Are there completely new groups of particles as suggested by supersymmetry? What is the nature of astrophysical dark matter? What are the fundamental particles of Nature and how do they compose the world in which we live?

If you missed this exciting lecture, you can listen to it on our podcast.

Lecture: “Modern Subatomic Physics: From the Big Bang to the Dark Side of the Universe “

Speaker: Professor Tony Thomas, Australian Laureate Fellow and Elder Professor of Physics at the University of Adelaide

Podcast: “Modern Subatomic Physics: From the Big Bang to the Dark Side of the Universe “

…at the ARC Research Showcase

Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Vice-President, Professor Mike Brooks attended the Australian Research Council’s annual research showcase and grant announcement event at Parliament House on Monday 26 October. The Showcase display, designed by Adelaide Research & Innovation, featured agricultural research success stories, including special tasting samples of the baking benefits of FR Durum Wheat by Colin Jenner and developments in almond breeding quality and yield by Michelle Wirthensohn, all projects currently under investigation at the University’s Waite Campus. Professor Mike Brooks, together with Professor Mark Tester also had the opportunity to discuss the new Plant Accelerator development with Senator the Hon Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.

Below is an image featuring Minister Carr and Mark Tester.

The 2010 Australian Institute of Physics Bragg Gold Medal for Excellence in Physics has been awarded to Dr Clancy James.  This Medal is awarded to a student from an Australian University creating the best PhD thesis.

Clancy’s thesis, “Ultra-High Energy Particle Detection with the Lunar Cherenkov Technique” focused on the LUNASKA project, searching for the astrophysical neutrinos produced when an ultra high energy particle interacts in the Moon’s outer layers.

Congratulations Clancy!

‘Naked Scientists’ Chris Smith recently visited the School of Agriculture, Food and Wine at the Waite campus to interview  Prof. Mark Tester about the great research going on there.

The podcast, ‘Science Down Under’  is ready for download right now.

Want to know more?

Then come along to the Keys to the Universe public lecture presented by The University of Adelaide’s School of Chemistry & Physics on Thursday 19 November at 6.30pm, Union Hall

ASTONISHING FACT REVEALED: The expansion of the Universe is speeding up!  Learn about how the universe is dominated by a mysterious “dark energy” that drives cosmic acceleration.

The esteemed Professor Robert P. Kirshner from Harvard University will present his exciting lecture – “Exploding Stars and the Accelerating Cosmos: Einstein’s Blunder Undone”

Venue, Time & Date: Union Hall, 6:30pm Thursday 19th November 2009

It may have been Friday 13th and 40 degrees outside but the atmosphere in the Benham lecture theatre was one of quiet anticipation.

8 slightly nervous Honours students presented their final seminars to their peers, staff and supporters. Questions were handled with aplomb and there was mass sigh of relief once if was all over was!

Congratulations to Jess, Belinda, Corey, Chris, Adam, Liz, Sarah and Imogen!

Belinda Gordon, Chris Butcher and Liz Maciunas

Corey Barrett and Assoc. Prof Sue Carthew

Over 100 University of Adelaide students hope to become volunteers at Adelaide Zoo in the coming months.

The eager students recently attended a briefing session held in Union Hall and hosted by Zoos SA staff. In conjunction with the University of Adelaide, Zoos SA has been running a recruitment drive for volunteers with Chinese language skills or an interest in animals to cope with the anticipated increase in visitors when the Giant Pandas Wang Wang and Funi arrive later this year.

At the briefing the students were given an insight into what it means to be a volunteer at Adelaide Zoo, including what a typical day might involve. The students, once trained and qualified, will become members of the general volunteer pool and will perform a number of duties around the Zoo. The University of Adelaide is generously covering a number of costs for the student volunteers including their membership with the Royal Zoological of SA and special uniforms sporting the university crest. Next time you visit Adelaide Zoo, remember to look out for one of our student volunteer guides!

Picture L to R: Trevor Klein (volunteer and member of the Guide Training team), Sarah Brown (Director, Visitor Experience) and Ngareta Cronin (Manager, Volunteers Program) from Zoos SA join Robyn Brown (Director, Development and Alumni) from the University of Adelaide at the student volunteer briefing.

Three University of Adelaide students competed at the recent Australian University Crops Competition.

They are Thomas Copely – 2nd year BSc(AgSc) student, Wayne Mattschoss – 2nd year BSc(AgSc) student and Michael Noble – 3rd year BAg student. Of these three students, Michael Noble came 2nd in the competition!

University students and lecturers from across Australia participated in a three-day agricultural learning event at Temora in the NSW Riverina. The event culminated in the  inaugural Australian University Crops Competition (AUCC). The competition has been designed for students to gain a greater understanding of the industry, outside of the existing curriculum.   If you would like to know about the Agriculture degrees on offer at The University of Adelaide, please go to Find a Program on our website.

Congratulations to all our competitors and in particular to Michael!

Michael Noble is 3rd from the left

The Department of Trade and Economic Development (DTED) have launched their campaign “There’s more to it“.

The campaign is designed to promote career pathways into professional, para-professional and trade roles in the defence, resources and technology industries and is targeted at year 9 & 10s state-wide.

Kate Selway is a graduate of the University of Adelaide and a winner of the 2008 Young Achiever of the Year award. She is currently working as a Research Associate in the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences.