Key projects

The Faculty of Science is reviewing its emerging research strengths. In addition it is examining its support of a suite of exciting, cross-disciplinary strategic initiatives. For comments and further information, contact Professor Mark Hoffman, Associate Dean (Research). 

Aviation

Risk Management Skill - Generalisation beyond Training (Molesworth)
Training programs within general aviation seldom focus on teaching pilots risk management skills. In fact, it is commonly expected that pilots will acquire these skills through day-to-day operations rather than through explicit training or education. Of those pilots who successfully acquire these skills through operational experience, there is limited evidence to suggest the extent to which these skills will generalise to other situations beyond the learning experience. This study examines the extent to which the acquisition of risk management skills will generalise. Click here for more...

Materials Science & Engineering

Advanced Composites, Polymers and Biomaterials (Hoffman, Crosky, Standard, Bandyopadhyay)
Our research includes substantial activities in advanced composites and biomaterials. Work on advanced composites is directed towards the high-end carbon fibre reinforced plastics, polymer nanocomposites and functionally graded materials. The work on biomaterials encompasses biocompatible materials for body implants, biomimetic design and engineering materials derived from biomass sources. Click here for more...

Psychology

Brain injury rehabilitation - improving first impressions (McDonald)
For every person who dies in a motor vehicle accident each weekend, there are three people who survive the accident but experience significant trauma to the brain. People with severe traumatic brain injuries can live a normal life span but with serious disabilities, many of which are invisible.  They may have normal physical strength and dexterity and good perceptual skills and language, making them appear to have recovered well. But the brain damage they incur can result in profound changes to temperament, social skills and the ability to interact successfully with others. Click here for more...

Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences

Evolution & Ecology Research Centre (Banks, Bonduriansky, Bonser, Brooks, Johnston, Moles, Poore)
The study of how organisms interact with their environment (Ecology) and study of the way in which these interactions effect adaptive change across generations (Evolutionary Biology) provide the primary focus for our research. Major projects address life-histories, predator-prey and plant-herbivore interactions, sexual selection, communication, the biology of ageing, biological invasions and evolutionary ecotoxicology. Click here for more...

Mathematics & Statistics

Stochastic Analysis (Goldys)
Stochastic analysis is concerned with developing models for random processes occurring in space and time with applications to finance, the environment and public health. The research of this group is concerned with theory and models for describing random processes and with methods for inference and forecasting in these models. The group has a particularly strong reputation and interest in developing and applying the theory and methods of stochastic processes to financial risk management. Click here for more...

Biotechnology & Biomolecular Sciences

Environmental Microbiology / Systems and Cellular Biology / Molecular Medicine

Research in BABS spans fundamental to applied sciences, and ranges from human bacterial pathogens, hepatitis viruses, tissue engineering, cancer, bioinformatics, functional genomics, stem cells, astrobiology, extremophiles, and more.  BABS hosts or is a major player in a number of innovative centres and research initiatives - the Ramaciotti Centre for Gene Function Analysis, NSW Systems Biology Initiative, Centre for Marine BioInnovation, Environmental Microbiology Initiative, Australian Centre for Astrobiology, and the UNSW Microbiology Culture Collection. Click here for more...

Chemistry

Molecular Scale Biosensors and Responsive Materials (Gooding)
This research project aims to make biosensors and other functional devices from molecular scale building blocks.  Biosensors allow the general public to detect species such as disease markers, pathogens and environmental pollutants simply by placing 'dip-stick' like device into the sample to be analysed.  Other devices being developed are molecular magnets for data storage and switchable surfaces for biomaterial applications. Click here for more...

Physics

Anglo-Australian Planet Search Research Group (Tinney)
There can be few questions more fundamental and more engaging than to ask "Are we alone in the Universe?" The detection of many planets orbiting other stars is finally enabling us to realistically address this exciting issue. Our group plays a major role in this international endeavour, via our searches for gas-giant and terrestrial planets in a range of environments: orbiting nearby Sun-like stars, orbiting nearby cool stars and floating freely in nearby star clusters. Click here for more...

Optometry & Vision Science

Visual Development (Suttle, Asper, Alexander)
Obstruction to normal visual input during early life results in abnormal vision of one or both eyes that persists into adulthood, if untreated. While the abnormality can be treated during childhood, treatment becomes difficult or impossible beyond about 10 years of age. A range of methods have been introduced to treat this type of abnormality, although how these methods work is not well understood. Our research aims to investigate some of these treatment methods used in vision therapy for children and young adults. Click here for more...

Quantum Computing

Quantum Communications; Optical Quantum Computation; Silicon Quantum Computation and Resources and Integration
The Australian Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology is an international research effort to develop the science and technology of a global quantum information network, encompassing ultra-fast quantum computation, absolutely secure quantum communication and distributed quantum information processing. Research within the Centre is arranged into 4 mission-based work-packages: Quantum Communications; Optical Quantum Computation; Silicon Quantum Computation and Resources and Integration. These work-packages link significant research strengths across 7 Australian universities in 17 coordinated programs to build the critical mass required to achieve our goals. With 12 national and international Partner Organizations, the Centre forms one of the largest combined and focused efforts in quantum computation and communication in the world. Click here for more...