December 2009 | Volume 18 | Number 10 | Free Publication

Two giant reasons for students to volunteer

Story on page 12

Life Impact | The University of Adelaide www.adelaide.edu.au VICE-CHANCELLOR

Adelaidean is the offi cial newspaper of the University of Adelaide. It provides news and information about the University to the general public, Give the gift of knowledge with a focus on Life Impact. Circulation: 11,000 per month One of the greatest gifts anyone can (March to December) Online readership: give our students is a scholarship. 140,000 hits per month (on average) www.adelaide.edu.au/adelaidean

Editor: Scholarships are vital in supporting our for students with disabilities, for those from David Ellis students, giving them the best possible chance rural, regional or remote areas, for Aboriginal Design: of gaining a quality educational experience. and Torres Strait Islander students, for Honours Chris Tonkin Ask any student who has received a students, postgraduate coursework and research Writers: Candy Gibson scholarship what benefi ts they get from it, and students, for international students, and even Robyn Mills they’ll tend to say the same things: studying some scholarships for those who study over Contributors: at university can be a fi nancial burden; my their holidays. Ben Osborne, Claire Oremland scholarship helps to take the fi nancial pressure It sounds like a lot – and it is – but we need Cover photo: off; it means I don’t need to get a job to support more. Our students need more. iStock me while I study; it means I can focus on For every student who receives a scholarship, Adelaidean will return in March 2010 Do you receive too many Adelaideans? my education. many dozens miss out. That means for many Not enough? Want to be added to our Scholarships change lives. They can change students, their educational opportunities and mailing list or taken off? them in big ways – such as through major experiences are limited simply due to fi nancial Contact us to let us know. scholarships like the Rhodes, Fulbright, Menzies pressures. We should not accept that as Editorial/Advertising enquiries: and Monash schemes, which lead to unique the norm. Phone: +61 8 8303 5414 Fax: +61 8 8303 4829 study opportunities – or they can change them By offering an array of scholarships, the Email: [email protected] in other ways, such as paying enough to cover University of Adelaide provides hope to students Mailing address: tuition or important study costs. who have the academic talent and ability but Adelaidean Many scholarship winners go on to become who might consider a university education to Marketing & Strategic Communications, leaders of the community, industry, politics and be beyond their grasp. There could be many University of Adelaide, academia. Such students are talented and their reasons for this, such as concerns about the costs SA 5005 talent deserves to be recognised and fostered, associated with study, or of relocating to the city Australia helping them to reach their fullest potential. from a country area. Printed by: At the University of Adelaide, I’m pleased to Scholarships help us to provide higher Lane Print & Post say that we have a huge number of scholarship education to those who deserve it, regardless Distribution: recipients at both undergraduate and of their socio-economic status, location or Lane Print & Post postgraduate level. other disadvantage. Passing Out Distribution Co. Our undergraduate scholarships for Industry and community support is critical in Registered by Australia Post commencing students alone are valued at $1 helping us to maintain and grow our scholarships. No 565001/00046 million, and this year we gave scholarships to This year, SA Water doubled its scholarships, 150 new undergraduate students. This is a major providing 24 students with fi nancial support commitment to providing the best educational as well as offering some of them paid work opportunities for students who deserve them. experience. Such support is extremely important Adelaidean is printed on 100% There are scholarships for commencing and in providing educational opportunities as well as Carbon Neutral Paper that is derived from sustainably managed forests continuing students, for those in fi nancial need, direct links between our students and industry. and is certifi ed by the Australian Families such as the Hawker and Cowan Government’s Department of Climate families have been an outstanding presence Change. Adelaidean is printed using vegetable-based inks and is in the provision of scholarships and bursaries Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF). The to students. Members of the community have paper stock and the printing process also been vital in supporting the annual Vice- are ISO 14001 certifi ed. www.dalton.com.au Chancellor’s Scholarships, which give exceptional www.climatechange.gov.au/ students the opportunity to attend the University greenhousefriendly of Adelaide. To all of those who already provide our students with scholarships each year, I thank you. To those who are considering support for scholarships, we welcome your generosity. The gift of knowledge is the best gift of all.

JAMES A. McWHA Vice-Chancellor and President

2 Adelaidean Volume 18 | Number 10 | December 2009 Contents

South Australian of the year 4 awards 2009

5 $54 million impact on research

World-class science precinct 6 has added value

Light of learning shines at 7 new institute

8 $2.1 million boost to Library

Iraqi student has real-world 9 perspective

Student water project wins Best for customer service 10 national prize Around Australia on fi sh’n’chips Top quality customer service to our students has been recognised in the latest “mystery shopping” Extinct moa rewrites New 11 Zealand’s history benchmarking exercise undertaken by the COVER STORY Two giant reasons University of Adelaide’s Student Centre. 12 for students to volunteer

As part of the University’s strategy to The University of Adelaide’s Student Algae biofuel project maintain and improve high standards of Centre has a team of dedicated staff to 14 leads world student service delivery, the Student Centre’s help current and future students. enquiry telephone service participates in “We’re here to provide help and advice Pedestrians at risk, warn regular benchmarking surveys. to students or their families on a range safety experts In Customer Service Benchmarking of issues – from choosing what to study 15 Australia’s (CSBA) latest Quarterly and how to apply, to information about Lack of experience key factor Report, the University of Adelaide set the scholarships or accommodation, and in youth crashes benchmark for overall performance for the many other issues that affect students,” universities surveyed. Ms Ciccarello said. Adelaide students win PM’s The CSBA survey judges the quality “Our promise is that if we don’t know 16 scholarships of customer service by measuring and the answer to your query, we will fi nd the assessing the time taken to respond to person who does.” New Lumen out this month a call, greeting skills, manner, enquiry For many students, deciding what they 17 resolution, communication skills and want to study and whether they are making complaint handling skills. the right choices can be a diffi cult and 18 Recovery on the way: expert Student Centre Manager Sue Ciccarello stressful decision. said it was pleasing to see University of “Students can easily feel overwhelmed Scientists leap horse Adelaide in the overall top position, and with options,” she said. “It’s also common genome hurdle many points above the sector average, for students to worry that they will be 19 in the latest survey which included 14 locking themselves into a future study and Platypus mysteries revealed universities across Australia. career path for the rest of their lives. This “We like to monitor our performance simply isn’t true.” Folic acid link to asthma risk so that we get an external, objective In addition to the team at the Student 20 Questions raised over assessment of how the enquiry service is Centre, there are many staff who provide gastric banding shaping up against its peers and against support services to students. similar operations in other sectors so Student support includes help with that we can take any action necessary,” accommodation, making the transition from Surf’s up for eChallenge 21 winners Ms Ciccarello said. school, study help, counselling, fi nancial The quarterly report also surveys support, careers advice and specifi c other sectors including fi nancial support networks for international students, Frog expert makes leap institutions, councils, utilities, airlines and elite athletes and students with disability. 22 into Korea telecommunication companies, although Story by David Ellis comparisons between sectors are only on Who’s making sci-fi history? sector average. 23 “Interestingly, the university sector Above: Student Centre Manager Sue Ciccarello (centre) compares well against these other sectors with members of the Student Centre team 24 Coming Events across all criteria,” said Ms Ciccarello. Photo by Michael Mullan

Volume 18 | Number 10 | December 2009 Adelaidean 3 ACHIEVEMENT South Australian OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2009

University of Adelaide staff and graduates have received fi ve of the prestigious 2009 South Australian of the Year Awards, including the two top awards.

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR PROFESSOR BILL GRIGGS AM ASM ROBERT NORMAN JULIAN O’SHEA

Associate Professor Bill Griggs AM ASM The University of Adelaide’s Professor University of Adelaide engineering graduate has been announced as the 2009 recipient Robert Norman has been named the winner Julian O’Shea has been named Young South of the prestigious South Australian of the in both the Health and Science categories of Australian of the Year. Year Award. the 2009 South Australian of the Year Awards. Julian is a young leader within the Dr Griggs is an Associate Professor in Professor Norman, a world-renowned engineering profession, the Australian the University of Adelaide’s Discipline of reproductive health expert, is a Professor in Defence Force and the wider community as Anaesthesia and Intensive Care (School of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University an active volunteer. Medicine) and is Director of Trauma Services of Adelaide and is the Director of the He completed a Bachelor of at the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH). University’s Robinson Institute. Engineering (Information Technology & Dr Griggs graduated in medicine from the He specialises in clinical management Telecommunications) with Honours at the University of Adelaide in 1981. He joined the of infertility and reproductive endocrinology University of Adelaide in 2005, followed by consultant staff of the RAH and assumed his conditions such as Polycystic Ovary a Masters in Engineering Science from the current position as the Director of Trauma Syndrome (PCOS), lack of ovulation, Australian Defence Force Academy. Services in 1995. hormonally caused menstrual period His professional expertise has seen He has a strong interest in safety and problems and menopause. Professor him represent Australia at international injury prevention and is the founder of the Norman is one of the world’s experts on the conferences, serve as an offi cer in the Royal Roads2Survival community road safety management of infertility using innovative IVF Australian Navy, and he currently represents program. He is the State Controller (Health techniques. young engineers on the national board of the and Medical) for disasters within SA Health. Earlier this year, he was named the College of Information, Telecommunications, He is perhaps best known for his work in 2009 South Australian Science Excellence and Electronics Engineering. disasters, having been deployed to manage Awards Scientist of the Year, and in 2007 he evacuations and victim care for the Bali was named one of 10 of the Best Minds in bombings, the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami and Australian Research. most recently, has headed up the medical The Robinson Institute, which consists team in the Samoan disaster. of more than 200 researchers and many Dr Griggs has completed hundreds of students, specialises in reproductive health aeromedical retrievals within the State and and regenerative medicine. has been instrumental in the establishment The citations for Professor Norman’s South of MedSTAR – South Australia’s new retrieval Australian of the Year Health and Science service – where he is the Director of Retrieval Awards said he was recognised for his Coordination. “outstanding contribution to reproductive TIMOTHY SEXTON Dr Griggs was recently recognised with health and regenerative medicine”. an Ambulance Service Medal in the 2009 “Professor Norman promotes internationally University of Adelaide music graduate Queen’s Birthday Honours and was made a competitive research in reproduction that Timothy Sexton has won the Arts category of Member of the Order of Australia in 2003 for is equal to any research currently being the South Australian of the Year Awards. services to medicine, particularly in trauma, conducted around the world.” Sexton, who graduated from the University emergency and intensive care management Advantage SA (formerly known as SA of Adelaide in the 1980s with a Bachelor of and education. Great) CEO Nikki Seymour-Smith said Music, Honours in Composition and also a The author of more than 60 publications, Professor Norman’s work was at the forefront Graduate Diploma in Education, is one of he has lectured widely and is an Associate of international reproductive research. South Australia’s most prominent musicians. Professor at both the University of Adelaide “Professor Norman is a truly deserving He has worked as a freelance composer, and James Cook University. recipient [of these awards]. He is an conductor, arranger, singer, writer and He has recently completed a Masters international expert in various areas relating to adjudicator over the past 30 years. of Business Administration (MBA) at the reproductive health and infertility. Currently the Artistic Director/Conductor University of Adelaide. “It is extremely pleasing that such world- of the Adelaide Art Orchestra, he recently The South Australian of the Year Awards are class research is being undertaken right here composed the original fi lm score for the run by Advantage SA and supported by the in South Australia,” she said. feature movie The Marriage of Figaro and has Government of South Australia. conducted many musicals and operas. He has composed more than 200 works.

4 Adelaidean Volume 18 | Number 10 | December 2009 RESEARCH $54 million impact on research

University of Adelaide National Health and Medical Research Australian Research Council (ARC) Council (NHMRC) More than $12.6 million will fund 38 researchers have been The total of $41.7 million in NHMRC new projects at the University of Adelaide awarded more than $54 funding includes $35.8 million to launch 54 spanning the fi elds of environment new research projects that have the potential and ecology, agriculture, fi nance and million for new research that to save, prolong and signifi cantly improve the economics, health, physics, engineering, aims to make an impact on quality of lives for all Australians. computer science, genetics, history, The projects include research into early geography and psychology. many aspects of our lives. childhood development, nutrition, cancer The funding – for fundamental research, and other diseases, men’s health, obesity, as well as projects that include industry indigenous health, reproduction and heart and government – will also attract more Recent funding announcements from disease. than $4.2 million in additional support from the Australian Research Council (ARC) external partners. and National Health and Medical Research Some key projects include: Council (NHMRC) will support 92 new • $4.1 million to Professor Maria Makrides Among the successful projects are: research projects starting next year, plus (Women’s and Children’s Health Research • $844,000 to Professor Graeme Hugo research fellowships and career development. Institute (WCHRI) and University of Adelaide (Geographical & Environmental Studies, University of Adelaide researchers secured (Professor of Nutrition)) to investigate food Social Sciences) to study circular migration $12.6 million in ARC funding and $41.7 million allergies among infants and also test the role in Asia, the Pacifi c and Australia, which in NHMRC funding. of iodine on children’s development; is fundamental to the nation’s economy, The University’s Vice-Chancellor and • $1.76 million to Professor Gary Wittert society and security; President, Professor James McWha, said: (Medicine) to investigate how changes in • $622,997 to Professor Robert Gibson “The University of Adelaide continues to sex hormones, together with infl ammation (Agriculture, Food and Wine) to investigate demonstrate strengths in fundamental and and environmental factors, can contribute the production of biodiesel fuel from meat applied research that will benefi t industry, to heart disease in men; industry by-products; government and society for many years • $1 million to Professor James Paton • $160,000 to Associate Professor Peng to come. (Molecular and Biomedical Sciences) to Bi (Public Health, Population Health and “This is another excellent result for our identify factors contributing to pneumococcal, Clinical Practice) to study how the elderly have adapted to and coped with extreme researchers across a broad range of a major cause of bacterial pneumonia, sepsis heatwaves in South Australia; disciplines and is indicative of the depth of and meningitis especially in children and world-class research being conducted at the elderly; • $360,000 to Dr Wolfgang Haak (Australian Centre for Ancient DNA, Environment our University.” • $1 million to Professor Ian Chapman Institute) to understand genetic changes The University received 78% of the NHMRC (Medicine) to research the impact of testosterone tablets and a nutritional in human populations caused by past funding awarded in the state and ranked third epidemics; in the nation for 2010 Project Grants awarded. supplement to help reduce hospital For more information about research Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) admissions in under-nourished, older people; at the University of Adelaide, visit: Professor Mike Brooks said this result “has Six researchers have won Career www.adelaide.edu.au/research reinforced the University of Adelaide’s Development Awards totalling $2.3 million, reputation as one of the most research- while NHMRC Research Fellowships Professor Maria Makrides, pictured here with a baby at the intensive institutions in the country”. totalling $3.6 million have been awarded to Women’s and Children’s Hospital, has won a total of $4.1 another six researchers who are carrying out million for two separate research projects signifi cant work in their fi eld. Photo by Ben Osborne

Volume 18 | Number 10 | December 2009 Adelaidean 5 FACILITIES World-class science precinct has added value A proposed new University of Adelaide building will bring great scientifi c advances, top teaching and research facilities for students and staff, and an estimated $230 million and 2000 jobs into the state economy.

The University is proposing to develop Professor McWha said the jobs created from the Adelaide University Union – then a new $77 million teaching and research and economic stimulus for the state was an association of staff and students. building on the site currently occupied by a “signifi cant community benefi t at a time Union Hall has not been used by the Union Hall. when unemployment is predicted to keep Adelaide Festival since 2000, there has It will incorporate the new Institute for rising at least in the short term”. been limited use in the last decade by Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS) “We need to make tough choices to Adelaide Fringe, and the University’s with specialised laboratories that will be best use our limited space and the funding Theatre Guild stopped its regular use the best in the world for developing a new we get. We are funded for research and 15 years ago. generation of optical fi bres (see story on teaching and that’s where we must place The University is investing in a $1.5 next page), and additional research and our priorities. million update of Scott Theatre, which will teaching facilities. “We acknowledge the loss of Union be in use in time for the Adelaide Festival The development will provide 8200 Hall has signifi cance for some members in 2010. metres over seven levels of much-needed of the community. However, we need to During the 2010 Adelaide Festival, research and teaching space. ask the question: do we want to keep an there will be 28 performances on the The project will bring an estimated $230 ageing facility that is not being used any University of Adelaide campus in both million, 770 direct and 1300 indirect jobs more as a full theatre; that makes a poor Scott Theatre (20 performances – State into the state economy over the 2.5 year lecture theatre; and that would require a Theatre Company) and Elder Hall (eight construction period. substantial investment to refurbish and performances) – more performances “This development will provide a world- meet occupational health and safety than any other venue provider outside the class research and teaching facility that requirements? Adelaide Festival Centre. will allow our researchers to develop “Or, do we want to look forward and revolutionary technologies. These will build something that will bring far greater Story by Robyn Mills bring tremendous benefi ts to health, the benefi ts for students and staff, for advances Below: An artist’s impression of the proposed new $77 environment, food and wine production and in science and medicine, and for the South million science building, which would be joined up with the defence,” Professor McWha said. Australian community as a whole?” existing Molecular Life Sciences Building “It will give students the benefi t of fi rst- Union Hall was built in 1958 as a Image courtesy of Hassell rate teaching facilities and the opportunity multipurpose facility, deliberately not to work with great researchers, who will called a theatre, funded from a fundraising be attracted from around the world to campaign. The biggest contribution to the this facility. campaign came from the University; “It will also help us meet our urgent the balance from a public need to accommodate rapidly expanding appeal with a contribution student numbers – approximately 1000 extra students each year – and our growing research activity.”

6 Adelaidean Volume 18 | Number 10 | December 2009 PHYSICS

Light of learning shines at new institute Scientists at the University of Adelaide have made a breakthrough that could change the world’s thinking on what light is capable of.

The researchers in the University’s new processing in telecommunications networks ARC Federation Fellow at the University of Institute for Photonics & Advanced Sensing and optical computing, as well as new light Adelaide and Director of IPAS. (IPAS) have discovered that light within sources. Professor Monro said Dr Afshar’s optical fi bres can be squeezed into much IPAS Research Fellow Dr Shahraam discovery was “a fundamental tighter spaces than was previously believed Afshar made this discovery ahead of last breakthrough in the science of light”. possible. month’s launch of the new Institute. Another IPAS researcher, Dr Yinlan Ruan, Optical fi bres usually act like pipes for The Federal Government, State has also recently created what is thought light, with the light bouncing around inside Government, DSTO, Defence SA and the to be the world’s smallest hole inside the pipe. As you shrink down the size of University of Adelaide have committed a an optical fi bre – just 25 nanometres in the fi bre, the light becomes more and more combined total of more than $38 million to diameter. confi ned too, until you reach the ultimate support the establishment of the Institute. “These breakthroughs feed directly into limit – the point beyond which light cannot IPAS is a world leader in the science our applied work to develop nanoscale be squeezed any smaller. and application of light, developing sensors, and they are perfect examples This ultimate point occurs when the unique lasers, optical fi bres and sensors of the culture of research excellence strand of glass is just a few hundred to measure various aspects of the world that exists among our team members,” nanometres in diameter, about one around us. A strong focus of the new Professor Monro said. thousandth of the size of a human hair. If Institute is collaboration with other fi elds “They will enable us to study the you go smaller than this, light begins to of research to fi nd solutions to a range of applications of light at much smaller scales spread out again. problems. than we’ve ever thought possible. It will The Adelaide researchers have “By being able to use our optical help us to better understand and probe our discovered they can now push beyond that fi bres as sensors – rather than just using world in ever smaller dimensions.” limit by at least a factor of two. them as pipes to transmit light – we can They can do this due to new develop tools that, for example, could Story by David Ellis breakthroughs in the theoretical easily detect the presence of a fl u virus understanding of how light behaves at the at an airport; could help IVF specialists to nanoscale, and thanks to the use of a new determine which egg should be chosen Above: Dr Shahraam Afshar, Research Fellow with the generation of nanoscale optical fi bres being for fertilisation; could gauge the safety of Institute for Photonics & Advanced Sensing, theorised that light could be squeezed into much tighter spaces than was developed at the Institute. drinking water; or could alert maintenance previously believed possible. Those theories have now This discovery is expected to lead crews to corrosion occurring in the structure been proven. to more effi cient tools for optical data of an aircraft,” said Professor Tanya Monro, Photo by Jennie Groom

Volume 18 | Number 10 | December 2009 Adelaidean 7 LIBRARY $2.1 million boost to Library Every great research institution needs a great research library, and the collections at the University of Adelaide have just been given a signifi cant boost.

Earlier this year, Vice-Chancellor and the requests received for new resources. extra boost to our buying power, given that so President Professor James McWha “The new collections focus on areas that many resources are purchased from overseas. approved $2.1 million in ongoing funding are growing strongly, as well as on areas of “The new breadth and depth of our for the University Library to dramatically emerging research interest, including multi- collections comes at a perfect time, as the expand its collections. disciplinary research. University of Adelaide continues its very strong This funding boost was the result of a “Some of our new resources are items performance in attracting research grant review commissioned by the University in that have been keenly sought after for a funding,” Mr Choate said. 2007 to assess the Library’s buying power long while, and we’re gratifi ed that we’re The University Library encompasses the and to benchmark it against the other now able to offer them.” iconic Barr Smith Library, as well as the Elder universities in the Group of Eight. New additions to the collections Music Library, the Sir John Salmond Law The review found that a funding boost encompass electronic resources (including Library, and the libraries of the Roseworthy for the Library was needed in order for 22,000 new e-book titles), datasets, music and Waite campuses. it to continue its excellent service of the scores and multimedia items, as well as The Library collections will become even University’s research-intensive mission. new books and journals. more widely accessible to members of University Librarian Ray Choate said that “The funding has been spot on in terms the University of Adelaide community as it once the extra funding was announced, of being able to meet demand and we were increases the mass of electronic journals, feedback about what should go on the even able to add some extra acquisitions books and databases. Library’s shopping list was sought from after the fi rst round of requests,” Mr To fi nd out more about recent acquisitions, Schools and Faculties. Choate said. visit: www.adelaide.edu.au/library/news/ “This funding increase has allowed us to “While the volatility of the currency resources critically examine areas of need across the markets earlier in the year gave us cause entire University,” Mr Choate said. for thought, the current strong position of Story by Karah Hogarth “We’ve been pleased to grant almost all the Australian dollar was an unanticipated Photo by Randy Larcombe

The University of Adelaide is proud display in the newly established This microscope was of its connections to the Braggs – Sir Royal Institution of Australia – made by C Collins of William Henry and his son Sir William for opening hours visit: London and purchased Lawrence. Sir William Bragg was www.riaus.org.au by Professor William the Elder Professor of Mathematics Henry Bragg while there At the Royal Institution you will and Physics at the University from on study leave in 1898. also be able to see a fi lm on the 1886-1908 and his son studied here The microscope was Braggs, Driven to Diffraction, and graduated in 1908 with First purchased from Bragg’s in which material from the Class Honours in Mathematics. family in Cambridge University’s Physics Museum and donated to the They went on to jointly win a Nobel and the Scientifi c Apparatus University of Adelaide Prize in 1915 for their work on Collection was used to recreate by physics graduate solving the structure of crystalline the laboratory used by the Braggs Dr John Jenkin in materials using x-ray diffraction. for their Nobel Prize-winning work. May 1997. A display of the Bragg material Mirna Heruc, Photo by Mick Bradley from our Physics Museum is on Manager, Art & Heritage Collections

8 Adelaidean Volume 18 | Number 10 | December 2009 STUDENTS

Iraqi student has real-world perspective

As a child living in Baghdad, Khadhraa Glen would watch a convoy of United Nations lorries deliver food to Saddam Hussein’s Royal Palace – supplies that were meant for the Iraqi people under the Oil-for-Food program but redirected elsewhere.

“I was supposed to be a recipient of that in a war zone with shots being fi red all options are also very broad – you can work food so it really made an impact on me,” around me, but it was different. Although in intelligence, politics, on development the now 23-year-old student said. it was certainly dangerous and we were projects and in private enterprise as well “It was at that point that I thought, ‘One shelled constantly, the US forces were also as government.” day, I will be in a position to help my implementing a lot of development projects Khadhraa’s parents immigrated to people, or those less fortunate’ – and that for the Iraqi civilians.” Adelaide in 2000, and after topping day has fi nally arrived.” Khadhraa’s main task was to assist Croydon High School in 2005 with a TER This month, Khadhraa will complete her the military in liaising with the Iraqi of 93, she was accepted into the University Bachelor of International Studies degree people, providing language, religious and of Adelaide. from the University of Adelaide and has cultural training. In her fi rst year at university she worked already secured a highly sought after “Through my logistics and liaison job as a volunteer with the former Democrats position working in the international fi eld. I helped avoid a lot of potential confl icts Senator Natasha Stott-Despoja, (now a No doubt her impressive resume helped because I was able to act as a mediator visiting lecturer in Politics at Adelaide), tip the scales in her favour. between the soldiers and civilians. It was whom she regards as one of her Her three-year degree was interspersed a very satisfying experience and I also role models. with a long spell in Iraq, working as an learned a lot about the military in that time.” “She encouraged me to pursue my Arabic/English bilingual and cultural adviser Returning to Adelaide and her studies dreams and career goals and face for the Coalition Forces in Basra. required an enormous adjustment, but up to the obstacles along the way,” The internship was certainly an informed with a broader view of the world, Khadhraa said. extraordinary one, where she literally put her and the Middle East in particular, she has In 2007 Khadhraa also became the fi rst life on the line to extend her international completed her International Studies degree South Australian Muslim to be awarded knowledge and to better understand a war with a unique perspective. a gold medal for the Duke of Edinburgh that has divided the world. “The internship has certainly helped my Award and in the same year was a semi- As one of only a handful of women job prospects, but I think the degree in itself fi nalist for the SA Young Achiever Award. among a 20,000-strong military occupation, equips students with the knowledge to work it was a tough environment for a young anywhere in the world. Story by Candy Gibson Muslim woman, but she soon earned the “It is certainly a course of study I would respect of the soldiers. recommend to Year 12 students who want Above: International Studies student Khadhraa Glen “It wasn’t at all what I expected,” a transportable career and a job that is with a Military Police offi cer at the Coalition forces Khadhraa said. “I had visions of living valued both in Australia and overseas. The base in Basra, Iraq

Volume 18 | Number 10 | December 2009 Adelaidean 9 ENGINEERING Around Australia on fi sh’n’chips Former oil driller Paul Carter has completed an historic 18,300km journey around Australia riding the country’s only registered biodiesel bike, built by the University of Adelaide. Riding at a maximum speed of 100kph, Mr Carter took 11 weeks to fi nish the epic trek, using 630 litres of “fi sh and chip oil” to fuel the bike. The 40-year-old author and former offshore oil rigger described the adventure as “an amazing experience” and an opportunity to spread “the good oil” about the benefi ts of biodiesel over hydrocarbons. “The bike performed incredibly well,” he said. “It got us around Australia, leaving only a very small environmental footprint.” Along the way, Mr Carter spoke to dozens of farmers about the advantages of biodiesel as an alternative fuel source. The journey also provided him with the opportunity to “give something back to the environment” after working in the oil Student water project industry for 20 years. The award-winning biodiesel bike nicknamed “Black Betty” was built by the University’s Mechanical Engineering students in 2007 under the supervision of wins national prize Dr Colin Kestell. Prior to this trip the biodiesel bike had already won acclaim for generating A University of Adelaide student project aimed at minimal greenhouse gas emissions in solving urban water supply problems in Australia completing a 3000km trek between Darwin and Adelaide in seven days. has won a national engineering award. Mr Carter plans to write a book – The Good Oil – about his road trip, accompanied by a DVD fi lmed by his support crew along Engineers Australia has honoured Fiona “Ideally, to meet the demand of the the way. Paton, John Baulis, Ben Staniford and Lisa Southern system in the long term, as well The book will also contain details about Lloyd for an engineering project aimed at as keep the costs and greenhouse gas his next challenge – attempting to break helping governments to overcome urban emissions to a minimum, a combination of the world land speed record on a high- water shortages in a sustainable manner. all sources would be best. performance biodiesel motorbike, currently The four completed a case study of “Reservoir and River Murray water are being built by the University’s School of Mechanical Engineering. Adelaide’s Southern water supply system cheaper and produce fewer greenhouse “We’re planning on doing speed trials in (which supplies about half of Adelaide’s gas emissions than desalinated water and March next year at Lake Gairdner in the water needs) for their 2008 Honours project rainwater. However, due to the uncertainty north of South Australia, an enormous salt in the School of Civil, Environmental and over River Murray supply and with reservoir lake which has been the site for several Mining Engineering. yield projected to decrease due to the land speed record attempts,” he said. Fiona (now a PhD student), John and effects of climate change, then alternative The world record will be attempted in 2011. Ben presented the group’s fi ndings at the sources must be considered,” Fiona said. For more details about Mr Carter’s Society for Sustainability and Environmental “Desalinated water is preferable in trip visit: www.thegoodoil.tv Engineering national conference in terms of cost, while rainwater outperforms Melbourne last month. desalinated water when it comes to Below: Paul Carter with “Black Betty” “One of the major challenges of this greenhouse gas emissions. Photo by Dan Stevenson century is to identify ways to reliably “Hopefully, the techniques developed supply water to towns and cities under in this research project will help water the increasing pressures of population managers in Australia make better informed growth, urbanisation and climate change,” and more sustainable decisions when Fiona said. planning for long-term water supplies,” “We undertook a multi-faceted approach Fiona said. to this problem that incorporated economic, The students were supervised by environmental and technical aspects of Professor Holger Maier and Professor water supply. Graeme Dandy from the School of Civil, “For our case study, we examined River Environmental and Mining Engineering. Murray supply, reservoir supply, desalinated water and household rainwater tanks, Story by Candy Gibson and evaluated different combinations of these supply types in terms of their cost, Above: winning students (from left) Fiona Paton, greenhouse gas emissions and water Ben Staniford, John Baulis and Lisa Lloyd security risk. Photo by Ross Reid

10 Adelaidean Volume 18 | Number 10 | December 2009 ANCIENT DNA

Extinct moa rewrites New Zealand’s history

DNA recovered from “Yet this research is rewriting the bones, mummies and coprolites, which geological history of New Zealand and the researchers were able to use to create fossilised bones of the moa, shows how little we really know about it,” the fi rst detailed evolutionary time frame a giant extinct bird, has Professor Cooper said. for moa. The team of Australian and New Zealand Professor Peter Kamp from Waikato revealed a new geological researchers sequenced DNA from hundreds University led the geological mapping of birds collected from caves and swamps, that revealed the extent of the seaway history of New Zealand. including all nine species of moa. separating the two islands, as well as the The birds, which weighed up to 250kg, uplift history of the Southern Alps. A team of scientists led by the University were the dominant animals in New “When the seaway was fi rst bridged by of Adelaide has reconstructed a history Zealand’s pre-human environment but were land around 1.5 million years ago, it is likely of marine barriers, mountain building and quickly exterminated after the arrival of the that a major interchange of species took glacial cycles in New Zealand over millions Maori around 1280 AD. place as also occurred between North and of years, using the fi rst complete genetic “We found that the remarkable South America across the Panama isthmus history of the moa. evolutionary dispersion of the nine moa around three million years ago,” Professor After almost being totally submerged species took place in only seven million Kamp said. around 25 million years ago, the current years and seems to have occurred as the Team member Dr Trevor Worthy from South and North Islands were separated Southern Alps rapidly rose up and created the University of NSW said the study was by a large sea until around 1.5 million years lots of new habitats,” Professor Cooper said. “an excellent example of how museum ago, researchers said. The evidence also suggested that many specimens can contribute to cutting-edge Project leader Professor Alan Cooper, of New Zealand’s iconic species – including science”. from the University of Adelaide’s Australian the kiwi, tuatara and kauri – evolved solely The study has been published in the Centre for Ancient DNA (ACAD), said New on the South Island. Proceedings of the National Academy Zealand was recognised as one of the “This raises the question of what was of Sciences. world’s “great evolutionary laboratories” happening on the North Island during this due to the absence of land mammals and time,” Professor Cooper said. Story by Candy Gibson the radiation of giant fl ightless birds such Lead author Dr Mike Bunce from Murdoch Above: A reconstructed image of as the moa. University extracted traces of DNA from moa the giant extinct moa

Volume 18 | Number 10 | December 2009 Adelaidean 11 ALUMNI

Two giant reasons for students to volunteer

The Adelaide Zoo’s two new giant pandas, Funi and Wang Wang, are fi nally here – and University of Adelaide students will help show them to the world.

In an innovative partnership between “The Zoo and the University of Adelaide Zoos SA and the University of Adelaide, are two of the state’s oldest and proudest around 300 students will become trained public institutions. Many of our paid staff volunteer tour guides at the Adelaide Zoo. either studied at the University of Adelaide The fi rst batch of 135 will more than or continue research through its Faculty double the number of volunteer tour guides of Sciences. the Zoo currently has, and will help cater “This partnership is another example of for the expected infl ux of visitors to the Zoo how we are working together to increase when Funi and Wang Wang are unveiled to our understanding of the animal kingdom the public in mid-December. at what is a particularly exciting time By mid-2010, some 300 University of for us.” Adelaide students are expected to take part University of Adelaide Vice-Chancellor in the Zoo’s tour guide training program. and President Professor James McWha Under the scheme, which was developed thanked the participating students for their by the University’s Development and commitment and enthusiasm. Alumni offi ce, the students taking part are “We were overwhelmed by the response predominantly either from China or studying when we put the call out to the groups of Science. These students will undergo a students – we had more than 300 students short, intensive training course that will indicate an expression of interest,” enable them to be tour guides not only for Professor McWha said. the pandas, but, like all existing volunteer “I congratulate the 135 students who tour guides, for the entire Zoo. will soon become tour guides. They have Science student Katherine Adriaanse and just fi nished their exams after a long year Law and Commerce student Andrew Wong of classes and assignments, but will be are two of the fi rst 135 students who will spending their holidays volunteering their become tour guides. time to help others. “I’m really excited,” Katherine said. “I’ve “The student experience at the University studied zoology at uni and I can’t wait to of Adelaide is much more than attending show the pandas and all the other animals lectures and tutorials: our students have at the zoo to people.” the opportunity to further themselves “I’m proud of my Chinese heritage and I outside the classroom in a variety of ways.” think it’s great that the pandas are coming Development and Alumni Director Mrs to Adelaide,” said Andrew, who can speak Robyn Brown said the scheme promised fl uent Mandarin and Cantonese. to give participating students a memorable “I’m looking forward to using my skills and unique experience. to help out, particularly with the visits of “Current students are considered alumni Chinese politicians and offi cials.” of the University of Adelaide, and it’s been Zoos SA President Heather Caddick said an increasing focus of the Development the students’ participation was a further and Alumni offi ce to further engage with demonstration of the close ties between them through programs such as this Zoos SA and the University of Adelaide. partnership with Zoos SA,” she said. “The impending public display of Funi “This is an experience that all the and Wang Wang has already generated students taking part will never forget unprecedented interest in the Zoo and and that they won’t be able to get its activities, and we are grateful for the anywhere else – it’s exciting for them hundred-plus University of Adelaide and the University.” students who have volunteered their time to help with what promises to be a busy time for us,” Mrs Caddick said. Story by Ben Osborne

12 Adelaidean Volume 18 | Number 10 | December 2009 Above: Student volunteers at the Zoo (from left) Katherine Adriaanse, Kui Si Quinn Ng, Wei Ping Aaron Tan and Andrew Wong Photo by Ben Osborne

Left and inset: giant pandas Funi and Wang Wang will be unveiled to the public at Adelaide Zoo this month Photos courtesy of Zoos SA

Volume 18 | Number 10 | December 2009 Adelaidean 13 ENGINEERING Algae biofuel project leads world

Australian scientists are achieving the world’s best production rates of oil from algae grown in open saline ponds, taking them a step closer to creating commercial quantities of clean biofuel for the future.

A joint $3.3 million project led by north-west of Western Australia in January, “The algae will grow on non-arable Murdoch University and involving the and is expected to be operational by July. – even arid – land without any need for University of Adelaide now leads world “This is another potential growth industry freshwater in cultivation,” Dr Lewis said. algae biofuel research after more than and jobs generator for Western Australia and “By contrast, crops such as canola 12 months of consistent results at both South Australia aside from mining – using our need a lot of freshwater and good- universities. natural abundance of sunlight and year-round quality farming land. Growing algae at an It was previously believed impossible to good climate,” Professor Borowitzka said. industrial scale also takes up signifi cantly grow large quantities of algae for biofuel “We have achieved production rates of less land than that required by canola in open ponds consistently and without 50 tonnes per hectare per year, over half crops to produce the same amount contamination, but the research team has of which is converted to oil. These high of biofuel.” proven it can be done. production rates are expected to increase In addition to producing clean fuel, The project has received $1.89 million at the new pilot plant due to the even better Professor Borowitzka said that during the funding from the Australian Government climatic conditions in Karratha.” growth of the algae, 60 tonnes of CO2 were as part of the Asia-Pacifi c Partnership on The fi rst stage is costing $1.5 million fi xed per hectare of algae each year. Clean Development and Climate. and further funding is being sought for One of the project’s international “This is the only biofuel project in future stages, estimated to cost between partners, major algae producer Parry Australia working simultaneously on all $5-10 million. Nutraceuticals in India, has also achieved steps in the process of microalgal biofuels The cost of producing biofuel from algae high rates of carbon fi xation. production, from microalgae culture, has already dropped from $12 a kilo to below South China University of Technology is harvesting of the algae and extraction $4 in the past year, but the aim is to get it the project’s other international partner. of oil suitable for biofuels production,” down to less than $1 a kilo. said Project Leader Professor Michael Dr David Lewis from the University of Story by Taynia Maxted and David Ellis Borowitzka from Murdoch University. Adelaide’s School of Chemical Engineering Due to the project’s success, said a key aspect of the project was to show Below (from left): Dr David Lewis and Dr Peter Ashman construction of a multi-million dollar pilot that commercial levels of algae could be (School of Chemical Engineering) with a sample of the plant to test the whole process on a larger grown without competing for resources with algae being cultivated in Adelaide scale will now begin in Karratha in the food crops. Photo by David Ellis

14 Adelaidean Volume 18 | Number 10 | December 2009 ENGINEERING

Lack of experience key Pedestrians factor in youth crashes A University of Adelaide study has found that young drivers are twice as likely to have an accident during their fi rst few months of driving at risk, warn on a provisional licence than after a year of driving experience. Craig Kloeden from the University’s Centre for Automotive Safety Research (CASR) safety experts said the high crash rates showed that many newly licensed young drivers were still too inexperienced to handle a vehicle safely. “The study indicates that it is many hundreds of hours before young drivers become competent Australian car manufacturers need to pay more in a vehicle,” Mr Kloeden said. attention to designing cars that protect pedestrians The current requirement for learners to gain their provisional licence in South Australia is 50 hours as well as the occupants, according to researchers of driving, but this will soon be increased to 75. from the University of Adelaide. “Given that young drivers are 15 times more likely to have an accident once they move from their learners to a provisional licence, there is Engineers from the University’s Centre designed with some emphasis on pedestrian a strong case for extending the length of the for Automotive Safety Research (CASR) protection,” Mr Ponte said. learner phase even more,” Mr Kloeden said. say the highest selling vehicles in Mr Ponte and CASR colleague Andrew In the study of 50,000 young drivers aged 16-19 Australia lag behind their European and van den Berg would like to see the Federal over a fi ve-year period, CASR also found that Japanese counterparts when it comes to Government adopt the Global Technical two types of crashes were commonplace among pedestrian safety. Regulation (GTR) for Pedestrian Safety. drivers in the fi rst 12 months of gaining their “While some of our locally produced cars “There is currently no requirement for P-plate: veering off the road and hitting fi xed objects; and failing to correctly negotiate a right- are achieving a fi ve-star rating for occupant Australian car manufacturers to achieve a hand turn across traffi c. safety, they still have a long way to go when minimum level of protection for pedestrians it comes to protecting pedestrians in the when designing new vehicles,” Mr van den “By the end of their fi rst year of a provisional event of a collision,” said CASR researcher Berg said. licence, these types of accidents were far less common,” Mr Kloeden said. “It demonstrates Giulio Ponte. “However, so far this year 158 pedestrians that time spent behind the wheel is a very “Most of our vehicles have a poor have died on Australian roads because of a important determinant of crash risk.” capacity to absorb impact from a human collision with a motor vehicle. The adoption While traffi c offences related to driving skill – body, resulting in signifi cant leg and head of a GTR would be an excellent starting point such as failing to indicate and give way – also injuries even at impact speeds as low as to reduce the risk of injuries to pedestrians.” decreased in the fi rst year of a provisional 40km/h,” Mr Ponte said. According to results from the Australasian licence, speed, alcohol and seat belt offences all In the past 20 years, 6149 pedestrians New Car Assessment Program, the Subaru increased among the young drivers. have been killed on Australian roads, Impreza has achieved the maximum four “Giving our youth extended, supervised representing 16.5 per cent of all road stars in Australia for pedestrian safety experience on the road and instilling in them safe fatalities in this period. as well as achieving a fi ve-star occupant driving behaviours early on are key factors to Getting hit by a car at 40 km/h is protection rating. reducing the youth road toll,” Mr Kloeden said. equivalent to falling from the roof of a The majority of the other top 20 selling “Raising the provisional licence age to 18 and double storey house onto the front of a car, cars with a fi ve-star occupant protection having a maximum speed limit of 80 km/h during researchers said. rating only have a one or two-star rating for the fi rst year of driving would also greatly reduce “Pedestrians in Europe and Japan are pedestrian protection. the number of youth crashes.” more likely to suffer fewer injuries on impact because the vehicles in these countries are Story by Candy Gibson Story by Candy Gibson

Volume 18 | Number 10 | December 2009 Adelaidean 15 SCHOLARSHIPS Adelaide students win PM’s scholarships Four University of Adelaide students have been awarded Federal Government scholarships valued up to $63,000 to study and work in Asia under a new program initiated by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

The students have won a prestigious Michelle Lee (PhD student in The University of Adelaide’s Vice- Prime Minister’s Australia Asia Endeavour Orthopaedics) will go to the Chinese Chancellor and President, Professor James Award – the Asian equivalent of a Rhodes University of Hong Kong, to research McWha, said the Awards provided a unique Scholarship – which was presented by the traditional Chinese medicine and the effects opportunity for local students. Prime Minister in Canberra last month. on bone cancer. “The Australia Endeavour Awards will help The Awards provide educational and Matthew Rodda (PhD student in our students undertake research that is not living expenses for 6-12 months of study Bioscience) is off to the Institute of Urban only relevant to their degree, but they will in 2010 at a university of their choice in Environment within the Chinese Academy gain international work experience and build Asia, followed by internships of up to a of Sciences, to undertake research on the a professional network in Asia. year. They are valued at up to $63,500 physiology of rice plants. “It’s a wonderful achievement and an for postgraduates and up to $41,500 for Kathleen Wang (Bachelor of Psychology opportunity to establish lifelong career undergraduates. (Honours)) will visit the University of Hong collaborations. These awards also further Jade Cooper (studying Bachelor of Kong, to study intercultural psychology and cement the University’s strong links with Laws/Bachelor of International Studies/ holistic health care. Asia,” Professor McWha said. Diploma of Languages (Japanese)) will All plan to take internships with Asian attend Osaka University, Japan, taking a companies or organisations relevant to their Story by Candy Gibson Above: Hong Kong, which will be the destination for two of combination of Law, Foreign Affairs and degrees once they have completed their the four University of Adelaide students thanks to the Prime Japanese language courses. study components. Minister’s Australia Asia Endeavour Awards

Our commitment Print & Post quality clean fast to the environment Lane Print & Post is committed to the care and protection of the environment. We have long been certified to world’s best practice standards ISO9001:2000 and are in the process of conforming to ISO14001:2004 Environmental Management Systems Certification. sustainable offset paper products ctp water saving technology

short run transactional volume post 55% less energy use through perfecting printing vegetable based inks varnish free print South Australia’s largest privately owned dedicated 100% degradable food grade Printing, Mailing and Distribution Company. mailing plastic CALL 08 8179 9900 and speak to an Account Manager about full plant recycling your next print project. www.laneprint.com.au personal ownership and staff commitment to the environment

16 Adelaidean Volume 18 | Number 10 | December 2009 ALUMNI Alumni PRIVILEGES

Adelaide alumni have access to a range of exclusive benefi ts, services and discounts – and each month we bring you the pick of the bunch for a featured special.

Get more with your Mutual Community/HBA Alumni Health Cover – Win a $500 Rebel Sport Voucher! Mutual Community/HBA will waive New Lumen out this month the two-month waiting period so you can claim immediately on most extras including osteopathy, acupuncture, Millions of people from around the world will have the naturopathy and more when you take opportunity to benefi t from cutting-edge research into stem up both hospital and extras cover through your corporate health plan. cells being conducted by University of Adelaide researchers. What’s more, you’ll get up to 90% back on general dental and most In the latest issue of Lumen, the the University of Oxford, where she also physiotherapy and chiropractic University’s alumni magazine, Associate completed her PhD. services at any Members First Professor Simon Koblar from the Centre Dr Graham Lyons from the Waite Campus provider, along with $50 back per for Stem Cell Research explains how stem proves that a small amount of money night from your hospital when a single cells from teeth may help repair stroke- and a little knowledge can make a life- room isn’t available. damaged brains. changing difference to poorer communities. Preliminary data show promising The agricultural researcher has recently Hurry, offer ends 31 December 2009. results, with adult dental pulp stem cells returned from the Solomon Islands where demonstrating a natural ability to produce he implemented a $140,000 program to neurones for brain repair. This research encourage villagers to grow sweet potatoes For offer conditions, entry criteria, is advancing at an incredible pace and and other coloured vegetables. This simple how to enter and to check out the full will be the focus of a Research Tuesdays food source is helping to boost immunity Alumni Privileges Package, logon to: presentation by Assoc. Prof. Simon Koblar and curb major nutritional defi ciencies in the www.alumni.adelaide.edu.au/privileges on 8 December. More details can be found Pacifi c Island region. at www.adelaide.edu.au/researchtuesdays/ Also featured in the Summer edition are The Summer 2010 edition of Lumen also details of a new national program to recruit demonstrates the impact of our graduates’ the country’s best university graduates to work around the world in many other fi elds. teach in Australia’s most disadvantaged Dr Mara Warwick is using her engineering schools. One of our own alumni, Matthew knowledge to help rebuild provinces in White, has been headhunted to help drive China shattered by the 2008 earthquake; this initiative. robotics expert Zoz Brooks is drawing on Lumen is published twice-yearly and his computer science degree to close the distributed to 60,000 members of the gap between humans and machines; and University’s alumni community. If you anthropology graduate Christie Lam is would like to be put on the mailing list to using her education to transform the lives of receive the magazine, please email: a small Nepalese village community. [email protected] Another graduate profi led in this issue Lumen can also be read online at: is University Medallist and Classical www.adelaide.edu.au/lumen Studies researcher Dr Meaghan McEvoy, who is forging an impressive academic Story by Candy Gibson career around the imperial politics of Above: the excellent work of Associate Professor Simon Koblar in the Centre for Stem Cell Research is highlighted in the late Roman Empire. Meaghan has the latest issue of the alumni magazine, Lumen recently won a postdoctoral fellowship at Photo by Randy Larcombe

Volume 18 | Number 10 | December 2009 Adelaidean 17 SOCIAL RESEARCH

Recovery on the way: expert

Will South Australia emerge from the global economic crisis relatively unscathed and enter a period of unprecedented prosperity?

That’s the question being tackled in mineral resources, and recent investments unique, contemporary lens. And State of a new book edited by the University in defence manufacturing – including South Australia represents another vital of Adelaide’s Associate Professor the air-warfare destroyer contract and element of that ongoing dialogue. John Spoehr. the submarine expansion program “This is a most worthy resource, and I The book, called State of South Australia: – will bolster an otherwise sluggish commend it to everyone with an interest, From crisis to prosperity?, was launched in manufacturing sector.” and a stake, in South Australia’s future.” Adelaide recently by the Premier of South Associate Professor Spoehr said the Associate Professor Spoehr is one Australia, the Hon. Mike Rann. expansion of mining, in particular Roxby of South Australia’s leading social and The book addresses a range of Downs, would add signifi cantly to South economic researchers and commentators. questions, offering a comprehensive Australia’s economic output. His previous books include Beyond analysis of key challenges facing this state. “There is little doubt that global demand the Contract State: ideas for social and Issues covered by more than 25 for mineral resources will reach new heights economic renewal in SA, Power Politics: the contributors to the book include: the once the economic crisis subsides,” electricity crisis and you, and State of South state’s changing population, Aboriginal he said. Australia: Trends & Issues. policy, gender, health, education, industrial “On the back of a mining boom, This latest book is an update of the relations, law and order, social inclusion, major contributions are expected from 2005 edition of State of South Australia. the arts, environment, urban planning other sectors, including construction, A fully revised edition of State of South and infrastructure. fi nance and insurance, and property and Australia will be published every three “The book contains revelations in each business services. years. Updates of selected chapters will be of these areas which point to the state’s “South Australia will also continue to be available at: www.aisr.adelaide.edu.au prospects of economic recovery in the a major exporter of educational services, State of South Australia: From crisis to context of the global economy,” said water resources technologies, wine prosperity? is published by Wakefi eld Press. Associate Professor Spoehr, Executive and grain. Director of the Australian Institute for “The challenge for South Australia’s Adelaidean has one copy of State of South Social Research and the Centre for Labour future prosperity and sustainability is Australia: From crisis to prosperity? to give Research at the University of Adelaide. how rapidly the state is able to make the away to a lucky reader. To win, be the fi rst “While the medium-term outlook is bright transition to a low-carbon economy. We to call +61 8 8303 5414. Please leave your for South Australia, we face a diffi cult must not lose sight of this as we grapple name and contact details, include a daytime year ahead as the fallout from the global with the global economic crisis,” he said. telephone number. fi nancial crisis leads to job losses. Premier Rann said: “This text captures “Nevertheless, as all booms end in bust, a pivotal period in our State’s economic, a recovery from the depth of recession social and cultural evolution. It provides a Story by David Ellis will come in due course. When it does, detailed snapshot of where we’re at, and Above: Associate Professor John Spoehr with a copy of South Australia will benefi t greatly from the where we’re headed. But crucially, it’s an State of South Australia: From crisis to prosperity? inevitable recovery in global demand for analysis that must be viewed through a Photo by David Ellis

18 Adelaidean Volume 18 | Number 10 | December 2009 GENETICS Scientists leap horse genome hurdle

An international team of scientists, including researchers from the University of Adelaide, has cracked the genetic code of the horse.

Their fi ndings, published in the journal and develop a genetic test to deal with Science, reveal critical information for them,” Professor Adelson said. mapping horse-related genetic diseases One unexpected fi nding from the and understanding equine biology. project was that the wild Mongolian horse University of Adelaide genome expert (Przewalski’s Horse) – once thought to and team member Professor David Adelson be the ancestor of modern horses – looks (School of Molecular & Biomedical Science) very much like another horse breed, said the results would also be used by the even though it has a number of different Platypus mysteries racing industry to breed superior horses. chromosomes. The team, led by animal geneticist Twilight’s DNA reveals a genome that revealed Professor Claire Wade from the University is slightly larger than a domestic dog and of Sydney, sequenced the DNA of a smaller than the human genome. New insights into the biology of the platypus and echidna have been published, providing thoroughbred mare named Twilight. The Professor Adelson said the horse a collection of unique research data about the horse is kept at Cornell University in New genome was more “plastic” and world’s only monotremes. York State. changeable than that of humans. “This “The horse’s genome structure reveals indicates that the horse DNA sequence is University of Adelaide geneticist Dr Frank Grützner (School of Molecular & Biomedical remarkable similarities to humans and evolving at a more rapid rate.” Science) and his team have authored fi ve of 28 more than one million genetic differences The team also included researchers from papers that appeared recently in two special across a variety of horse breeds,” The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. issues of the Australian Journal of Zoology and Professor Adelson said. Professor Adelson is Chair of Reproduction Fertility and Development. Better tests for equine genetic diseases, Bioinformatics at the University of Adelaide. The articles shed new light on the extraordinary such as disorders of the muscle, therapies He was also part of an international project, complex platypus sex chromosome system. for respiratory disease and allergies in completed earlier this year, to crack the “For the fi rst time we have looked at how the 10 horses were already being made possible genetic code of a female cow, the fi rst sex chromosomes fi nd each other during sperm through increased understanding of mammalian livestock animal in the world to development in platypus,” Dr Grützner said. equine biology. be sequenced. “There are certain genetic disorders that “We discovered that a remarkably organised mechanism must exist in platypus, where sex we know are inherited, but we don’t know Story by Candy Gibson chromosomes from one end pair fi rst and then what’s actually causing them. With these they go down the sex chromosome chain, just results we will be able to identify the cause Photo by Justyna Furmanczyk like a zipper. There is nothing random about it.” Dr Grützner and his colleagues also isolated and analysed for the fi rst time the sequence of the male-specifi c Y chromosomes. “Previously we knew nothing about the Y chromosomes because only the female platypus genome was sequenced. The data we found has given us valuable clues about the evolution of Y chromosomes in all mammals, including humans,” Dr Grützner said. All 28 published articles in the CSIRO journals arose from the Boden Research Conference, “Beyond the Platypus Genome”, hosted by the University of Adelaide in November 2008, which attracted researchers from around the world. The published papers represent a wide range of monotreme research, from genome to fi eld biology, population genetics and captive breeding, evolution to immunology, venom, sperm and milk in both the platypus and echidna. “I expect these results to make a major impact in the fi eld of monotreme research and mammal evolution,” Dr Grützner said. “This knowledge will also help us conserve these iconic Australian mammals,” he said.

Story by Candy Gibson

Volume 18 | Number 10 | December 2009 Adelaidean 19 Questions raised over gastric banding

A visiting Swedish obesity expert has questioned the increasing use of gastric banding in Australia at the same time that University of Adelaide researchers have won new funding to investigate the issue. Folic acid link to Leading obesity expert Professor Stephan Rössner – who gave a free public lecture at the University of Adelaide last month – said the growing trend to perform gastric banding operations in Australia would do little to stop the asthma risk obesity epidemic. Gastric banding is the most commonly performed obesity operation in Australia. Last A University of Adelaide study may have shed year, 14,000 gastric banding operations were performed compared with 6000 in 2005. light on the rise in childhood asthma in developed However in Sweden, gastric banding is seen countries like Australia in recent decades. as a “slowly dying dinosaur” that often does not lead to long-term benefi ts, according to Professor Rössner, Director of the Obesity Unit, Researchers from the University’s Current public health guidelines Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm. Robinson Institute have identifi ed a link recommend that women consume a “In my country, 96% of all obesity surgery is between folic acid supplements taken supplemental dose of 400 micrograms of done using an alternative procedure known as a in late pregnancy and allergic asthma folic acid per day in the month preceding gastric bypass, with close to 90% of these done in children aged between three and and during the fi rst trimester of pregnancy using a minimally invasive approach,” Professor fi ve years, suggesting that the timing of to reduce the risk of neural tube defects Rössner said. supplementation in pregnancy is important. in children. “Gastric bypass is widely believed to be a much Associate Professor Michael Davies said “Our study supports these guidelines, more effective alternative to gastric banding folic acid supplements – recommended as we found no increased risk of asthma because it leads to long-term weight loss.” for pregnant women to prevent birth if folic acid supplements were taken in pre The Federal Government’s Preventative Health defects – appeared to have “additional or early pregnancy,” Associate Professor Task Force recommended that obesity surgery and unexpected” consequences in recent Davies said. be offered by public hospitals because of the studies in mice and infants. “However, these guidelines may need to increasing health problem. This recommendation “In our study, supplemental folic acid be expanded to include recommendations has widely been interpreted to mean gastric in late pregnancy was associated with an about avoiding use of high dose banding, using an adjustable band placed increased risk of asthma in children, but supplemental folic acid in late pregnancy.” around the upper end of the stomach, instead of gastric bypass. there was no evidence to suggest any He said the study found no evidence adverse effects if supplements were taken to link asthma with dietary folate, which is In the latest round of funding from the National in early pregnancy,” he said. found in green, leafy vegetables, certain Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), The University of Adelaide fi ndings have fruits and nuts. researcher Dr Nam Nguyen was awarded $428,250 to compare the two different types of been published in the American Journal Nearly half of all mothers in the study took obesity surgery. of Epidemiology. a folic acid supplement pre-pregnancy and The study involved more than 500 women 56% met the required daily dosage of 400 Based in the NHMRC Centre of Clinical Research Excellence in Nutritional Physiology at whose maternal diet and supplements were micrograms in early pregnancy. the University of Adelaide and the Royal Adelaide assessed twice during their pregnancy, with “These fi ndings show there is a potentially Hospital, Dr Nguyen’s research may help to follow-up on their child’s asthma status at important critical period during which determine the most appropriate procedure for 3.5 years and 5.5 years. folic acid supplement dosages may be obesity surgery. Asthma was reported in 11.6% of children manipulated to optimise their neuro- Professor Rössner’s visit to Adelaide was funded at 3.5 years and 11.8% of children at protective effects while not increasing the risk by the Northern Communities Health Foundation 5.5 years. of asthma,” Associate Professor Davies said. and supported by the CCRE in Nutritional Nearly a third of these children reported Physiology, Interventions and Outcomes. persistent asthma. Story by Candy Gibson

20 Adelaidean Volume 18 | Number 10 | December 2009 INNOVATION

Surf’s up for eChallenge winners An innovative system for texting surf and weather conditions to those keen to hit the waves has won a team of young entrepreneurs this year’s University of Adelaide’s eChallenge competition.

The team, Saxony’s SMS, with members market research with a view to a launch in to develop successful and thriving Simon Ratcliffe, Pretib Parthiban and Linda summer 2010. businesses.” Palma, won the $10,000 fi rst prize at last The eChallenge is run by the University Second prize went to ArtNomad (Alex month’s eChallenge dinner at the National of Adelaide’s Entrepreneurship Ovchar, Sam Ellis and Mischa Saloukvadze) Wine Centre as well as the People’s Choice Commercialisation and Innovation Centre for a system for leasing artworks to prize and The Advertiser prize. (ECIC) and each team must have at least businesses and other organisations. Saxony’s SMS sends text messages to one student member from any tertiary Third prize went to Choice Touch surfers, windsurfers and kitesurfers when institution in South Australia. Systems (Graeme Robertson and Christian conditions are “on” at their favourite beach, Teams of up to six people develop Huber) for a computerised product removing the need for frequent checking of a business plan for a new, previously comparison purchasing system that allows internet sites and listening into surf reports unfunded business concept. Semi-fi nalists you to shop and compare products from on the radio. are paired with an experienced mentor from different suppliers at the one site. Choice Saxony’s SMS founder and chief the business community. Touch also won the Vroom Prize and the executive offi cer is Simon Ratcliffe, a 1993 “Each year the eChallenge captures the Piper Alderman Prize. Computer Systems Engineering graduate energy of young, bright entrepreneurs and with First Class Honours from the University channels it into investment-ready early Story by Robyn Mills of Adelaide and a current History student. stage companies,” said ECIC Director Simon said Saxony’s SMS has a Professor Noel Lindsay. business plan and product prototype “It offers competitors unprecedented Above: The winning eChallenge team, Saxony’s SMS, and will now be undergoing focus group access to top South Australian business comprising (from left) Pretib Parthiban, Simon Ratcliffe trials, further technology development and acumen. Past fi nalists have gone on and Linda Palma

Volume 18 | Number 10 | December 2009 Adelaidean 21 ENVIRONMENT

Frog expert makes leap into Korea

Australia’s foremost frog expert images of the same species to help with highly fragile and one would hope that the identifi cation,” Associate Professor Tyler said. mining companies are paying more attention has three new books out this He said the style of the guidebook would to such things.” year – including one that is be familiar to bird watchers, with maps Meanwhile, Associate Professor Tyler’s providing locations of where each species third book of 2009 has been released, this written for Korean children. can be found, signature calls made by the time a children’s book written for Korea. frogs, and other details. Called It’s True!, the book presents a Associate Professor Mike Tyler, Visiting While the Field Guide to the Frogs of range of interesting facts about frogs, with Research Fellow with the University Australia is aimed at helping people to photographs and cartoon-like illustrations. of Adelaide’s School of Earth and identify various frog species, another new “I was approached to write a fun, Environmental Sciences, so far has 23 book is primarily concerned with the biology educational book about frogs for Korea, books on frogs to his name. of frogs. and this is the result,” Associate Professor Three of those have been released The fourth edition of Field Guide to Frogs Tyler said. this year. of Western Australia has now been released, “We have made some amazing Field Guide to the Frogs of Australia is co-authored by Paul Doughty from the discoveries about frogs over the years, such a comprehensive guidebook providing Western Australian Museum, which is also as the gastric brooding frog which swallows concise information about 227 species of the book’s publisher. its fertilised eggs, converting its stomach to a native frogs and toads found in Australia, “This is an important book because womb and giving birth to fully formed young as well as a number of introduced species. Western Australia is home to more than 80 of through its mouth. Published by Steve Parish Publishing and Australia’s known frog species,” Associate “Sadly, we now believe this species of frog CSIRO Publishing, the book is full of colour Professor Tyler said. to be extinct in Australia, along with about paintings by Frank Knight, who receives a “That’s a signifi cant proportion of the three or four other species.” co-author credit for his artistic work. nation’s native frog species, and many of It’s True! is also being translated into “Often the problem with photographs is these species are found in very remote Chinese and will be released in China that they are taken from different angles locations. More species are still being in January. in a range of different conditions. These discovered in WA. Associate Professor Tyler is now working gorgeous paintings by Frank Knight are “Members of the general public who on a fi eld guide specifi c to the frogs of South a much more accurate representation of are interested in frogs will fi nd this book Australia, as well as another book about the what each frog and toad looks like. And very accessible, but we’ve also had a lot use of frogs in environmental marketing. because there can be variations within the of interest from mining companies. The one species, we sometimes show different ecosystems that support these frogs can be Story by David Ellis

22 Adelaidean Volume 18 | Number 10 | December 2009 ALUMNI Who’s making sci-fi history?

Don’t blink – you might miss it.

The latest Doctor Who TV special he started building model rockets from receiving a bachelor of engineering degree emerging from the United Kingdom cardboard and plastics. in mechanical engineering (with First Class contains a prominent, if brief, reference to “Educated at St Andrews [sic] School honors) from the University of Adelaide in the University of Adelaide. and St Peter’s College, Adelaide before 1973. He completed a doctorate in the Doctor Who: The Waters Of Mars is part receiving a bachelor of engineering degree same subject at the University of Adelaide of a series of specials being broadcast in mechanical engineering (with First Class in 1978.” around the world this year. To be shown in honors) from the University of Adelaide in And: “As a child, Thomas was fascinated Australia on Sunday 6 December on ABC1, 2030. He completed a doctorate in the by space. His father has described how the special has already been broadcast same subject at the University of Adelaide he started building model rockets from in the UK and New Zealand, with North in 2034. cardboard and plastics. After completing America to follow. “After completing his studies, Gold his studies, Thomas accepted an offer from The action is set in a base on the accepted an offer from Lockheed in Lockheed in Atlanta.” planet Mars in the year 2059. One of the Atlanta. He became a U.S. citizen in March Actor Peter O’Brien is himself a former characters, played by Australian actor 2040, hoping to gain entry to NASA’s University of Adelaide student, having Peter O’Brien, is an astronaut called astronaut program.” studied Science here during the 1970s. Edward Gold. This fi ctional biography bears a striking

Early in the one-hour special, Gold’s resemblance to the biographical details of Story by David Ellis fi ctional biography is displayed prominently real-life University of Adelaide graduate and on screen. It reads: NASA astronaut Dr Andy Thomas. “Gold grew up in Adelaide, Australia Those who visit Dr Thomas’s page on at a time when the country was seriously Wikipedia.org will be greeted with the Above: Australian actor Peter O’Brien plays Edward Gold in Doctor Who: The Waters Of Mars, a character lagging behind in the Space Race. As following: who appears to be based on University of Adelaide a child Edward Gold was fascinated by “Educated at St Andrews [sic] School graduate Dr Andy Thomas (inset) space. His father has described how and St Peter’s College, Adelaide before Photos courtesy of ABC Television and NASA

our giant Subscribe to Radio Adelaide annual in December annual - $52 or $26 concession Rights CD lifetime - $500 Your ight Book and you’ll go into the draw to win at N & a dozen of Fox Creek’s Record fantastic flagship wine The 2006 Reserve Shiraz SALE valued at $840 Friday December 4 Thursdays 6pm doors open 10am www.foxcreekwines.com.au presented by SA Unions

Volume 18 | Number 10 | December 2009 Adelaidean 23 The University of Adelaide COMING EVENTS

Generating Hope: With research showing stem cells can generate brain repair, could stroke damage soon be reversed?

As the greatest cause of Queen Elizabeth Hospital) WHEN: 5.30-6.30pm Tuesday 8 December disability in Australia, stroke is tackling head-on. And WHERE: Law Lecture Theatre 2 (Room 333), Level 3 takes an enormous toll on progress is being made. Ligertwood Building, North Terrace Campus thousands of patients and The team’s recent data shows ADMISSION FREE, RSVP ESSENTIAL their families every year. stem cells obtained from adult email: [email protected] Consequently, discovering teeth can be used to generate phone: +61 8 8303 3692 how to repair the debilitating new brain cells and change FOR MORE INFORMATION: neural damage they cause the wiring of the brain. Could www.adelaide.edu.au/researchtuesdays is considered one of our this be a path to recovery? greatest health challenges. In this important presentation, Simon Koblar is a clinical Neurologist, neuroscientist It’s a daunting task, but one programme leader Associate and teacher in both. He is Patron for Stroke SA and the University of Adelaide’s Professor Simon Koblar for the last 10 years has built the Stroke Research Stroke Research Programme discusses the exciting Programme as a collaboration between the University (a collaboration with The possibilities. of Adelaide and The Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Connect, collaborate, create... Music Theatre Symposium and celebrate! A national Music Theatre Symposium will be held to Featuring guest speaker Adam Spencer (702 ABC celebrate the gifting of the Burden Collection of 18th Sydney radio announcer, Triple J, ABC TV’s The Sleek century English music and drama to the Barr Smith Geeks). Library. The event will include papers by some of Join the team at Adelaide Research & Innovation Australia’s foremost music theatre scholars. (ARI) for Christmas drinks, to celebrate the University UK opera authority Dr Michael Burden (University of of Adelaide’s 2009 applied research achievements. Oxford) will present the fi rst part of his collection as the Research at the Uni has certainly made an impact Keys to the Universe culminating highlight of the symposium. this year, delivering real results that contribute Free Public Lecture Series Dr Burden will also deliver a paper, A Diva at the to Australia’s social, economic, cultural and Opera, on his research on the London theatre in Modern Subatomic Physics: From the Big Bang to the Dark environmental wellbeing. the 18th century. Side of the Universe by Professor Tony Thomas, Australian ARI, the University’s commercial development Laureate Fellow and Elder Professor of Physics, University Hosted by the South Australian Chapter of the company, is proud to be a part of this. We would like of Adelaide. Musicological Society of Australia, in collaboration to take the opportunity to refl ect on the year together with the Special Collections Division of the Barr Smith Are there completely new groups of particles as suggested with our partners – the University’s researchers and Library. by supersymmetry? What is the nature of astrophysical their industry and government collaborators. dark matter? What are the fundamental particles of Nature When: 9.45am–6.00pm Saturday 12 December When: 4.00pm–6.00pm Wednesday 2 December and how do they compose the world in which we live? Where: Ira Raymond Room, Barr Smith Library, North Where: Exhibition Hall, National Wine Centre of Professor Thomas will describe some of the outstanding Terrace Campus Australia, corner of Hackney and Botanic progress made in answering these questions, with an Cost: Free – but registration essential Roads, Adelaide emphasis on phenomena where precise experiments, RSVP: Dr Jula Szuster, phone 0405 103 854 or Cost: Free supercomputing and cross-disciplinary research have email: [email protected] RSVP: Online: www.adelaideresearch.com.au, recently yielded new insights. email: [email protected], Presented by the School of Chemistry & Physics. fax: +61 8 8303 4355 When: 6.30pm Thursday 10 December Where: Union Hall, North Terrace Campus Cost: Free – all welcome

Fridays Uncorked ’09 Offering a vibrant Friday night venue for the Adelaide NRF Ride Like Crazy business community to wind down at the end of the The Neurosurgical Research Foundation (NRF) is week, taste fi ne wines from selected regions, enjoy a fortunate to be one of the recipient charities from the selection from the cocktail menu, and relax at this unique SA Police Ride Like Crazy fundraising event. Adelaide icon. This event will help to raise money for brain tumour www.wineaustralia.com.au research equipment for Professor Bob Vink, NRF When: 4.30pm Friday 11 December Chair of Neurosurgical Research at the University Entrepreneurship, Commercialisation Where: National Wine Centre of Australia, corner of of Adelaide. and Innovation Centre (ECIC) Alumni Hackney and Botanic Roads, Adelaide For more information about how to register for the End of Year Drinks Cost: Free entry including cocktail food. event or make a donation, simply visit: www.nrf.com.au When: 5.00pm for 5.30pm Wednesday 2 December Wine from $4.50 per glass. When: Sunday 17 January 2010 Where: University Staff Club, North Terrace Campus Cost: Free WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information about Coming Events please visit our RSVP: www.ecic.adelaide.edu.au/ News and Events website: www.adelaide.edu.au/news news/events/rsvp/alumni

24 Adelaidean Volume 18 | Number 10 | December 2009