Graduation - past ceremonies
Thursday, 22 October 2009 at 11am
Costa Hall, Geelong Waterfront Campus, Deakin University
Faculty of Arts and Education
Faculty of Science and Technology
Stage Party
The Chancellor Mr David Morgan presided, assisted by the Deputy Vice- Chancellor (Academic) Professor Philip Clarke.
The MC was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International and Development) Ms Robin Buckham.
The Mace-bearer was Mr Dale Warren.
The Faculty Representative was Mr Darren Taylor.
Presenters were:
Head of the School of Communication and Creative Arts, Faculty of Arts and Education, Professor David Marshall.
Associate Dean (Development/International), Faculty of Science & Technology, Professor Dineli Mather.
Chair of the Academic Board, Professor Philomena Leung.
The Student Response was delivered by Mr John Wilmot.
The Mayor of the City of Greater Geelong, Cr John Mitchell delivered a message of congratulations.
Doctoral Degree Recipients
Dr Mark Gail Symons - Thesis title: "In Situ Stabilisation of Pavements Using Cementitious Binders."
Summary
An extensive study was made of the physical properties of a range of cementitiously stabilised materials to determine their suitability for use in In Situ pavement construction. This process for recycling existing pavements has considerable environmental and cost benefits. Pavement models incorporating these materials were analysed to determine their structural behaviour.
Dr Olivia Jane Abbay - Thesis title: "The Great East Window of York Minster: Towards an Understanding."
Summary
This enquiry into the meaning behind the images of this vast stained glass window has uncovered a complex theology of the Mass; replies to Lollard `heretics'; and has identified threats to the power of the Church at this critical time in English history at the beginning of the fifteenth century.
Dr Arati Agarwa l - Thesis title: "Interactions of Plasmodiophora Brassicae with Arabidopsis Thaliana."
Summary
The host-pathogen interaction study between Arabidopsis thaliana and Plasmodiophora brassicae was conducted at cellular and molecular level for a better understanding of the pathogen. Gene expression studies conducted therein at the early time points during the infection process of P. brassicae discovered new information on the components of compatibility.
Dr Seyed Alireza Asgari - Thesis title: "Advanced Modelling of Forming High Strength Steels."
Summary
The thesis presents a novel approach in the multiscale modelling of Advanced High Strength Steels for prediction of the microstructural effects in forming processes. The results are compared with that of experiments and finite element method. The method is proved to be suitable for complexities in the multiphase AHSS.
Dr Melanie Jane Birtchnell - Thesis title: "Flowering Ecology of South-East Australian Melliferous Flora."
Summary
The flowering ecology of south-east Australian melliferous (honey) flora was studied, using observational data from our most experienced beekeepers. Short-term variation and long-term trends were observed which may have critical ecological implications. The study is a significant contribution to flowering ecology and provides an important foundation to guide future research.
Dr Chantal Monique Carrigan - Thesis title: "Stream Bryophytes of Victorian Temperate Rainforests."
Summary
Cool Temperate, Warm Temperate and Gallery Rainforests of Victoria were examined and found to have distinct suites of stream bryophytes, although a ubiquitous group occurred. Bryophytes represented seven biogeographic elements; most were Australasian. Species reproducing sexually did so synchronously but most species reproduced asexually.
Dr Christopher Spencer Cooper - Thesis title: "Accounts of Developing Absolute Pitch in Young Children's Music Education."
Summary
The retrospective case study investigations highlighted the important role of parents, family members and significant others in the community in providing a nurturing environment, a variety of learning opportunities, necessary support resources and expertise which, it is argued, contributed to the development of the participants' absolute pitch abilities.
Dr Meghan Tara Jane Cullen - Thesis title:"Vascular Plant and Small Mammal Communities Over an Elevational Gradient."
Summary
Plant species richness and plant and small mammal beta diversity decline over the elevational gradient in the Otway ranges. These patterns are influences by climate, habitat and spatial structure. This highlights the need to preserve continuous habitat and understand the influence of climate, to conserve communities in the changing future.
Dr Sugumar Dharmalingam - Thesis title:"Design, Fabrication and Evaluation of Universal Polymerase Chain Reaction Devices."
Summary
Novel and low cost PCR devices were developed to perform rapid polymerase chain reaction based diagnostics for infectious diseases. The main advantages of using these devices are that it can perform multi sample and also multiplexing of DNA samples with low sample volume compared to the conventional PCR devices.
Dr Jennifer Mary Emeny - Thesis title:"Acacia Longifolia Spread in Glenelg Plain Bioregion: Pattern and Process."
Summary
So-called 'native weeds' are a controversial and poorly understood issue in biodiversity conservation. This thesis explored the spread of the native weed Acacia longifolia in the Glenelg Plain bioregion. It suggests that A. longifolia can be persistent in the medium-term, and its current distribution reflects a history of intensive land use preceding non-intensive use.
Dr Jian Fang - Thesis title:"Electrospun Nanofibres: Morphology, Property and Wound Dressing Application."
Summary
This PhD research contributed new knowledge to fundamental understandings and applications of nanofibre materials made by electrospinning technique. Innovative method was developed to visualise the fibre thinning, and the nanofibres with improved mechanical properties and controlled surface wettability were prepared. These nanofibres have shown significant potential in wound dressing application.
Dr Samer Edmond Hanoun - Thesis title:"Dynamic Request-Driven Scheme for Data Collectors in Sensor Networks."
Summary
Wireless sensor networks lifetime is prolonged through a dynamic scheme for collecting sensory information using intelligent mobile elements. The data collection routes are optimised for fast and reliable delivery. The scheme minimises high levels of energy consumption to extend the network operational time.
Dr Mandy Loretta Herring - Thesis title:"Surface Analysis of Carbon Fibre Epoxy Composites."
Summary
This thesis investigated the surface finish of rapidly cured composites for automotive body panels. Findings showed that curing composites with rapid heating rates increased surface roughness, although improved paint adhesion to the substrate. This thesis also highlighted the need for surface barriers to reduce fibre print through during aging.
Dr Ben Patrick Horan - Thesis title:"Haptic Control Methodologies for Rover Teleoperation in Non-Deterministic Remote Environments."
Summary
Haptic teleoperation allows human operators to interact with a remote mobile robot using their haptic sensory modality. This research introduces new haptic control methodologies allowing the teleoperator to overcome the limitations of existing techniques, ultimately facilitating improved mobile robotic control for the exploration of hazardous and remote environments.
Dr Mohammed Mahmoud Hossny - Thesis title:"An Algebraic Framework for Multimodal Image Fusion."
Summary
This thesis presents an algebraic framework for multimodal image fusion. The
framework derives algebraic constructs and equations that govern the fusion process.
The derived equations serve as objective functions according to which image fusion algorithms and metrics can be tuned. The equations also prove the duality between image fusion algorithms and metrics.
Dr Vu Thanh Le - Thesis title:"Input and Output Analysis of Complex Conveyor Networks."
Summary
Material transfer networks are at the heart of critical infrastructure in many modern service and manufacturing industries. This research identified key performance measures, while deriving generalised analysis methodologies, for simulation models. The technology was validated for international airports, and used to determine operational capacity constraints
under varied demand conditions.
Dr Shady Mohamed Korany Mohamed - Thesis title:"Robust Multi-Sensor Data Fusion."
Summary
This research obtains the optimal estimation and data fusion for linear and nonlinear systems suffering from uncertain observations (missing measurements). The noise from the different data sources are considered to be correlated. The derivation of the robust Kalman filter for systems subject to additional uncertainties in the modelling parameters is presented.
Dr James Alexander Mullins - Thesis title:"Haptically Simulating Soft Tissue Using Spherical Voxel and Reactive Agents."
Summary
This thesis describes technology developed by the author enabling trainee surgeons to perform needle insertion procedures with force feedback (haptics) on a virtual patient. Addition of the sense of touch to medical simulation is arguable the most important step forward in the evolution of haptic technology to this day.
Dr Rebecca Pirzl - Thesis title:"Spatial Ecology of E. Australis: Habitat Selection at Multiple Scales."
Summary
This research investigated links between the occurrence of endangered southern right whales and characteristics of their habitat. Habitat selection is based on physical environmental features, with important roles for social cues and site fidelity. This complex interaction of factors affects spatial recovery capacity and presents challenges for conservation management.
Dr Michael Sale - Thesis title:"Comparative Ecology of Island and Mainland Swamp Antechinus Populations."
Summary
The demography, reproduction and behaviour of the swamp antechinus, a small carnivorous marsupial, were compared in island and mainland populations. Divergent demography and behaviour occurred between populations, with the island animals benefiting from increased productivity caused by nesting seabirds. However, evolutionary divergence in life-history and morphology, which occur in island rodent populations, were not recorded.
Dr Ivor George Stuart - Thesis title:"Fishways in Australia: Native Fish Passage and Pest Species Control."
Summary
In Australian regulated rivers, dams and weirs have contributed to serious declines in the distribution and abundance of migratory fish. This thesis has evaluated four fishways in Victoria, NSW and Queensland and provided new information for 51 migratory fish species. Fishways will be crucial for management and conservation of biodiversity.
Dr Jennifer Anne Thompson - Thesis title:"Students' Experiences Using Online Support Sites in NZ Tertiary Education."
Summary
Major findings include: students who make use of online learning support sites judge that they do make a useful contribution to their academic success. Students especially value the opportunity to access learning support that is free from the time and space restraints of traditional on-campus support service delivery.
Dr Xiao Jian Wang - Thesis title:"Porous Ti-Nb-Zr Alloy Through Powder Metallurgy for Biomedical Applications."
Summary
This work investigated structure & properties relationship, surface modification, biocompatibility and bioactivity of a porous Ti-Nb-Zr alloy. The porous alloy exhibited inter-connected porous structure, good biocompatibility and high mechanical strength with an elastic modulus close to that of bone. Porous Ti-Nb-Zr alloys are thus promising biomaterials for hard tissue replacement.
Dr Guy William Wood-Bradley - Thesis title:"Supporting Gen Y's Engagement, Enrichment and Entertainment in Interactive Technologies."
Summary
This research explored the potential for expansion of the current function, and usage of Interactive Television. The interviews and group discussions assisted in the determination of the theoretical framework for "Interactive Digital Vision", including its inspiration from current technologies to provide an engaging, enriching and entertaining user experience.
Dr Haowen Xie - Thesis title:"Preparation and Characterisation of Metallic Glassy/Amorphous Materials."
Summary
This thesis studied the plastic deformation behaviour of bulk metallic glasses by conducting indentations on various thermal histories using bonded interface technique. Another effort was to probe the route to fabricate bulk amorphous alloy via consolidating amorphous powder.
Occasional Address
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The Occasional Address was delivered by Dr Kevin Tuckwell, Executive Director, Minerals Tertiary Education Council.
