Director's Message

Vale Em/Professor Robert (Bob) Dewar FAA

It is with sadness to report that last week Bob unexpectedly suffered a stroke and passed away. He had been visiting Cambridge on a 6 month sabbatical at the Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences, such was his energy and passion for theoretical plasma physics. He had not long celebrated his 80th birthday.

Bob joined the ANU in 1992 and in addition to his academic leadership he took on several roles including; Head of the Plasma Research Laboratory (1995 – 97), Interim Director, National Plasma Fusion Research Facility (1996 – 97), Head of Department of Theoretical Physics (1998 – 2001). He retired in 2011, becoming Emeritus in Physics until transferring to the Mathematical Sciences Institute in 2018. He was highly regarded for his contributions to the field of magnetohydrodynamics which spans over 50 years, and he remained an active contributor to the Fusion Plasma Theory Group in MSI.

Bob is survived by his daughter Sophie Dewar and granddaughter Dara, and his son-in-law Brendan, and will be deeply missed by friends and colleagues of the ANU and international community. Colleagues from MSI will be arranging an opportunity to celebrate Bob’s life at a later date. (Photo credit: Academy of Science)

Regards,
Tim

Schmidt Science Fellows For 2025 Award

Applications are open for Schmidt Science Fellows for 2025 award.

Interested candidates should provide:

• current CV with details of relevant publications, and academic history;
• a letter of recommendation from the HDR Program Convenor;
• a personal statement outlining their motivations aligning with the selection criteria; and 
• a brief description of their PhD research including PhD topic title.

In addition, to the HDR Program Convenor must provide confirmation (via email) that the nominee is of ‘good academic standing’ – see further details below.

Please send your nominations, and any further questions to Alison Scott (CoS) via hdr.cos@anu.edu.au by COB Thursday 18 April.

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 A "Dearest Childhood Dream", 180 Years Later
Public lecture with Robin Zhang, MIT

Date: Thursday 11 April 2024
Time: 5:30 - 6:30pm
Location: MSI, 145 Hanna Neumann Bldg. & Via Zoom

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Nominate Inspiring Women For ANU Building Names

ANU Vice-Chancellor Genevieve Bell calls on the community to nominate inspiring women for the building renaming project. Speaking at the Susan Ryan Oration last week for International Women’s Day, she highlighted the need to honour more women, as only five out of 150 buildings across campus are currently named after female leaders. 

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Nominations are now open for the annual Young Tall Poppy science awards that recognise and celebrate the achievements of Australian scientists. Closing date for nominations is 22nd April 2024. Please visit the website for more details.

Dress For STEM Photo Competition

To show support for Women* in Science we want to see you working (it) in your purple!

The Dress for STEM photo competition is open to all those working in or related to STEM at ANU– academic staff, technical staff, administrative staff, and students of any gender identity.

This year’s theme is #InspireInclusion, participants should take a photo working in their roles in purple.

A prize of $200 will be awarded to the group photo judged to be the most in line with this year’s theme of inclusion.

The deadline for submissions is 3pm, 15th April, 2024. Photos can be submitted to this link https://forms.office.com/r/wsYQnCyScS

Please contact Lara or Neelima (co-chairs of WiPAE) if you have any questions.

Are legumes Different? Origins and Consequences of Evolving Nitrogen Fixing Symbioses
Professor Ulrike Mathesius, Head of Division, Division of Plant Sciences

Date: Monday 15 April 2024
Time: 12.30–1.30pm
Location: Eucalyptus Seminar Room, Rm S205, Level 2, RN Robertson Building (46) & Via Zoom

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Launch of The ANU Industry PhD Framework & Q&A Session On Industry PhDs

Date: Thursday 18 July 2024
Time: 10-11:30am 
Location: RSSS Auditorium, 146 Ellery Crescent

You are invited to the launch of the ANU Industry PhD framework, which has been developed to compliment the Australian Government’s National Industry PhD Program and the CSIRO iPhD. 

Join for an information and Q&A session where you can learn about the three different options of linking PhD projects with a research end-user. 

This will be a key opportunity to ask questions about industry PhDs, talk to the providers and discuss your ideas.

Limited places available. For more information and free tickets please head over to the event website. 

Did you know we have a parents’ room for staff in Physics? This is set up to support you on the days you may have to bring your kids to work. It also has several private breastfeeding/pumping areas, along with lockers to stall equipment and other supplies that might be useful. The room has a variety of books, toys and games for younger children as well as a desk where you can set up to work while you are there. Located in the Cockroft building – room C4.36, next to the walkway above the mechanical workshop – access can be arranged through Nikki at Reception in the Oliphant Building.

Defence Innovation Network Forum On Nuclear-Powered Submarines

ANU will host the Defence Innovation Network Forum on Nuclear-Powered Submarines – For further information and registration details 'read more'.

Date: Thursday, 17 October 2024
Time: 11.00-14.30
Location: ANU

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College Hot Desking In Physics

Finance, HR & RM Teams
Thursday Mornings
^{Lv2 Tearoom, Bldg 160}

EVENTS

Departmental seminars

Dr Jeremy Inglis - 8 April
Forensics, Instruments, Chronometry & Turtles: The Role of an Isotope Geochemist at LANL
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Ms Bianca Rae Sambo-Fabricante - 9 April
Probing the coherence of trapped exciton-polariton condensates
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Dr Jean-Baptiste Raina - 10 April
Quantifying chemotaxis in situ
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Director's Colloquium - 24 April

Some applications of laser-based measurements to fluid mechanical problems - Professor Sean O'Byrne

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