Hot Research Breakfast highlights Deakin discoveries

Faculty of Science and Technology

Three leading Deakin researchers spoke about the global and local significance of their research at the Hot Research Breakfast – Science Research Making a Difference, as part of DeakinWeek 2008. Dr Daniel Ierodiaconou, Professor Saeid Nahavandi and Professor Andy Bennett presented their research findings to an audience of local industry members and Deakin staff.

Recent discoveries on Victoria’s sea floor have revealed previously unknown underwater gardens and submerged river systems and lagoons that would have supported Aboriginal communities over 10 000 years ago. In his talk, Victoria beyond our shores: Understanding Victoria’s marine assets, Dr Ierodiaconou looked at the findings and how they will redefine resource assessment and conservation planning, and improve fisheries management.

Researchers at Deakin have developed an innovative software platform – believed to be the first of its kind in the world – which allows for simulation of baggage handling systems and how they would cope with changes to airport security. Professor Nahavandi said in this era of heightened travel security the new software was proving invaluable to airports around the globe. In his talk, Airport security: Hi-tech solutions for improved safety, he focused on modelling, simulation and analysis of airport operations providing greater understanding of airport security.

Do animals see more colours than humans? What explains the extraordinary diversity of colouration found in animals? These are the questions Professor Bennett and his international team of scientists have been asking. His presentation, Parrot colouration and colour vision, focused on ways of understanding these questions and on how colour diversity is maintained in natural populations. Part of the team’s work predicts how colouration and distribution should change with increasing climate change.

Dr Daniel Ierodiaconou, Professor Frank Stagnitti, Professor Andy Bennett and Professor Saeid Nahavandi.