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University to showcase exciting research
Cutting-edge research by University of the Sunshine Coast academics will be showcased at USC’s 4th annual University Research Conference starting tomorrow (Tuesday 9 November).
The two-day conference will feature presentations on topics ranging from taxation and public health to midwifery, property development and fish consumption.
Of particular interest for the University will be the attendance of USC’s inaugural Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research Professor Roland De Marco who has travelled from Perth to deliver the opening address.
Professor De Marco, who is currently Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research Strategy) at Curtin University, will begin work at USC early next year.
He is looking forward to having a sneak peak at USC’s research efforts and presenting a paper on “New insights and applications in electrochemical sensing”.
Professor De Marco was previously the Dean of Research at Curtin University’s Faculty of Science and Engineering, and Head of the Department of Applied Chemistry.
His career also has included working as a research scientist with CSIRO Minerals in Melbourne and as a Lecturer in Chemistry at the University of Tasmania in Launceston.
Another highlight of the conference will be the final of a Three Minute Thesis Competition on Wednesday (10 November).
This will involve six presentations by research students into topics like using computer games to help students learn, sharing information about the effects of climate change on canal estates, employment opportunities in master-planned estates, and dolphin-assisted therapy.
As part of the conference’s theme of “Building Research Capacity”, senior USC staff will run workshops to help researchers boost their chances of having papers published, developing research partnerships, and gaining grants.
— Terry Walsh