An introduction to the scientists and project team members involved in Engaging Students in Scientific Inquiry.
| MEET THE SCIENTISTS | |||
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| Jana Adamovska graduated as a Chemical Engineer from the Slovak University of Technology. Currently, she is completing her PhD at Queensland University of Technology. Her research interest focuses on optimisation of the thermal liquefaction process for second and third generation feedstocks for the production of bio-crude oil suitable for diesel and ships engines. Watch Jana’s videos about manipulative experimental research design and chemistry. |
Dr Johnston Davidson sailed from Scotland to Australia, where his passion for diving became a career assessing factors that support or suppress the resilience of coral reefs. As part of a research team at the Australian Institute of Marine Science, he assess the response of inshore coral reef communities on the Great Barrier Reef to changing water quality, and to disturbances including floods, cyclones, Crown of Thorn starfish, and bleaching. Johnston has surveyed marine habitats in the Persian Gulf, Mozambique and coastal Antarctica. Watch Johnston’s video about the role of distributed reasoning in scientific inquiry. |
Dr James Davis is a science educator with prior experience as a clinical researcher in the stroke unit at the Royal Brisbane Hospital. While at the Royal Brisbane Hospital, James managed randomized controlled drug trials in collaboration with pharmaceutical companies, and multidisciplinary clinical health research in collaboration with local universities. His practice of clinical science inquiry has involved a range of qualitative and quantitative research designs. Watch James’ videos about correlational inquiry and medical research. |
Jason Doyle is an Experimental Scientist at the Australian Institute of Marine Science. His research experience includes organic chemistry, bioassay development, DNA genotyping, zooplankton physiology, environmental DNA detection as well as managing analytical chemistry, radiation and laboratory facilities. Jason’s current research focus is in the use of environmental DNA – eDNA – as a monitoring tool for the Crown of Thorns Seastar, giving researchers a greater understanding of the dispersal and mitigation of these corallivorous creatures. Watch Jason’s video about the role of analogical reasoning in scientific inquiry. |
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| Dr Jennifer Firn is a theoretical and applied ecologist who specialises in linking ecological theory to the sustainable management of degraded grasslands and forests. The driving motivation throughout her career has been to find smarter, cheaper and more sustainable ways of restoring degraded plant communities. Jennifer is passionately committed to developing a better understanding of how the loss of native biodiversity impacts on ecosystems and subsequently finding better ways to bring it back. Watch Jennifer’s videos about manipulative experimental research design and ecology. |
Dr Stephen Hughes started his professional life as a clinical medical physicist in London before moving to Australia in 1997 to take up a position as a lecturer in physics. Stephen has taught a wide range of subjects at QUT, especially astrophysics and has a particular interest in trying to explain complex astrophysical topics in down to earth terms to university students, school students and members of the public.
Watch Stephen’s videos about descriptive / observational research design and astrophysics. |
Dr Paul Muir is the Collection Manager/ Researcher for corals at the Museum of Tropical Queensland (MTQ), Townsville and has research interests in mesophotic (deep reef) corals, coral biogeography, coral taxonomy and marine microbiology. Paul’s research is currently centred on ‘Corals at the Limits’, using the MTQ’s extensive collection of reef corals and collaborating with other researchers to research limits to coral growth in terms of depth, latitude and environmental extremes. Watch Paul’s video about the role of unexpected findings in scientific inquiry. |
| MEET THE TEAM | |||
| Dr Alberto Bellocchi is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Curriculum at Queensland University of Technology and Coordinator of the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) Program. His research program focuses on STEM Education, teaching and learning science and learning to teach science. Currently Alberto’s work focuses on the emotional experiences of science learners and pre-service science teachers, and the way in which these emotions mediate literacy in STEM education. Alberto led the development of teaching and learning materials used with preservice teachers, and instruction design and implementation at QUT. |
Dr James Davis is a researcher and sessional academic at the Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia. He has a background in qualitative and quantitative research in health and science education. James’ current research focuses on analogical reasoning in science teaching and learning, the sociology of emotions in high school science classrooms, and research applications of ethnomethodology. James developed teaching and learning materials used with pre-service teachers. |
Dr Tanya Doyle is a Lecturer in Science and Sustainability education and Director of Professional Experience and Community Engagement at James Cook University (JCU), Townsville, Australia. Her research interests focus on STEM education and pre-service teacher development as well as systems, structures and policies that enable innovation in pre-service teacher education. Tanya developed teaching and learning materials used with pre-service teachers, and implemented at JCU. |
Steven Kickbusch has worked extensively as an educator and educational designer across all levels of the education industry and corporate sector. In his role as a Learning Designer with Queensland University of Technology, he supports the design and implementation of engaging, student-focused education experiences. Steven has developed video resources for this project. |
Return to Engaging Students in Science Inquiry project overview.