Koalas top the charts
Associate Professor Danielle Clode’s new book, Koala: A Natural History and Uncertain Future, has been named among the top scientific books on 2023 by New Scientist website. Read more about the full list of recommended books here.
Applause for South Asian STEM star
Dr Manasi Murthy Mittinty, a senior lecturer from the College of Medicine and Public Health, was a finalist for Australia’s Stellar South Asian Women Awards, announced in Melbourne last week. As a finalist in the STEM category, Dr Mittinty’s work as a Global Clinical Scholar Research Fellow at Harvard Medical School (2022-2023, Dean’s Commendation) has started powerful conversations around sex, gender, religion and racial inclusivity in patient care. A recipient of Women’s Agenda Emerging Leader in Health and Endeavour Fellowship, her vision to empower patients and their families to live a meaningful life despite experiencing pain was applauded by the awards judging panel.
Delivering a powerful STEM message
Dr Yee Lian Chew recently travelled to Canberra to take part in Science and Technology Australia’s (STA) Parliamentary Friends of Science expert panel. Dr Chew wants policy makers to better support diverse career pathways so that researchers can easily move between academia and industry, and voiced her concerns with STA CEO Misha Schubert about boosting the STEM workforce. “For Early Career Researchers, [the current career] pipeline is not encouraging – at some point they will have to divert,” says Dr Chew. “Here at Flinders, we recognise the importance of industry and research exchange, to achieve real world advances.”
Baker board appointment will help amplify voices
The Art Gallery of South Australia has announced the appointment of First Nations artist and academic Associate Professor Ali Gumillya Baker to the Art Gallery Board. Read more about Dr Baker’s appointment here. Of her appointment, Dr Baker says, “I am humbled and honoured to have the opportunity to amplify the voices of artists and I am excited to work with the Board to further implement strategies at AGSA that promote the inclusion of First Nations perspectives. AGSA’s Tarnanthi is an exceptional platform for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from across the country to share important stories through artistic excellence, illuminating the diversity and depth of art and culture in communities nationwide. I look forward to working with the Board to further enhancing Tarnanthi’s and the Gallery’s reputation both here and abroad.”
Excellence in allied health in the NT
Dr Danny Tsai won the Excellence in Research or Clinical Education category in the first NT Allied Health Excellence Awards. Dr Tsai is a Flinders researcher and a clinical pharmacist at Alice Springs Hospital, and was recognised for his ongoing work in optimising antibiotic use to improve patient outcomes and reduce antimicrobial resistance.