Presentation by 3 x 20 minute papers details below

Royal Society Room

Tuesday, 5th October 2010 Commencing 8.00 pm until 10.00 pm

Three postgraduates from leading schools in the University of Tasmania

 

About the Speaker

1. Catherine Blizzard PhD Candidate, NeuroRepair Group – Menzies Research Institute. 2. Martin Jutzeler PhD Candidate, Centre for ore Deposit Studies (CODES). 3. Alex Fraser Antarctic Climate and ecosystems CRC.

 

Brief Abstract of the Talk

1. Regeneration and repair in the brain following injury. Our ability to effectively manipulate the adaptive response of the brain to injury is greatly limited by a lack of fundamental insight into the cell biology of the adult CNS and its capacity for plasticity and remodelling. The studies included in my thesis have demonstrated that mature neurons possess a remarkable capacity for regeneration and plasticity following injury, however the mechanisms that underlie regeneration of mature neurons are fundamentally different to developmental growth. 2. Behaviour of subaqueous explosive volcanic eruptions: What do we know, and what needs to be understood? Contrary to their subaerial analogues, the explosive volcanic eruptions which happen underwater are poorly documented. Our current research is based on uplifted Tertiary deposits that show extremely thick beds, rich in pumice clasts. Study of the physical characteristics of these deposits allows us to reconstruct the type of volcanic activity, and to understand how the clasts were transported away from the submerged vent. We are also comparing these deposits with subaqueous deposits associated with subaerial pyroclastic flows which entered the sea. 3. East Antarctic Landfast Sea-Ice Variability, or How I Wish Clouds were See-Through. Landfast sea ice (more commonly known as fast ice) is sea ice which is”fastened” to the coast, or grounded icebergs. It forms around the coast of Antarctica, and in some regions in the Arctic. Its distribution and variability have profound and far-reaching implications on local and global scales: it forms a habitat and foraging zone for Weddell seals and Emperor penguins, its formation and breakup influences global ocean circulation, and it may be a sensitive indicator of global climate change.

Presentation by Professor David Green FRS FAA

Royal Society Room

Tuesday, 7th September 2010 Commencing 8.00 pm until 10.00 pm

Presentation by Dr Emily Hilder

The Royal Society Room

Tuesday, 3rd August 2010 Commencing 8.00 pm until 10.00 pm

 

About the Speaker

Dr Emily Hilder is an ARC Future Fellow and Research Coordinator for the theme ‘Separation Media’ in the Australian Centre for Research on Separation Science (ACROSS) at the University of Tasmania. She leads an active research group that focuses on the design and application of new ploymeric materials, in particular polymer monoliths, in all areas of separation science.

 

Brief Abstract of the Talk

Dr Hilder will speak generally about separation science and focus on a couple of interesting problems – portable systems for detection of explosives and new approaches to disease diagnosis, in particular with reference to Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumour disease

Presentation by Dr Simon Wright

The Royal Society Room

Tuesday, 6th July 2010 Commencing 8.00 pm until 10.00 pm

 

 About the Speaker

Dr Simon Wright is a veteran of over 30 years’ Antarctic marine science, studying the factors controlling phytoplankton and other microorganisms in the Southern Ocean, with > 2100 citations to published work. He is one of the pioneers of using photosynthetic pigments as markers in biological oceanography and is co-author and co-editor of the SCOR-UNESCO monograph on the subject. His current work is aimed at understanding and measuring microbial processes for modelling co2 flux in the Southern Ocean and modelling food availability fo higher trophic levels.

 

Brief Abstract of the Talk

Phytoplankton (single celled algae), protozoa and bacteria together comprise more than 90% of the biomass production and directly or indirectly support all other creatures in the Southern Ocean. Yet they are under threat from the combined forces of climate change and ocean acidification. This talk will summarise the role of microorganisms in the ocean, how we are studying their processes and predictions of changes and consequences for the future.

Presentation by Chair: Sir Guy Green + 3 speakers

Sir Stanley Burbury Theatre, University of Tasmania.

Tuesday, 15th June 2010 Commencing 8.00 pm until 10.30 pm

To Commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Discovery of Macquarie Island

 

About the Speaker

1. Dr Garry Davidson, School of Earth Sciences. 2. Dr Roger Kellaway, School of geography and Environmental Studies, University of Tasmania. 3. Bruce Hull, Australian Antarctic Division

 

Brief Abstract of the Talk

1. Tectonic Setting. 2. How the Island came to be Tasmanian. 3. Mawson and Macquarie Island. For further details see flyer.

Presentation by Tony Mount

Royal Society Room

Tuesday, 1st June 2010 Commencing 8.00 pm until 10.00 pm

About the Speaker

After moving to Tasmania, Tony Mount took a MSc in Forest Ecology at the University of Tasmania in 1966. In 1967 he visited and lectured at all four British Forestry Schools and in 1969 addressed the Fire Ecology Conference, held in Florida, on Eucalypt Fire Ecology. He taught Forest Ecology and Conservation at Melbourne University for three years from 1973. He is the author of the ‘Soil Dryness Index’, ‘Australian Bushfire Research’ and many other forest fire papers.

 

Brief Abstract of the Talk

Bushfires are usually seen purely as disasters or tragedies; however, they also have had a vital role in regeneration, growth and the health of Tasmania’s natural environment for millions of years. The lecture will address such issues as fuels and fire behaviour, fire effects and many others that come under these banners.

Presentation by Tony Mount

The Royal Society Room

Tuesday, 1st June 2010 Commencing 8.00 pm until 10.00 pm

 

About the Speaker

After moving to Tasmania, Tony took a MSc in Forest Ecology at the University of Tasmania 1966. He visited and lectured at all four British Forestry Schools in 1967 and was invited to Florida to address the 1969 Fire Ecology Conference on Eucalypt Fire Ecology. He taught Forest Ecology and Conservation at Melbourne University for three years from 1973. He is the author of the ‘Soil Dryness Index’, ‘Australian Bushfire Research’ and many other forest fire papers.

 

Brief Abstract of the Talk

Bushfires are usually seen purely as disasters or tragedies: however, they also have had a vital role in the regeneration, growth and health of Tasmania’s natural environment for millions of years. The lecture will address such issues as Fuels and fire behaviour, Fire effects and many others that come under these banners.

Presentation by Jennifer Storey

The Royal Society Room

Tuesday, 4th May 2010 Commencing 8.00 pm until 10.00 pm

Presentation by Prof. Horst Dippel

Royal Society Room

Tuesday, 6th April 2010 Commencing 8.00 pm until 10.00 pm

 

About the Speaker

Prof. Horst Dippel was President of the Kassel-based Georg-Forster-Gesellschaft. He organised the annual Georg-Forster-Studien of which the fifteenth volume is scheduled to appear this year. Since 2005 he has been editor of “Constitutions of the World from the late Eighteenth Century to the Middle of the Nineteenth century” 25 volumes have ben published in this series, so far. Prof Dippel is personally responsible for the 7 volumes “Constitutional Documents of the United States of america, 1776 – 1860”.

Presentation by Prof. Horst Dippel

Royal Society Room

Tuesday, 6th April 2010 Commencing 8.00 pm until 10.00 pm

 

 About the Speaker

Until recently President of the Kassel-based Georg-Forster-Gesellschaft. He organized the annual Georg Forster conferences in Kassel and established the Georg-Forster-Studien of which the fifteenth volume is scheduled to appear this year. Since 2005 he has been editor of “Constitutions of the World from the Late Eighteenth Century to the Middle of the Nineteenth Century”, a series in which 25 volumes have been published so far. He was personally responsible for the seven volumes “Constitutional Documents of the United States of America, 1776 – 1860”.