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Is 16cm hail normal? Or unusual? Do plants "choose" how to invest their resources the same way we do? We have two researchers working to figure out these exact problems. Come along and find out how they do it!
What the Hail?!
Isabelle Greco
(Masters Candidate, UNSW Sydney, Climate Change Research Centre )
Did you know the biggest hailstone recorded in Australia was 16cm across?! Hail causes serious damage, but our limited observations mean we’re still working to understand Australia’s hail risk. However, statistics might just be able to help…
After studying Maths and French at the University of Adelaide, Isabelle Greco discovered that climate change really sucked, starting their masters in climate science at the UNSW Sydney in 2021. They research hail and love random facts.
After studying Maths and French at the University of Adelaide, Isabelle Greco discovered that climate change really sucked, starting their masters in climate science at the UNSW Sydney in 2021. They research hail and love random facts.

The Microeconomics of Plant Resource Use
Dr Andrea Westerband
(Postdoctoral Researcher, Western Sydney University)
Much like shareholders in a company, plants 'choose' different investment strategies in terms of how they use water and nutrients. How can we apply microeconomics to understand these strategies? Join us as we uncover the various ways that plants can adjust and adapt to changing environments to optimize their growth.
Andrea Westerband completed her PhD in 2016 at the University of Miami, before holding postdoctoral positions at the University of Hawaii and Macquarie University. She now serves as a postdoctoral researcher at WSU, where she studies how plants capture and invest resources.
Andrea Westerband completed her PhD in 2016 at the University of Miami, before holding postdoctoral positions at the University of Hawaii and Macquarie University. She now serves as a postdoctoral researcher at WSU, where she studies how plants capture and invest resources.

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