Make History Speaker Series
Speaker Series
Held across four events each year, the Make History Speaker Series are not to be missed opportunities to hear from Alumni and high-profile University movers and shakers, exploring the challenges of the past, present and future. All are welcome to attend, registrations are essential.听
Join us for the Make History Speaker Series, an extraordinary series of events brought to you by the 成人大片. This event is open to everyone, inviting you to engage in the remarkable work of our esteemed alumni. Explore captivating topics that shape our world, from cutting-edge cancer research to the mysteries of space and the evolving challenges in our society. Be part of a community that embraces new ideas, and seize this opportunity to broaden your horizons. Don't miss out on this unique chance to learn, engage, and make history together. Subscribe below to be the first to know about upcoming events.
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Upcoming Event
Agritech @ Waite
Date: Thursday 24 October, 2024
Time: 1pm - 5pm
Location:听成人大片, Waite Campus
Discover the future of farming and food at the 成人大片 Waite Campus at this Make History Speaker Series event with a difference.
Join us for a guided tour across the Waite Campus where you'll get an up-close look at cutting-edge research and technology shaping how we grow and make food and manage the land. Led by experts in the field, this tour is designed for anyone curious about how modern science is transforming agriculture. You鈥檒l travel via golf buggy across the scenic campus to three key locations and research facilities.
The Food Innovation Lab
At this stop,听Dr. Kate Delaporte听will share the fascinating history of First Nations foods and how these ancient ingredients are being used in modern dishes. You鈥檒l hear about the "Periodic Table of Food," which organises the nutrients and components in food to help us understand their value. Taste food samples prepared by Dr James Cowley and Bill Hirt that include unique First Nations ingredients and watch a demonstration on how technology is applied in food preparation. The experience ends with a treat鈥攍iquid nitrogen ice cream, made with native ingredients for a delicious, fun twist on dessert.
The Plant Accelerator
Hosted by听Dr. Ehsan Tavakkoli, this stop takes you inside the Plant Accelerator, where you鈥檒l see how plants are grown and studied in high-tech facilities. Explore climate-controlled glasshouses that can simulate different weather conditions to test how plants react. Learn how automated systems move plants through testing stations, allowing scientists to study large numbers of plants quickly. You鈥檒l also get to see a cutting-edge X-ray system that helps researchers understand how plants and soil interact below the surface鈥攙ital for improving how crops are grown.
The Vineyard
Join听Dr. Vinay Pagay, a leading expert in grape growing, as he explains how new technology is helping vineyards thrive. Learn how sensors placed in the soil measure moisture levels and how that affects vine health and grape production. See maps created from satellites that show how different areas of a vineyard vary and how farmers can use this information to improve their crops. Discover how drones, equipped with advanced cameras, are helping monitor vineyards from the sky, and hear about infrared sensors that are being used to keep track of vine health. There鈥檚 even the possibility of seeing an autonomous tractor in action, showing how farming is becoming more automated.
Following the tour, you鈥檒l have the chance to meet the experts and ask questions while enjoying light refreshments and 成人大片 alumni wine. Whether you鈥檙e passionate about sustainability, food, or the future of farming, this tour offers something for everyone.
This is your chance to see the future of agriculture up close鈥攄on鈥檛 miss out!
Speakers
Dr. Kate Delaporte
Kate wears many hats: she is a Senior Lecturer in Horticulture and is the Curator of the Waite Arboretum and Waite Conservation Reserve. Kate鈥檚 main interest is improving Australian native plants for horticulture by research into propagation and cultivation, and by breeding and selecting new varieties and species. She also has interests in supporting indigenous knowledge of food/medicines from plants; renewing the Urban Forest, sustainable agriculture and the environment; amenity horticulture (nursery, cut flower, garden design), and general horticulture (in particular small fruits and new crops such as essential oils, herbs, spices and Asian vegetables).
Kate has added interests in promoting and enhancing opportunities for women in the workplace, particularly in Science (Agriculture and Horticulture), and promoting STEM at all school levels.
Dr. Ehsan Tavakkoli
Dr. Ehsan Tavakkoli is an Associate Professor in Plant:Soil Interactions at the School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, 成人大片, where he leads pioneering research on enhancing crop resilience and yield under stress conditions and the interactions between carbon and nutrient geochemistry within agricultural systems. With over 15 years of experience in crop nutrition, soil science, and environmental geochemistry, Dr. Tavakkoli has led research programs funded by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), the Australian Research Council (ARC), and the Australian Synchrotron. His work has been instrumental in developing novel soil-based amendments, overcoming subsoil constraints, and advancing the understanding of soil nutritional chemistry to enhance crop productivity and sustainability. He has developed and implemented sustainable agricultural practices across various regions, with a strong emphasis on advanced material research. For instance, his innovations in CO2 capture and storage in soils, along with the development of enhanced efficiency fertilizers, have set new benchmarks in the field. His commitment to practical outcomes is reflected in his strong connections with growers, advisers, and grower groups across Australia. Dr. Tavakkoli frequently presents his findings at industry forums, ensuring that his research translates into actionable strategies that directly benefit the agricultural community.
Dr Vinay Pagay
Vinay Pagay is a Senior Lecturer in Viticulture at The 成人大片, Australia. Vinay received his doctorate at Cornell University (USA) in 2014 where he worked on the development of novel tools for plant water sensing. Vinay also holds a degree in computer engineering from McGill University (Canada). His basic and applied research lie at the intersection of grapevine ecophysiology and vineyard technology. His current applied research is looking into the use of proximal and remote sensing tools to obtain high spatial and temporal resolution data of both biotic and abiotic stresses in vineyards, as well as for precision irrigation scheduling in vineyards. Vinay is a co-inventor of the microtensiometer (commercialized by FloraPulse) and has co-founded Athena IR-Tech, a startup company out of the 成人大片 that develops proximal crop water status sensors.
Previous Events
Marking 130 years of women鈥檚 suffrage in South Australia and coinciding with the 成人大片鈥檚 150th anniversary, a powerful panel of prominent current and former female figures in state and federal politics.
Wizards of Oz
This MHSS invited a panel of medical research professionals at the听forefront of medical research to discuss pressing issues including pathogen resistance, pandemic response, and environmental threats.听
Voice, Treaty, Truth: What's Next?
For our final Make History Speaker Series event for 2023, we welcomed distinguished Australian Indigenous anthropologist, geographer and activist, Professor Marcia Langton AO to deliver her keynote speech.
Making Cancer History
Join us to hear from experts at the forefront of cancer research to delve into the key challenges faced by researchers and gain insights into the innovative approaches being taken to overcome these obstacles.
Behind the Scenes in Adelaide Botanic Gardens
Join us as we are invited behind the scenes of the Illuminate Adelaide installation Resonate for a deep dive discussion with the artists on the approach to the creation of site-specific installations in the natural environment, with valuable insights from 成人大片 hosts including alumni Dr. Leonie Scriven, on the significance of the species and environments chosen for illumination by Moment Factory.听
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Writing History In The Stars
Space is the final frontier - and one of the most thrilling areas of research and discovery. Join us to hear from the 成人大片's brightest stars as they discuss how space science and satellite imagery are addressing humanity's greatest challenges.