Published on 26 July 2022
Events galore for science lovers
A night of fun and fast presentations from some of SA’s best scientists headlines a bumper National Science Week program for all ages in Onkaparinga (13-21 August).
A Night of Science in the South will take place at Woodcroft Library on Friday 19 August (6–8pm), with eight of SA’s best scientists (see list below) to present their research in fast, fun and visual presentations, alongside drinks, nibbles, networking and door prizes.
Each speaker is allocated six minutes to talk about their fascinating fields and findings, with a light supper provided and beer and wine available for purchase.
The National Science Week-supported and Auslan-interpreted event—an initiative of Onkaparinga Libraries, AIPS Tall Poppy Campaign and National Science Week—sold out in 2021, so science-lovers are encouraged to book a $15 ticket while they last.
The unique event adds to a bumper program of free activities and workshops for budding scientists aged 3–12, held at Onkaparinga Libraries during science week.
Children can make their own periscope at Seaford Library (ages 8+), undertake exciting everyday experiments at Noarlunga Library (ages 5–12), experience a lights and lasers workshop at Woodcroft Library (ages 8–12), or take part in an ongoing science discovery program for 3–5 year olds at Noarlunga Library. Check individual links for dates, times and to register.
For youth aged 10–18, a free arts-meets-science workshop will be held at Reynella's Base 10 Youth Centre on Saturday 13 August, offering participants the chance to learn about plastic pollution and repurpose soft plastics into jellyfish sculptures with artist Jessie Lumb. The project is supported by the Australian Government.
National Science Week is Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology, featuring more than 1000 events around the country.
Meet the Night of Science in the South presenters!
Dr Brenton Hordacre
Dr Hordacre is a Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy at the University of South Australia. He holds a PhD in neurorehabilitation from Flinders University and leads the Plasticity Theme within IIMPACT in Health research concentration at the University of South Australia. His research aims to discover new innovations to support stroke recovery. He maintains a clinical position, working directly with patients through the Brain Recovery Clinic, which serves as a pathway to rapidly translate research to clinical practice.
Dr Eddie Banks
Dr Banks is a senior researcher with the National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training and the College of Science and Engineering at Flinders University. For the past 17 years his research has focused on investigating the availability and long-term sustainability of freshwater resources, and to help understand the physical processes that lead to their existence. He is passionate about applying sound scientific methodologies to support natural resource managers, landholders, and the community to advance sustainable water resource management.
Dr Dominic McAfee
Dr McAfee is a marine ecologist at The University of Adelaide, working to restore Australia's lost shellfish reefs, both on the seafloor and in public awareness. His research with national researchers has helped turn these forgotten, functionally extinct reef ecosystems into Australia’s largest marine restoration program, research that received the prestigious Eureka Prize Award for Science Applied Environmental Science in 2020.
Associate Professor Yuval Yarom
Yuval’s research explores the security of the interface between computer software and hardware. He completed a B.Sc. and MSc in Mathematics and Computer Science from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in the early nineties. Yuval spent many years working in the IT industry, including as Vice President of Research in Memco Software and a co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Girafa.com. In 2014 he completed his PhD in Computer Science from the University of Adelaide in 2014. He’s now an Associate Professor at the School of Computer Science at the University of Adelaide.
Dr Ian Moffat
Dr Moffat is an Associate Professor of Archaeological Science at Flinders University where he undertakes research and teaching using earth science techniques in archaeology. He’s previously held research positions at the University of Cambridge and the Institute for Mediterranean Studies. Ian holds a PhD from the ANU and a BA and BSc (Hons) from UQ. In addition to his academic career he has worked at Ecophyte Technologies, Precipice Training and Archaeometry Pty Ltd.
Dr Alice Jones
Dr Jones is a lecturer and researcher in ecology interested in the impacts of environmental change on marine and coastal systems. She has a PhD in marine ecology, a MSc in aquatic resource management and a BSc in zoology. Previously she worked in a joint position between the University of Adelaide (School of Biological Sciences) and the SA Department for Environment and Water (Science Partnerships Team). This position enabled her to develop a strong understanding of policies for biodiversity and conservation. Her research is focused on the effect that human activities and environmental change have on living things and ecosystems.
Associate Professor Sarah Cohen-Woods
Sarah is a curious Neuroscientist and Psychology lecturer at Flinders University, received a BSc in Psychology from the University of Leeds in 2003, and an MRC-funded MSc (2004) and PhD (2008) in Social Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, King’s College London. In 2012 she moved to the University of Adelaide and then in 2016 to Flinders University as a Matthew Flinders Fellow. She now heads the Behavioural Genetic and Environmental Mechanisms (Behavioural GEMs) Lab.
Dr Alyce Martin
Dr Martin is an ARC DECRA Fellow in the College of Medicine and Public Health, and Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute at Flinders University. She has a Bachelor of Medical Science, a Bachelor of Science with honours and a PhD in Medicine all from Flinders University. Her research focusses on the biology of hormone producing cells in the gut, with a particular interest in serotonin-producing cells (think happy chemicals).