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Welcome by Head of School Welcome to the first edition of MAGO, the journal of the newly formed School of Land, Crop and Food Sciences (LCAFS). As Head, I look forward to working with you to meet the exciting challenges in front of us. I would like to thank everyone for the excellent response to the competition for naming our journal. The winner is Gayle Paltridge, who prepares MAGO for uploading to the LCAFS website. Congratulations Gayle, please come to see me to collect your prize. On Friday 9 February the School organised a Staff Retreat. Professor Paul Greenfield, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, and Professor Roger Swift, NRAVS Executive Dean gave presentations regarding their vision for the School and provided ample opportunity to answer questions from staff. The Retreat also provided the School's Manager, Dr Tim Forrest, and myself with the opportunity to present an overview and structure of the new School and for staff to flag issues and concerns to be discussed in-depth at a later time.
As I mentioned at the Retreat, the expectations for LCAFS are:
Our Focus Areas are:
I hope you enjoy reading MAGO now and in the future. Regards
Professor Kaye E Basford |
In this issue
Welcome
To obtain a hard copy, use the print version which will print out on A4 paper in portrait mode. Why "Mago"? Mago was a Carthaginian writer, often cited as "The Father of Agriculture". He was author of an agricultural manual in Punic which was a record of the farming knowledge of Carthage. The Punic text is lost, but some fragments of Greek and Latin translations survive. Mago's long work (it was divided into 28 books) was partly based on earlier Greek agricultural writings but no doubt incorporated local north African and Phoenician traditional practices, Carthage being a Phoenician colony. It began with general advice: “ One who has bought land should sell his town house so that he will have no desire to worship the household gods of the city rather than those of the country; the man who takes greater delight in his city residence will have no need of a country estate." |
 Introducing Professor Robert G (Bob) Gilbert Bob moved to NRAVS as Research Professor at the end of 2006. He was born in Sydney on Jan 21 1946. He received his undergraduate training at Sydney University, graduating in 1966, and his PhD from the Australian National University, graduating in 1970. He carried out postdoctoral work at MIT in the US from 1970 to 1972, and then returned to the University of Sydney, where prior to his move to UQ, he held a personal chair in polymer chemistry and was Director of the Key Centre for Polymer Colloids. Bob is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, is author of 330 papers, four patents, and two books (on unimolecular reactions and on emulsion polymerization). With 9 000 non-self citations, he is Australia's most cited polymer scientist. In emulsion polymerization (the commonest means of making a wide variety of industrial polymers such as paints and adhesives, and a complex process involving many simultaneous steps), Bob developed a full qualitative understanding of all of the fundamental mechanisms, many of which were previously unsuspected or misunderstood. He obtained this qualitative knowledge by developing novel quantitative mathematical and laboratory tools. With these advances, it is now possible to polymerize simple systems and to predict the molecular architecture that will be formed under chosen conditions, while for more complex systems, trends can now be semiquantitatively predicted and understood. Bob's mechanistic insights are used worldwide by industry, including a large project with Dulux Australia, which is producing the first ever commercial paints from RAFT-controlled emulsion polymerization. More recently, Bob has extended knowledge of synthetic polymers to the understanding and characterizing of branched polymers, particularly starch. This has led to unique combined experiment and theoretical methods for characterizing the complex molecular architecture of this biopolymer, and his move to UQ will enable this research to gain from synergies with Mike Gidley's expertise and facilities in food science. Bob was President of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) Macromolecular Division (1998-2001), Elected Member of the IUPAC Bureau (2002-5), was Chair (1988-95) of the IUPAC Working Party on polymerization modelling and mechanisms, and was one of eight members of the IUPAC Strategy Development and Implementation Committee which carried out a major reorganization of that august but rather conservative body. He was Secretary of the International Polymer Colloids Group until 2001, and former Chair of both the Polymer and Physical Chemistry Divisions of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute. Bob is a winner of a Sydney University Excellence in Teaching Award, was awarded the Smith Medal of the RACI in 1992 in recognition of outstanding research achievements in chemistry over the past decade, the Institute's Polymer Medal in 1995, shared the Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering Medal in 1993 for his work in understanding polymerization mechanisms, the RACI Olle Prize in 1996 for his book on emulsion polymerization, the RACI Physical Chemistry Medal in 1998 and the RACI Applied Research Medal in 2005. Bob is a member of the editorial boards of Biomacromolecules, Journal of Polymer Science and Polymer, and was Chair of the Gordon Research Conference on Polymer Colloids, 2003. Bob is fluent in French and German as well as his native English. He has chaired many conferences, including the IUPAC World Chemistry Congress and General Assembly (Brisbane, 2001) and IUPAC World Polymer Congress (Gold Coast, 1998), both of which had more than 1 000 registrants. The organization of these conferences, being Queensland-based, catalysed his realization of the excellence of UQ and its research staff and facilities, as well as the excellent quality of life in Brisbane. He is also passionate about both surfing and classical music. He performed for many years in semiprofessional choirs in Sydney (including at the opening of the Sydney Opera House-he still has a champagne bottle-empty, he hastens to add-from that occasion). He has been twice champion of his age division in the Australian bodysurfing championships. |
Congratulations Congratulations to Dr Madan Gupta whose commitment and passion for teaching has been recognised by his students and peers and was recently awarded a Carrick Citation Award for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning and UQ Commendation for Excellence in Teaching. Madan is a Senior Lecturer in Agricultural Engineering. His teaching activities involve the application of engineering science and technology to sustainable crop production. Madan also teaches Precision Agriculture - one of the core courses in the "new" agronomy area. This course introduces new and emerging technologies such as Global Positioning System, Remote Sensing, Geographic Information Systems, Variable Rate Technology, Field Variability Sensors and Precision Guidance for profitable and sustainable farming systems through better management of resources. Madan's teaching practices are a reflection of an educational philosophy based on the principles of 3 Ps - Passion, Participation and Patience. Students learn in many different ways and it is therefore important to provide as many ways as possible for students to become actively engaged in the learning process. By adopting a student-centered learning approach, he provides a non-threatening environment which encourages students to ask for help - both from each other and from him. By encouraging the development of mutual respect, trust and open communication, effective student learning is enhanced. Assessment is an important issue in the context of cooperative learning and is one of the hardest aspects to incorporate into the current tertiary education system. Madan introduced the "Peer and Self Assessment" system which takes into account the group as well as individual effort in deciding the final grade for assignments. He has published the outcomes of this project in an international journal related to teaching.
Congratulations to Dr Vic Galea who won the Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE) President's Award for Excellence, and an individual Award for Outstanding Achievement. The judging panel included international experts on educational theory and design and is hotly contested each year. Vic developed the Virtual Plant Pathology Lab CD-ROM concept in a project involving a team of TEDI staff members (Caroline Steel, Cathy Stephens, Paul Smith, Triston O'Connor & Wendy Chalmers) as well as former TEDI staff Emma Somogyi and Rachel Petro. The project involved the development of a new CD-ROM that enhances and revolutionises the learning environment. A Virtual Plant Pathology Lab CD-ROM is the result of this collaboration. The CD is used in teaching the course Crop Health & Management and forms the basis for on-line discussion forums and a collaborative on-line problem solving exercise which includes both on-campus and distance learners. The CD had been extensively peer reviewed by academics and researchers in plant pathology and has been used for training purposes by government departments and other universities. The CD has already gained international recognition through the awards. Talks are already underway for the CD to be used throughout the UK as an exemplar in excellent practice.
Congratulations to Dr John Schiller who is one of the Editors of the recently published book "Rice in Laos".
Congratulations to Mark Pace on having his Master of Philosophy degree confirmed. |
Staff News Please welcome Dr Tim Forrest who joins LCAFS as the newly appointed School Manager. Tim has a PhD in education and the social sciences. Tim brings ten years of research and teaching experience in tertiary education and most recently, eight years as a senior administrator in the independent schools sector. In this latter role he was responsible for facilities planning and project management across multiple campus sites and successfully won over $7 million of competitive grants for new capital developments. He is currently completing a diploma in project management in his spare time. Tim and his wife Beverley have four children aged 9, 11, 13 and 15 years. In his new role with LCAFS, Tim will exercise financial and administrative oversight of the School and perform a supervisory role over school-based general and technical staff at Gatton and St Lucia. He will occupy offices at both campuses. For academic and research staff, Tim will be available to provide support in an administrative capacity. Previous Acting School Manager, Melissa Anderson will also continue to be available to staff while Tim learns the ropes.
Please also welcome the following new people:
Francine Bentley (Finance Officer), Lesleigh Force (Technical/Scientific Officer), Jean Hu (Visiting Scientist), Kate Hughes (Research Scholar), Honest Madziva (Principle Technical Officer), Leanne Pooley (Admin Officer), Houda Sabboh (Postdoctoral Research Fellow), Anne Webber (PA to Head of School), and Changrong Ye (Postdoctoral Research Fellow).
Dr Bhesh Bhandari has been appointed as one of the editors of Journal of Food Engineering (JFE) commencing in 2007. He will be handling the manuscripts related to physical properties of food. JFE is one of the reputed journals in food science and listed as tier 1 journal at UQ. It publishes more than 12 issues a year and receives around 1 200-1 400 submissions per annum. Your submissions and support to the journal as a reviewer will be highly appreciated. Bhesh can be contacted on 334 69192 or email b.bhandari@uq.edu.au. |
| Congratulations to Grant Recipients
The following staff received UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure Grants:
Bob Gilbert and Mike Gidley, $343,885 for "Complex Giant Polymer Characterisation Facility". Mike Gidley, Barbara Williams, and Peter Sopade, $109,770 for "Laboratory Characterisation of Biopolymer Nutritional Properties". Hilton Deeth, Thom Huppertz, Mike Gidley, and Bhesh Bhandari, $125,000 for "Diffusion Wave Spectroscope". Neal Menzies, Graham Kerven, and Richard Burns, $75,000 for "Environmental Bench Top Discrete Analyser". Dick Haynes, Kaye Spark, Colin Birch, and Li Ziu, $65,000 for "Soluble Organic C/N Analyser". Ian Godwin, $64,350 for "Better sorghum - student project Prati Pandit". | Teaching & Learning Update Shu Fukai is LCAFs postgraduate coordinator. Vic Galea is LCAFs Chair of the Teaching and Learning Committee
University Reviews The following will be reviewed. Please see Anne Webber for the Terms of Reference if you wish to provide a comment. The School of Business will be reviewed during the period 28 May to 1 June 2007. Submissions are due by 2 April 2007. The Centre for Magnetic Resonance will be reviewed during the period of 20-22 August 2007. Submissions are due by 9 July 2007. |
| Conferences The following conferences may be of interest (click on title to follow link to conference): Australian Water Summit Amsterdam Conference: Earth System Governance 2007 Harvesting Energy Summit Ethanol 2007 Australia Biomass '07 Wholistic Agriculture™ - Beyond Organic, Sustainable, Biodynamic ... |
ECPA-ECPLF 3-6 June 2007 Skiathos-Greece 2007 Biobased Industry Outlook Conference || Science and Policy ... European BioPerspectives 23rd Annual International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo International Conference on Water and Flood Management (ICWFM) 22nd European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition |
| Opportunities
Funding Search Online - NRAVS Relevant Fellowships and Grants
The Office of Research and Postgraduate Studies (ORPS) has a funding opportunities database available. This is an invaluable site for all researchers.
Available in the Library…
The following books are now available from the biological sciences library: Soy in health and disease prevention / edited by Michihiro Sugano. RM666.S59 S68 2006. Soy applications in food / Mian N. Riaz. TX558.S7 R53 2006. Plowshares and pork barrels : the political economy of agriculture / E.C. Pasour, Jr. and Randal R. Rucker ; foreword by Bruce L. Gardner. HD1761 .P375 2005. Bread making : improving quality / edited by Stanley P. Cauvain. TX769 .B74 2003. Regulation of functional foods and nutraceuticals : a global perspective / edited by Clare M. Hasler. TP370 .R44 2005. Handbook of food analytical chemistry / edited By Ronald E. Wrolstad ... [et al.]. TX545 .H34 2005. Principles of breadmaking: functionality of raw materials and process steps / Piet Sluimer. Call no. TX769 .S53 2005 |
| General Interest Flu vaccines available next month New intercampus bus schedule published TransLink launches competition for free travel Three new bus services operate to UQ 2007 UQ public transport guide goes online Chance to win tickets to musical |
 For enquiries regarding material for MAGO, please contact:Anne Webber Tel: +61 7 3365 2165 | Fax: +61 7 3365 1177 Email: a.webber@uq.edu.au |