Flinders graduate Ren Williams wins a prestigious playwright award, while other recent successes include a new menteeship for a rising researcher, a national hosting gig for an optometry lecturer and a scientific answer to the eternal question: “why are we here”?
New menteeship for sleep expert
Associate Professor Andrew Vakulin has been selected as an Associate Member of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences for his interest and expertise in investigating the impact of sleep loss and sleep disorders on daytime sleepiness, sleep neurobiology and neurobehavioral function, particularly in relation to operational performance and motor vehicle accident risk.
Associate Members are chosen by the Mentorship Committee, which is looking for rising research and leadership professionals to contribute to the Academy’s work. Associate Members are paired with Academy Fellows for mentorship and will receive additional training, support and networking opportunities.
Applications for Associate Membership are offered in two rounds each year, with applications for the next round currently open until 20 September 2021.
National hosting gig for optometry lecturer
Associate Lecturer Cassandra Haines will co-host the Southern Regional Congress, the leading optometry conference in Australia that brings together eye care professionals for education and professional development. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this years event will be held virtually from 2-4 September. The program is being constructed by Optometry Victoria South Australia.
Modified a winner for young playwright
Congratulations to Flinders graduate Ren Williams, who has won the 2021 Flinders University Young Playwright’s Award, which is one of the highest honours handed to young writers in South Australia. Ren’s play Modified is inspired by her personal experiences growing up and explores the themes of young women finding their place in a world dominated by men.
The winner of the award receives a $1,000 cash prize, a double subscription to the 2022 SA Theatre Company season, script development and dramturgy workshops with the guidance of a theatre professional and a public reading of their work.
“To win the award is just epic and puts me on the map as a real playwright,” says Ren. “It creates a career path that I can follow.”
Professor helps tackle origins of the universe
ABC TV’s latest documentary series The Chemical World grapples with the question of why we are here and brings in scientific experts from around the country to help provide the answer.
Episode 1: Origins features Professor John Long from the College of Science and Engineering, who looks at evidence that shows the essence of all life is in its chemistry.
You can view episode 1 here and new episodes of The Chemical World will be shown weekly. Make sure to tune in for episode 3, you might spot some more familiar faces!