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Join us for an engaging evening at Restaurant 2317 as we explore how water, environment, and human health are deeply connected in shaping a sustainable future for Port Stephens. From clean manufacturing and innovative farming to the ecological power of oyster reefs and the hidden impacts of “forever chemicals,” this event brings together cutting-edge science and local relevance for a thought-provoking night of discovery.
Material Girl: Making Stuff Without the Fossil Fuss
Dr Jessica Allen
(Lecturer, University of Newcastle)
Electrons to materials - how do we make the things we rely on without fossil fuels? From metals to plastics, modern life depends on carbon-intensive processes. This talk explores the next generation of manufacturing, where renewable energy and waste resources replace fossil fuels, offering a glimpse into a cleaner, more sustainable way to make the materials we use every day.
Port Stephens is your Oyster: Exploring the ecological benefits of oyster farming
Nathaniel Hess
(Southern Cross University)
Oysters aren’t just a delicacy - they’re environmental powerhouses. Nathaniel Hess dives into the hidden world beneath oyster reefs to reveal how oyster farming can improve water quality, support marine ecosystems, and even help track environmental change over time. Discover how cutting-edge tools, from radioisotopes to satellite data, are uncovering the surprising ecological value of these humble shellfish.
Forever Chemicals, Future Generations
Dr Jacinta Martin
(Dr Jacinta Martin is a reproductive biologist at the University of Newcastle and Hunter Medical Research Institute. She studies how environmental exposures, including PFAS, affect fertility, pregnancy, and long-term health.)
"Forever chemicals” are everywhere—but what do they mean for our health, especially for the next generation? Dr Jacinta Martin explores how PFAS pollutants move from mother to child and what that means for development and long-term wellbeing. Blending human studies with laboratory research, this talk sheds light on invisible environmental risks and the science shaping policies to protect families into the future.
Next-Gen Farming: Less Pollution, Healthier Soils, Better Crops
Santosh Kumar Paul
(Research Associate at Global Centre for Environmental Remediation at The University of Newcastle, Australia. 12+ years of working experience as an agricultural researcher at Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute.)
Feeding the future means rethinking how we grow our food. Dr Santosh Kumar Paul introduces innovative approaches to agriculture that reduce pollution while boosting soil health and crop productivity. From nanotechnology-enabled fertilisers to biochar made from waste, discover how smarter, greener farming practices are transforming the way we cultivate the land.
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