Dr Lesley Brooker
BSc Murd., PhD Murd.
Position: Senior Lecturer in Physiology, Faculty Learning and Teaching Coordinator
Office: I-2.10A
Tel: +61 7 5430 1293
Fax: +61 7 5430 2887
Email: LBrooker@usc.edu.au
Teaching areas
- Human Physiology
- Pathophysiology
- Human Pathophysiology
- Systemic Physiology II
- Enabling Biology
Research areas
- Molecular basis of biomineralisation in the chiton radula
- Ultrastructure of the mineralised tissues of chitons
- Elemental analysis of biomineralised structures
- Calcium and iron biomineralisation
- Molluscan systematics
Profile
Dr Lesley Brooker completed her PhD at Murdoch University in Western Australia, on a project that used light and scanning electron microscopy to investigate novel characters for a systematic re-evaluation of a molluscan genus. Prior to taking up a position at USC in January 2004, she lectured at Murdoch University for three years. Dr Brooker taught zoology students in the School of Biological Science and Biotechnology, in courses that included Comparative Animal Physiology and Animal Diversity.
Dr Brooker’s main teaching area is physiology and pathophysiology to science, sport and exercise, nursing and allied health students. She is also currently the Faculty Learning and Teaching Coordinator and is interested in the scholarship of teaching. Her discipline research involves the use of invertebrate models to study the physiology of biomineralisation, with an emphasis on molecular control of these processes the use of techniques involving electron microscopy.
Publications
Electronic copies of various academic papers from Dr Lesley Brooker are available on the USC Coast Research Database website.
Research grants
- Integrating language and writing support into the teaching of scientific report writing. Carey, M., Brooker L.R. & Parkinson A.L. Teaching Research and Development Grant Scheme, University of the Sunshine Coast: (TR&DG07-10), 2008, A$5,000.
- Promoting learning and creating greater learning gains for first year university students through the use of ‘Clickers’. Mellifont, R., Parkinson A.L. & Brooker L.R. Teaching Research and Development Grant Scheme, University of the Sunshine Coast: (TR&DG07-04), 2007, A$5,000.
- Cryopreservation of radular superior epithelial tissue in the chiton Acanthopleura hirtosa (Mollusca: Polplacophora) by high pressure freezing, J. Shaw, P. Clode, D. Macey, L.R. Brooker, NANO Travel and Access Program (TAP) program GRANT - TAP # 5033, 2006, A$3,260.
- Identification of genes involved in radula formation and biomineralisation in chitons, L.R. Brooker, University Research Grant, University of the Sunshine Coast: URG05/2, 2006-7, A$10,000.
- Improving student completion of tasks in the university classroom and facilitating improvement in learning outcomes by using action research, A.L. Parkinson, L.R. Brooker, Teaching Research and Development Grant Scheme, University of the Sunshine Coast: TR&DGS05, 2006-7, A$4,997.
- An examination of subfamilial relationships within the family Chitonidae (Mollusca: Polyplacophora), L.R. Brooker, Internal Seed Grant, University of the Sunshine Coast: SRG04/5, 2004-6, A$5,000.
- Cellular control mechanisms of matrix mineralization in the teeth of marine molluscs, D.J. Macey, J. Webb, A.P. Lee, L.R. Brooker, Australian Research Council (ARC DP0559858), 2005-7, A$238,000.
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