening caused by high contact make the best and most comprehensive Elasmobranchs play a critical role in stresses as a result of direct edge loading. data and analyses available, thus maintaining balanced and healthy marine Thus, improving the reliability of ceramics empowering effective management and ecosystems. Despite their intrinsic to bio-applications is Mingxin’s current policy decisions. value, they face higher risk of extinction research proposal. “My dream is to make a meaningful than most other groups. In coastal Mingxin’s wanted to challenge the difference in the lives of all those who areas, sharks and rays are threatened current bioceramic designs and find out rely on our oceans as well as help by habitat loss and overexploitation. if nanostructured zirconia bioceramics conserve the most valuable ecosystems Understanding the ecological factors can ease the patients’ unnecessary on our planet.” sustaining healthy populations of juvenile discomfort and minimise risks. Mingxin’s sharks and rays is therefore critical to the fervent hope is that this germ of a study long-term management and successful may develop into something bigger and conservation of elasmobranchs. more important. “The Kimberley region is one of the last “Here, I found my home away from pristine coastal areas in the world. home, my research niche. As William This research project is an exciting and Wordsworth puts it: ‘The essential rare opportunity to study undisturbed passions of the human heart find a marine ecosystems and contribute to our better soul in this humble and rustic life.” understanding of the natural world.” ANNUAL REPORT | 37 ANNUAL 2019

SAMALKA WIJEWEERA

Samalka is interested in plant breeding for improved quality characteristics to overcome novel agricultural threats and to meet the current food requirement worldwide. Soil salinity is a major agricultural issue that affects crop production around the globe.

Growth of plants in saline soils results in physiological stress, which disrupts the essential biochemical processes of respiration, photosynthesis and transpiration, and causes severe loss of crop yield. Understanding the molecular responses of plants exposed to salinity stress can inform future strategies to reduce agricultural losses due to salinity. Samalka is working on discovering common genetic and metabolic salt- tolerance mechanisms in mitochondrial and chloroplast function in wheat.

“I hope this project would light up the direction for much other research on producing stress-tolerant plants that could compete against global climate change and successfully provide enough food for all humans worldwide. Thus, it would support my aim to wipe out hunger from this beautiful planet.” 2020 Fellows

DAVID HOUDA GOZZARD ENNACERI

Four international postdoctoral David’s research will develop technologies Houda’s research focusses on microalgal researchers were awarded 2020 to stabilise the transmission of laser downstream processing, capitalising on Forrest Research Foundation signals to spacecraft through the innovative and low-cost technologies Fellowships to commence their shimmering atmosphere. Laser links for microalgal biofuel production. research in the fields of childhood between the ground and spacecraft Houda will focus her research on the health, astrophysics, biofuels and will enable much higher-precision advancement of dewatering processes at sustainable energy solutions in scientific measurements and faster data the Murdoch University Algae Research Western Australia. transmission rates, while using smaller and Development Centre, and on the and lighter transmitters and receivers. integration of heterogeneous acid Stable and precise transmission of catalysts in the biodiesel production laser signals from ground to space will process. This work aims to exploit revolutionise many areas now critical to the untapped potential of microalgal human society, from fundamental and biofuel production and will contribute applied sciences, such as physics and to the development of a sustainable Earth science, to those with immediate microalgal industry. social and economic benefits, such as “I am honoured to be awarded a Forrest meteorology, satellite navigation, and Fellowship, which offers me a unique communications. opportunity to join the world-renowned “I am honoured to be awarded a Forrest scientific group at Murdoch University. Fellowship and am grateful to have As a Forrest Fellow, I will work on multi- the opportunity and support to work disciplinary research, focussing on new on space technology in Australia. The technologies and processes for biodiesel development of Australia’s space production combining biological and capability will be fundamental to our chemical catalytic processes. The social and economic prosperity in the Forrest Fellowship allows me to pursue 21st century. I am excited to join the my career objective to make a positive Forrest Foundation community and look difference in the world, and to obtain forward to building collaborations that pioneering results that will positively will cultivate discovery and applications influence future energy scenarios.” of knowledge to improve prosperity in Australia and around the world.” ANNUAL REPORT | 39 ANNUAL 2019

JESSICA PETER BUCK KRAUS

Jessica is a scientist who works with Peter’s research focusses on “I am genuinely thankful for the the brain tumour research team, led calculating electrical conductivity of opportunity to join Curtin University by Dr Raelene Endersby and Dr Nick novel materials in real-world scenarios. as a Forrest Fellow. It is a great way Gottardo, to help find more effective and While such properties can be measured to establish personal connections with less damaging treatments for children’s experimentally, the ability to screen the world-class researchers at WA’s brain tumours. Her work involves candidate materials accurately and universities, including the wonderful testing new drugs in combination with quickly without costly synthesis is team at Forrest Hall. I especially value chemotherapy and radiotherapy to both crucial for the development of novel the rare freedom of being able to explore increase survival and reduce side effects compounds for batteries, solar cells, and focus on my own research ideas from radiotherapy by reducing the or semiconductors. without external pressures.” dose delivered. In particular, she works Peter will join the team of Prof Julian with a type of children’s brain tumour Gale at Curtin University, who is an expert called medulloblastoma. She also has in the simulation of complex interfaces expertise in using MRI imaging to study and development of accurate and brain tumours. affordable computational methods for “Brain tumours kill more Australian biomineralisation and crystallisation. children than any other disease. The goal of the project is to produce a Consequently, there is a huge need to ‘cookbook’ of computational methods develop new therapies to help treat for predicting electrical conductivity of these devastating diseases.” materials under operating, real-world conditions, incorporating the effects of the environment.

Peter completed his PhD at Imperial College London with Prof Peter Lindstedt, studying catalytic combustion, after which he moved to the University of Hannover working in computational chemistry, and later to the Fritz Haber Institute in Berlin focussing on catalysis.

Current scholars

ADAM AKILA ANA MOTTA WDOWIAK BALACHANDRAN

Poland India Argentina The University of Western Australia Murdoch University The University of Western Australia Research field: Chemistry Research field: Cancer therapies Research field: History and Commenced in 2019 Commenced in 2019 archaeology Commenced in 2017

ASJA BHEDITA CLAIRE KROEGER SEEWOO DOLL

Germany Mauritius Canada The University of Western Australia The University of Western Australia The University of Western Australia Research field: Computational Research field: Neuroscience Research field: Agricultural economics chemistry Commenced in 2017 Commenced in 2019 Commenced in 2018 ANNUAL REPORT | 41 ANNUAL 2019

EMILY DULCE VARGAS FREDERIK HOFFMANN LANDIN SEERSHOLM

Australia Mexico Denmark The University of Western Australia The University of Western Australia Curtin University Research field: Biological science Research field: Epigenetics Research field: Biodiversity Commenced in 2017 Commenced in 2015 Commenced in 2016

GLADYMAR GRACE GOH JINCHENG PEREZ WANG

Venezuela Singapore China Curtin University The University of Western Australia Edith Cowan University Research field: Infectious disease Research field: Physiology and biology Research field: Mechanical engineering Commenced in 2018 Commenced in 2018 Commenced in 2018 Current scholars

KARISSA KIT LIAM LEAR PRENDERGAST SCARLETT

USA Australia Australia Murdoch University Curtin University Curtin University Research field: Behavioural ecology Research field: Biodiversity Research field: Theoretical physics Commenced in 2016 and ecology Commenced in 2018 Commenced 2016 PHD SUBMITTED 2019

MANOU MASNUN MARISA ROSENBERG NAHER DUONG

Germany Bangladesh Vietnam The University of Western Australia The University of Western Australia The University of Western Australia Research field: Engineering Research field: Chemistry Research field: Biochemical and and mathematics Commenced in 2018 molecular health and medical science Commenced in 2017 Commenced in 2016 ANNUAL REPORT | 43 ANNUAL 2019

MONICA NICHOLAS SARAH DANILEVICZ LAWLER LEESON

Brazil Australia Australia The University of Western Australia The University of Western Australia The University of Western Australia Research field: Plant genomics Research field: Research field: Biology Commenced in 2019 Electromagnetic radiation Commenced in 2018 Commenced in 2019

TRUNG VIET XUYEN LE TIM NGYUEN HAMMER

USA Vietnam Vietnam The University of Western Australia The University of Western Australia The University of Western Australia Research field: Biodiversity Research field: Epigenetics Research field: Biology Commenced in 2015 Commenced in 2015 Commenced in 2018

PHD COMPLETED Current fellows

DR ALFRED TILEY DR CHONG WEI DR GIOVANNI POLVERINO

United Kingdom China Italy The University of Western Australia Curtin University The University of Western Australia Research field: Astrophysics Research field: Marine bioacoustics Research field: Evolutionary biology Commenced in 2019 Commenced in 2019 Commenced in 2018

DR JULIE JI DR MARCUS KORB DR PHILIPP BAYER

Australia Germany Germany The University of Western Australia The University of Western Australia The University of Western Australia Research field: Psychology Research field: Chemistry Research field: Plant genomics Commenced in 2018 Commenced in 2019 Commenced in 2018 2019 ANNUAL REPORT | 45 Forrest Hall events

Throughout 2019, Forrest Hall hosted January: Breakfast presentation by June: Forrest Hall Open Day welcomed more than 80 academic conferences, North Korean defector and human over 200 members of the local workshops and other events. rights campaigner Yoenmi Park, in community to poster presentations on an event organised jointly by the research by 10 current Forrest Scholars Here are some of our highlights Walk Free Foundation and the Perth and post-doctoral fellows. from the year: USAsia Centre. July: Discussion meeting on freedom February: Workshop led by Professor of speech and academic freedom led David Bloom, Harvard University by Robert French, Chancellor of UWA. (Forrest Distinguished Visiting Fellow) August: Industry and PhD engagement with Director General of Health and program (iPREP) workshop for final senior Department of Health colleagues, stage PhD students from WA’s five and senior researchers from all five WA universities. universities and Telethon Kids Institute on the development of capacity in September: 17th Annual Symposium health economics. of the international Fishbase Consortium, researching, monitoring March: Seminar led by Professor Bob and safeguarding the health of our Wong, Monash University (Forrest ocean fisheries. Visiting Fellow) on the challenges of building an academic career. October: Expert group led by Sir Roy Anderson, Imperial College London April: Masterclass led by Professor (Forrest Distinguished Visiting Fellow) Brian Nosek, University of Virginia on Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases. and Centre for Open Science (Forrest Visiting Fellow) on how to change November: Annual Conference of peer review and embed openness, Western Australian Computational integrity and transparency in research Chemistry Group, convened by publication. Professor Amir Karton, UWA.

May: International Data4Life December: Video-conference for WA Symposium, convened by Professor researchers on phylogenetic trees as Parwinder Kaur, UWA, on the part of Australian node of the European application of AI to research in Molecular Biology Laboratory. life sciences. ANNUAL REPORT | 47 ANNUAL 2019

ABOVE: SIR ROY ANDERSON WORKSHOP BELOW: YEONMI PARK Visiting fellows

We were pleased to welcome 42 DISTINGUISHED VISITING FELLOWS Kimberley Czajkowski visiting fellows and two distinguished Lecturer in Ancient History Sir Roy Anderson University of Edinburgh, UK visiting fellows to Perth in 2019. Professor of Infectious Disease Visiting fellows gave public lectures, Epidemiology Mohamed Darouach led masterclasses and PhD seminars, Imperial College London, UK Professor of Engineering collaborated with research groups University of Lorraine, France David Bloom across the five WA universities and Professor of Economics and Hilal Elver related research institutes, and Demography UN Special Rapporteur on the interacted with Forrest Scholars and Harvard University, USA Right to Food, USA Fellows during their stay in Forrest Hall. Thomas Erren The distinguished visiting fellows, in VISITING FELLOWS (Raine/Forrest Visiting Fellow) addition to leading academic symposia Erez Lieberman Aiden Professor of Chronobiology and delivering keynote lectures, held Professor of Mathematics and Genetics University of Cologne, Germany numerous high-level meetings with Baylor College of Medicine, Rice government ministers and senior University, USA Richard Falk public servants to contribute to Professor Emeritus of International Law the development of public policy in Timothy Atkins Princeton University, USA Western Australia. (Raine / Forrest Visiting Fellow) Professor of Microbiology Robert Fletcher Defence Science Technology Professor of History Laboratory, UK University of Warwick, UK

Mark Bateman Rainer Frose Professor of Paleoenvironmental Helmholz Centre for Ocean Research Reconstruction Kiel, Germany University of Sheffield, UK Thomas Funke Andrea Cereatti Professor of Cryogenics Professor of Bioengineering Technical University of Dresden, University of Sassari, Italy Germany

William Cheung Adam Gibson Professor of Marine Science Professor of Medical Physics University of British Columbia, Canada University College London, UK

Zulfikar Hirji Professor of Anthropology York University, Canada

Theodora Hyuha Professor of Agricultural Economics Makerere University, Uganda ANNUAL REPORT | 49 ANNUAL 2019

Hamid Karimi Daniel O’Donnell Bethany Teachman Professor of Applied Mechanics Professor of Digital Humanities Professor of Psychology Polytechnic of Milan, Italy Lethbridge University, Canada University of Virginia, USA

Roger Keil Daniel Pauly Hester van Herk Professor of Urban Studies Professor of Marine Science Professor of Cross-cultural Marketing York University, Canada University of British Columbia Free University Amsterdam, Netherlands Ron Kikinis Maurizio Porfiri Professor of Medical Imaging Professor of Electrical Engineering Vicky Wing Lam Harvard Medical School, USA New York University, USA Research Associate, Fisheries Economics Jacob Leachman Craig Purchase University of British Columbia, Canada Professor of Materials Engineering Professor of Evolutionary Biology Washington State University, USA Memorial University Newfoundland, Mary Wlodek Canada (Raine/Forrest Visiting Fellow) Daniela Liggett Professor of Foetal and Post-natal Professor of Antarctic Studies Des Richardson (Raine/Forrest Physiology University of Canterbury, New Zealand Visiting Fellow) University of Melbourne, Australia Professor of Cancer Cell Biology Joyce Maina University of Sydney Bob Wong Professor of Aquaculture Professor of Biology University of Nairobi, Kenya Daan Roosegaarde Monash University, Australia Sustainable art and design Thomas Mehner Studio Roosegaarde, Rotterdam, Director, Leibniz Institute of Netherlands Freshwater Ecology Berlin, Germany Gilad Rosner Founder, Internet of Things Privacy Svante Norrheim Forum, UK Professor of History Lund University, Sweden Johannes Strobel Professor of STEM Education Brian Nosek University of Missouri, USA Director, Centre for Open Science University of Virginia, USA Rashid Sumaila Professor of Ocean and Fisheries Bill Notardonato Economics Principal Investigator, NASA University of British Columbia, Canada Kennedy Space Centre, USA Dahbia Talbi Darren Newbury Professor of Astrochemistry Professor of Photographic History University of Montpellier, France University of Brighton, UK PROF DAHBIA TALBI

Being able to discuss with people of different backgrounds (psychologists, biologists, computational scientists etc.) in an informal way and in a very pleasant location was extremely enriching.

I am a theoretical chemist specialising the methods of theoretical chemistry I stayed in Forrest Hall and it was magic! in astrochemistry (the chemistry of to investigate mechanisms for the The beauty of the location, the inspiring space). I belong to the French National formation of carbon dust particles in environment and the human experience Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) the atmosphere of carbon stars. made it so. The breakfast I attended conducting my researches at the allowed me to be introduced to the The invitation by the school of interface of chemistry physics and residents of the place, discovering the molecular sciences and Dr Amir astrophysics at the University of rich melting pot that Forrest Hall has Karton for my visit in 2019 gave me Montpellier. succeeded in gathering. Being able a memorable experience. Firstly, we to discuss with people of different My involvement with UWA started a finalised an ongoing work and were backgrounds (psychologists, biologists, while ago. In 1998, I was invited by the able to suggest an efficient mechanism computational scientists, etc.) in an head of the chemistry department, a for the formation of polycyclic aromatic informal way and in a very pleasant theoretical chemist, for a three-month hydrocarbon aggregates in carbon location was extremely enriching. What visit. Thanks to regular visits to his star atmospheres as seeds for dust a nice way to feed both the body and group, I built up a solid network of formation in the universe. Secondly, the brain! But the most rewarding collaborators and friends there, making thanks to the public talk I gave, I met experience was the exchange I had with Perth a second home. My visit in 2013 astrophysicists from ICRAR (where scholars and fellows during the evening happened to be a turning point. I met a I also gave a seminar) and from the seminar I gave at Forrest Hall. I received new generation of theoretical chemists CSIRO. Exciting exchanges resulted very positive feedback from sharing at UWA (Dr Amir Karton and Dr Dino from these new connections. Moreover, my experience of scientific and human Spagnoli) which gave me a second my seminar at the School of Molecular management and also my enthusiasm inspiration for my UWA collaboration. Sciences was one more opportunity to for science and research. I really hope to This collaboration has now even introduce astrochemistry to students have a chance to meet them in the near enlarged to include one researcher and young academics in the school, future to find out if our exchanges have from Curtin University and one from with the hope it would contribute to the been useful to their research activity. ANU, a former PhD student at UWA. birth of new research interests. Thirdly, Within this collaboration, we are using and this was the ‘cherry on the cake’, PROF DAN O’DONNELL ANNUAL REPORT | 51 ANNUAL 2019 The Forrest Visiting Fellowship gave me a chance to really engage much more closely with the research that is going on in Curtin, Perth and Australia more generally.

I was a Forrest Visiting Fellow Cowan, and got to know the entire Hall overlooked the sailing and rowing in November 2019. This was a team at COKI much better. It was also clubs, and the sun hit my bed even sabbatical visit, and the goal was much easier to collaborate across morning at just before 5am, meaning I to get some face-to-face time with Australia from Perth than it is from the got a nice early start each day. I think Lucy Montgomery and Cameron North American Mountain Time Zone! I closed my balcony door only twice Neylon at the Curtin University Open during the five weeks I was in Perth – As this suggests, it was a very Knowledge Institute (COKI), a research a very welcome respite from the -20°C productive time. We finished one major group that focusses on the study of weather my family and colleagues were grant application while I was in Perth, open science and scholarship — how enjoying in Lethbridge. With access to and got a good start on another. We models of publication and knowledge a rental car, I also took frequent trips on also finished the draft of a book on dissemination such as Open Access, my own or with colleagues from COKI novel forms of peer review. And as you and Open and FAIR (Findable, around Western Australia. I drove up might imagine with so much contact, Accessible, Interoperable, and through the dunes and nature reserves we brainstormed on more new ideas Reusable) Data can be implemented to the Pinnacles and Jurien Bay, then than we could possibly write up! within the current research eastwards for a day at New Norcia, environment. As productive as my time at Forrest comparing Australian and Canadian Hall was, the fellowship was for me approaches to reconciliation. And I I’ve worked with the COKI group for about much more than my research also enjoyed several day trips to the several years on various projects, but program. The start of my sabbatical wineries around Perth. the Forrest Visiting Fellowship gave had been delayed by extended contract me a chance to really engage much All told, it’s been a wonderful, negotiations at my home university more closely with the research that is productive, academic, social, and (I am the chief labour negotiator for going on in Curtin, Perth, and Australia educational experience. I am very my faculty union) and the opportunity more generally. I discovered a new grateful for the opportunity and would to get away from the daily distractions potential collaborator at the University recommend it to any academic. I wish of university affairs was very of Western Australia, renewed contact we had something similar here! welcome. My apartment in Forrest with an old acquaintance at Edith Governors

MR ROBERT FRENCH PROFESSOR MR GRANT Chair of Governors MARK CASSIDY DONALDSON SC University of Chair of Selection Melbourne Committee

DR ANDREW FORREST DR NICOLA FORREST PROF DAWN Chairman Co-Chair FRESHWATER Minderoo Foundation Minderoo Foundation Vice-Chancellor The University of Western Australia

PROF PAUL JOHNSON PROF EEVA LEINONEN PROF DEBORAH TERRY Warden Vice-Chancellor Vice-Chancellor Forrest Research Murdoch University Curtin University Foundation

DR MICHAEL CHANEY AO Financial update

The following financial statements reflect the financial performance and position REPORT | 53 ANNUAL 2019 of the Forrest Research Foundation for the period ended 31 December 2019.

2019 marked the first full year of operation of Forrest Hall, and further development of the scholarship, fellowship and visiting fellowship schemes.

Donation income from Minderoo Foundation was double the budgeted sum as the 2018 donation instalment was received in February 2019, and the 2019 instalment was received in December 2019.

Investment income at 31 December reflects the mark-to-market revaluation of the investment corpus. The strong performance from investment markets throughout 2019 produced a return to the university’s long-term investment pool of 16.95 per cent.

The cumulative donation received as at 31 December 2019 was $74 million. The total carrying value of the foundation financial assets as at 31 December 2018 was $54 million, of which 94 per cent is invested in the long-term pool. The total carrying value of property, plant and equipment as at 31 December 2018 was $29 million. Income Statement for the period ended 31 December 2019

2019 2019 2019 Actual Budget Actual $ $

INCOME Funds from Forrest Foundation (a) - 6,500,000 13,000,000 Forrest Hall – student accommodation rental (b) 273,599 497,879 451,113 Forrest Hall – short-stay rental (b) 331,674 444,165 555,864 Forrest Hall – parking (b) 5,754 6,000 6,490 Investments income (c) 562,930 3,077,978 6,858,618 Other 145,253 - 187,789

TOTAL INCOME 1,319,210 10,526,022 21,059,866

EXPENDITURE Forrest Research Scholarships (d) 516,126 619,167 497,165 Forrest Foundation Fellowships (d) 251,176 573,569 609,174 Salaries 303,608 337,705 311,883 Marketing 19,558 90,000 3,154 Operating costs 213,833 302,530 252,163 Forrest Hall – expenses (b) 336,065 521,424 456,057 Construction expenditure expensed 401,568 - -

TOTAL EXPENDITURE 2,041,934 2,444,394 2,129, 595

OPERATING RESULT BEFORE DEPRECIATION (722,724) 8,081,628 18,930,271

Depreciation expense 142,999 856,565 852,987

OPERATING RESULT AFTER DEPRECIATION (865,723) 7,225,062 18,077,284

Notes: a) The 2018 $6.5 million donation instalment from the Minderoo Foundation was received in February 2019 and the 2019 instalment was received in December 2019. b) The Forrest Hall operating model has adopted a ‘whole-of-life’ approach to managing the building. Forty-five per cent of the income ($456,057) flows to manage the facility and pay all associated operating costs. The residual income ($557,402) available to the foundation is allocated to a building sinking fund. c) Represents actual investment return earned. For the year ended 31 December 2019, the long-term pool returned 16.95% and the short-term pool returned 3.03%. d) The variance to budget is driven by the timing of cash flows. The budget is phased on a straight-line basis whilst the actual expenditure is impacted by the staggered commencement of the fellows and scholars. Statement of Financial Position as at 31 December 2019

2018 2019 $ $ ASSETS Current assets Cash and cash equivalents 2,168,336 2,112,312

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 2,168,336 2,112,312

NON-CURRENT ASSETS Other financial assets 34,482,021 52,762,574 Property, plant and equipment (a) 30,771,660 29,080,516

TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS 65,253,621 81,843,090

TOTAL ASSETS 67,421,957 83,955,460

EQUITY Reserves (b) 274,962 885,460 Retained earnings 67,146,995 83,069,942

TOTAL EQUITY 67,421,957 83,955,402

Notes: a) Depreciation is based on a 2% reducing balance for buildings and 5% straight line for fixtures and fittings. b) The reserves represent 55% of Forrest Hall total revenue set aside to cover future capital maintenance. Forrest Hall, 21 Hackett Dr, Crawley WA 6009 POSTAL M441, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley WA 6009 T +61 8 6488 5598 E [email protected] forrestresearch.org.au