griffith 2018 magazine · enquiries: marketing and communications, +61 7 3735 7818...

44
GRIFFITH MAGAZINE 2018 Griffith’s Planet Hunter Dr Jessie Christiansen a rising star in planet discovery LEADING GRIFFITH’S TRANSFORMATION Vice Chancellor and President Ian O’Connor AC retires GRIFFITH INSTITUTE FOR DRUG DISCOVERY Griffith continues to lead research towards a potential cure for spinal cord injury

Upload: others

Post on 21-Jul-2020

0 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: GRIFFITH 2018 MAGAZINE · Enquiries: Marketing and Communications, +61 7 3735 7818 griffith.edu.au/omc COVER IMAGE: NASA scientist and Griffith graduate Dr Jessie Christiansen MESSAGE

GRIFFITHMAGAZINE2018

Griffith’s Planet Hunter Dr Jessie Christiansen a rising star in planet discovery

LEADING GRIFFITH’S TRANSFORMATIONVice Chancellor and President Ian O’Connor AC retires

GRIFFITH INSTITUTE FOR DRUG DISCOVERYGriffith continues to lead research towards a potential cure for spinal cord injury

Page 2: GRIFFITH 2018 MAGAZINE · Enquiries: Marketing and Communications, +61 7 3735 7818 griffith.edu.au/omc COVER IMAGE: NASA scientist and Griffith graduate Dr Jessie Christiansen MESSAGE

Griffith Magazine is published by the Office of Marketing and Communications in partnership with the Office of Development and Alumni. Magazine compiled and edited by Very Media Pty Ltd. Editorial contributions from Mitch Knox, Stephen O’Grady, Deborah Marshall, Carley Rosengreen, Nick Nichols, Robert Kidd, Jane McCubbin and Ben Dobson.

Griffith University Nathan campus, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, Qld 4111 Australia

Griffith University Gold Coast campus, Parklands Drive, Qld 4222 Australia

Enquiries: �Marketing and Communications, +61 7 3735 7818 griffith.edu.au/omc

COVER IMAGE: NASA scientist and Griffith graduate Dr Jessie Christiansen

MESSAGE FROM THE VICE CHANCELLORReflecting�on�the�highlights�of�another�momentous�year�for�Griffith�University,��we�can�feel�immense�collective�pride�in�the�achievements�of�the�Griffith�community—students,�staff�and�alumni.�There�is�a�palpable�sense�of�forward�momentum�across�the�University�as�Griffith�continues�to�build�its�reputation��as�one�of�Australia’s�leading�comprehensive�research�universities.�

Earlier�this�year�saw�the�staging�of�the�Gold�Coast�2018�Commonwealth�Games�(GC2018)�with�Griffith�playing�a�significant�part�in�contributing�to�the�event’s�success�as�a�major�partner.�The�Games�provided�a�unique�opportunity�for�our�staff�and�students�to�access�opportunities�including�internships,�secondments,�scholarships�and�the�participation�of�41�Griffith�community�members�as�athletes.

I�am�also�delighted�to�see�the�continual�rise�of�Griffith�up�the�global�university�rankings�with�our�programs,�teaching�and�research�outcomes�being�recognised�internationally.�The�University�was�recently�recognised�by�the�prestigious�journal�Nature�as�one�of�its�global�‘Rising�Stars’�for�2018.�Outcomes�such�as�this�see��the�University�now�ranked�in�the�top�300�on�four�major�international�rankings,�placing�Griffith�in�the�top�two�per�cent�of�higher�education�institutions�worldwide.

This�magazine�celebrates�the�stories�of�individual�and�group�achievement�leading�to�these�outstanding�successes,�including�our�remarkable�alumni�such�as�Dr�Jessie�Christiansen,�who�is�working�at�NASA�and�hunting�for�unknown�planets,�and�BAFTA�and�Academy�Award-nominee�film�producer�Angie�Fielder.�

It�covers�our�research�outcomes�including�the�groundbreaking�work�being�undertaken�at�Griffith�to�establish�the�timeline�for�the�world’s�oldest�known��fossil�found�outside�of�Africa,�the�quest�to�develop�an�effective�malaria�vaccine,�and�the�development�of�new�treatments�for�the�repair�of�spinal�cord�damage.

From�my�perspective,�it�has�been�an�honour�to�guide�the�University’s�transformation�over�the�past�14�years.�As�I�near�retirement,�I�am�deeply�satisfied�that�Griffith�has�never�strayed�from�its�mission�to�be�a�university�of�influence�making�a�major�contribution�to�society.

The�appointment�of�Professor�Carolyn�Evans�as�Griffith’s�fifth�Vice�Chancellor�and�President�from�February�2019�signals�a�new�chapter�in�the�Griffith�story�and�I�wish�Professor�Evans�all�the�best�as�she�steers�the�University�to�even�greater�success.

Professor Ian O’Connor ACVice Chancellor and President

COVER�STORYVice�Chancellor�and�President�Professor��Ian�O’Connor�AC�retires��PAGES 4–9

1� Career�journey�out�of�this�world

2� �Inaugural�awards�honour�outstanding��Griffith�alumni

3� Plants�may�hold�key�to�spinal�cord�repair

4� Leading�Griffith’s�transformation

9� New�Vice�Chancellor�announced

10� Lion-hearted�film�career�for�Angie

11� Rethinking�our�state�of�origin

12� Andrew�dining�out�on�business�success

13� Mikaela�on�a�medical�mission

14� Griffith�shines�at�GC2018

18� Jake’s�truly�a�school�skipper

19� Shubshri�finds�musical�magic�in�Aladdin

20� Shedding�light�on�sea�jellies

21� Personal�connection�inspires�spinal�research

22� Promising�progress�in�malaria�vaccine�trial

23� Glycomics�hosts�new�research�node

24� Climate�plan�is�a�gift�for�tourism

25� Jay�makes�a�quantum�leap�at�IBM

26� Thriving�community�the�reward�for�MP�Michael

27� Sam’s�a�star�at�the�crease�and�lecture�room

28� QCA�students�turn�a�lens�on�life

30� Spirits�soar�for�25�years�of�Griffith�Aviation

31� Rankings�confirm�global�leadership

32� The�conservation�crusader�

33� The�humble�humanitarian

34� Gender�policy�honour�for�Susan

35� �Griffith�scientists�shine�at�Young�Tall��Poppy�awards

36� Gold�Coast�tourism

37� Positive�diagnosis�for�partners�in�medicine

38� $1m�bequest�is�a�gift�for�the�gifted

39� Students�feel�the�impact�of�generous�donors

40� Message�from�the�Deputy�Vice�Chancellor

Page 3: GRIFFITH 2018 MAGAZINE · Enquiries: Marketing and Communications, +61 7 3735 7818 griffith.edu.au/omc COVER IMAGE: NASA scientist and Griffith graduate Dr Jessie Christiansen MESSAGE

CAREER JOURNEY OUT OF THIS WORLD

An early passion for astrophysics continues to burn brightly for NASA scientist and Griffith graduate Dr Jessie Christiansen.

Then�came�the�call�from�a�NASA�colleague�about�a�role�that�eventually�prompted�Jessie�and�her�husband�to�move�to�Los�Angeles�and�take�up�their�current�roles��at�Caltech.

As�a�keen�advocate�for�citizen�science,�Jessie�said�sharing�her�work�with�the�public,�including�her�own�children,��keeps�the�seemingly�far-off�realms��of�space�within�reach.�

‘At�the�professional�astronomy�level,�everyone�is�so�accomplished,�so�driven,�so�results-focused,�that�I’m�surrounded�by�people�my�age�and�even�younger�who�are�achieving�amazing�things�every�day,’�she�said.�

‘It’s�easy�to�lose�perspective�when�you’re�in�a�bubble�like�that.�But�my�twins�tell�people�that�Mummy�hunts�for�planets�and�that�they�help.�So�I�am�glad�and�grateful�that�what�I�do�is�something��they�are�excited�about�as�well.’

NASA�scientist�and�Griffith�graduate�Dr�Jessie�Christiansen

‘Doing the Advanced Studies extension of the Bachelor of Science at Griffith was such an amazing opportunity to do research in a variety of labs and disciplines.’

Dr�Jessie�Christiansen�has�always�been�a�starry-eyed�dreamer.�

At�St�Mary’s�College�in�Ipswich,�she�helped�start�the�high�school’s�first�astronomy�club:�the�Zubenelgenubis.�That�early�passion�for�astrophysics�has�continued�to�burn�bright,�propelling�her�studies�and�research�into�a�stellar�career�that�has�landed�her�a�prized�role�in�her�field.

As�a�Staff�Scientist�at�NASA’s�Exoplanet�Science�Institute—based�at�the�California�Institute�of�Technology�(Caltech)—�Jessie�works�on�the�NASA�Exoplanet�Archive,�keeping�track�of�how�many�exoplanets�(planets�orbiting�stars��outside�our�solar�system)�have�been�found.�She�is�also�conducting�her�own��research�on�exoplanets.

‘Doing�the�Advanced�Studies�extension�of�the�Bachelor�of�Science�at�Griffith�was�such�an�amazing�opportunity�to�do�research�in�a�variety�of�labs�and�disciplines,’�said�Jessie,�who�in�2018�received�the�Outstanding�Young�Alumnus�Award�at�the�inaugural�Griffith�University�Outstanding�Alumni�Awards.

‘Working�with�a�different�faculty�member�each�semester�allowed�me�to�explore�many�subjects�and�types�of�research.�I�moved�atoms�around,�I�fired�proton�beams,�I�modelled�the�interiors�of�stars.’

After�completing�her�initial�studies�at�Griffith�in�2002,�Jessie�did�her�Honours�at�Australian�National�University�then�completed�her�PhD�at�the�University�of�New�South�Wales.�A�postdoctoral�fellowship�at�Harvard�University�saw��her�move�to�Boston.

Griffith Magazine | 2018 EDITION

1 OUT OF THIS WORLD

Page 4: GRIFFITH 2018 MAGAZINE · Enquiries: Marketing and Communications, +61 7 3735 7818 griffith.edu.au/omc COVER IMAGE: NASA scientist and Griffith graduate Dr Jessie Christiansen MESSAGE

A�top�scientist�and�public�health�specialist,�Professor�Qiyong�Liu,�was�named�Outstanding International Alumnus Award.�Professor�Liu�is�internationally�renowned�for�his�research�addressing�climate�change�and�health,�devoting��30�years�to�combatting�health�threats��to�poor�and�vulnerable�communities.

NASA�astronomer�Dr�Jessie�Christiansen�received�the�Outstanding Young Alumnus Award.�Dr�Christiansen�spends�her�days�looking�for�planets�and�has�published�discoveries�on�several�exoplanets.�She�is�an�active�mentor�and�educator,�always�seeking�to�foster�women�and�under-represented�minorities�in�the�natural�sciences.

Twenty�exceptional�alumni�award�group�winners�in�Arts,�Education�and�Law,�Business,�Health�and�Sciences�were��also�recognised�at�the�awards�dinner.

Vice�Chancellor�and�President�Professor�Ian�O’Connor�AC�said�the�reach�and�influence�of�the�University’s�200,000�alumni�and�their�positive�impact�on�the�world�around�them�was�outstanding.

‘The�University�greatly�values�its�alumni�relationships�and�is�proud�of�the�amazing�things�you�do�each�day�to�make�a�difference.�I�would�like�to�thank�each�of�you�for�being�outstanding�ambassadors�for�the�University.’

Outstanding Alumnus AwardQueensland�Fire�and�Emergency�Services�Commissioner�Katarina�Carroll�APM

Outstanding First Peoples Alumnus AwardPsychologist�and�social�entrepreneur��Clinton�Schultz

Outstanding International Alumnus AwardScientist�and�public�health�specialist��Professor�Qiyong�Liu

Outstanding Young Alumnus AwardNASA�astronomer�Dr�Jessie�Christiansen

A�trailblazer�for�women�in�leadership,�a�NASA�astronomer,�a�top�public�health�scientist,�and�a�psychologist�and�entrepreneur�were�the�winners�of�the�inaugural�Griffith�University�Outstanding�Alumni�Awards,�announced�at�a�gala�dinner�in�Brisbane�in�September.

Queensland�Fire�and�Emergency�Services�Commissioner�Katarina�Carroll�APM�received�the�Griffith�University�Outstanding Alumnus Award.�

The�fourth�woman�and�the�first�mother�to�achieve�the�rank�of�Assistant�Commissioner�in�the�Queensland�Police�Service,�Commissioner�Carroll�became�Australia’s�first�female�fire�commissioner��in�2015.�She�has�been�a�pioneer�for�women�in�the�policing�and�fire�services,�and�a�role�model�to�women�and�girls�aspiring�to�similar�careers.

Psychologist�and�social�entrepreneur��Mr�Clinton�Schultz�received�the�Outstanding First Peoples Alumnus Award.�Mr�Schultz�founded�Marumali�Consultations,�providing�culturally�responsive�wellbeing�support�services�to�Aboriginal�and�Torres�Strait�Islander�communities.�

He�also�consults�on�organisational�and�cultural�responsiveness,�including�the�Queensland�Child�Deaths�Case�Review�Panel.�In�his�spare�time,�Mr�Schultz�founded�Clinto’s�Kupmurri�food�van,�providing�healthy�native-focused�food,�and�Sobah,�Australia’s�first�non-alcoholic�Aboriginal�craft�beer,�which�is�aligned�to�the�Sobah�Initiative.

INAUGURAL AWARDS HONOUR OUTSTANDING

GRIFFITH ALUMNI In 2018, Griffith University celebrated the exceptional contributions of its graduates at the inaugural Outstanding Alumni Awards.

L–R:�Dr�Jessie�Christiansen,�Professor�Qiyong�Liu,�Clinton�Schultz�and�Commissioner�Katarina�Carroll

Griffith Magazine | 2018 EDITION

2OUTSTANDING GRIFFITH ALUMNI

Page 5: GRIFFITH 2018 MAGAZINE · Enquiries: Marketing and Communications, +61 7 3735 7818 griffith.edu.au/omc COVER IMAGE: NASA scientist and Griffith graduate Dr Jessie Christiansen MESSAGE

PLANTS MAY HOLD KEY TO SPINAL CORD REPAIR

Griffith University continues to lead research towards a cure for spinal cord injury.

The�unshakeable�quest�for�a�cure�for�spinal�cord�injury�is�taking�Griffith�researchers�to�the�far�reaches�of�the�Australian�continent.

In�an�exciting�development,�natural�compounds�derived�from�Australian��plants�have�been�found�to�stimulate��cells�useful�for�transplantation�to�repair�spinal�cord�injuries.

The�results�of�this�research�were�published�in�Scientific�Reports�by�a�team�of�scientists�based�at�the�Griffith�Institute�for�Drug�Discovery�(GRIDD)�and�Menzies�Health�Institute�Queensland�(MHIQ).

GRIDD�Senior�Researcher,�Associate�Professor�James�St�John,�said�the�two�compounds�were�sourced�from�the�Australian�desert�plant�Eremophila�microtheca�by�natural�product�chemist�Associate�Professor�Rohan�Davis.

‘We have an outstanding team of 30 researchers here at Griffith University who are all working on the spinal injury project, so we are very hopeful of getting good outcomes for the community as soon as possible.’

‘Identifying�natural�products�that�stimulate�the�body’s�natural�repair�mechanisms�is�an�exciting�area�of�research�and�has�great�potential�for�the�discovery�of�new�drugs,’�said�Associate�Professor�Davis,�who�heads�NatureBank,�a�vast�resource�of�Australian�natural�products�used�for�drug�discovery.

‘The�current�collaboration�between�GRIDD�and�MHIQ,�while�still�only�in�its�infancy,�is�gaining�traction,�and�the�recent�findings�are�very�encouraging.

‘Perhaps�most�exciting�is�that�the�natural�compounds�were�quite�specific�to�the�olfactory�cells�as�they�did�not�stimulate�other�closely�related�cells.’

Reparing�the�injured�spinal�cord�using�transplantation�of�olfactory�ensheathing�cells�(OECs)�is�a�promising�therapy�as��the�cells�can�assist�in�the�clean-up�of��the�injury�site�and�in�enhancing�nerve��cell�regeneration.

‘But�we�need�to�make�the�therapy�better�and�improve�the�function�of�the�transplanted�cells�so�they�can�do�their��job�more�effectively,’�said�Associate�Professor�St�John.

‘For�this,�we�turned�to�natural�product�drug�discovery�to�find�compounds�that�can�stimulate�the�cells�used�for�transplantation.’

‘We�are�now�looking�at�how�these�two�compounds�can�be�incorporated�into�the�cell�transplantation�process�to�improve�recovery�after�spinal�cord�injury.

‘We�have�an�outstanding�team�of�30�researchers�here�at�Griffith�University�who��are�all�working�on�the�spinal�injury�project,�so�we�are�very�hopeful�of�getting�good�outcomes�for�the�community�as�soon�as�possible.’

To�find�out�how�you�can�support�our�quest�to�cure�spinal�cord�injury,�please�contact�Michael�Brazier�on�[email protected]

GRIDD�Senior�Researcher,�Associate�Professor�James�St�John

Griffith Magazine | 2018 EDITION

3 GRIDD

Page 6: GRIFFITH 2018 MAGAZINE · Enquiries: Marketing and Communications, +61 7 3735 7818 griffith.edu.au/omc COVER IMAGE: NASA scientist and Griffith graduate Dr Jessie Christiansen MESSAGE

Professor�Ian�O’Connor�AC�(middle)�with�Griffith�Futures�Scholarship�recipients

Griffith Magazine | 2018 EDITION

4LEADING GRIFFITH’S TRANSFORMATION

Page 7: GRIFFITH 2018 MAGAZINE · Enquiries: Marketing and Communications, +61 7 3735 7818 griffith.edu.au/omc COVER IMAGE: NASA scientist and Griffith graduate Dr Jessie Christiansen MESSAGE

In�2002,�the�world�was�a�markedly�different�place�than�today.�Release�of�the�first�iPhone�was�still�five�years�away�and�the�now�ubiquitous�Facebook�didn’t�exist.�Likewise,�the�multi-campus�Griffith�University,�with�little�more�than�26,000�students�and�an�incomplete�range�of�academic�programs,�would�progress�rapidly�to�become�regarded�as�one��of�Australia’s�most�comprehensive,�research-intensive�institutions.�

At�the�beginning�of�what�would�be�a�17-year�journey�with�Griffith�University,�Professor�Ian�O’Connor—the�newly�appointed�Deputy�Vice�Chancellor�(Teaching�and�Learning)—saw�nothing��but�potential.

The�University�spanned�the�urban�corridor�from�Brisbane�to�the�Gold�Coast,�regarded�as�one�of�the�most�diverse�university�catchments�in�Australia.�However,�Brisbane�was�yet�to�be�acclaimed�as�a�‘New�World�City’,�Logan�was�striving�to�forge�its�unique�identity,�and�the�Gold�Coast—already�a�world-renowned�tourist�destination—had�yet�to�fully�flourish�and�embrace�its�place�as�Australia’s�sixth�largest�city�and�largest�non-capital.�

After�stepping�into�the�Vice�Chancellor�role�in�early�2005,�Professor�Ian�O’Connor�AC�would�steer�Griffith�University�through�a�time�of�‘remarkable’�social,�cultural,�environmental�and�technological�change.�Against�an�environment�of�constant�tumult,�he�has�led�the�University’s�diverse�community�as�it�capitalised�on�a�raft�of�opportunities�and�achievements�across��a�range�of�disciplines.�

Looking�back,�Professor�O’Connor�believes�that�a�crucial�aspect�of�his�tenure�as�Vice�Chancellor�and�President�has�been�in�securing�Griffith’s�status�as�a�mainstay�of�the�Gold�Coast—its�community,�culture�and�future—while�reinforcing�the�University’s�historical�roots�in�Brisbane��and�strengthening�its�social�compact��with�Logan.�

He�recognised�the�City�of�Gold�Coast�needed�a�world-class�university�with�a�comprehensive�academic�profile.�

‘I�had�a�very�strong�view�from�when�I�was�appointed�that�a�major�part�of�the�future�of�the�University�was�the�Gold�Coast,’�explained�Professor�O’Connor.�

‘If�you�look�at�Griffith,�it�had�a�commitment�to�innovation,�equity,�and�to�provision�of�education�in�areas�where�it�hadn’t�been�provided�for.�And�Griffith�was�always�entrepreneurial�in�spirit,�and�the�Coast�has�a�very�entrepreneurial�culture.

‘I�saw�a�great�opportunity�to�substantially�grow�the�University�and�essentially�build��a�truly�world-class�university�campus.��I�also�believed�that�one�of�my�key�roles�was�to�strengthen�the�bond�of�mutual�respect�between�the�University�and�the�Gold�Coast�community.’�

Ongoing�initiatives�supported�those�goals,�including�investments�across�an�expanded�range�of�programs�from�performing�and�creative�arts,�engineering�and�technology,�to�medical�and�health�sciences;�and�engaging�heavily�with�the�community�in�diverse�areas�such�as�environmental�engineering,�tourism�management,��and�health�care�services.�

The retirement of Vice Chancellor and President Professor Ian O’Connor AC closes a truly profound chapter in the history of Griffith University. Here, Professor O’Connor looks back at the aspirations, challenges, growth and achievements during his time, and ponders what he believes to be a stellar future for the University.

LEADING GRIFFITH’S TRANSFORMATION

Griffith Magazine | 2018 EDITION

5 LEADING GRIFFITH’S TRANSFORMATION

Page 8: GRIFFITH 2018 MAGAZINE · Enquiries: Marketing and Communications, +61 7 3735 7818 griffith.edu.au/omc COVER IMAGE: NASA scientist and Griffith graduate Dr Jessie Christiansen MESSAGE

The�relocation�of�the�Chancellery�to�the�Gold�Coast�provided�perhaps�the�most�tangible�statement�of�the�University’s�intent�to�build�trust�with�its�community.�Momentum�and�milestones�have�been�pronounced�in�recent�years,�including�development�of�the�Gold�Coast�University�Hospital,�the�arrival�of�the�light�rail�network,�partnering�in�the�Gold�Coast�2018�Commonwealth�Games�and�the�evolving�Health�and�Knowledge�Precinct.

‘With�support�from�all�tiers�of�government,�industry�and�the�local�community,�we�have�built�recognition�that�the�presence�of�a�world-class�university�campus�offers�major�opportunities�for�the�city,�both�in�terms�of�education�and�broadening�the�knowledge-based�economy�on�the��Gold�Coast,’�said�Professor�O’Connor.

The�Commonwealth�Games�was�a�particularly�memorable�experience.�In�addition�to�its�role�as�an�Official�Partner�of�the�biggest�event�in�Australia�this�decade,�Griffith�University�made�a�major�contribution�to�the�Games�through�provision�of�the�rare�opportunity�for�students�and�graduates�to�work�as�interns�and�employees�for�groups�including�the�Games’�organising�body,�GOLDOC,�as�well�as�via�volunteer�opportunities.�Also,�41�students,�staff�and�alumni�represented�Australia�and�several�other�nations�as�athletes.

‘From�the�moment�there�was�any�consideration�of�the�Commonwealth�Games�coming�to�Queensland—coming�to�the�Gold�Coast—I�was�a�very�strong�supporter,’�said�Professor�O’Connor.�‘I�did�that�for�a�couple�of�reasons,�firstly�because�it�would�be�the�major�event�in�the�country�for�a�decade�and�would�provide�an�important�opportunity�to�provide�the�world�with�a�different�view�of�the�Gold�Coast.�

‘People�often�see�the�Gold�Coast�just�in�terms�of�tourism,�which�is�important,�but�it’s�a�much�broader�economy�than�that.�Also,�I�knew�the�Games�would�drive�infrastructure.�If�you�think�about�it�even�in�the�short-term,�the�light�rail�connectivity�and�other�vital�infrastructure�make�the�Gold�Coast�a�much�more�attractive�place�for�people�to�live�and�work.�

‘The�Games�provided�an�extraordinary�opportunity�for�our�students�by�providing�a�foothold�into�the�labour�market�and�a�model�which�we�will�use�for�future�work�integrated�learning�arrangements.�For�both�students�and�staff,�the�experience�of�being�a�part�of�a�major�event�was�significant.’

In�addition�to�the�University’s�growth�and�success�on�the�Gold�Coast,�Professor�O’Connor�has�ensured�Griffith’s�four�other�campuses—Nathan,�Mt�Gravatt,�Logan�and�South�Bank—have�continued�to�evolve�and�become�more�distinctive.�He�is�buoyant�about�the�ways�in�which�the�University��has�been�able�to�regenerate�itself�into��the�social�make-up�of�its�varied�locales.�

‘That’s what this University is for me. It’s the people who work, live, learn here, often forming a life-long connection with this truly remarkable institution.’

Griffith Magazine | 2018 EDITION

6LEADING GRIFFITH’S TRANSFORMATION

Page 9: GRIFFITH 2018 MAGAZINE · Enquiries: Marketing and Communications, +61 7 3735 7818 griffith.edu.au/omc COVER IMAGE: NASA scientist and Griffith graduate Dr Jessie Christiansen MESSAGE

‘A�modern�public�university�needs�porous�boundaries�between�a�campus�and�that�which�surrounds�it,’�he�said.�‘Boundaries�between�what’s�a�university,�what’s�public,�what’s�private,�what’s�commercial,�who�works�for�who,�should�be�pretty�fuzzy.’

Once�again,�he�turns�to�the�Gold�Coast�as�an�exemplar:�‘In�one�sense,�what�happened�by�having�the�Gold�Coast�University�Hospital�built�there�is�that�it�created�an�environment�where�there�are�literally�thousands�of�knowledge-based�workers�cheek-by-jowl,�and�with�numerous�reasons�for�workers�to�interact.�The�hospital�development�meant�that�the�private�hospital�also�came,�and�that�meant�the�light�rail�came,�and�on�and�on.�

‘So,�there�was�an�incredibly�virtuous�circle�and,�within�a�relatively�short�period�of�time,�you�had�billions�of�dollars�of�investment�surrounding�it,�and�that�provided�the�basis�for�the�Commonwealth�Games�Village,�and�on�it�goes.�

Along�with�that,�what�I�like�is�when�you�walk�around�the�campus�and�there�are�people�from�all�over�the�place—not�necessarily�university�employees�or�university�students—and�I�think�that’s�really�important.’

Professor�O’Connor�believes�South�Bank’s�campus�also�embodies�the�ideal�of�blurred�boundaries;�a�perfect�example�of�a�permeable�campus,�with�the�Queensland�College�of�Art,�the�Griffith�Film�School�and�the�Queensland�Conservatorium�contributing�in�an�essential�way�to�the�success�of�the�South�Bank�cultural�precinct,�while�also�providing�Queensland�with�flagship�creative�and�performing�arts�institutions.�

Similarly,�the�Logan�campus�plays�a�pivotal�role�in�the�development�of�one�of�Australia’s�most�culturally�diverse�cities,�home�to�more�than�215�ethnic�groups.�

Through�provision�of�university�pathway�strategies�beginning�with�early�childhood�development,�building�regional�educational�capability,�strengthening�community�partnerships�and�engaging�with�key�partners�such�as�the�Logan�Hospital�and�Logan�TAFE�(Queensland),�the�Logan�campus�has�become�a�catalyst�for�building�a�resilient�and�innovative�region.�

Meanwhile,�the�co-located�Nathan�and�Mt�Gravatt�campuses�have�become�home�to�several�of�Australia’s�leading�centres�of�scholarship�and�research�across�a�range�of�areas,�including�criminology,�suicide�prevention,�education,�nursing,�political�science�and�international�relations,�drug�discovery,�environmental�and�water�sciences.�Construction�of�facilities�including�the�landmark�Sir�Samuel�Griffith�Centre�and�the�recent�campus�regeneration�programs�have�ensured�that�the�largest�of�the�Brisbane�campuses�remain�attractive�for�staff�and�students.

Griffith Magazine | 2018 EDITION

7 LEADING GRIFFITH’S TRANSFORMATION

Page 10: GRIFFITH 2018 MAGAZINE · Enquiries: Marketing and Communications, +61 7 3735 7818 griffith.edu.au/omc COVER IMAGE: NASA scientist and Griffith graduate Dr Jessie Christiansen MESSAGE

‘In�fact,�early�aspirations�to�be�regarded�as�a�national�leader�in�some�disciplines�have�been�well�exceeded,�with�several�disciplines�across�Griffith�now�renowned�for�their�global�leadership,’�remarked�Professor�O’Connor.

‘One�of�the�opportunities�and�challenges�at�Griffith�has�been�trying�to�ascertain�what�unites�the�University.�It’s�united,�essentially,�by�its�focus�on�research�and�teaching�and�that�underlying�commitment�to�social�justice.�But�it�has�very�different�manifestations�in�different�locations.�Each�campus�retains�its�distinctive�identity�which�is�one�of�the�most�appealing�characteristics�of�Griffith.�

‘I’m�quite�sure�that�the�new�Vice�Chancellor�will�maintain�the�continuous�focus�on�campus�development�to�further�define�Griffith’s�distinctiveness.’

Even�so,�the�very�notion�of�what�constitutes�a�campus�is�changing.��As�our�lives�increasingly�entwine�with��the�digital�space,�educational�pursuits�should�too.�It’s�a�reality�not�lost�on�Professor�O’Connor,�a�long-time�champion�of�technological�innovation,�most�recently�exemplified�by�the�launch�of�Griffith’s�Digital�Campus—our�sixth�and�third�largest�campus.

‘Because�of�the�nature�of�life,�many�of�our�students�are�working,�so�people�expect�more�flexibility;�they�expect�to�be�able�to�customise�courses�and�programs�to�their�particular�set�of�interests,’�he�said.�

‘The�Digital�Campus�takes�seriously�that�the�way�in�which�people�are�studying�is�changing.�It�is�really�a�way�of�stepping�up�our�engagement�in�that�space.’

Elsewhere,�the�future�of�higher�education�remains�ever�unpredictable,�although�Professor�O’Connor�dismisses�the�idea�that�modern�universities�are�places�out�of�time.�

Griffith Magazine | 2018 EDITION

8LEADING GRIFFITH’S TRANSFORMATION

Page 11: GRIFFITH 2018 MAGAZINE · Enquiries: Marketing and Communications, +61 7 3735 7818 griffith.edu.au/omc COVER IMAGE: NASA scientist and Griffith graduate Dr Jessie Christiansen MESSAGE

‘The�biggest�opportunities�for�universities�are�that�in�the�increasingly�knowledge-based�economy�we’re�moving�to,�and�in�a�world�which�has�a�whole�range�of�challenges�in�relation�to�security,�environment,�and�sustainability—universities�are�home�to�the�people��who�are�going�to�play�a�major�role�in�developing�the�solutions�for�those,’��he�said.�‘Universities�can�be�the�model��of�civil�society.�

‘I’m�always�quite�deeply�moved�when�I�get�to�a�graduation�ceremony,�because�you�see�all�these�extraordinary�things�that�come�together�and�reinforce�what�we�do.�I’m�always�excited�when�I�meet�students�and�graduates�all�over�the�world,�and�I�find�it�quite�stunning�as�to�what�people�have�actually�done�with�themselves.�

‘One�of�the�things�about�universities�is�that�you�have�the�great�privilege�of�working�with�really�clever,�really�motivated�people�who�are�trying�to�do�good.�In�whatever�field�that’s�happening,�I�find�that�greatly�reaffirming�of�the�human�spirit.’

Although�his�time�as�Vice�Chancellor�is�coming�to�an�end,�Professor�O’Connor�isn’t�planning�on�leaving�higher�education.�For�example,�he�will�remain�active�with�a�number�of�appointments,�including�his�chairmanship�of�both�the�Higher�Education�Standards�Panel�and�the�Queensland�Art�Gallery�Board�of�Trustees.

In�an�era�in�which�Australian�universities�are�often�decried�for�being�too�similar,�Griffith�University�is�truly�distinct�from��its�peers.

‘I’d�like�to�be�remembered�in�terms�of�delivering�on�the�promise�that�the�University�made�to�the�Gold�Coast�community;�developing�a�truly�world-class�university�campus�and�program�offerings�which�has�become�the�university�of�first�choice�for�prospective�students,’�concluded�Professor�O’Connor.

‘I’d�like�to�be�remembered�for�enabling�the�Brisbane�and�Logan�campuses�to�grow�their�own�distinctive�profiles,�and�for�creating�a�university�in�which�people��are�respectful�of�each�other.

‘I’m�also�proud�that�Griffith�has�built�a�reputation�that�continues�to�attract�so�many�fantastic�staff�from�all�corners��of�the�globe.’

‘That’s�what�this�University�is�for�me.��It’s�the�people�who�work,�live,�learn�here,�often�forming�a�life-long�connection�with�this�truly�remarkable�institution.’�

Professor�Carolyn�Evans�(pictured�below)�has�been�appointed�Griffith�University’s�fifth�Vice�Chancellor�and�President.

Announced�in�September�2018,�Professor�Evans�most�recently�was�the�Deputy�Vice�Chancellor�(Graduate�and�International)�and�Deputy�Provost�at�the�University��of�Melbourne.

She�holds�a�doctorate�from�Oxford�University,�where�she�studied�as�a�Rhodes�Scholar�and�was�also�the�recipient�of�a�prestigious�Fulbright�Senior�Scholarship.

Professor�Evans�is�an�internationally�recognised�expert�on�religious�freedom�and�the�relationship�between�law�and�religion,�and�is�a�barrister�and�solicitor��of�the�Supreme�Court�of�Victoria.

Professor�Evans�said�she�was�honoured�to�be�appointed�to�lead�one�of�Australia’s�most�innovative�universities.

NEW VICE CHANCELLOR ANNOUNCED

‘I�am�committed�to�continuing��Griffith’s�distinctive�traditions�of��inter-disciplinarity,�innovation,�excellence�and�social�justice,�which�have�allowed��it�to�be�recognised�as�one�of�the�top��50�international�universities�under��50�years�old.

‘The�University�is�in�a�very�strong�position�and�ambitious�to�continue��to�improve�the�lives�of�those�influenced�by�its�teaching,�research�and�community�engagement.

‘I�look�forward�to�working�with�the�remarkable�staff,�students,�alumni��and�supporters�who�make�up�the��Griffith�community.’

University�Chancellor�Henry�Smerdon�AM�DUniv�congratulated�Professor�Evans�on�her�appointment.�‘Griffith�University�has�seen�a�remarkable�ascension�in�global�rankings�and�is�now�in�the�top�two�per�cent�of�institutions�worldwide,’�he�said.�‘Professor�Evans�is�a�dynamic,�experienced�and�outstanding�university�leader�with�the�drive�to�take�Griffith��into�the�future.’

‘I look forward to working with the remarkable staff, students, alumni and supporters who make up the Griffith community.’

9

Griffith�Magazine��|��2018 EDITION

LEADING GRIFFITH’S TRANSFORMATION

Page 12: GRIFFITH 2018 MAGAZINE · Enquiries: Marketing and Communications, +61 7 3735 7818 griffith.edu.au/omc COVER IMAGE: NASA scientist and Griffith graduate Dr Jessie Christiansen MESSAGE

LION-HEARTED FILM CAREER FOR ANGIE

Film producer Angie Fielder continues to forge a lights, camera and action-packed career in the international movie industry.

Queensland�College�of�Art�and�Griffith�Film�School�graduate�Angie�Fielder�is�holding�a�creative�lens�to�the�world.�

Following�the�global�success�of�the�Academy�Award-nominated�feature�film�Lion—which�she�produced�through�her�company�Aquarius�Films—Angie�has�worked�on�several�notable�projects.

These�include�the�psychological�horror-thriller�Berlin Syndrome,�the�acclaimed�documentary�Roller Dreams,�and�the�comedy�series�The Other Guy.�Aquarius�Films�is�currently�adapting�Australian�author�Tim�Winton’s�award-winning��novel�Dirt Music.

However,�it�was�Lion�that�truly�brought�Angie�to�world�attention.�Starring�Dev�Patel�and�Nicole�Kidman,�it�told�the�moving�story�of�an�Indian�boy�who�is�adopted�by�an�Australian�couple,�then�25�years�later�returns�to�India�to�find�his�family.

In�2017,�Lion�was�nominated�for�six�Oscars,�including�best�film,�then�went�on�to�win�a�staggering�12�awards�from�12�nominations�at�the�2017�Australian�Academy�of�Cinema�and�Television�Arts�Awards.�Lion�also�broke�box-office�records�for�independent�Australian�film,�picked�up�Golden�Globes�and�Screen�Actors�Guild�nominations,�and�won�two�British�Academy�Awards.

Before�becoming�a�professional�producer,�Angie�graduated�from�the�Queensland�College�of�Art�in�1996.�In�2012,�she�was�named�the�Griffith�Film�School’s�Graduate�of�the�Year.

‘What�was�great�about�the�course�was�that�it�offered�a�really�well-rounded�overview�of�filmmaking—you�got�to�do��a�bit�of�directing,�production,�writing,’��she�said.

‘Being�thrown�together�with�your�peers�and�creating�films�was�a�great�foundation�for�life�in�the�industry.’

After�completing�her�studies,�Angie��went�to�the�UK�to�work�for�the�British��Film�Institute�and�the�London�Film�Festival.�Returning�to�Australia,�she�co-founded�Aquarius�Films�with�fellow�filmmaker��Polly�Staniford.

‘Across�our�slate,�we�have�championed�female�filmmakers�and�diverse�stories,’�said�Angie.�‘We�are�really�busy�and�we�have�a�big�slate,�but�we�try�to�give�people�a�go—whether�it’s�supporting�emerging�writers,�or�giving�someone�a�step�up.’

Queensland�College�of�Art�and�Griffith�Film�School�graduate�Angie�Fielder

Griffith Magazine | 2018 EDITION

10LION-HEARTED

Page 13: GRIFFITH 2018 MAGAZINE · Enquiries: Marketing and Communications, +61 7 3735 7818 griffith.edu.au/omc COVER IMAGE: NASA scientist and Griffith graduate Dr Jessie Christiansen MESSAGE

The�Misliya�Fossil�found�in�Israel�which�has�reshaped�the�timeline�for�modern�human�migration

Griffith’s�Australian�Research�Centre�for�Human�Evolution�(ARCHE)�Professor�Rainer�Grün

Research�from�Griffith�University�is�helping�to�rewrite�the�timeline�of�human�evolution.

In�January�2018,�it�was�announced�that�scientists�from�Griffith’s�Australian�Research�Centre�for�Human�Evolution�(ARCHE)�had�made�a�crucial�contribution�revising�understanding�about�the�migration�of�modern�humans�out�of�Africa.

While�previously�accepted�that�Homo sapiens�had�moved�out�of�Africa�between�90,000�and�120,000�years�ago,�discovery�of�the�earliest-ever�human�fossil�found�outside�the�continent�pushed�back�that�timeline�by�50,000�to�60,000�years.

The�tooth�fossil�was�initially�found�in�the�sedimentary�deposits�of�Misliya�Cave,�on�the�edge�of�Israel’s�Mount�Carmel�in�2002.

ARCHE�researchers�led�by�Professor�Rainer�Grün�and�Dr�Mathieu�Duval�conducted�a�range�of�dating�methods�on�the�fossil.�

‘Previous�finds�out�of�Africa,�in�the�Levantine�corridor�and�China,�dated�the�first�modern�humans�to�around�100,000�years,’�said�Professor�Grün.

‘Now�we�can�prove�through�our�dating�analysis�that�Homo sapiens�left�Africa�as�far�back�as�around�200,000�years�ago.’

Meanwhile,�ARCHE�research�made�international�headlines�again�in�May�2018�with�confirmation�of�the�great�antiquity��of�fossil�remains�attributed�to�a�species��of�human�called�Homo antecessor.

Found�at�the�Atapuerca�Gran�Dolina�archaeological�site�in�Spain,�the�fossil��has�been�directly�dated�to�between�772,000–949,000�years�ago,�which�is�consistent�with�previous�indirect�estimates�and�makes�it�the�oldest�known�fossil�human�species�in�Western�Europe.�

While�some�older�human�fossils�have�been�found�in�Western�Europe,�they�could�not�be�attributed�to�any�specific�species,�in�contrast�with�the�Gran�Dolina�remains.

HUMBLE BIN CHICKEN OR

EVOLUTIONARY WONDER?

It�was�voted�Australia’s�second-favourite�bird�in�2017�and�a�Griffith�University�researcher�has�confirmed�the�Ancient�Egyptians�were�also�big�fans�of�the�ibis,�aka�the�‘bin�chicken’.�They�even�mummified�millions�of�the�birds�for�placement�in�underground�catacombs.

A�scientific�paper�co-authored�by�Professor�David�Lambert,�from��Griffith’s�Australian�Research�Centre��for�Human�Evolution�(ARCHE),�has�revealed�more�than�eight�catacomb��sites�in�Egypt�as�the�final�resting�places�for�millions�of�sacrificed�ibises.

Though�commonly�derided�in�Australia,�the�ibis�was�sacred�in�Ancient�Egypt��and�sacrifices�served�as�an�homage�to�the�god�of�wisdom�and�writing,�Thoth.

Professor�Lambert,�an�expert�in�genomics�who�performed�the�research�in�a�bid�to�see�how�the�species�had�changed�over�time,�said�the�fact�that�millions�of�ibises�were�found�proved�they�were�a�highly�valued�bird�to�the�Ancient�Egyptians.�However,�the�discovery�also�raised�questions.�‘How�did�they�get�their�hands�on�so�many�birds?�Did�they�farm�them?’��he�asked.

Griffith�University�PhD�student��Dr�Sally�Wasef�came�from�Egypt�to��study�this�problem.�She�now�works��as�a�postdoctoral�fellow�at�ARCHE�and��a�lot�of�her�genome�work�is�striving�to�learn�if�the�birds�found�in�these�sites��are�genetically�variant.

Professor�Lambert’s�research,�published�in�PLOS Biology in�September�2018,�places�the�discoveries�at�the�heart��of�a�historic�debate�on�the�theory��of�evolution.

Fifty�years�before�Charles�Darwin’s��On the Origin of Species�was�published�in�1859,�two�French�naturalists—Georges�Cuvier�and�Jean-Baptiste�Lamarck—were�at�odds�over�whether�evolutionary�change�could�have�been�detected�by�comparing�the�approximately�3000-year-old�birds�with�modern��birds�of�the�same�species.

Cuvier�declared�that�evolution�had�not�occurred,�but�Lamarck�was�convinced��it�was�a�reality�and�recognised�many�of�the�major�principles�of�evolution�that��are�accepted�today.

RETHINKING OUR STATE OF ORIGIN

Griffith Magazine | 2018 EDITION

11 STATE OF ORIGIN

Page 14: GRIFFITH 2018 MAGAZINE · Enquiries: Marketing and Communications, +61 7 3735 7818 griffith.edu.au/omc COVER IMAGE: NASA scientist and Griffith graduate Dr Jessie Christiansen MESSAGE

ANDREW DINING OUT ON BUSINESS SUCCESS

Long�before�adding�a�Griffith�MBA�to�his�list�of�achievements�in�2015,�Andrew�Hosaka-Zaniewski�was�driven�by�an�unwavering�entrepreneurial�spirit.

Having�tried�his�hand�at�roles�across�a�diversity�of�industries,�Andrew—then�a�fresh-faced�Bachelor�of�Commerce�graduate—was�striving�for�success�as�an�aspiring�restaurateur�in�Surfers�Paradise.

It�was�then�he�stumbled�upon�a�major�gap�in�the�market.�Andrew�became�acutely�aware�that�the�Responsible�Service�of�Alcohol�certificate—a�requirement�for�anyone�working�in�Australia’s�hospitality�sector—was�at�that�time�only�offered�in�English.

‘My�mother’s�side�of�the�family�is�Japanese�and�I�had�international�friends�either�on�student�visas�or�on�working�holidays,’��said�Andrew.

‘While�a�lot�of�them�would�have�an�RSA,�they�also�had�zero�understanding�of�what�the�registration�requirements�actually�were.�They�had�somehow�coasted�through.

‘At�the�time�I�thought,�‘Oh,�that’s�a�bit�of�a�risk’.�If�I�hired�someone�who�had�the�qualification,�but�didn’t�understand�it,�and�then�they�were�to�do�something�wrong,�that’s�a�$60,000�fine.�So�I�started�exploring�a�new�option.

‘That’s�what�my�company�does�now—�online�RSA�training�in�languages�other�than�English.�It�was�serendipitous�in�that�it�sort�of�brought�together�my�client�consulting�background,�hospitality�and�the�international�education�and�other�industries�I�had�been�exposed�to.’

Andrew’s�entrepreneurial�spirit�has�continued�to�shine�in�the�years�since�founding�A�to�Z�Education�in�2013.��After�completing�his�MBA,�he�returned��to�Griffith�as�a�sessional�lecturer�and,�in�2017,�served�as�mentor�for�the�University’s�Global�Business�Challenge�team.�

More�recently,�he�launched�Australia’s�first�outlets�for�Japanese�food�franchise�Ramen�Danbo,�with�two�restaurants�now�operating�on�the�Gold�Coast.�

While�Andrew’s�success�owes�much�to�his�own�tireless�effort,�he�acknowledges�the�role�Griffith�played�in�shaping�his�professional�values.�He�also�identifies��the�University’s�push�towards�integrating�sustainability�into�business�practices�as�something�that�has�guided�his�work�focus.�

‘The�Griffith�Business�School�was�great�at�bringing�together�sustainability�and�conventional�business,’�he�explained.�

‘It�really�makes�a�lot�of�sense.�Griffith�looks�into�long-term�sustainability—financial,�social�and�environmental—and�these�are�what�makes�a�business�truly�sustainable.�

‘The�University�really�focuses�in�a�corporate�sense,�thinking�of�the�bottom�line�of�the�shareholder�at�the�same�time�as�being�socially�responsible.�In�teaching�how�to�create�that�balance�leads�to�great�knowledge�to�have�in�the�business�world.’

Andrew�Hosaka-Zaniewski

IN THE SPIRIT OF SOCIAL ENTERPRISEThe�entrepreneurial�spirit�is�being�embraced�in�a�new�social�enterprise�program�launched�by�the�Griffith��Business�School�and�the�Yunus��Social�Business�Centre.

Social�Entrepreneurs�in�Residence��will�become�an�ongoing�program��in�2019�and�will�benefit�from�the�influence�of�four�high-achieving�social�entrepreneurs�who�formed�a�pilot��cohort�and�were�welcomed�to�the�University�in�June�2018.

This�innovative�‘Executive-in-residence’�program�featured:

Ms�Anna�Guenther,�the�co-founder�of�PledgeMe,�New�Zealand’s�first�crowdfunding�platform,�which�launched��six�years�ago�and�has�since�seen�more��than�1200�campaigns�raise�more�than��$26�million.

Mr�Tom�Allen,�founder�and�chief�executive�of�social�enterprise�Impact�Boom,�who�has�great�experience�in�helping�entrepreneurs�realise�their�potential.

Mr�Tony�Sharp,�founder�of�Logan-based�organisation�Substation33,�which�provides�meaningful�work�and�skills�development�for�volunteers�and�employees.

Ms�Emma-Kate�Rose,�whose�skills�span�research,�lecturing,�management�and�enterprise�development�fields.�She�currently�serves�as�the�General�Happiness�Manager�of�Food�Connect�and�is�Chair�of�the�Queensland�Social�Enterprise�Council.

Help�social�entrepreneurs�grow�an�inclusive�and�sustainable�economy�by�making�a�donation�at�griffith.edu.au/donate-yunus

Griffith Magazine | 2018 EDITION

12BUSINESS SUCCESS

Page 15: GRIFFITH 2018 MAGAZINE · Enquiries: Marketing and Communications, +61 7 3735 7818 griffith.edu.au/omc COVER IMAGE: NASA scientist and Griffith graduate Dr Jessie Christiansen MESSAGE

MIKAELA ON A MEDICAL MISSION

Dr Mikaela Seymour’s dedication to healthcare has seen her named 2018 Australian Medical Association Doctor in Training of the Year.

For�Dr�Mikaela�Seymour,�there�is�no�higher�calling�than�giving�back�to�her�community.

Graduating�in�2015,�the�Griffith�University�alumnus�has�already�scaled�significant�career�heights,�with�the�latest�being�named�the�2018�Australian�Medical�Association’s�Doctor�in�Training�of�the�Year.

The�award�follows�a�string�of�impressive�early�highlights,�including�stints�as�President�and�Treasurer�of�the�Griffith�Medical�Society.�However,�Mikaela�remains�the�essence�of�humility�and�generosity.

‘I�certainly�love�giving�back;�there’s�definitely�a�pleasure�in�hard�work.�At�the�end�of�the�day,�if�there’s�an�opportunity�to�serve,�I�just�put�my�hand�up�and�say�yes,’�she�said.

‘If�I’ve�got�the�skills,�and�if�I’m�going�to�make�something�better�or�create�some�benefit,�then�I�want�to�do�it;�I�want�to�be�there.’

During�her�degree,�an�international�placement�through�Griffith�saw�Mikaela�visit�Papua�New�Guinea’s�Western��Province,�where�she�gathered�insight��into�the�health�and�medical�needs�of��the�South�Pacific�region.

‘Since�then,�I’ve�been�able�to�go�back�a�number�of�times�in�a�volunteering�capacity,�providing�primary�healthcare.�But�what�they�really�need�is�just�hands�on�the�ground.�There’s�just�not�enough�healthcare�workers�to�go�around.’

Mikaela�is�also�a�Captain�in�the�Australian�Army’s�2nd�Health�Support�Company�at�Gallipoli�Barracks�in�Brisbane.

‘I�was�always�interested�in�doing�something�more;�in�serving�my�country,’�she�said.��‘My�parents�were�born�overseas�and�they�have�a�great�love�for�Australia,�as�do�I,��so�I�just�wanted�to�serve�my�community.

‘As�a�doctor,�there�are�heaps�of�opportunities�to�do�that�in�the�military.�It�was�just�an�opportunity�to�give�back�a�little�bit.’

While�Mikaela’s�successes�are�her�own,�she�is�quick�to�acknowledge�the�support�and�expertise�that�helped�so�much�during�her�time�at�Griffith.

‘Griffith�University’s�School�of�Medicine�really�sets�you�up�with�an�amazing�wealth�of�knowledge.�Being�able�to�give�that�back,�to�contribute�to�the�bigger�picture�and�improve�the�whole�community,�is�fantastic.’

Mikaela�Seymour�was�named�the�2018�Australian�Medical�Association’s�Doctor�in�Training�of�the�Year

Griffith Magazine | 2018 EDITION

13 MEDICAL MISSION

Page 16: GRIFFITH 2018 MAGAZINE · Enquiries: Marketing and Communications, +61 7 3735 7818 griffith.edu.au/omc COVER IMAGE: NASA scientist and Griffith graduate Dr Jessie Christiansen MESSAGE

GC2018: OPPORTUNITY, EXPERIENCE, LEGACY

As�the�curtain�came�down�on�the�single�biggest�sporting�event�in�Australia�this�decade,�Griffith�University�could�reflect�on�a�job�well�done�and�an�official�partnership�with�the�Gold�Coast�2018�Commonwealth�Games�(GC2018)�that��will�continue�to�reap�rewards�across��the�community�for�years�to�come.

From�unique�research�projects�to�unprecedented�student�experiences,�Griffith’s�association�with�GC2018�opened�the�doors�to�a�world�of�opportunity�which�invigorated�and�inspired�staff,�students�and�alumni.

For�up�to�240�students,�the�chance�to�complete�internships�at�GOLDOC—the�corporation�charged�with�delivering�the�Games�from�4–15�April�2018—proved��an�immensely�rewarding,�once-in-a-lifetime�experience.

More�than�130�would�go�on�to�play�their�part�in�the�staging�of�the�Games�at�venues�ranging�from�Carrara�Stadium�and�the�Optus�Aquatic�Centre�on�the�Gold�Coast��to�the�Anna�Meares�Velodrome�in�Brisbane.

Bachelor�of�Mechanical�Engineering�student�Dylan�Fyffe�worked�on�optimising�air�movement�inside�the�velodrome:��‘This�was�a�unique�experience�and�I�think�it�will�benefit�my�future�career.�To�have�it�on�my�resume,�to�say�I’ve�worked�at�the�velodrome,�is�pretty�unique.’

A�further�35�journalism�students�and�five�photojournalism�students�gained�unique�access�to�the�GC2018�Games�Village,�where�they�worked�on�the�GOLDOC�publication,�The Village Source.

While�the�Games�leaves�a�treasure�chest�of�remarkable�memories,�the�event�also�points�towards�an�exciting�future�for�the�Queensland�community.�

Griffith�researchers�are�already�analysing�and�evaluating�the�impact�of�GC2018�on�the�region,�not�least�that�which�Professor�Ned�Pankhurst�called�‘a�potential�city-changing�legacy’�to�sweep�across�the��Gold�Coast.

Photos�above�by�Bachelor�of�Photography�students�Dylan�Crawford,�Cathy�Ross,�Carlo�Oliaro�and��Daniel�McCormack�and�lecturer�Heather�Faulkner.

AT THE GOLD COAST 2018 COMMONWEALTH GAMES VILLAGE

Griffith Magazine | 2018 EDITION

14GC2018

Page 17: GRIFFITH 2018 MAGAZINE · Enquiries: Marketing and Communications, +61 7 3735 7818 griffith.edu.au/omc COVER IMAGE: NASA scientist and Griffith graduate Dr Jessie Christiansen MESSAGE

Madi Spedding GOLDOC InternshipBachelor�of�Journalism�graduate�Madi�Spedding�(pictured�left)�completed�an�internship�at�the�Games�News�Service�of�Gold�Coast�2018�Commonwealth�Games�Corporation.�During�this�12-week�period�she�was�part�of�the�Press�Operations�team,�compiling�biographies�and�background�information�on�athletes,�coaches�and�teams�attending�the�Games.�

This�experience�led�to�employment�at�GOLDOC�in�the�immediate�build-up�to�GC2018,�where�she�worked�first�as�a�Netball�and�Lawn�Bowls�Sport�Administration�Assistant�before�taking�on�the�role�of�Netball�Coordinator.�

In�turn,�this�standout�experience�paved�the�way�to�employment�after��the�Games�as�a�Game�Development�Officer�at�NSW�Touch�Football.��‘I�also�plan�delivery�of�development�and�education�programs�for�players,�coaches,�referees�and�selectors�throughout�the�state,�and�also�manage�and�administer�a�number�of�NSW�Touch�Football�school�events�around�the�state,’�said�Madi.�‘My�experience�in�both�the�media/communications�and�sport�management�industries�proved�my�versatility.�

GRIFFITH GAMES MEMORIES

Dylan Crawford Student Media CentreBachelor�of�Photography�student�Dylan�Crawford�(pictured�left)�was�among�five�photojournalism�students�who�gained�unique�access�to�the�GC2018�Games�Village,�where�they�worked�on�the�GOLDOC�publication,�The Village Source.�He�also�found�himself�photographing�the�dramatic�final�stages�of�the�Marathon�event�on�the�closing�day�of�competition.�

On�top�of�all�this,�Dylan’s�photojournalism�essay�depicting�Indigenous�protesters�at�the�Games�caught�the�attention�of�two�prestigious�judging�panels.�He�was�nominated�for�a�Mid-Year�Walkley�Student�Journalist�of��the�Year�Award�and�a�Queensland�Clarion�Award�for�this�work.

‘When�the�opportunity�to�work�in�the�Griffith�Student�Media�Centre�at�the�Commonwealth�Games�came�up,�I�jumped�on�it�as�I�knew�it�was�my�best�chance�to�showcase�my�work,’�said�Dylan.�‘I�want�to�travel�the�world,�documenting�people�and�places�that�mean�something,�and�hopefully�make��a�difference�with�my�photography.�If�I�can�do�that�I’ll�be�happy.’�

Harry Rodgers GOLDOC InternshipSports�and�Events�Professional�Harry�Rodgers�(pictured�left)�jumped�from�the�Gold�Coast�to�Glasgow�after�a�GOLDOC�internship�catapulted�his�early�career�onto�an�exciting�trajectory.�

A�Bachelor�of�Business�student�who�is�also�studying�a�Diploma�of�Languages�(Japanese),�Harry�took�on�a�Spectator�Services�Deployment�Supervisor�internship�as�part��

of�the�last�group�of�Griffith�interns�to�enter�GOLDOC�early�in�2018.�

This�role�saw�him�in�a�busy�pre-Games�workplace�supporting�the�Spectator�Services�training�manager.�He�worked�on�planning�and�coordinating�venue�specific�team�training,�and�led�and�managed�volunteer�deployment�during�the�event.�

‘Griffith�offered�this�once-in-a-lifetime�opportunity�and,�as�sport�is�my�passion,�I�didn’t�want�to�miss�this�chance�to�use�what�I’ve�learned�in�the�classroom�in�a�real�practical�work�environment,’�said�Harry.

In�the�Games�aftermath,�the�Sport�Management�and�Marketing�major�seized�the�opportunity�to�work�overseas�in�a�Spectator�Services�role��at�the�Glasgow�2018�European�Championships.�

Lisa Sealey GOLDOC SecondmentFor�Lisa�Sealey�(pictured�left),�an�Events�Coordinator�at�Griffith’s�Development�and��Alumni�Office,�the�opportunity�to�be�involved��with�the�Gold�Coast�2018�Commonwealth�Games�was�too�good�to�pass�up.

After�graduating�from�Griffith�with�a�double�degree�in�event�management�and�marketing,��she�had�advanced�her�career�working�with��

Events�Management�Queensland.�There,�she�gained�industry�experience�on�events�like�the�Gold�Coast�Marathon�and�Pan�Pacific�Master�Games.�Taking�up�a�secondment�as�a�project�officer�with�GOLDOC’s�Venue�Technology�Services�team�seemed�a�natural�progression.�

‘As�an�events�professional,�getting�to�work�on�an�event�of�that�magnitude�is��a�dream,�and�having�it�pop�up�in�our�own�backyard�made�it�even�more�special,’�said�Lisa.�‘Understanding�the�nature�of�a�major�event—the�immovable�deadline,�the�need�to�be�resilient�and�adapt�to�curveballs—enabled�me�to�negotiate��my�way.’

Lisa�became�Deputy�Venue�Technology�Manager�for�the�Gold�Coast��Hockey�Centre.�

288 DAYSINTERNATIONALLY

QUEEN’S BATON RELAYAUSTRALIA WON 137 MEDALS IN GLASGOW 49 GOLD

GRIFFITH STUDENTS

250 STUDENTS

UNDERTOOK A 12-WEEK INTENSIVE INTERNSHIP WITH GOLDOC

UP TO

150 STUDENTS

UNDERTOOK AN INTERNSHIP DURING GAMES TIME

UP TO

Griffith Magazine | 2018 EDITION

15 GC2018

Page 18: GRIFFITH 2018 MAGAZINE · Enquiries: Marketing and Communications, +61 7 3735 7818 griffith.edu.au/omc COVER IMAGE: NASA scientist and Griffith graduate Dr Jessie Christiansen MESSAGE

INNOVATION, INSPIRATION FOR OCEANIA

ATHLETESIn�the�build-up�to�the�Games,�Griffith�University’s�innovative�and�inspirational�GAPS�Program�(Gather,�Adjust,��Prepare,�Sustain)�gave�athletes�from�across�Oceania�an�opportunity�for��self-improvement�and�development.

The�Director�of�Griffith�Sports�College,�Duncan�Free�OAM,�and�Associate�Professor�Clare�Minahan—lead�academic�in�Griffith’s�Sports�Physiology�and�Performance�group—led�the�development�and�delivery�of�the�program�which�aimed�to�generate�pathways�to�major�sport�events��for�high-performing�athletes.

The�project�bore�historic�fruit��when�the�Cook�Islands�and�Vanuatu��claimed�their�first-ever�medals��at�a�Commonwealth�Games.

In�the�Lawn�Bowls�Men’s�Pairs,�Taiki�Paniani�was�one�half�of�the�Cook��Islands�team�to�win�bronze,�while��Friana�Kwevira�also�secured�bronze��for�Vanuatu�in�the�F46�Javelin�Throw.

Vanuatu�then�doubled�its�medal�haul�with�another�bronze�in�Beach�Volleyball,�while�there�were�medals�for�Fiji�(bronze)�in�Boxing,�and�Guyana�(gold)��in�the�Men’s�Triple�Jump.

All�of�these�medal-winning�athletes�had�participated�in�the�GAPS�Program�leading�up�to�the�Games,�gaining�valuable�access�to�university�sports�experts�and�facilities�not�readily�available�in�their�homelands.�

They�were�among�a�wider�group�of�able-bodied�athletes�and�para-athletes�from�Fiji,�Papua�New�Guinea,�Solomon�Islands,�Vanuatu,�Cook�Islands,�Samoa,�Tonga�and�Niue�who�took�part�in��the�program.

The�GAPS�Program�also�informed�a�new�Massive�Online�Open�Course�(MOOC)�called�Major�Sport�Event:�Winning�through�Diversity�and�Inclusion,�developed�with�FutureLearn.

On�31�March�2018,�the�Queen’s�Baton�proudly�returned�to�the�Nathan�campus,��36�years�after�it�had�first�visited�ahead��of�the�1982�Commonwealth�Games��in�Brisbane.

The�2017�Australian�of�the�Year,�Professor�Alan�Mackay-Sim,�and�fellow�Professor�Emeritus�Colin�Mackerras�AO�were�part�of�the�Nathan�leg�of�the�relay,�which�attracted�a�wonderfully�enthusiastic�crowd�on�Easter�Saturday.

Professor�Emeritus�Alan�Mackay-Sim

L–R:�Bianca�Archer,�Professor�Mark�von�Itzstein��and�Krystal�Lockwood

BATON RELAY AT GRIFFITH

The�Gold�Coast�campus�then�took�centre�stage�on�4�April,�with�the�relay�making�one�of�its�final�stops�on�the�morning�of�the�day�of�the�Opening�Ceremony.

Institute�for�Glycomics�Director�Professor�Mark�von�Itzstein�was�one�of�three�Griffith�representatives�who�ran�the�relay,�which�ended�outside�the�main�library.

Griffith�was�also�represented�by�John�Graham,�who�formally�received�the�Baton�handover�in�New�Zealand�on�behalf�of�the�Coast’s�traditional�owners,�the�Yugambeh�people.

For more than a year, the Queen’s Baton Relay traversed 230,000km across all Commonwealth nations and territories. For two of those days, Griffith University shared the spotlight.

Griffith Magazine | 2018 EDITION

16GC2018

Page 19: GRIFFITH 2018 MAGAZINE · Enquiries: Marketing and Communications, +61 7 3735 7818 griffith.edu.au/omc COVER IMAGE: NASA scientist and Griffith graduate Dr Jessie Christiansen MESSAGE

MICHAEL AND MADISON: OUR MARVELS IN THE LONG RUN

A marathon double provided one of the standout moments for Griffith University at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games on a searing Sunday morning in April.

Michael�Shelley�(pictured�bottom�left)�and�Madison�de�Rozario�(pictured�bottom�right)�powered�to�the�finish�line�at�Southport�Broadwater�Parklands�to�claim�scintillating�victories�on�the�final�day�of�competition.

Their�success�was�all�the�more�fitting�with�Griffith�University�being�the�Presenting�Partner�of�a�community�event�that�took�a�world-class�field�almost�the�full�length�of�the�Gold�Coast.�Chancellor�Henry�Smerdon�AM�DUniv�also�presented�the�medals��to�the�winners�in�the�Women’s�Marathon.

Michael�Shelley,�a�34-year-old�Bachelor�of�Business�graduate,�successfully�defended�the�Men’s�event�in�dramatic�fashion.�The�Gold�Coast�local�capitalised�when�long-time�race�leader�Callum�Hawkins�collapsed�in�the�April�heat�less�than�a�kilometre�from�the�finish�line.

Bachelor�of�Business�student�Madison�de�Rozario�confirmed�her�pedigree�with�a�powerhouse�finish�to�the�Women’s�T54�(Wheelchair)�Marathon,�where�she�had��13�seconds�to�spare�over�Australian�teammate�Eliza�Ault-Connell.

Michael�and�Madison�were�among�40�athletes�with�a�connection�to�Griffith�University�that�competed�at�GC2018.�Team�Griffith�was�made�up�of�24�current�students,�12�alumni,�two�members��of�staff�and�three�from�the�Griffith�swim�club�coached�by�Michael�Bohl.

After�11�days�of�competition,�the�team�completed�the�Games�with�a�haul�of�23�gold,�seven�silver�and�10�bronze�medals,��a�40-medal�total�which�surpassed�the��22�medals�won�in�Glasgow�in�2014.

Photos�above�by�Dylan�Crawford,�Bachelor�of�Photography�student�at�Queensland�College�of�Art

Griffith Magazine | 2018 EDITION

17 GC2018

Page 20: GRIFFITH 2018 MAGAZINE · Enquiries: Marketing and Communications, +61 7 3735 7818 griffith.edu.au/omc COVER IMAGE: NASA scientist and Griffith graduate Dr Jessie Christiansen MESSAGE

JAKE’S TRULY A SCHOOL SKIPPERWorld skipping champion and primary school teacher Jake Eve is using his unique talent to engage his young students.

Jake�Eve�(pictured�above)�was�never�one�to�skip�school,�but�he�certainly�skipped��at�school.

The�2018�world�skipping�champion�has�been�skipping�competitively�since�he�was�nine�years�old.�

Now�a�Year�3�teacher�at�Bardon�State�School�in�Brisbane,�he�has�a�unique�way��of�engaging�his�students�in�learning,�teaching�them�how�to�skip�with�a�focus��on�goal-setting.�

‘The�students�love�it�and�my�class�was�super�excited�when�I�brought�my�medals��in�when�I�came�home�from�the�world�titles�in�Shanghai,�China.’�

After�he�finished�Year�12,�Jake�took��a�gap�year�because�he�was�unsure�of��a�career�direction.

During�this�time�he�worked�closely�with��his�skipping�coach�who,�serendipitously��as�it�turned�out,�was�also�a�primary��school�teacher.�

‘I�helped�her�with�some�choreography�for�her�class�play�and�school�musical,’�said�Jake.�

‘She�recommended�I�study�primary�education,�so�I�applied�to�Griffith.��The�rest�is�history.’

Jake�said�he�chose�Griffith�University�because�of�its�reputation.�

‘I�decided�to�study�at�Griffith�because�I�heard�it�was�a�great�university�for�education�degrees,’�he�said.�

It�was�a�bit�of�a�juggling�act,�but�Jake�credits�the�Griffith�Sports�College�with�helping�to�balance�his�university�work��and�sporting�commitments.

‘The�college�was�brilliant�in�helping�me�balance�both,’�he�said.

‘Having�a�great�group�of�friends�in�classes�and�supportive�tutors�definitely�helped�my�study.�The�range�of�practical�placements�across�multiple�year�levels�was�also�another�great�aspect�of�the�degree.’

Griffith Magazine | 2018 EDITION

18SCHOOL SKIPPER

Page 21: GRIFFITH 2018 MAGAZINE · Enquiries: Marketing and Communications, +61 7 3735 7818 griffith.edu.au/omc COVER IMAGE: NASA scientist and Griffith graduate Dr Jessie Christiansen MESSAGE

SHUBSHRI FINDS MUSICAL MAGIC IN ALADDIN

Musical�theatre�graduate�Shubshri��Kandiah�has�had�all�her�wishes�granted�after�touring�Australia�in�the�starring�role�of�Princess�Jasmine�in�Disney’s�smash-hit�musical,�Aladdin.

The�highly�coveted�role�marked�Shubshri’s�professional�musical�theatre�debut,�with�hardly�any�time�between�graduating�from�the�Queensland�Conservatorium�in�2017�and�wowing�audiences�in�the�huge�production.

Originally�from�Perth,�Shubshri��was�relaxing�at�home�when�the��life-changing�news�came�through:��‘I�was�pouring�honey�into�my�chai�when�my�agent�broke�the�news�and�the�honey�just�went�all�over�the�table.�I�was�excited,�but�a�part�of�me�didn’t�really�believe�it.’

Shubshri�has�always�been�a�fan�of�Disney’s�classic�musicals,�and�even��had�a�special�connection�to�Aladdin.

‘It�was�the�first�film�with�a�princess�on�screen�who�looked�like�me.�And�now�to�bring�that�character�to�life�on�stage�is�an�incredible�experience,’�she�said.

‘As�a�kid,�I�saw�Jasmine�and�wanted�to�be�like�her�because�she�was�a�beautiful�Disney�princess.�

‘As�an�adult,�I�really�admire�her�strength,�intelligence�and�that�she��is�never�afraid�to�voice�her�opinion.��She�is�what�I�see�a�strong�woman�to�be.’

Shubshri�began�performing�as�a�child,�learning�classical�Indian�dance,�ballet�and�violin.�She�moved�across�the�country�from�Perth�after�being�accepted�into�the�Queensland�Conservatorium.

During�her�studies,�Shubshri�dazzled�audiences�in�productions�such�as�Sweet Charity�and�West Side Story,�and�was�a�featured�vocalist�with�the�Queensland�Pops�Orchestra.

Shortly�before�graduating,�she�performed�the�role�of�Ayah�in�Opera�Queensland’s�The Pearlfishers,�and�also�sang�with�Broadway�legend�Liz�Callaway�at�the�Queensland�Performing�Arts�Centre.

Shubshri�is�optimistic�about�the�opportunities�for�actors�of�ethnic�background�in�Australia,�saying�in�one��media�interview:�‘I�think�that�people�of�ethnic�background�have�something�special�to�offer�...�never�stop�working�hard�or�let�anybody�tell�you�that�it’s�not�achievable�because,�in�the�end,��if�you�want�something,�you�can�do�it.’

Shubshri�Kandiah�as�Princess�Jasmine�in�Aladdin—photo�by�James�Green

‘It was the first film with a princess on screen who looked like me. And now to bring that character to life on stage is an incredible experience.’

Shubshri Kandiah found a whole new world of success when she landed the leading role of Princess Jasmine in the Disney musical Aladdin.

Griffith Magazine | 2018 EDITION

19 MUSICAL MAGIC

Page 22: GRIFFITH 2018 MAGAZINE · Enquiries: Marketing and Communications, +61 7 3735 7818 griffith.edu.au/omc COVER IMAGE: NASA scientist and Griffith graduate Dr Jessie Christiansen MESSAGE

SHEDDING LIGHT ON SEA JELLIES

Griffith�University�has�cemented�its�partnership�with�iconic�Gold�Coast�theme�park�Sea�World�with�the�opening�of��Sea�Jellies�Illuminated.�

The�exhibit�gives�visitors�a�close-range��and�educational�perspective�of�different�sea�jelly�species�via�eye-catching,�illuminated�displays.

Also�incorporated�is�a�working�research�laboratory�for�Griffith�students�undertaking�research�into�the�fascinating�underwater�world�of�sea�jellies.�

Griffith’s�Head�of�Marine�Science,�Associate�Professor�Kylie�Pitt,�said�the�University�was�extremely�excited�to�partner�with�Sea�World.

‘The�new�Griffith�Sea�Jellies�Research�Laboratory�is�a�state-of-the-art�facility�which�places�Griffith�University�at�the�forefront�of�jellyfish�research�internationally,’�she�said.�

‘The�laboratory�provides�an�amazing�opportunity�for�the�public�to�see�research�being�done�and�to�gain�greater�understanding�of�what�scientists�do,�why�research�is�important�and�how�research�benefits�the�environment�and�society.’�

Varieties�of�Australian�species�in�the�exhibit�include�the�Blue�Blubber�(Catostylus�sp.),�the�Moon�jelly�(Aurelia�aurita)�and�Upside�Down�jellies�(Cassiopea�sp.).

Griffith�University�Senior�Deputy�Vice�Chancellor�Ned�Pankhurst�said�not�only�will�the�partnership�encourage�students�into�marine�science�and�biology�degrees,�it�would�enhance�Griffith’s�research�capabilities.

‘This�exciting�partnership�provides�substantial�expansion�of�our�research�infrastructure�and�a�demonstrable�commercial�impact�of�our�work�that��will�lead�to�increased�public�education�and�awareness�of�the�important�work�undertaken�by�both�organisations,’�he�said.

Griffith Magazine | 2018 EDITION

20SEA JELLIES

Page 23: GRIFFITH 2018 MAGAZINE · Enquiries: Marketing and Communications, +61 7 3735 7818 griffith.edu.au/omc COVER IMAGE: NASA scientist and Griffith graduate Dr Jessie Christiansen MESSAGE

PERSONAL CONNECTION INSPIRES SPINAL RESEARCH

From�neighbours�to�colleagues�and�from�friends�to�Griffith�University�researchers,�Dr�Dinesh�Palipana�and�Dr�Claudio�Pizzolato�make�a�formidable�team�in��the�battle�against�spinal�cord�trauma.

United�by�a�single�goal�to�restore�movement�in�patients,�the�two�doctors�have�developed�rehabilitation�techniques�that�are�earning�global�interest�from�industry�and�the�medical�profession.

For�Dr�Pizzolato,�a�Research�Fellow�at�Griffith�University,�it’s�the�culmination��of�years�of�work�in�the�biomedical�field.�For�Dr�Palipana,�a�quadriplegic�since�a�car�crash�in�2010,�this�journey�also�carries�a�decidedly�personal�context.

‘My�dirty�little�secret�is�that�I�want�to�cure�myself�one�day,’�said�Dr�Palipana,�who�is�a�lecturer�at�the�Griffith�School�of�Medicine,�a�Research�Fellow�at�Menzies�Health�Institute�Queensland�and�a�junior�doctor�at�Gold�Coast�University�Hospital.

‘The�potential�for�this�kind�of�work�to�restore�function�in�those�with�paralysis�is�huge�and�that’s�what�we’re�excited�about.’

The�two�researchers—who�were�once�neighbours,�albeit�with�no�idea�their�paths�would�lead�to�working�together��in�such�an�important�field—are�supported�by�Griffith�University’s�Advanced�Design�and�Prototype�Technologies�Institute�(ADaPT),�

which�was�established�within�the�Gold�Coast�Health�and�Knowledge�Precinct�to�integrate�all�the�University’s�key�R&D�equipment�and�to�design�and�manufacture�high�technology�devices.

Dr�Palipana’s�condition�has�been�a�major�focus�of�the�spinal�cord�program�through�which�the�team�is�testing�the�power�of�neural�patterns�to�trigger�muscle�activation�otherwise�lost�to�trauma.

In�creating�a�highly�accurate�digital�duplicate�of�the�body—external�and�internal—the�distinctive�traits�of�a�person’s�bones,�muscles�and�joints�can�be�mapped.�Data�is�then�used�to�engineer�a�patient-specific�medical�implant�or�wearable�device,�or�to�create�a�rehabilitation�program�aligned�with�a�person’s�unique�physiology.

While�digital�twins�are�not�new,�the�ADaPT�research�team’s�approach�is�unique�because�of�the�real-time�analysis�of�movements�in�the�spinal�cord�patient.��

Potential�benefits�include�significantly�reducing�costs�for�surgery�and�rehabilitation,�as�well�as�improving�patient�outcomes.

To�find�out�more�and�support��the�Menzies�Health�Institute��Queensland�by�making�a�donation��visit�griffith.edu.au/giving

SUNSHINE COAST MEDICAL SCHOOL

LAUNCHThe�new�Griffith�University�School�of�Medicine�at�the�Sunshine�Coast�will�welcome�its�first�student�intake�in�2019.

Based�at�the�Sunshine�Coast�Health�Institute�(SCHI),�the�new�school�is��co-located�with�Sunshine�Coast�University�Hospital�as�part�of�Griffith�University’s�School�of�Medicine.�

Associate�Professor�Jennifer�Williams,�a�Sunshine�Coast�local�who�is�also�an�emergency�physician�at�the�Sunshine�Coast�University�Hospital,�has�been�appointed�Deputy�Head�of�the��new�school.

‘This�is�an�exciting�opportunity�for�students�to�undertake�the�Doctor�of�Medicine�program�in�a�state-of-the-art�facility�in�one�of�the�fastest-growing�regions�in�the�country,’�she�said.

SCHI�is�a�premier�education,�training�and�research�facility�on�the�Sunshine�Coast�and�is�a�joint�venture�between�Sunshine�Coast�Hospital�and�Health�Service,�Griffith�University,�the�University�of�the�Sunshine�Coast�and�TAFE�Queensland�East�Coast.

Griffith�University’s�medical�program�has�been�training�the�doctors�of�the�future�on�the�Gold�Coast�since�its�inception�in�2005.�Now�for�the�first�time,�Sunshine�Coast�students�can�complete�their�medical�studies�in�their�local�region,��then�practice�locally�in�the�community.

L–R:�Associate�Professor�Jennifer�Williams,�PVC�(Health)�Professor�Sheena�Reilly�and��Professor�David�Ellwood

L–R:�Dr�Claudio�Pizzolato,�Dr�Dinesh�Palipana�and�Professor�David�LloydGriffith Magazine | 2018 EDITION

21 SPINAL RESEARCH

Page 24: GRIFFITH 2018 MAGAZINE · Enquiries: Marketing and Communications, +61 7 3735 7818 griffith.edu.au/omc COVER IMAGE: NASA scientist and Griffith graduate Dr Jessie Christiansen MESSAGE

• Approximately 3.2 billion people living in malaria endemic countries worldwide

• 500,000 sufferers die annually

• 80 per cent of victims are young children

Institute�for�Glycomics’�Professor�Michael�Good�AO�and�Dr�Danielle�Stanisic

A�completely�effective�vaccine�for�malaria�remains�the�‘holy�grail’�for�researchers�around�the�globe.�In�October�2018,�Griffith�University’s�Institute�for�Glycomics�delivered�results�of�a�highly�promising�human�clinical�trial.��

In�a�world�first,�Institute�researchers�trialled�the�use�of�a�whole�parasite��blood-stage�malaria�vaccine�in�human�volunteers�that�has�yielded�safe�and�immunogenic�outcomes.�The�study��team�also�included�clinicians�from�the��Gold�Coast�University�Hospital.�

A�single�dose�of�the�trial�vaccine�was�administered�to�volunteers�who�were�healthy,�malarial-naive�males�aged�18–60.�This�induced�a�broad�parasite-specific�cellular�immune�response�that�recognised�different�malaria�parasites�and�did�not�adversely�affect�the�volunteers.�

Professor�Michael�Good�AO�and�Dr�Danielle�Stanisic�have�been�developing��this�novel�malaria�vaccine�since�2010.�

World-first human clinical trials are creating new hope for a vaccine for malaria, one of the world’s most devastating diseases.

PROMISING PROGRESS IN MALARIA VACCINE TRIAL

‘We�are�hopeful�that�the�immune�response�induced�by�the�vaccine�would�be�able��to�kill�the�parasite�if�recipients�were�exposed�to�the�parasite�out�in�the�field,’�said�Dr�Stanisic.

She�added�that�previous�trials�of�sub-unit�malaria�vaccines�have�often�included�a�limited�number�of�proteins�from�the�malaria�parasite,�and�these�proteins�are�often�variable�between�different�parasite�strains�present�in�the�field.�

‘When�sub-unit�malaria�vaccines�have�been�tested�in�the�field,�because�of�the�variability�in�the�vaccine�proteins�between�parasite�strains,�up�until�now�they�have�shown�limited�or�no�efficacy,’�said��Dr�Stanisic.

‘So�the�idea�behind�a�whole�parasite�vaccine�is�that�you’ve�got�thousands�of�proteins�in�the�vaccine,�some�of�which�are�going�to�be�the�same�between�different�parasite�strains,�so�hopefully�these�proteins�would�be�the�target�of�protective�immune�responses�and�the�vaccine�would�provide�broader�coverage�and�protection�when�it’s�tested�in�the�field.’�

The�next�stage�in�the�trial�process�is�to�determine�if�the�immune�response�from�the�vaccine�can�actually�kill�the�parasites�in�humans,�as�it�has�been�shown�to�do�in�laboratory�animals.�Once�established�that�it�is�safe�and�effective�in�human�volunteers,�the�vaccine�would�be�trialled�in�a�malaria-endemic�area,�then�across�multiple�sites�in�multiple�countries.�

Professor�Good�expressed�great�thanks��to�the�volunteers�and�praised�the�hard�work�of�the�team�over�many�years�to�get�to�this�point.

‘It�is�wonderful�to�have�the�community�so�much�behind�this�important�project.�We�all�realise�what�a�devastating�disease�malaria�is�for�so�many�people�around�the�world,’�he�said.�

Professor�Mark�von�Itzstein,�the�Director�of�the�Institute�for�Glycomics,�said�he�was�delighted�with�this�significant�milestone�in�the�development�of�the�world’s�first�blood-stage�malaria�vaccine.��

‘This�is�a�tremendous�advance�in�the�development�of�a�blood-stage�malaria�vaccine�and,�as�the�Director�of�the�Institute,�I�am�thrilled�to�see�this�very�important�study�now�published,’�he�said.

Make�an�impact�on�this�important�research.�To�learn�more�visit�malariavaccineproject.com

Griffith Magazine | 2018 EDITION

22INSTITUTE FOR GLYCOMICS

Page 25: GRIFFITH 2018 MAGAZINE · Enquiries: Marketing and Communications, +61 7 3735 7818 griffith.edu.au/omc COVER IMAGE: NASA scientist and Griffith graduate Dr Jessie Christiansen MESSAGE

A HELPING HAND TO FIGHT DISEASEGriffith�University’s�Institute�for�Glycomics�will�partner�with�China�to�create�a�world-first�drug�to�treat�children�infected�with�Hand,�Foot�and�Mouth�Disease�(HFMD).

The�General�Manager�of�the�Institute�for�Glycomics,�Dr�Chris�Davis,�was�among�38�researchers�and�commercialisation�professionals�across�Australia�to�receive�Priming�Grants�through�the�Federal�Government�in�2018.

‘HFMD�is�a�widespread�virus�across�the�Asia-Pacific�region,�causing�death�and�an�economic�burden,�so�there�is�high�demand�for�a�drug�that�will�treat�the�disease,’�said�Dr�Davis.

‘We�have�the�resources�and�knowledge�at�the�Institute�for�Glycomics�to�develop�this�potential�drug�to�human�clinical�trials;�we�just�need�the�investment,�complementary�expertise�and�capability�from�industry�in�China�to�commercialise�the�technology.’

The�Director�of�the�Institute�for�Glycomics�and�Group�Leader�of�the�HFMD�project,�Professor�Mark�von�Itzstein,�said�the�translations�and�commercialisation�of�the�Institute’s�research�was�essential�for�success�in�fighting�diseases�of�global�impact.

GLYCOMICS HOSTS NEW RESEARCH NODE

Griffith�University�has�become�a�collaborating�partner�with�the�ARC�Centre�of�Excellence�for�Nanoscale�BioPhotonics�(CNBP),�which�will�host�a�CNBP�research�node�at�the�Institute�for�Glycomics�on�the�Gold�Coast.

Announced�in�May�2018,�Griffith�has�joined�the�University�of�Adelaide,�Macquarie�University�and�RMIT�University�as�a�core�member�of�the�Centre�of�Excellence.

The�Griffith�node,�headed�by�Associate�Professor�Daniel�Kolarich,�will�add�to�CNBP’s�research�capability�in�the�development�of�next-generation,��light-based�tools�that�can�sense�and�image�at�cellular�and�molecular�levels.

‘Our�team�has�specialised�glycan�knowledge�and�expertise�that�will�aid�the�Centre�in�its�objectives�of�improving�understanding�and�knowledge�of�cell�communication�and�the�nanoscale�molecular�interactions�in�the�living�body,’�said�Associate�Professor�Kolarich.

‘Glycans�(sugar�chains�attached�to��proteins�and�lipids�on�the�cell�surface)��are�intricately�involved�in�bacterial�and�viral�infection,�immune�responses,��cancers,�lung�disease,�brain�function,�fertilisation,�cardiovascular�disease��and�a�host�of�other�cellular�activities.

‘We�will�be�working�to�extend�our�knowledge�of�these�sugars�to�better�sense�and�image�their�interactions,�as�well�as�to�understand�how�they�function�at�the�molecular�level,�and�ultimately�how�they�shape�the�health�and�wellbeing�of�an�individual.’

The�Griffith-based�CNBP�research�node�is�headed�by�Associate�Professor�Daniel�Kolarich�from�the�Institute�for�Glycomics�

Griffith Magazine | 2018 EDITION

23 INSTITUTE FOR GLYCOMICS

Page 26: GRIFFITH 2018 MAGAZINE · Enquiries: Marketing and Communications, +61 7 3735 7818 griffith.edu.au/omc COVER IMAGE: NASA scientist and Griffith graduate Dr Jessie Christiansen MESSAGE

CLIMATE PLAN IS A GIFT FOR TOURISM

Griffith�University�is�playing�a�pivotal�role�in�the�future�of�tourism�in�Queensland,�especially�regarding�adaptation�to��climate�change.

Griffith�Institute�for�Tourism�Director�Professor�Susanne�Becken�is�the�primary�author�of�the�Queensland�Tourism��Climate�Change�Response�Plan,��unveiled�in�May�2018.

Drawing�on�20�years�of�research�into�climate�change�and�tourism,�the�report�examines�the�opportunities�and�challenges�for�operators,�travellers�and�other�tourism�stakeholders�in�navigating�a�changing�world.

The�plan�considers�short�and�medium-term�time�frames�(2030),�and�accounts�for�long-term�goals�to�meet�the�state’s�zero-net-emissions�target�by�2050.

Led�by�the�Queensland�Tourism�Industry�Council�and�drafted�in�partnership�with�the�Department�of�Environment�and�Science,�the�strategy�identifies�physical�impacts—including�floods,�cyclones�and�rising�sea�levels—as�the�biggest�climate�change-related�risks�facing�the�local�tourism�market.

However,�Professor�Becken�said�there�would�be�new�opportunities�to�improve�tourism’s�long-term�resilience�through�initiatives�such�as�low-carbon�technologies�and�building�designs,�and�increased�use�of�renewable�energy.

Professor�Becken�said�the�strategy�would�be�a�“gold�standard”�for�tourism�destination�climate�plans�in�future.�

Griffith�Institute�for�Tourism�Director��Professor�Susanne�Becken

COUPLE A PERFECT FIT FOR FITNESSGreg�and�Sheree�Young�(pictured�right)�launched�their�Body�Science�health�and�nutrition�brand�in�a�suburban�garage.�The�rise�to�what�today�is�a�multi�million-dollar�company�is�testament�to�staying�true�to�one’s�dreams�and�values.

Partners�in�life�and�business,�Griffith�University�graduates�Greg�and�Sheree�established�Body�Science�in�1999.�The�Gold�Coast-based�company�now�employs�40�staff�under�the�guidance�of�Greg�as�Product�and�Marketing�Director�and�Sheree�as�General�Manager�and�Chief�Financial�Officer.

‘Customers�know�they�can�put�their�faith�in�our�brand,’�said�Sheree.�‘Our�health�is�one�of�the�most�valuable�things�we�have,�and�people�know�they�can’t�just�put�that�in�the�hands�of�anyone.’

Sheree�completed�a�Bachelor�of�Business�(Accounting)�at�Griffith�University�in�1990,�and�spent�the�early�years�of�her�career�in�Chartered�Accounting.�Greg�completed�a�Bachelor�of�Arts�(Social�Sciences)�at�Griffith�in�2002.

Their�connection�to�Griffith�doesn’t�end�there.�Body�Science�sponsors�the�University’s�Women’s�Rugby�7s�and�is�currently�assisting�a�PhD�student�using�its�compression�garments�in�the�area�of�musculoskeletal�research.�Their�eldest�daughter�is�a�student�at�Griffith.

Greg�said�Body�Science�was�established�to�fill�a�market�niche�for�innovative�and�effective�health�and�nutritional�supplements.�It�is�based�on�a�philosophy�strongly�focused�on�results�and�ethics.

Griffith Magazine | 2018 EDITION

24A GIFT FOR TOURISM

Page 27: GRIFFITH 2018 MAGAZINE · Enquiries: Marketing and Communications, +61 7 3735 7818 griffith.edu.au/omc COVER IMAGE: NASA scientist and Griffith graduate Dr Jessie Christiansen MESSAGE

JAY MAKES A QUANTUM LEAP AT IBM

Dr�Jay�Gambetta�grew�up�surfing�along��the�southern�Queensland�coastline.��Now�he�is�riding�a�different�kind�of�wave.

The�Griffith�University�alumnus�is�one�of�the�world’s�leading�minds�in�quantum�computing,�a�branch�of�quantum�theory�that�promises�to�fundamentally�change�the�way�we�solve�humanity’s�most�pressing�problems.

As�Manager,�Theory�of�Quantum�Computing�and�Information,�at�international�technology�giant�IBM,�Dr�Gambetta�helps�spearhead�the�company’s�drive�to�build�a�universal�quantum�computer.�Capable�of�solving�complex�equations�beyond�the�scope�of�classical�computers,�a�universal�quantum�computer�would�revolutionise�research�in�many�fields.

‘Think�of�quantum�computing�as�a�new�model�of�computation,�one�that�doesn’t�obey�the�same�laws�as�every�other�computer�out�there,’�he�said.

‘Those�computers�are�bound�by�the�laws�of�physics�in�what�they�can�do.�Quantum�obeys�a�new�set�of�laws�and�those�laws�allow�for�something�called�quantum�randomness—where�something�can�be�in�a�definite�state,�but�still�behave�randomly.

‘Then�there�is�the�concept�of�entanglement,�where�particles�individually�look�random�but,�when�you�look�at�the�whole,�they�have�correlations.�So�there’s�more�information�in�the�whole�than�there�is�in�the�parts.�

‘Putting�things�together�gives�you�access�to�far�more�information�than�you�would�understand�in�classic�computing.�It�gives�us�a�chance�to�probe�nature�in�a�way�we’ve�never�probed�it�before.’

Raised�in�the�Brisbane�seaside�suburb�of�Redcliffe,�Dr�Gambetta�spent�summers�probing�nature�via�surfing�the�breaks�of�Queensland�and�NSW.

‘I�wouldn’t�say�I�planned�to�be�a��scientist�from�a�young�age,’�he�said.��‘I�had�planned�to�do�something�with��my�hands,�either�working�with�wood��or�on�cars.�As�I�got�more�into�education,�I�found�I�really�loved�science.’

Dr�Gambetta�studied�a�Bachelor�of�Science�(Physics)�with�Honours�at�Griffith,�graduating�in�1999.�Along�the�way,�he�became�intrigued�by�quantum�theory.

Since�Griffith’s�earliest�days,�its�researchers�have�explored�quantum�dynamics�and�tackled�difficult�conceptual�problems�in�quantum�physics.�With�the�establishment�of�the�Centre�for�Quantum�Dynamics�in�2003—led�by�Professor�Howard�Wiseman—Griffith�is�at�the�forefront�of�exploring,�explaining�and�exploiting�the�quantum�world.

After�Griffith,�Dr�Gambetta�took�a�postdoctoral�position�at�Yale�University�in�the�US,�followed�by�research�roles�at�the�University�of�Waterloo’s�Institute�of�Quantum�Computing,�in�Canada.�He�joined�IBM�in�January�2011�and�is�based�in�New�York.

As�the�principal�theoretical�scientist�behind�IBM’s�quantum�computing�effort,�Dr�Gambetta�led�the�IBM�Q�Experience,�a�project�enabling�public�exploration�of�quantum�computing.

One�of�the�biggest�challenges�is�working�out�how�to�effectively�harness�the�immense�potential�of��quantum�computing.

‘A�big�question�I�work�on�is:�how�do�you�turn�this�resource�into�what�we�like�to�call�a�“quantum�advantage”?�Discovering�this�advantage�and�learning�how�to�use�this�advantage�in�real-life�applications�is�a�big�part�of�my�day-to-day�work.’

In�April�2018,�Dr�Gambetta�was�named�an�IBM�“fellow”�in�recognition�of�his�work�with�the�107-year-old�company.�IBM�appoints�a�select�number�of�fellows�each�year�from�its�staff�of�more�than�360,000.

And�despite�its�steep�learning�curve,��Dr�Gambetta�said�the�quantum��world�offers�plenty�of�opportunity�for�young�scientists.

‘This�is�definitely�emerging�as�a�new�technology�and�it’s�still�in�its�early�days.�If�you�like�math�and�you�like�tinkering,�I�definitely�would�encourage�people�to�do�it.’

SULTAN’S SPACE MISSIONGriffith�University�PhD�graduate�Sultan�Al�Niyadi�is�one�of�the�first�two�representatives�from�the�United�Arab�Emirates�vying�to�travel�to�the�International�Space�Station.�

He�will�undergo�training�at�the�Yuri�Gagarin�Cosmonaut�Training�Centre�outside�Moscow�and�will�know�early�in�2019�whether�he�will�make�the�journey�into�space.

Sultan’s�PhD�Supervisor,�Associate�Professor�Vallipuram�Muthukkumarasamy,�from�Griffith’s�School�of�Information�and�Communication�Technology,�said�Sultan�had�shown�exceptional�leadership�skills�during�his�time�at�the�University.

‘It’s�wonderful�news�and�I�offer�Sultan�my�best�wishes�for�the�exciting�journey�that�awaits�him,’�said�Associate�Professor�Muthukkumarasamy.

‘When�he�finished�his�PhD�in�2016,�he�walked�into�my�office�and�said,�‘I�know�you�don’t�accept�any�presents�from�students,�but�I’m�no�longer�your�student�now,’�and�he�gave�me�a�wonderful�book�on�network�security.

‘I�asked�him�how�and�why�he�chose�Griffith�for�his�postgraduate�studies.�He�said�he�had�looked�for�network�security�programs�and�Griffith�had�stood�out�from�the�rest�with�what�it�offered�in�this�field�of�study.’

Sultan’s�PhD�focused�on�data�leakage�prevention.�

In the fascinating field of quantum computing, Griffith graduate and IBM Fellow Dr Jay Gambetta is leading revolutionary research.

Dr�Jay�Gambetta,�Manager,�Theory�of�Quantum�Computing�and�Information

Griffith Magazine | 2018 EDITION

25 QUANTUM LEAP

Page 28: GRIFFITH 2018 MAGAZINE · Enquiries: Marketing and Communications, +61 7 3735 7818 griffith.edu.au/omc COVER IMAGE: NASA scientist and Griffith graduate Dr Jessie Christiansen MESSAGE

THRIVING COMMUNITY THE REWARD FOR

MP MICHAEL

Surviving�10�years�in�politics�is�a�feat�in�its�own�right,�but�for�Michael�Crandon�(pictured�below)�it’s�the�success�and�growth�he’s�seen�in�his�community�that��is�the�best�reward.

Since�his�election�to�the�Queensland�Parliament�in�March�2009�as�the�Liberal�National�Party�Member�for�Coomera,��Mr�Crandon�has�seen�the�northern��Gold�Coast�prosper�at�a�remarkable�rate.

For�example,�the�Griffith�University�dual�graduate�has�seen�10�new�schools�built,�including�a�50�per�cent�increase�in�student�numbers�in�the�past�five�years,�rising�from�10,200�in�2013�to�15,600�in�2018.��

There�has�also�been�a�new�TAFE�campus�developed,�upgrades�to�the�M1�Motorway�fought�for�and�completed,�and�annual�residential�growth�of�20�per�cent.

‘The�massive�growth�in�my�community��over�the�past�decade�took�government��by�surprise,’�he�said.

‘Demographics�have�changed�dramatically,�from�rural�living�to�high-density�living,�and�our�roads,�public�transport�systems�and�police�numbers�haven’t�kept�up.�

‘But�we’ve�also�had�many�successes,�such�as�the�upgrading�of�Exit�54�on�the�M1�in�2016,�the�opening�of�the�long-awaited�Coomera�Town�Centre�in�October�2018,�and�securing�the�land�and�funding�for�a�dredge�spoil�facility�adjacent�to�the�Coomera�Marine�Precinct.’

The�marine�precinct�is�the�largest�in�the�Southern�Hemisphere.�A�dredge�spoil�facility�will�enable�the�dredging�of�the�Coomera�River,�which,�in�turn,�will�allow�much�larger�vessels�to�access�the�precinct�for�refits.�Such�work�could�bring�in�millions�of�dollars.�

Mr�Crandon�began�his�career�in�financial�planning,�an�area�that�he�says�offered��great�insight�into�understanding�people.

‘My�industry�experience�commenced�in�June�1987,�so�I�was�there�during�the�shock�of�October�’87�when�world�stock�markets�went�into�meltdown.�Some�very�important�lessons�were�learnt�in�that�time,’�he�said.

Later,�he�completed�a�Masters�in�Business�Administration�(Finance)�in�1998�at�Griffith�University,�then�returned�to�study�a�Master�of�Arts�(Journalism�and�Mass�Communication)�in�2005.�

‘As�it�turned�out,�I�didn’t�take�a�journalism�path,�but�the�skills�and�lessons�I�learnt�have�been�very�useful�in�my�work�as�an�MP.’

Mr�Crandon’s�introduction�to�politics�all�came�down�to�good�timing.�‘I�sold�my�financial�planning�practice�in�February�2008�and�later�that�year�my�wife�and�I�took�a�well-earned�10-week�holiday�overseas,’�he�said.

‘On�our�return,�I�discovered�that�a�redistribution�of�electoral�boundaries��had�occurred,�with�the�new�state�seat��of�Coomera�being�established.�

‘At�the�same�time,�the�LNP�was�formed�from�the�merger�of�the�Liberal�Party�and�National�Party.�I�had�been�a�member�of��the�Liberal�party�for�several�years.�

‘Having�lived�locally�since�1978,�it�seemed�logical�that,�given�all�of�my�experiences�across�all�facets�of�life,�this�was�an�opportunity�to�better�serve�my�community.’

Mr�Crandon�said�that�he�remains�more�motivated�than�ever.�‘I�recognise�the�things�that�impact�people’s�lives�every�day,�and�what�affects�their�wellbeing,’�he�said.

‘I’ve�said�that�the�people�are�my�passion,�and�to�me�that�translates�into�fighting�for�the�delivery�of�the�social�infrastructure�they�need�and�deserve,�so�that�their�lives�are�that�little�bit�better.�That�is�what�motivates�me.’

MP MEAGHAN MAKES

PARLIAMENTARY HISTORY

Meaghan�Scanlon�was�just�24�when�she�created�history�as�the�youngest�female�elected�to�the�Queensland�Parliament.�As�her�term�unfolds,��she�remains�firmly�focused�on�her�goals�and�what�it�means�to�represent�her�community.

‘I�became�involved�in�politics�because�I�thought�I�could�change�the�world,’�she�said.�‘And�while�I�still�think�that,�I�acknowledge�that�reform�is�hard�and�it�takes�time.�It�is�not�easy�to�change�people’s�minds�and�it�is�not�easy�to�change�institutions�or�laws.�However,�hard�work,�compassion�and�dedication�create�success�and�I’ll�keep�striving�to�make�a�difference.’

Ms�Scanlon�graduated�from�Griffith�University�with�a�Bachelor�of�Laws�in�2014.�Elected�as�the�Labor�Party�Member�for�Gaven�at�the�November�2017�State�Election,�she�became�Assistant�Minister�for�Tourism�Industry�Development.�

Not�only�is�she�the�youngest�woman�to�sit�in�the�State�Parliament,�she�is�Queensland’s�second-youngest�MP�ever,�after�former�Opposition�Leader�Lawrence�Springborg,�who�was�just�21�when�elected�in�1989.

Ms�Scanlon�grew�up�in�Nerang,�where�her�parents�owned�a�small�business.�At�13,�she�tragically�lost�her�father�to�melanoma.�Her�younger�brother�Callum�has�Down�Syndrome�and�Ms�Scanlon�helps��her�mother�with�Callum’s�care.

Through�such�experience,�she�is�keenly�aware�of�how�crucial�it�is�to�have�affordable�and�accessible�healthcare—and�how�investing��in�medical�research�is�vital.

Though�still�at�the�start�of�her�political�career,�Ms�Scanlon�said�she�feels�privileged�to�advocate�for�the�people�in�her�electorate�and�to�champion�reform�that�improves�the�lives�of�Queenslanders.

Griffith Magazine | 2018 EDITION

26THRIVING COMMUNITY

Page 29: GRIFFITH 2018 MAGAZINE · Enquiries: Marketing and Communications, +61 7 3735 7818 griffith.edu.au/omc COVER IMAGE: NASA scientist and Griffith graduate Dr Jessie Christiansen MESSAGE

SAM’S A STAR AT THE CREASE AND

LECTURE ROOMQueensland Bulls cricketer Sam Heazlett is combining sport and study for success on and off the field.

Tipped�as�a�rising�star�in�Australian�cricket�since�bursting�onto�the�first-class�scene�with�a�debut�century�in�2015,�Sam�Heazlett�is�wise�enough�not�to�count�on�elite�sport�as�a�sole�career�option.

After�graduating�from�Sheldon�College�in�the�Redland�Shire�between�the�Gold�Coast�and�Brisbane,�Sam�had�the�opportunity�to�immerse�himself�in�full-time�cricket.�However,�he�also�wanted�to�pursue�his��love�of�science�and,�more�specifically,��the�mechanics�of�the�human�body.

‘Combining�my�two�passions�helped�me�decide�to�do�a�Bachelor�of�Exercise�Science�degree.�The�fact�that�the�course�was�based�at�the�Gold�Coast�was�also�attractive,�as�my�other�love�is�surfing,’�he�said.

Sam�completed�his�degree�in�2017�and�is�now�studying�for�a�master’s�in�Physiotherapy,�on�offer�for�the�first�time��at�Nathan�campus.

‘Being�able�to�study�in�Brisbane�and�continue�my�cricket�duties�with�the�Queensland�Bulls�and�T20�team�The��Heat�has�been�a�godsend,’�said�Sam.

Combining�study�and�cricket�has�also�bowled�over�teammates,�who�are�constantly�asking�him�for�massages��and�chasing�answers�to�their�niggles,��aches�and�pains.

‘I�can�usually�give�them�a�basic�diagnosis,�but�I�leave�the�big�stuff�to�the�team’s�physio,�who�is�former�Test�batsman�and�Bulls�batting�legend�Martin�Love.

‘He’s�a�great�sounding�board�because,�like�me,�he�combined�cricket�with�physio�studies�and�also�I�can�see�what�he�does�with�the�players�and�we�can�talk�on�a�number�of�physio-related�topics.’

The�23-year-old�batsman�credits�the�Griffith�Sports�College�and�Griffith�Honours�College�as�being�pivotal�in�helping�him�succeed�on�and�off�the�pitch�since�commencing�studies�at�Griffith�in�2013.

‘The�Sports�College�and�its�support�network�in�helping�me�balance�my�sport�and�study�goals�has�been�exceptional,�as�has�Griffith�Honours�College,�which�has�helped�me�learn�new�skills�like�leadership�and�community�networking,’�he�said.

With�Australian�cricket�undergoing�a�transition,�the�experts�reckon�Sam�is��on�the�radar�for�higher�honours.

Representing�Australia�in�a�One�Day�International�in�New�Zealand�in�2017�was�a�dream�realised,�but�the�likeable�left-handed�opener�is�eyeing�off�his�first�‘baggy�green’�Test�cap.

‘It’s�every�kid’s�dream,�isn’t�it?�I�first�have�to�consolidate�a�spot�in�the�Bulls�team�and�keep�scoring�runs,�while�also�keeping�up��my�studies�with�an�eye�to�graduating�in�a�few�years.’���

Sam�Heazlett�working�on�a�Bulls�teammate

‘The Sports College and its support network in helping me balance my sport and study goals has been exceptional, as has Griffith Honours College...’

Cricket�Australia/Getty�Images

Griffith Magazine | 2018 EDITION

27 RISING STAR

Page 30: GRIFFITH 2018 MAGAZINE · Enquiries: Marketing and Communications, +61 7 3735 7818 griffith.edu.au/omc COVER IMAGE: NASA scientist and Griffith graduate Dr Jessie Christiansen MESSAGE

QCA STUDENTS TURN A LENS ON LIFE

Whether using images to discover the magic of Cambodia or turning a lens on life in rural Queensland, students from the Queensland College of Art are testament to the fact that every picture indeed tells a story.

Six�hours’�drive�west�of�Brisbane,�Roma�is�the�gateway�to�the�Outback�and�Carnarvon�Gorge,�and�is�a�town�famed�for�its�cattle�saleyards�and�country�hospitality.

Fourteen�Queensland�College�of�Art�photography�students�recently�spent�a�week�in�Roma�as�part�of�an�in-field�excursion�to�explore�regional�Queensland—a�program�the�QCA�has�run�for�the�past�25�years.�The�theme�of�the�2018�project�was�Community�Life:�An�Inner�Perspective,�Connecting�through�Story.

The�result�was�a�stunning�documentary�photography�exhibition,�Roma Revealed,�staged�at�the�ABC�Studios�at�South�Bank��in�August.

Students�captured�a�range�of�stories,�including�life�on�the�land,�the�Men’s�Shed�and�the�local�knitting�circle.

Bachelor�of�Photography�student�Emilie�Ledwidge,�who�spent�several�days�photographing�the�rehabilitation�of�an�orphaned�joey�kangaroo,�said�the�trip�had�been�a�chance�to�rediscover�her�rural�roots.

‘I�loved�it�out�in�Roma.�I’ve�spent�most�of�my�life�in�small�rural�towns�and�I�love�the�sense�of�community,’�she�said.

‘I�spent�a�lot�of�time�with�one�of�the�locals,�Mitch,�who�had�rescued�an�orphaned�joey.��I�think�he�fell�in�love�with�her,�and�she�was�part�of�the�family—he�hand-fed�her�and�made�her�little�pillowcase�pouches�to�sleep�in.

‘Documentary�photography�is�all�about�creating�a�compelling�story,�and�the�closer�you�get�to�your�subject,�the�better�you�can�tell�that�story.’

QCA�photography�students Photo�by�Joshua�Prieto

Photo�by�Alexandra�Gieb Photo�by�Laura�Bean

Griffith Magazine | 2018 EDITION

28QCA PHOTOGRAPHY STUDENTS

Page 31: GRIFFITH 2018 MAGAZINE · Enquiries: Marketing and Communications, +61 7 3735 7818 griffith.edu.au/omc COVER IMAGE: NASA scientist and Griffith graduate Dr Jessie Christiansen MESSAGE

Also�in�2018,�photography,�film�and�journalism�students�travelled�to�Cambodia�for�a�three-week�study�tour,�spending�time�on�assignment�with�local�NGOs�to�capture�some�of�the�country’s�untold�stories.

The�tour�involved�workshops�by�renowned�photographer�John�Rodsted,�followed��by�intensive�storytelling�projects�which�gave�students�the�opportunity�to�work��in�local�communities.

QCA�Senior�Lecturer�in�Photography��Dr�Heather�Faulkner�said�the�study�tour��was�designed�to�help�students�enhance�their�documentary�storytelling�skills.

‘They�are�charged�with�making�their�own�connections�with�local�NGOs�in�Cambodia�and�documenting�their�work,’�she�said.

‘Students�work�in�small�teams�to�produce�stories�through�text,�photo�and�video,�which�are�published�when�they�return.

‘This�is�our�fifth�trip�to�Cambodia,�and�we�keep�going�back�because�the�students�get�so�much�out�of�it.’

Photo�by�Levi�Bell

Image�from�a�testimonial�therapy�session�of�survivors�of�the�Khmer�Rouge��with�TPO�Transcultural�Psychosocial�Organisation�–�photo�by�Joshua�Prieto

Photo�by�Amy�Hall

‘I loved it out in Roma. I’ve spent most of my life in small rural towns and I love the sense of community.’

Griffith Magazine | 2018 EDITION

29 QCA PHOTOGRAPHY STUDENTS

Page 32: GRIFFITH 2018 MAGAZINE · Enquiries: Marketing and Communications, +61 7 3735 7818 griffith.edu.au/omc COVER IMAGE: NASA scientist and Griffith graduate Dr Jessie Christiansen MESSAGE

SPIRITS SOAR FOR 25 YEARS OF

GRIFFITH AVIATION

A�group�of�Griffith�University�aviation�students�took�to�the�skies�in�2018,�broadening�their�horizons�with�the��Royal�Australian�Air�Force.

The�five�students�from�various�disciplines�were�among�17�women�selected�from�around�Australia�to�take�part�in�the�Air�Force�Aviation�Camp�for�Women,�held�at�the�Amberley�RAAF�base,�west�of�Brisbane.�

The�camp�seeks�to�boost�capability�through�diversity�by�increasing�female�participation�in�aviation�roles.�Women�currently�represent�less�than�15�per�cent�of�the�workforce.�

First-year�Bachelor�of�Aviation�student�Alexandra�Speakman,�who�has�her�sights�set�on�becoming�an�RAAF�pilot,�said�the�camp�was�a�fantastic�way�to�get�a�taste��for�a�career�in�the�Air�Force.�

‘It�was�probably�one�of�the�most�amazing�experiences�of�my�life,’�she�said.�‘Our�timetable�was�packed�with�leadership�and�team-building�activities,�squadron�visits,�mentoring�sessions,�simulator�experiences�and,�of�course,�a�tactical�flight�in�a�C-17.�

‘This�was�a�highlight�for�me.�It’s�definitely�up�there�on�the�list�of�aircraft�I�would�love�to�fly;�their�capability�is�amazing.’�

Participants�stayed�on�base,�ate�in�the�mess�hall,�met�the�Senior�Australian�Defence�Force�Officer�of�RAAF�Amberley,�took�part�in�pre-fitness�assessment�and�conditioning,�and�networked�with�female�pilots,�mission�crew,�controllers,�engineers�and�technicians.�

RAAF�flight�and�technical�camps�for�young�women�have�been�running�since�2013�and�have�produced�positive�results,�with�76�per�cent�of�participants�actively�pursuing�ADF�careers�through�Defence�Force�Recruiting.�

L-R:�Griffith�University�students�Bethany�Irvine,�Sascha�Smith,�Sonya�Wurst,�Alexandra�Speakman�and�Matilda�Rois�O’Kelly-Wooller��at�the�Air�Force�Aviation�Camp�for�Women

Spirits�soared�at�Griffith�Aviation’s�25th-anniversary�celebration,�as�the�University�commemorated�the�graduation�of�its�first�aviation�students�in�1993.�

Current�Aviation�staff,�alumni�and�industry�partners—including�Qantas,�Virgin,�Boeing�and�BASAIR—attended�the�evening�event�in�August�2018�at�Rydges�South�Bank.

The�Head�of�Aviation,�Associate�Professor�Gui�Lohmann,�highlighted�the�achievements�over�the�past�25�years��and�future�plans�for�the�discipline.

‘This�celebration�marks�25�years�of�the�strong�reputation�that�Griffith�University�has�built�within�the�aviation�industry,��both�in�Australia�and�overseas,’�he�said.

Griffith�Aviation�25th-anniversary�awards�were�presented�to:

•� Kahlie�Jensen�–�Bachelor�of�Aviation

•� Danica�Henderson�–�Graduate�Diploma�in�Flight�Management�Award

•� Captain�Adrian�Young�–��Graduate�Certificate�in�Aviation�Management�Award

•� Dennis�Chant�and�Craig�Shaw�–�Queensland�Airport�Limited�Graduate�Certificate�in�Airport�Management�Award

•� Rod�Stone�and�Caitlin�Stephenson�–�Master�Aviation�in�Management�Award

Today,�there�are�more�than�1500�Griffith�Aviation�alumni�working�across�the�sector,�supporting�major�airlines�and�airports�in�Australia�and�overseas.

In�last�year’s�Virgin�Cadetship�recruitment�exercise,�Griffith�students�secured�three�of�the�10�available�positions�from�more�than�3000�applications.�

Of�the�500�pilots�Qantas�has�recruited�in�the�past�10�years,�20�per�cent�were�Griffith�alumni.�Furthermore,�in�the�recent�rounds�of�the�Qantas�Future�Pilot�Program,�Griffith�students�secured�five�of�the�six�student�places.�

Griffith�Aviation�lecturer�Peter�Bryant�presents�an�award�to�Captain�Adrian�Young�from�the�Griffith�Aviation�Industry�Advisory�Board

FEMALES FLYING HIGH

AT RAAF CAMP

Griffith Magazine | 2018 EDITION

30GRIFFITH AVIATION

Page 33: GRIFFITH 2018 MAGAZINE · Enquiries: Marketing and Communications, +61 7 3735 7818 griffith.edu.au/omc COVER IMAGE: NASA scientist and Griffith graduate Dr Jessie Christiansen MESSAGE

NATURE INDEX HONOURS GRIFFITH

RESEARCHGriffith�University�has�been�named�by�Nature�Index�as�its�Rising�Star�for�the�Oceania�region�in�2018.

This�significant�recognition�for�science�researchers�at�Griffith,�announced�in�September,�follows�a�rise�of�more�than��80�per�cent�in�Griffith�University’s�output�since�2015.�This�makes�Griffith�the�fastest-rising�Australian�institution�in�Nature�Index,��a�supplement�published�in�Nature,�the�world’s�leading�multidisciplinary�science�journal.

Griffith�University�was�one�of�16�global�institutions�featured�in�the�supplement��that�identifies�the�countries�and�institutions�showing�the�most�significant�growth��in�high-quality�research�output�using��the�power�of�the�Nature�Index,�which��tracks�the�research�of�more�than�8,000�global�institutions.�

Senior�Deputy�Vice�Chancellor�Professor�Ned�Pankhurst�described�the�announcement�as�compelling�acknowledgement�of�the�scientific�and�societal�impact�of�research��by�scientists�at�Griffith�University.

‘These�endeavours�are�consistent�and�sustained�across�a�range�of�scientific�fields,�including�clean�energy,�human�evolution�and�quantum�physics.�Recognition�as�the�Nature�Index�Rising�Star�2018�acknowledges�that�Griffith�University�researchers�are�providing��far-reaching�solutions�to�global�challenges,’�said�Professor�Pankhurst.

Professor�Pankhurst�highlighted�the�work�of�Professor�Huijun�Zhao,�who�is�leading�the�development�of�advanced�clean�energy�technologies�at�Griffith’s�Centre�for�Clean�Environment�and�Energy.

‘He�is�among�those�at�Griffith�who�make�a�difference,�those�who�capture�opportunity,�apply�expertise�and�continue�to�challenge�themselves,’�said�Professor�Pankhurst.�‘His�program�of�research�enables�the�use�of�science�and�technology�to�meet�and�address�major�challenges�of�energy�and�environmental�sustainability.’

RANKINGS CONFIRM GLOBAL LEADERSHIP

Griffith�University�continues�to�assert�its�place�as�one�of�the�world’s�leading�universities,�earning�“remarkable”�results�in�prestigious�global�rankings�released�in�2018.

In�July,�the�2018�ShanghaiRanking�Global�Ranking�of�Academic�Subjects�ranked�Griffith�at�No.�1�in�Australia�and�No.�2�in�the�world�for�Hospitality�and�Tourism.�Griffith�also�topped�the�nation�for�Law�(including�Criminology),�which�earned�a�No.�33�result�globally.��

There�were�other�standout�results�on�the�ShanghaiRanking�list.�Nursing�(including�Midwifery)�was�ranked�No.1�in�Queensland�and�eleventh�worldwide,�while�Civil�Engineering�shared�the�state’s�highest�ranking�with�Queensland�University�of�Technology.

Griffith�improved�its�performance�across�the�board,�with�36�subjects�making�the�cut�in�2018.�This�was�an�increase�from�30�in�2017,�driving�the�University�to�a�shared�No.9�in�Australia�for�subjects�ranked,�alongside�QUT.

This�year’s�ranking�also�saw�Griffith�land�10�subjects�in�the�top�100,�up�from�eight�in�2017�and�including�Public�Health�and�Education,�which�advanced�from�the�top�150.

In�June,�Griffith�was�ranked�in�the�top�10�of�Australian�institutions�according�to�a�new�performance�measure�ranking�universities�on�a�range�of�published�research�criteria.

The�University�Ranking�of�Academic�Performance�lists�universities�on�criteria�including�citation,�impact�and�journal�standing.

Griffith�University�was�ranked�the�10th-best�performer�on�a�national�level�and�sits�inside�the�top�300�on�world�rankings.

Ranked�in�39�of�the�61�subjects�and�disciplines,�Griffith�University�was�placed�in�the�global�top�100�in�Nursing�(11),�Commerce�Management,�Tourism�and�Services�(29),�Law�&�Legal�Studies�(36),��International�Relations�(37),�Marine�Sciences�(48),�Education�(53),�Sociology�(53),�Studies�in�Human�Society�(57),�Human�Movement�&�Sports�Sciences�(58),�Business�(69),�Environmental�Sciences�(78),�and�Environmental�Engineering�(92).

In�other�news,�Griffith�University�earned�a�top-50�placing�in�the�Times Higher Education�Asia–Pacific�University�Rankings�2018.

The�Asia–Pacific�rankings�were�first�introduced�in�2017�and�consider�the�research�and�teaching�efforts�of�more�than�250�leading�universities�from�the�region,�with�Griffith�consolidating�its�position�at�43rd�in�2018.

Then�in�September,�The Australian�Higher�Education�Supplement�produced�rankings�identifying�the�top�Australian�universities�for�leadership�across�250�individual�research�fields�and�the�leading�researchers�within�those�fields.�Griffith�was�ranked�at�seventh�in�Australia�on�both�tables—demonstrating�leadership�in�10�research�fields�and�having�10�researchers�who�are�leaders�in�their�respective�fields.

The�University�also�maintained�its�251–300�ranking�in�the�Times�HE�World�University�Rankings�released�in�September,�achieving�its�highest-�ever�total�score�while�improving�on�all�five�main�indicators:�teaching;�research;�citations;�international�outlook;�and�industry�income.�

‘These�results�are�reflective�of�the�world-class�expertise�and�dedicated�work�ethic�that�blooms�in�abundance�across�our�schools�and�research�and�academic�centres,’�said�Vice�Chancellor�and�President�Professor�Ian�O’Connor�AC.‘Recognition as the Nature Index

Rising Star 2018 acknowledges that Griffith University researchers are providing far-reaching solutions to global challenges.’

Griffith Magazine | 2018 EDITION

31 GRIFFITH RESEARCH

Page 34: GRIFFITH 2018 MAGAZINE · Enquiries: Marketing and Communications, +61 7 3735 7818 griffith.edu.au/omc COVER IMAGE: NASA scientist and Griffith graduate Dr Jessie Christiansen MESSAGE

THE CONSERVATION CRUSADER

Dr�Gurung�received�a�PhD�(Conservation�Tourism�and�Protected�Areas)�from�Griffith�University�in�2008.�Previously�he�completed�bachelor’s�and�master’s�(Hons)�degrees—specialising�in�Parks,�Recreation�and�Tourism—at�Lincoln�University�in�New�Zealand.�In�2014,�he�received�the�Australian�Alumni�Award�for�Community�Service�in�the�Austrade�Nepal�Australia�Alumni�Excellence�Awards.�

He�retains�fond�memories�of�Griffith,�where�he�was�president�of�the�Griffith�University�Nepal�Club�and�a�member�of�the�Nepalese�Association�of�Queensland.�He�maintains�a�strong�relationship�with�the�University�via�field�courses�in�both�ecotourism�and�conservation�biology�in�Nepal.

His�professional�career�began�in�1986,�when�he�served�as�a�Conservation�Officer�and�later�Conservation�Education�and�Extension�Officer�for�ACAP,�under�the�auspices�of�the�National�Trust�for�Nature�Conservation�in�Nepal.�ACAP�has�received�several�major�awards�for�its�work�in�the�fragile�Himalayan�environment.

From�1997–2004,�Dr�Gurung�worked�for�the�United�Nations�Development�Program�as�its�National�Program�Manager�of�the�Sustainable�Community�Development�Program,�otherwise�known�as�Nepal�Capacity�21.�He�was�also�instrumental�in�the�formulation�of�the�Sustainable�Development�Agenda�for�Nepal�at�the�National�Planning�Commission,�chaired��by�the�Prime�Minister�of�Nepal.

Dr�Gurung�was�CEO�of�Bird�Conservation�Nepal�from�2009–12�before�forming�the�Himalayan�Sustainable�Future�Foundation.�He�has�worked�on�a�number�of�projects��for�the�Government�of�Nepal.

‘One�of�my�roles�has�been�to�provide�leadership�on�resource�management�between�villages,’�said�Dr�Gurung.��‘This�involves�preservation�and�cultivation�processes,�as�well�as�moves�to�cater��for�the�influx�and�impact�of�tens�of�thousands�of�tourists�each�year.�

‘We’ve�also�introduced�innovations�such��as�micro-power�stations,�and�we�continue�to�lead�education�and�research�programs.’

Since�September�2015,�Dr�Gurung�has�been�Network�&�Partner�Development�Manager�for�BirdLife�International,�based�in�Singapore�and�supporting�BirdLife�Asia’s�partners�in�16�countries.

He�is�also�Asia�Coordinator�for�Forests�of�Hope,�a�landscape�level�conservation�program�operating�in�Cambodia,�Indonesia,�Malaysia,�the�Philippines�and�Vietnam.�Furthermore,�he�has�made�impressive�contributions�to�the�UN�Convention�on�Biological�Diversity�and�the�UN�Framework�Convention�on�Climate�Change.

‘Climate�change�is�the�most�challenging�issue�facing�our�mountain�areas,’�said��Dr�Gurung.�‘We�need�to�adapt�to�ensure�the�continued�balance�of�nature�conservation�and�the�local�community.’

The�beautiful�Nepali�village�of�Sikles�sits�at�an�elevation�of�about�2000�metres�and�is�backdropped�by�the�spectacular�Himalayan�peaks�of�Annapurna�II�and�Lamjung�Himal.�It’s�also�the�birthplace�of�esteemed�international�environmentalist�and�Griffith�University�alumnus�Dr�Hum�Gurung.

Only�the�third�person�in�this�village�of�4000�to�receive�a�PhD,�Dr�Gurung�has�dedicated�his�professional�life�to�environmental�conservation.�Yet�for�one�who�has�achieved�so�much�in�his�field,��it’s�difficult�to�imagine�Dr�Gurung�may�have�pursued�a�career�as�a�soldier.

‘My�childhood�dream,�like�so�many�other�‘hill�boys’�in�Nepal,�was�to�become�a�Gurkha�soldier.�The�Gurkhas�have�such�a�formidable�reputation�at�home�and�internationally.��It�would�have�been�a�great�honour�to�serve,’�he�said.

‘However,�after�high�school�I�studied�civil�engineering�in�Kathmandu�and�that�was�where�I�saw�a�notice�about�the�Annapurna�Conservation�Area�Project�(ACAP).��My�conservation�ideas�and�ideals�really�began�at�that�point.’

From a tiny village in Nepal to major projects throughout the world, Dr Hum Gurung has dedicated his life to environmental conservation.

Dr�Hum�Gurung�has�dedicated�his�professional�life�to�wide-ranging�issues�around�the�environment�and�sustainability

‘We’ve also introduced innovations such as micro-power stations, and we continue to lead education and research programs.’

Griffith Magazine | 2018 EDITION

32CONSERVATION CRUSADER

Page 35: GRIFFITH 2018 MAGAZINE · Enquiries: Marketing and Communications, +61 7 3735 7818 griffith.edu.au/omc COVER IMAGE: NASA scientist and Griffith graduate Dr Jessie Christiansen MESSAGE

In�an�interview�for�Griffith�University’s�Health Check�monthly�publication,�Ajitha�Naidu�Sugnanam�(pictured�below)�spoke�with�humility�and�determination�about�her�desire�to�enable�healthier,�happier�lives.

As�a�dentist�working�in�the�military,�and�as�a�health�services�volunteer,�Ajitha�has�been�able�to�ease�the�pain�and�improve�health�conditions�for�thousands�of�people�in�Australia�and�internationally.

‘I�wanted�a�career�as�a�health�clinician�to�help�alleviate�people’s�pain,�so�I�accepted�a�late�scholarship�with�the�Australian�Defence�Force�(ADF)�to�complete�dentistry,’�she�said.

Her�commitment�has�continued,�so�much�so�that�in�2016�Ajitha�was�named�Griffith�Health’s�Outstanding�Alumnus�of�the�Year,�while�in�2018�she�was�a�finalist�in�the�Outstanding�Young�Alumnus�category�of�the�inaugural�Griffith�University�Outstanding�Alumni�Awards.

Ajitha�graduated�with�a�Bachelor�of�Oral�Health�in�Dental�Science�in�2008�and�a�Graduate�Diploma�of�Dentistry�in�2010.

Her�altruistic�qualities�were�quickly�apparent�at�Griffith,�where�she�represented�the�Hope4Health�student�initiative�that�raises�money�and�promotes�health�equality�for�all,�especially�in�areas�of�greatest�need.

After�joining�the�ADF,�Ajitha�was�deployed�to�clinics�both�nationally�and�abroad.�These�included�a�stint�in�Fregon,�South�Australia,�where�she�was�part�of�the�Army�Aboriginal�Community�Assistance�Program.

‘After�completing�my�minimum�period�of�service�to�the�ADF,�I�decided�to�stay�on�because�although�my�work�is�sometimes�challenging,�it�is�always�incredibly�rewarding,’�she�said.

Now�a�Squadron�Leader—and�one�of�only�a�handful�of�dentists�Australia-wide�to�have�attained�the�rank—Ajitha�strives�for�excellence�in�her�chosen�profession�of�dentistry.�At�the�same�time,�she�continues�to�instigate�important�humanitarian�work.

THE HUMBLE HUMANITARIANFrom�2011–2013,�Ajitha�volunteered�in�Vietnam,�India�and�Cambodia,�where,�in�conjunction�with�NGOs,�she�assessed�and�treated�hundreds�of�children.�She�has�returned�to�India�annually�on�self-funded�expeditions,�maximising�exposure�to�basic�healthcare�in�remote�areas.

In�2014,�Ajitha�took�part�in�a�humanitarian�mission�to�Nepal,�teaching�dental�procedures�to�medical�interns.�The�following�year,�she�spent�her�annual�leave�establishing�a�temporary�community�health�camp�in�Nizamabad,�India,�where�15�clinicians�and�60�volunteers�provided�free�medical�and�dental�services�to�more�than�2500�people.

Then�in�2016,�Ajitha�provided�a�similar�service�in�Bantumilli,�India,�to�offer��medical�and�dental�care�to�more�than�3000�patients.

Ajitha�said�her�humanitarian�journey,��as�well�as�her�professional�career,��began�at�Griffith.�And�she�remains�humble�to�the�last,�with�her�inspirational�actions�best�demonstrating�Ajitha’s�dedication��to�helping�others�and�making�a�real�difference�in�the�world.

‘I wanted a career as a health clinician to help alleviate people’s pain...’

Griffith Magazine | 2018 EDITION

33 HUMBLE HUMANITARIAN

Page 36: GRIFFITH 2018 MAGAZINE · Enquiries: Marketing and Communications, +61 7 3735 7818 griffith.edu.au/omc COVER IMAGE: NASA scientist and Griffith graduate Dr Jessie Christiansen MESSAGE

GENDER POLICY HONOUR FOR SUSAN

Associate�Professor�Susan�Harris-Rimmer’s�(pictured�left)�commitment�to�improving�the�rights�and�opportunities�of�women�and�girls�was�honoured�in�2018�when�she�was�named�in�Apolitical’s�list�of�the�world’s�100�Most�Influential�People�in�Gender�Policy.

The�list�honours�and�celebrates�women�and�men�making�the�world�more�equitable,�whether�they�exert�influence�through�policymaking,�research�or�advocacy.

Growing�up�in�the�the�small�rural�NSW�town�of�Coonabarabran,�the�young�Susan�had�no�knowledge�of�university�life�or�the�business�of�government.

‘Education�transformed�my�life.�I�want�to�help�other�rural�girls�achieve�whatever�they�can�imagine,�to�open�up�horizons�of�choice�and�ambition,’�she�said.

‘My�research�and�policy�work�is�grounded�in�the�women’s�movement�in�Australia�and�the�region.�I�want�my�work�to�be�connected,�useful,�and�to�generate�ideas�for�advocacy.

‘It�is�a�privilege�to�make�sure�the�experience�of�women�and�girls�surviving�conflict,�building�peace�and�seeking��justice�is�recorded,�analysed�and,�above��all,�celebrated.’

Susan�is�an�Associate�Professor�with�the�Griffith�Law�School�and�an�Australian�Research�Council�Future�Fellow.�

She�has�worked�for�the�UN�Women�National�Committee�Australia�and�is�currently�on�the�board�of�the�Refugee�Council�of�Australia.

Apolitical�is�a�renowned�global�platform�and�its�annual�list�acknowledges�pioneering�people�across�seven�categories:�Public�Service,�Politics,�Academia,�Philanthropy,�International�organisations,�NGOs��and�Advocacy.

Since�2001,�Griffith�University�has�been�recognised�by�the�Australian�Government�as�an�Employer�of�Choice�for�Women,�thus�acknowledging�its�commitment�to,�and�best�practice�in,�promoting�gender�equality.

JOURNALIST OF THE FUTURE THRIVES ON DIVERSITYIn�a�world�of�constant�change,�Amy�Mitchell-Whittington�(pictured�right)�has�some�words�of�advice�for�the�journalists�of�the�future.�‘Diversity�is�key.�Don’t�be�concerned�by�the�negative�chatter�about�the�state�of�journalism,’�she�said.�

‘Our�world�is�in�a�constant�state�of�change,�we�just�have�to�be�adaptable�enough�to�change�with�it.�Embrace�it,�learn�from�it,�and�use�it�to�make�yourself�a�better�journalist.’

Such�motivation�has�helped�build�Amy’s�promising�career�since�she�graduated�with�a�Bachelor�of�Journalism�from�Griffith�University�just�four�years�ago,�so�much�so�that�she�was�named�New�Journalist�of�the�Year�at�the�2018�Queensland�Clarion�Awards�for�her�work�as�a�journalist�at�the�Brisbane�Times.�

The�award�follows�the�success�of�fellow�Griffith�graduate�Chris�McMahon,�who�was�named�New�Journalist�of�the�Year�in�2017�for�his�series�of�exposes�on�Queensland’s�parole�and�probation�system.��

Amy,�who�is�currently�freelancing�in�Berlin,�said�she�decided�to�study�journalism�because�she�loved�listening�to�other�people’s�stories.�‘I�initially�wanted�to�turn�those�stories�into�short�films,�which�is�why�I�completed�my�first�degree�in�Film�and�Screen�Media�(at�Griffith�in�2007),’�she�said.�‘I�can’t�say�what�made�me�exactly�want�to�study�journalism,�but�I�was�hooked�from�my�very�first�class.

Amy�says�it’s�people�that�keep�her�motivated�at�a�journalist.�‘The�people�I�write�for,�the�people�I�write�about�and�the�people�I�write�with,’�she�said.�

‘All�of�my�interviews�are�memorable�in�some�way�or�another.�From�parents�who’ve�just�lost�their�child,�to�domestic�violence�survivors�speaking�out�against�the�pain�to�communities�banding��together�to�make�their�plot�better.�Working�as�a�journalist�has�taught��me�to�never�presume�to�know�how��a�story�will�turn�out,�what�path�an�interview�will�take,�what�will�happen��once�someone�opens�their�mouth��or�picks�up�the�phone.’

Griffith Magazine | 2018 EDITION

34GENDER EQUALITY

Page 37: GRIFFITH 2018 MAGAZINE · Enquiries: Marketing and Communications, +61 7 3735 7818 griffith.edu.au/omc COVER IMAGE: NASA scientist and Griffith graduate Dr Jessie Christiansen MESSAGE

GRIFFITH SCIENTISTS SHINE AT YOUNG TALL

POPPY AWARDS

‘It’s wonderful to be recognised for the effort that goes into our research.’

Emerging�scientists�at�Griffith�University�have�been�recognised�as�winners�at�the�Queensland�Young�Tall�Poppy�Science�Awards�for�2018.

Three�researchers�based�at�Griffith�Science�and�another�at�Griffith�Health�received�their�awards�from�the�Queensland�Chief�Scientist.

The�four�academics�recognised�were�Dr�Michelle�Langley,�Dr�Qilin�Wang,�Dr�Roisin�McMahon�and�Dr�Michael�Simmonds.

The�Young�Tall�Poppy�Awards�were�initiated�by�the�Australian�Institute��of�Policy�and�Science�to�promote�excellence�in�research,�innovation��and�the�communication�of�science.

Dr�Michelle�Langley�is�an�Australian�Research�Centre�for�Human�Evolution�archaeologist�and�a�DECRA�Research�Fellow�at�the�Environmental�Futures�Research�Institute�(EFRI).�Her�research�focuses�on�bone�technology�and�learning�more�about�children�of�the�Ice�Age.

‘It’s�wonderful�to�be�recognised�for�the�effort�that�goes�into�our�research�and��the�role�in�communicating�that�work��to�the�public’,�she�said.

Innovative�technologies�for�urban�water�and�wastewater�management�represent�the�core�area�of�Dr�Qilin�Wang’s�work�at�the�School�of�Engineering,�Centre�for�Clean�Environment�and�EFRI.

Dr�Roisin�McMahon�works�on�drug�resistance�and�infectious�diseases�at�the�Griffith�Institute�for�Drug�Discovery,�where�her�passion�is�in�targeting��proteins�in�bacterial�pathogenesis��to�develop�new�antimicrobial�drugs��for�life-threatening�infections.

‘I�love�sharing�my�research�through�storytelling,�and�so�to�be�recognised�for�both�my�science�and�my�role�as�a�communicator�is�an�absolute�honour,’��she�said.

Award�winner�Dr�Michael�Simmonds,�Head�of�Griffith’s�Biorheology�Research�Laboratory,�is�researching�the�biophysical�and�biochemical�properties�of�blood�cells,�and�how�artificial�medical�devices�affect�the�property�of�bloods�and�ultimately�disrupt�blood�flow�in�the�body.

HIGH-TECH HELP FOR

BRAIN TUMOUR PATIENTS

Griffith�University�researchers�are�studying�the�latest�“telehealth”�technology�to�offer�psychological�support�to�people�with�brain�tumours�and�their�loved�ones.

Jointly�funded�by�the�National�Health�and�Medical�Research�Council�and�Cancer�Council�Queensland,�the�world-first�study�is�led�by�Professor�Tamara�Ownsworth�at�Griffith’s�Menzies�Health�Institute�Queensland.

With�“telehealth”�technology,�people�with�brain�tumours�can�receive�tailored�counselling�in��the�comfort�of�their�own�homes.

The�Making�Sense�of�Brain�Tumour�(MAST)�program�employs�Zoom�video-conferencing�technology�to�enable�clinical�psychologists�to�provide�targeted�support�for�people�with�brain�tumours�and��their�families,�addressing�the�specific�issues�they�face.

On�average,�six�Australians�are�diagnosed�each�day�with�brain�and�other�central�nervous�system�cancers.�Brain�cancer�currently�has�a�five-year�survival�rate�of�only��25�per�cent�and�has�the�largest�lifetime�cost—$1.9�million�per�person—of�any�cancer�in�Australia.

‘Cancer�or�tumours�in�the�brain�pose�a�double�threat�to�one’s�survival�and�sense�of�self,�with�threat�and�uncertainty�often�being�at�the�centre�of�people’s�distress,’�said�Professor�Ownsworth.

The�study�aims�to�recruit�120�participants�with�a�primary�brain�tumour�aged�between�18–75.�

‘This�telehealth�intervention�will�take�a�person-centered�approach,’�said�Professor�Ownsworth.�‘Every�person�is�different�when�they�have�a�brain�tumour,�and�our�intervention�aims�to�really�explore�the�impact�that�the�illness�has�on�everyday�life�and�what�matters�most�to�those�affected.’

L–R:�Dr�Qilin�Wang,�Professor�Rod�Barrett,�Professor�Jenny�Martin�AO,�Dr�Roisin�McMahon,�Professor�David�Lloyd,�Dr�Michelle�Langley,�Professor�Andrew�Smith�and�Dr�Michael�Simmonds

Griffith Magazine | 2018 EDITION

35 GRIFFITH SCIENTISTS SHINE

Page 38: GRIFFITH 2018 MAGAZINE · Enquiries: Marketing and Communications, +61 7 3735 7818 griffith.edu.au/omc COVER IMAGE: NASA scientist and Griffith graduate Dr Jessie Christiansen MESSAGE

GOLD COAST TOURISMBikash�Randhawa�(pictured�above)�describes�tourism�as�a�race�with�no�finishing�line.�Even�so,�it’s�better�to��be�out�in�front.

In�the�past�25�years,�mainly�through�his�association�with�Sea�World�Resort,��Bikash�has�become�one�of�the�Gold�Coast’s�most�avid,�loyal�and�influential�advocates.�The�irony�is�he�once�may�not�have�come�here�at�all.

Born�in�the�Indian�city�of�Kolkata,�Bikash�initially�planned�to�pursue�a�career�in�the�US.�That�was�when�his�brother-in-law�stepped�in.

‘He�said�South-East�Queensland�was�going�to�be�incredible�and�that�I�should�come��to�Australia�first.�He�talked�about�the�air,�the�lifestyle,�the�potential�and�the�cricket,�the�cricket,�the�cricket.�I�was�persuaded,’�said�Bikash,�who,�just�to�dispel�any�lingering�doubt,�loves�cricket.

‘However,�the�drive�from�the�airport�that�first�day�wasn’t�very�inspiring�as�far�as�first�impressions�go.�I�even�called�my�parents�back�in�India�to�suggest�I�might�have�made�the�wrong�decision.�They�said�to�give�it�time�and�I’m�so�glad�I�did.�This�city�has�been�the�making�of�me.’

Bikash’s�Gold�Coast�story�is�a�quintessential�example�of�success�built�from�the�ground�up,�beginning�with�studying�a�Bachelor�of�Hotel�Management�at�Griffith�University.�He�graduated�in�1996.

Having�joined�Sea�World�Resort�in�1995��as�a�casual�waiter�in�the�Food�and�Beverage�section,�there�were�some�awkward�moments�as�Bikash�took�his�first�steps�on�the�corporate�ladder.�A�dropped�tray�of�champagne�flutes�at�a�wedding�was�one�mishap;�slipping�over�and�ending�up�beneath�a�tray�of�lobsters�was�another.

Still,�over�the�years,�a�combination�of�resolve,�self-belief�and�willingness�to�learn�saw�Bikash�given�increasingly�challenging�roles�at�Sea�World,�including�Food�and�Beverage�Manager,�Executive�Assistant�Manager�and�Resort�Manager.

In�December�2011,�he�became�General�Manager�for�Village�Roadshow�Theme�Parks.�Then�in�June�2017,�Bikash�was�appointed�Village�Roadshow’s�Executive�General�Manager�(Hospitality,�Sales�and�Marketing),�Business�Development�and�Resort.�In�2018,�he�became�Chief�Operating�Officer�for�Village�Roadshow�Theme�Parks�and�Resort�for�Australia.

It’s�a�vital�position�in�an�iconic�company,�and�is�particularly�relevant�to�the�Gold�Coast�as�it�continues�to�mature.�

‘The�Gold�Coast�has�matured,�is�maturing,�and�this�ongoing�journey�will�be�exciting,’�he�said.�‘However,�it�also�important�for��the�city�to�retain�its�unique�charisma,��its�warmth�and�sense�of�welcome.�

‘Those�are�the�qualities�that�kept�me�here�in�the�first�place,�and�they�simply�do�not�get�old�or�go�out�of�date.’

DIGITAL CAMPUS MEETS GROWING NEEDIn�meeting�the�needs�of�a�rapidly�changing�world,�Griffith�University�has�launched�a�Digital�campus.

Already�the�University’s�third-largest�campus,�the�Digital�campus�builds�on�Griffith’s�extensive�presence�across�Southeast�Queensland.

‘During�the�past�10�years,�the�world�has�seen�a�rapid�uptake�of�online�learning�and�Griffith�University�has�been�to�the�forefront�of�this�educational�revolution�in�Australia,’�said�Professor�Debra�Henly,��Deputy�Vice�Chancellor�(Academic).

The�educational�infrastructure��of�Griffith�University�has�been�consistently�updated�to�meet��the�new�and�emerging�needs��of�the�21st-century�student,�culminating�with�the�launch��of�the�Digital�campus.

This�sixth�campus�is�focusing�on�and�catering�for�modern�students�undertaking�online�programs.�The�particular�needs�of�part-time�students,�for�example,�will�inform�the�design�and�delivery�of�new�and�current�programs�on�offer�through�the�Digital�campus.�

Griffith Magazine | 2018 EDITION

36GOLD COAST TOURISM

Page 39: GRIFFITH 2018 MAGAZINE · Enquiries: Marketing and Communications, +61 7 3735 7818 griffith.edu.au/omc COVER IMAGE: NASA scientist and Griffith graduate Dr Jessie Christiansen MESSAGE

POSITIVE DIAGNOSIS FOR PARTNERS IN MEDICINE

INDIGENOUS STUDY TOUR INSPIRES REBECCAA�passion�for�working�in�complex�trauma�populations�was�affirmed�when�Griffith�University�Bachelor�of�Psychology�graduate�Rebecca�Simpson�completed�the�Aurora�Indigenous�Scholars�International�Study�Tour.

Rebecca�visited�some�of�the�world’s�most�prestigious�universities,�including�Oxford�and�Cambridge�in�the�UK,��and�Harvard�and�Stanford�in�the�US,�all�part�of�an�initiative�that�encourages�high-achieving�Indigenous�students.

Though�based�on�the�Gold�Coast,�Rebecca�is�part�of�South�Australia’s�Indigenous�Kaurna�community.�She�said�the�Aurora�tour�was�an�exceptional�opportunity,�one�of�many�made�available�during�her�time�at�Griffith.�

Along�the�way�she�has�built�up�her�work�experience�with�placements�in�areas�including�gender-based�violence,��human�trafficking,�asylum�seeker��and�refugee�issues.

‘In�2015,�I�completed�a�three-month�internship�as�an�International�Humanitarian�Aid�Worker�with�Red�Cross�International,�working�in�conjunction��with�the�UN�Women�on�a�project�to�eliminate�gender-based�violence.

‘Then�in�June�2017,�I�travelled�to�Mexico�City�to�take�part�in�the�Immigration�and�Human�Rights�in�Society�course�at�La�Salle�University,�to�learn�about�the�human�rights�issues�and�violations�being�experienced�in�Mexico.�More�specifically,�issues�facing�migrants,�refugees,�asylum�seekers�and�victims�of�human�trafficking.

‘I�am�forever�changed�by�these�experiences.�I�approach�psychology�and�psychological�research�with�an�intellectual�humility�that�drives�me�to�understand�the�issues�specific�to�each�and�every�country�and�community��I�encounter,�including�my�own.’

Marriage�and�studying�together�have�created�the�perfect�prescription�for�Griffith�University�medical�students�Michael�and�Carissa�Holland�(pictured�right).

The�newlyweds�from�the�Gold�Coast�are�both�studying�a�Doctor�of�Medicine�and�are�passionate�about�their�chosen�profession.�

Taking�part�in�a�year-long�placement�at�the�Kingaroy�Hospital�on�Queensland’s�Darling�Downs—as�part�of�the�rural�Longlook�program—the�couple�quickly�grew�accustomed�to�running�into�each�other�during�rotations.

‘The�great�thing�about�doing�a�rural�placement�is�that�you�get�lots�of�real�hands-on�experience�with�our�own�assigned�patients�and�thinking�of�our��own�management�and�treatment�plans,’�said�Michael.�‘You�don’t�always�get�that�working�as�a�student�doctor�in�the�more�metropolitan�hospitals.�

Here�we�have�the�good�fortune�to�be�one-on-one�with�our�supervisors�and�can�undertake�lots�of�patient�interaction,�which�is�great.’

Carissa�said�she�relished�the�experience��of�working�in�a�rural�community.�‘I�am��very�passionate�about�mental�health�and�am�interested�in�a�career�in�psychiatry,’��she�said.�

‘Working�in�Kingaroy�has�deepened�my�awareness�of�the�many�factors�influencing�mental�health�within�a�rural�setting.’

Michael�and�Carissa�met�during�the��first�year�of�their�respective�undergraduate�programs.�‘Coming�to�Griffith�to�study�medicine�is�a�fantastic�opportunity��for�Carissa�and�me,’�said�Michael.�

‘We�have�different�strengths�which�allow�us�to�support�one�another�through�the�challenges�we�face.’

Griffith�University�Bachelor�of�Psychology�graduate�Rebecca�Simpson

Griffith Magazine | 2018 EDITION

37 PERFECT PRESCRIPTION

Page 40: GRIFFITH 2018 MAGAZINE · Enquiries: Marketing and Communications, +61 7 3735 7818 griffith.edu.au/omc COVER IMAGE: NASA scientist and Griffith graduate Dr Jessie Christiansen MESSAGE

$1M BEQUEST IS A GIFT FOR THE GIFTED

Emily�Reinhardt’s�gift�has�established�an�annual�piano�scholarship�and�is�a�remarkable�indication�of�her�passion�for�music�education�and�for�supporting�the�great�musicians�of�the�future.

Emily’s�husband,�Peter,�came�from�a�famous�artistic�family�in�Austria.�Founders�of�the�famed�Salzburg�Festival�and�involved�in�film�and�theatre,�they�also�shared�the�family�castle�as�a�meeting�place�for�writers,�actors�and�composers.�The�castle�later�provided�the�setting�for�the�iconic�film�The Sound of Music.

Like�many�people�of�Jewish�descent,�Peter�was�forced�to�flee�Austria�during�WWII.�He�found�refuge�in�the�Netherlands,�where�he�met�Emily.�The�couple�migrated�to�Australia�in�1950�and�started�a�new�life�on�the�Gold�Coast.

After�the�fall�of�the�Berlin�Wall,�the�German�government�compensated�the�Reinhardt�family.�Emily�and�Peter�decided�to�gift�their�share�of�the�inheritance�to�help�foster�the�careers�of�young�musicians.

‘This�gift�will�create�opportunities�for�the�most�talented�musicians�in�Australia�to�pursue�their�studies�at�Griffith,’�said�Griffith�University�Deputy�Vice�Chancellor�(Engagement)�Professor�Martin�Betts.

‘This�generous�endowment�will�benefit��many�generations�of�piano�students�and�reflects�the�importance�of�the�arts�to��our�donors�and�the�broader�community.’

The�scholarship�is�open�to�entrance-�level�undergraduate�students�and�provides�an�annual�stipend�for�the�duration�of�their�study.�

Queensland�Conservatorium�Director�Professor�Scott�Harrison�said�the�gift�would�be�life-changing�for�students�of�the�Conservatorium:�‘Music�played�an�incredibly�important�role�in�Emily�Reinhardt’s�life.�Her�generous�gift�will�have�a�very�real�impact�on�our�students.’

Find�out�how�to�create�a�lasting�legacy�through�your�will�at�griffith.edu.au/giving

REUNION MARKS 40 YEARS OF

GRIFFITH PHDSForty�years�of�PhDs�at�Griffith�University�and�70�years�of�PhDs�in�Australia�inspired��a�dual�celebration�in�September�2018.

In�Brisbane,�PhD�and�Higher�Degree�Research�(HDR)�alumni�gathered�to�mark�the�University’s�achievements�and�its�growing�status�as�a�research�institute.

Among�the�guests�was�Griffith’s�first�PhD�graduate,�Professor�Peter�Coaldrake�AO�DUniv,�who�recalled�academic�life�as�a�doctoral�student�at�the�University’s��Nathan�campus�some�40�years�ago.

‘I�had�a�great�supervisor,�Arthur�Brownlea,�who�was�diligent�and�gave�me�some�really�good�advice.�I�wrote�my�PhD�in�about��two-and-a-half�years�and�finished�it�just�before�Christmas�Day,’�he�said.

‘I�showed�Arthur�the�last�three�pages�and�he�said:�‘It’s�rubbish,�you’re�exhausted,�go�away,�have�a�break�and�then�come�back�after�New�Year�and�finish�it.’�When�I�returned,�I�managed�to�work�through�some�of�the�difficulties�in�my�paper�and�thank�Arthur�for�it,�because�we�all�know�how�important�supervisors�are�and�should�be.’

Professor�Coaldrake�went�on�to�have�a�long�and�successful�career�and�until�recently�was�Vice�Chancellor�of�Queensland�University�of�Technology.�He�is�also�a�dual�Fulbright�scholar,�an�Order�of�Australia�recipient,�Queensland�Great�and�author.

Since�Professor�Coaldrake’s�inaugural�PhD,�today�Griffith�awards�an�average�of�320�PhDs�each�year.

Griffith�University’s�Vice�Chancellor�and�President�Professor�Ian�O’Connor�AC�said�he�was�proud�of�the�University’s�record,�and�Griffith’s�PhD�and�HDR�alumni�were�proof�of�its�achievements.

L-R:�Vice�Chancellor�and�President�Professor�Ian�O’Connor�AC,�Professor�Peter�Coaldrake�AO�DUniv�and�Deputy�Vice�Chancellor�(Engagement)�Professor�Martin�Betts

In an extraordinary act of generosity, a $1 million bequest to the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University will benefit generations of gifted young musicians.

Emily�and�Peter�Reinhardt

Griffith Magazine | 2018 EDITION

38ALUMNI

Page 41: GRIFFITH 2018 MAGAZINE · Enquiries: Marketing and Communications, +61 7 3735 7818 griffith.edu.au/omc COVER IMAGE: NASA scientist and Griffith graduate Dr Jessie Christiansen MESSAGE

STAY CONNECTEDGriffith University’s alumni are found throughout the world and are succeeding in all areas of life.

Maintaining�connections�with�our�alumni,�students,�industry�partners�and�many�other�friends�affirms�that�university�degrees�are�not�just�an�education,��but�are�the�foundation�of�a�partnership�that�continues�for�life.�

Each�year,�Griffith�University�hosts�alumni�networking�events�to�engage�with�graduates,�staff�and�friends�across�the�world.�In�recent�times,�we�have�visited�cities�including�Jakarta,�Singapore,�Los�Angeles,�Hong�Kong,�Beijing,�Sydney,�Melbourne�and�Canberra.

Through�the�Development�and�Alumni�Office,�we�encourage�you�to�update�your�details�to�ensure�you�stay�in�touch,�and�stay�connected,�with�Griffith�University.

There are several convenient communications options:

P�(07)�5552�7218E�[email protected] griffith.edu.au/development-alumni�

�� facebook.com/griffithalumni�

� twitter.com/griffithalumni�

� instagram.com/griffithalumni

� linkedin.com/groups/104312�

STUDENTS FEEL THE IMPACT OF GENEROUS DONORS

A trip to Bank Australia’s Gold Coast campus reinforced the importance of investing in the future of Griffith University students.

Help�is�on�its�way�for�six�more�students�after�Bank�Australia�doubled�its�donation�to�Griffith�University’s�Students’�Future�Fund.�

The�$5000-a-year�donation�will�enable�students�to�pay�for�the�essentials�of�university�and�daily�life,�allowing�them�to�concentrate�on�their�studies�and�pursue�their�dreams.�

Bank�Australia’s�Gold�Coast�Campus�Service�Centre�Manager,�Rob�Patterson,�said�it�was�important�to�support�local�students,�also�reflecting�the�bank’s�ongoing�support�of�Griffith�University.

‘We�are�very�happy�to�continue�our�support�of�the�program�and�are�always�pleased�to�hear�how�our�contribution�helps�students,’�he�said.

Griffith�scholarship�recipients�Maylea�Moreno-Uccetta�and�Zakarye�Dib�recently�met�the�Gold�Coast-based�team.�They�talked�about�how�the�scholarship�helped�them�continue�their�education�and�excel�in�their�studies.�

Maylea�said�the�scholarship�had�an�enormous�impact�on�her�life.

‘Receiving�a�scholarship�through�the�Students’�Future�Fund�has�really�helped�me�with�my�living�expenses,�as�I�had�to�take�time�off�work�to�look�after�my�grandfather�who�was�diagnosed�with�cancer�last�year,’�she�said.

The�Bank�Australia�donation�provides�two�students�with�a�full�scholarship�each�year�for�the�next�three�years.

Zakarye�said�it�was�difficult�to�quantify�the�different�ways�the�scholarship�helped�him,�and�he�hoped�to�become�a�donor�himself�one�day.

‘The�impact�goes�so�much�further�than�anyone�knows,’�he�said.

‘It�has�been�a�great�help�to�me�with�the�circumstances�I�face�and�has�made�a�huge�change�to�my�future—reminding�me�there�are�people�who�want�to�help,�and�my�efforts�will�not�go�unrewarded.’

Griffith�scholarship�recipients�Zakarye�Dib�and�Maylea�Moreno-Uccetta�receive�a�donation�from�Bank�Australia’s�Rob�Patterson

Find out how to support students like Maylea and Zakarye by visiting griffith.edu.au/annual-appeal

Griffith Magazine | 2018 EDITION

39 ALUMNI

Page 42: GRIFFITH 2018 MAGAZINE · Enquiries: Marketing and Communications, +61 7 3735 7818 griffith.edu.au/omc COVER IMAGE: NASA scientist and Griffith graduate Dr Jessie Christiansen MESSAGE

MESSAGE FROM THE DEPUTY VICE CHANCELLOR

MESSAGE FROM THE DEPUTY VICE CHANCELLOR

2018 has been another extraordinary year and it’s been wonderful to revisit the highlights in our annual community magazine.

Griffith’s�history-making�official�partnership�with�the�Gold�Coast�2018�Commonwealth�Games�was�unforgettable.�Team�Griffith�performed�brilliantly,�with�our�students�and�alumni�collecting�a�record�40�medals.�Away�from�competition,�more�than�500�of�our�students�and�so�many�of�our�staff�were�afforded�unique�career�and�study�opportunities�during�our�three-year�relationship�with�GOLDOC,�the�event’s�organising�committee.

As�I�visit�our�campuses,�it’s�clear�the�University�is�very�well�engaged�externally,�including�with�the�community.�Meanwhile,�continuing�to�embrace�our�alumni,�industry�partners,�stakeholders�and�supporters�yields�outstanding�friendships,�partnerships�and�affiliations.

Engaging�with�more�than�200,000�of�our�alumni�in�more�than�145�countries,�our�events�and�initiatives�empower�them�to�connect�with�each�other�and�the�University,�and�to�share�and�celebrate�their�stories.�And�we�are�now�recognising�their�remarkable�achievements�through�our�University-wide�Outstanding�Alumni�Awards�program.

It�is�also�truly�inspiring�to�see�first-hand�the�remarkable�spirit�of�generosity�that�is�helping�produce�such�positive�outcomes�for�our�students�challenged�by�personal��or�financial�hardships.

To�that�end,�I’m�delighted�to�report�that,�through�the�generosity�of�our�community,�the�University�has�raised�a�record�$115,000�so�far�this�year�through�its�Annual�Appeal.�This�means�that�in�2019,�a�record�number�of�life-changing�scholarships�will�be�possible�through�the�support�of�230�exceptional�donors�to��our�Annual�Appeal�and�the�fast-growing�Staff�Giving�Program,�which�now�has��more�than�250�donors.

Professor�Martin�Betts,�Deputy�Vice�Chancellor�(Engagement)

The�generosity�of�our�donors�and�supporters�helps�us�do�the�remarkable�every�day.�Whether�it�is�funding�invaluable�research,�supporting�students�or�investing�in�educational�initiatives,�our�donors�make�dreams�a�reality�and�change�lives.�

Only�this�year,�the�Queensland�Conservatorium�Griffith�University�received�a�$1�million�bequest�from��Emily�and�Peter�Reinhardt,�and�our�total�funds�raised�will�be�at�record�levels�for��the�fourth�consecutive�year.�

The�generosity�of�the�Reinhardts�will�ensure�the�future�of�young�musicians�for�generations,�and�we�are�incredibly�grateful,�as�we�are�to�all�of�our�donors,��big�and�small.�Their�generosity�and�belief��in�the�University,�its�staff�and�students,��is�truly�remarkable.

In�closing,�once�again�I�have�enjoyed�meeting�so�many�proud�alumni�and�friends�at�the�many�events�during�the�year.��I�look�forward�to�meeting�many�more�in�what�I�know�will�be�an�even�more�remarkable�2019.

Griffith Magazine | 2018 EDITION

40

Page 43: GRIFFITH 2018 MAGAZINE · Enquiries: Marketing and Communications, +61 7 3735 7818 griffith.edu.au/omc COVER IMAGE: NASA scientist and Griffith graduate Dr Jessie Christiansen MESSAGE

griffithreview.com

Griffith Review 62: All Being EqualThe sixth novella project explores the texture of equality in all its forms, bringing to life some of the big issues in the national narrative and the stories around them—stories about people, and purpose, and love.

Griffith Review 63: Writing the CountryPlace. Land. Country. Home. These words frame how we think about Australia’s vast raft of environments: how these places are changing and what they might become; what is flourishing and what is at risk.

Griffith Review 64: The New DisruptorsWhat are the consequences of digital disruption? Take a wide-ranging look at some of the upheavals and interruptions that have come with our increasingly technological world.

Griffith Review 65: Crimes and PunishmentsStories that brush with the law: from felons to forensics, from true crime to social justice, from corruption and criminology to Koori courts and other revolutionary reforms.

‘This is commentary of a high order. The prose is unfailingly polished; the knowledge and expertise of the writers impressive.’– Roy Williams, The Sydney Morning Herald

‘…an eclectic, thought-provoking and uniformly well-written collection.’– Justin Burke, The Australian

Look forward to 2019 with Griffith Review

Don’t miss out: subscribe now at griffithreview.com and save on the RRP!

Page 44: GRIFFITH 2018 MAGAZINE · Enquiries: Marketing and Communications, +61 7 3735 7818 griffith.edu.au/omc COVER IMAGE: NASA scientist and Griffith graduate Dr Jessie Christiansen MESSAGE

Griffith’s Advanced Design and Prototyping Technologies Institute (ADaPT) is using world-first digital body twin research to improve spinal and neurological rehabilitation.

Pictured is Dr Dinesh Palipana, a Griffith medical graduate and Queensland’s first quadriplegic doctor, who is involved in the research project as both patient and researcher.

CRIC

OS�

No.

�002

33E�

�ISSN

�183

9-40

51