Executive Dean’s Message - August 2025
Dear colleagues,
Thank you to the more than 150 Science staff who, along with our student ambassadors, contributed to the success of UQ’s Open Days at St Lucia and Gatton. Your efforts, both on the day and behind the scenes, made a real impact, thank you! I was delighted to see the strong overall attendance of approximately 22,500 visitors at St Lucia and 1,451 at Gatton, and especially the Faculty of Science seminar attendance of approximately 3,500 at St Lucia and 1,200 at Gatton (total attendance up 21% from last year!).
I hope you had the opportunity to celebrate the importance of Science during National Science Week which ran from 9 to 17 August this year. The Faculty of Science was proud to support a range of outreach and engagement activities across Queensland. These included AGFS and UQ Skills partnering with Inspiring Australia Qld and local communities to deliver STEM talks, a pop-up science fair, and “Meet a Scientist” sessions and strategic discussions focused on agricultural science education options and pathways. In addition, around 130 high schools participated in the UQ Science Ambassadors program, with Year 11 students running science-themed events in their schools and communities.
National Science week was also acknowledged at our BrisScience event on 4 August, with the main event being a talk entitled ‘How IVF could help save wildlife’ by Andres Gambini (AGFS).
Congratulations
Congratulations to Colbey Clarence, winner of the VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year at the Darling Downs South West Queensland Training Awards! UQ Skills was proud to once again sponsor this important regional award, which celebrates outstanding contributions to vocational education and training across Queensland. With 48% of UQ Skills learners based in regional areas, this recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting communities, building capability, and acknowledging those who make a real difference. Congratulations also to all the inspiring finalists who continue to lead and uplift their regions.
Congratulations to Christine Beveridge and Lily Bentley, finalists in the 28th annual Women in Technology (WiT) Awards, taking place tonight - Friday 29 August. Christine is recognised for her pioneering research in plant developmental biology and her leadership in inclusive, cross-disciplinary science. Lily is celebrated for her impactful work in marine conservation, using advanced tracking and data science to inform global biodiversity policy. We’re proud to see UQ Science represented by two exceptional researchers whose work exemplifies innovation, leadership, and real-world impact.
Congratulations to the School of Mathematics and Physics on receiving a Gold Pleiades Award in recognition of the ongoing commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion in the field of Astronomy. A shout out to astrophysicist Sarah Sweet, who is a member of the SMP EDI Committee and led the preparation of the application.
Congratulations also to our many academic and research staff involved in the following research success stories:
New UQ Study Challenges Antivenom Effectiveness
A groundbreaking study led by Bryan Fry from the School of the Environment has revealed significant regional differences in the venom of Eastern Brown Snakes, one of Australia’s most venomous species. The research suggests that current antivenoms may not be equally effective across all cases, highlighting the need for region-specific approaches to treatment. This discovery has important implications for clinical care and venom research in Australia.
Climate Change Alters Humpback Whale Migration
New research led by Rebecca Dunlop from the School of the Environment has revealed that humpback whales are migrating south weeks earlier than they did two decades ago, with the shift linked to warming in the Southern Ocean. The study, published in Scientific Reports, found that reduced sea ice and declining krill availability may be driving this change, raising concerns about the long-term impacts on whale populations and marine ecosystems.
New UQ Model Sheds Light on Cosmic Evolution
Leonardo Giani from the School of Mathematics and Physics has developed a groundbreaking mathematical framework that offers new insights into how collapsing matter and expanding voids shape the universe. Using data from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), the model challenges conventional cosmological approaches by accounting for the dynamic interactions between stars, galaxies, black holes, and empty space. This work provides fresh perspectives on major cosmological puzzles, including Hubble tension and dark energy, without relying on new physics—highlighting the complexity of the universe as a key to understanding its evolution.
News
It was wonderful to join 300 UQ colleagues at the recent UQ Queensland Commitment Summit on 18 August and to hear more about the achievements and future plans for this program in its mission to enable education and opportunity for all Queenslanders. Further information can be found online.
It was also inspiring to participate in the Faculty of Science Student Leaders Award event last week and to hear the stories behind the 22 winners, including the wonderful opportunities provided by the Faculty of Science. A huge thank you to Aimee Clark, Barb Mejias, Edelia Sanchez and Louise Kuchel!
Another August highlight was the China Partner Week Closing Ceremony, celebrating a week-long visit of academics and leaders from six universities with whom we currently have or plan to have articulation agreements. The aim of the week was to enable our new colleagues to see UQ science teaching firsthand, enabling them to better support students in their transition to study at UQ in the future. An amazing program and sincere congratulations to Gurion Ang, Grace Li and many professional and academic colleagues from across the Faculty of Science for this great work.
On 15 August the Faculty of Science hosted a visit from our new DVCRI, Sue Harrison, to the UQ Gatton campus. Thank you to the many staff from the School of Veterinary Science, School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability, QAAFI, Research Infrastructure and the Office of the Gatton Campus Director for making this such an engaging and inspiring event.
Upcoming opportunities
Faculty of Science Awards – Nominations Opening Soon
Nominations for the Faculty of Science Awards will open soon. These awards celebrate the outstanding contributions and achievements of our staff and students across a range of categories. Faculty staff are encouraged to nominate individuals or teams (for select awards) who exemplify excellence and impact. Nominations will open Monday 15 September and close Friday 17 October - stay tuned for more details and start thinking about who you’d like to recognise!
UQ Research Week
UQ Research Week will run from 8 to 12 September this year to celebrate our most influential and impactful researchers. This will be associated with a range of activities and celebrations, details of which can be found online.
Kind regards,
Professor Melissa Brown
Executive Dean – Faculty of Science