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Join us for an evening of science that journeys from the human body to the polar environment. Discover research on human blood vessels, Tasmanian sand flathead, and tracking Antarctic sea ice from space.
Observing (Antarctic) sea ice from space
Johannes Lohse
(Passionate about snow and ice, I spent the past 15 years as a student and researcher in Svalbard, Antarctica, and Tromsø. I recently traded my skis for a surfboard and moved to Hobart to join the AAPP as a sea ice remote sensing specialist.)
Antarctica is remote (even from Tassie) and hard to monitor. I will show how satellites help us observe its sea ice year-round, even during polar darkness or through clouds.
Our blood vessels tell a story: What vascular age reveals about heart disease risk
Vimarsha Kodithuwakku
(Vimarsha is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania. Her research interests are in cardiovascular epidemiology. She began her PhD in 2022, focusing on early vascular ageing in young people. Through her work, she is passionate about raising awareness of the importance of early identification and prevention of heart disease and translating research into knowledge that supports healthier hearts across the lifespan.)
The foundations of a healthy heart are laid early in life. This presentation explores how early changes in the blood vessels of children could offer valuable insight into future heart disease risk. By recognising these changes in blood vessels as early as possible, we open a door to meaningful prevention. The talk focuses on how childhood represent a powerful window of opportunity where small, positive changes could support healthier blood vessels that may set the course for lifelong cardiovascular health.
Survival of the Smallest: How Fishing May Be Changing Tasmania's Flathead
Rachel Breslin
(Rachel Breslin is a PhD researcher at UTAS. Their research blends genetics, physiology, and epigenetics to understand how fishing and climate affect Tasmania's beloved sand flathead.)
Tasmania's sand flathead harbour a secret: why are southern fish smaller? Environment, genetics, or fishing pressure? We're uncovering why size matters more than you think.
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