Blogs

Get your 2013 flu vaccination for just $10 at the first RiAus Vaccination Café. Grab a free coffee or tea and chat with roving scientists to find out more about vaccinations and how the body fights illness and disease. In association with the Australasian Society for Immunology to mark the World ... Continue Reading »

Frank Fenner's scientific achievements changed the world forever. Born in Ballarat and raised in Adelaide, the pioneer of human and animal virology was responsible for the eradication of smallpox. Frank's life has been captured in a documentary, most of which was shot locally. The film is set to make its world premiere at ... Continue Reading »

Born: 1914, Ballarat, Victoria Died: November, 2010  Frank Fenner graduated in Science (1938) and Medicine (1942) from the University of Adelaide. From 1940-1946 he served in the Australian Army Medical Corps in Australia, Palestine, Egypt, New Guinea, and Borneo. Following his wartime service he was recruited to work at The ... Continue Reading »

Frank Fenner was one of Australia’s greatest scientists. In a career spanning over sixty years, he helped save Australia’s troops from Malaria in World War II and was a leading figure in the global campaign which eradicated smallpox. He saved the lives of millions, yet his own life ... Continue Reading »

James completed his PhD in Microbial Pathogenesis in 2012 where he worked primarily on determining how the molecular machinery on bacterial surfaces allows them to infect humans. While still completing his PhD James accepted a teaching role and was appointed an Associate Lecturer which honed his communication skills in preparation ... Continue Reading »

The RiAus Film Club is dedicated to screening films with science- and culture-based themes. From classic to modern works, docos, sci-fi and sci-fact, and utopian or dystopian futures, we'll tackle all science screen genres. Become a member to enjoy the benefits of viewing and discussing film in the comfort of ... Continue Reading »

The RiAus Film Club is dedicated to screening science-based films of all sorts. From classics to moderns, features and docos, sci-fi to sci-fact and utopian or dystopian futures, we'll tackle all science genres. Become a member to enjoy the benefits of viewing and discussing film in the comfort ... Continue Reading »

Born: 1940, Brisbane Educated at the University of Queensland and the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, Peter Doherty returned to Australia to conduct his Nobel Prize-winning research at the John Curtin School of Medical Research in Canberra. Professor Doherty's research focuses on the immune system, particularly how the body's ... Continue Reading »

Born: 1953, Glasgow, Scotland Ian Frazer trained as a physician, specialising in immunology, at Edinburgh University. He emigrated to Melbourne in 1980 to research viral immunology at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, and moved to Queensland in 1985. Professor Frazer founded the University of Queensland's ... Continue Reading »

Born: 1931, Bad Ischl, Austria Sir Gustav Nossal arrived in Australia from Vienna when he was eight years old. He graduated from Sydney University's Medical School with first class honours and gained his PhD degree in 1960. Sir Gustav is one of Australia's most celebrated scientists. His research accomplishments ... Continue Reading »

Born: 1899, Died: 1985, Port Fairy, Victoria, Australia Frank MacFarlane Burnet was educated at the University of Melbourne and completed his medical residency at the (Royal) Melbourne Hospital, before being appointed a senior resident in pathology at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Research in Pathology and Medicine. He ... Continue Reading »

Born: 1975, UK Chris Smith is a medical doctor who is passionate about science communication, and founded the award-winning, internationally recognised Naked Scientists program for the BBC. The Naked Scientists are a group of physicians and researchers from Cambridge University who use radio, live lectures and the internet to ... Continue Reading »