ON Accelerate 9 Showcase
2025-06-05 15:30 - 19:00 (Australia/Sydney) | Metropolis Events 3 Southbank Boulevard Melbourne, VIC 3006
The Future of Deep Tech is here
The journey began in November 2024 with Bootcamp, where Australia’s brightest DeepTech innovators took their first steps toward commercialisation.
Following a highly competitive selection process, 11 standout teams advanced to Immersion Week and participated in the ON Core event in February 2025.
Over a period of three months, they will undergo an intensive program combining in-person and online learning, guided by industry experts and mentors.
On Thursday, 5 June 2025, we will celebrate the growth and achievements of these pioneering research-driven startups as they take the stage at the ON Accelerate 9 Showcase in Melbourne—presenting their ventures to investors, industry leaders, and the broader innovation ecosystem.
Don’t miss your chance to support the future of Australian innovation— register to attend the ON Accelerate 9 Showcase.

3DCeraFlex, from James Cook University, has developed patented technology for 3D printing flexible ceramic solutions, revolutionising high-temperature, defence, and energy applications. Currently working with AIMS to develop ceramic solutions for reef collaboration.
Ability Optics, an Australian National University spin out, focused on accelerating drug development. It has patented imaging hardware that enables faster and more cost-effective cell and tissue microscopy techniques, quickening the time-to-market for new personalised medicines.
Amorfoil, from CSIRO developed a patented planar flow casting process to create cost-competitive, efficient materials for grid distribution and electric vehicles.
Elemental Therapeutics, from The University of Melbourne, is restoring the efficacy of antibiotics against drug-resistant infections through the development of PBT2, a small molecule therapeutic for community-acquired bacterial pneumonia.
Enhanced Analgesics, from the University of Sydney, is addressing the global chronic pain crisis by developing a non-opioid drug that provides 24-28 hours of effective pain relief, offering a sustainable breakthrough alternative for millions suffering.
Epiblox, from the University of South Australia, is developing a breakthrough treatment for severe childhood epilepsy. Its lead drug candidate holds life-changing potential and strong commercial viability.
Facet Amtech, an SME licensing technology from the University of Newcastle, is revolutionising ammonia production with a breakthrough technology that improves energy efficiency, reducing the need for carbon-intensive natural gas.
I-VADE, from Edith Cowan University and in partnership with Alpha Immersion, is addressing rising violence in healthcare with an innovative VR-based aggression de-escalation training solution, improving overall staff and patient care.
ProSeek Bio, a startup commercialising technology from QIMR Berghofer, is closing the gender health gap with next-gen diagnostics, starting with ovarian cancer blood tests, aiming to revolutionise ovarian cancer diagnosis for women worldwide.
Topicure, from RMIT University, is developing gel-based formulations to improve the delivery of active compounds through the skin, reducing side effects and increasing compliance for patients.
Viortec, an SME spun out of the Australian National University, is developing innovative devices for hip and knee replacement surgeries, enhancing surgical precision, supporting surgeons and improving patient outcomes.

AI in science: the promise, perils and path forward – AI and our environment
2025-06-10 17:30 - 19:00 | The Shine Dome, 15 Gordon Street, Acton ACT
Did you know that asking ChatGPT a question uses ten times more energy than a simple Google search?
AI can have a big environmental footprint – but it can also be a powerful tool to help us protect and restore the natural world.
Join us to explore these two sides of AI’s impact on our environment with two experts working at the cutting edge:

As co-founder and CEO at Xylo Systems, Camille Goldstone-Henry’s groundbreaking intelligence platform is demystifying biodiversity data to turbocharge threatened species management, and to help businesses make nature-positive decisions.
Associate Professor Chang Xu is harnessing Green AI to build next-generation AI systems that are more efficient and environmentally friendly.

Come along to learn more about the promise and perils of AI for the environment, and get inspired by innovators making a difference for nature with technology.

Nerd Nite #63
2025-06-11 19:00 - 20:00 | Howler, 7-11 Dawson Street, Brunswick
Nerd Nite’s next show is on June 11th and this Nerd Nite is going to be an absolute banger!! From airborne allergens to backyard bullies and the cutting edge of pollen science—this Nerd Nite has it all! (Soon to be Dr) Kira Hughes will reveal how weighing the air (yes, really) could help us monitor pollen in real time and save lives during thunderstorm asthma events. Dr Jacinta Humphrey will take us into the surprisingly dramatic world of suburban bird politics, where the noisy miner is muscling out our feathered friends. And Sex with Lex is back! Talking about all things sex, intimacy and kink! Grab a beer, grab some friends, and join us at Howler!
Kira Hughes
Weighing the Air to Fight Asthma
Description: Australia has a pollen problem, and if you suffer from hay fever and/or asthma (like me), you’re probably sick of pollen too. Not only does it trigger frustrating symptoms like itchy eyes and runny noses, but it’s behind deadly thunderstorm asthma events that plague the sky (and the morning news) every time spring rolls around. While we can’t get rid of pollen forever, we can get better at monitoring it by simply weighing the air…yes I’m not kidding. Hear me talk about my innovative device that combines immunology, chemistry, and a scale to create the world’s first real-time pollen sensor.
Bio: Kira has done a bit of everything. When she wasn’t crying in the lab during her PhD, you’d find her teaching biomed students to not set themselves on fire, speaking at high schools about how cool science is, coordinating marketing campaigns for research institutes, coaching researchers on how to talk good, performing silly jokes at comedy festivals, or even while scrolling through your social feed. We don’t even remember inviting her to Nerd Nite…
Socials:
Youtube, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), Bluesky: @KiraETSA
Instagram: @kira.etsa
Jacinta Humphrey
The new bully on the block
Description: You’ve heard their calls while hanging out the washing. You’ve seen them on your morning dog walk. Maybe you’ve even been swooped yourself. I’m talking, of course, about the new bully on the block – the noisy miner. Loud, bossy and fiercely territorial, noisy miners are gradually taking over our suburbs and pushing the smaller, more timid birds out. Come along to discover the secret to the noisy miner’s success, learn how you can help stop the hostile takeover, and uncover the true villain in this story (spoiler alert: it’s not who you think!).
Bio: Jacinta was one of those kids that grew up OBSESSED with animals. You know, the ones who watched The Lion King 600 times and tried to communicate telepathically with dogs – that kind of obsessed. She may have moved on from canine telepathy, but Jacinta still loves animals. Today, she works as an Urban Ecologist and spends her time thinking about how to make our cities and suburbs better for native wildlife.
Socials:
Instagram: @jacintahumphrey
Bluesky: @jacintahumphrey.bsky.social
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacinta-humphrey-urban-ecologist/
Lex Nyree
Kink 101: Power, Play & Pleasure
Description: Talking all things kink, we will explore the wonderful world of kink including power dynamics, pleasure & consensual play.
Bio: Lex is a sex and kink educator based in Naarm. With a background in youth and social work, she’s passionate about reducing stigma and normalising the more taboo sides of sexuality—especially kink. Currently completing her Master of Sexology, Lex focuses on inclusive, consent-forward sex education that’s accessible to everyone. Outside of study, she collaborates online with fellow sexologists and volunteers at local events to provide free, affirming education in sex-positive spaces.
Instagram: @sexwithlexmelb

Data61 Cybersecurity Seminar - The Disinformation Crisis in the Age of GenAI and Deepfakes
2025-07-02 09:30 - 11:00 | Online
Speaker:
Prof. Hafiz Malik is a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Michigan–Dearborn, USA
https://umdearborn.edu/people-um-dearborn/hafiz-malik
Abstract:
The rapid advances in generative AI (GenAI) have ushered in an era of ultrarealistic synthetic media generation, also known as deepfakes — digitally synthesised images, audio, and video — serving as powerful drivers of widespread disinformation campaigns and erosion of public trust in the information ecosystem. This talk will examine the growing disinformation crisis fueled by the ease of creating deceptively realistic deepfakes. This talk will explore the latest trends in deepfake generation technology, highlighting how advances in audio, video, and image synthesis are being leveraged to produce increasingly convincing, deceptive content, fabricate personas, and coordinate influence operations on social media. These activities erode public trust in information systems, particularly during critical events such as elections, and contribute to societal division. Furthermore, the talk will address the significant societal, political, and geopolitical implications of deepfakes. These include privacy violations, reputational harm, and the potential to destabilize democratic processes and international relations. Deepfake technology can be used to spread misinformation that influences public opinion or incites conflict between nations, adding a new layer of complexity to global politics.
This talk will provide a comprehensive overview of current interventions, focusing on cutting-edge deepfake detection technologies, including commercial, freeware, and open-source tools. Finally, we will introduce our robust framework, FakeXpose, designed to detect and debunk deepfakes of public figures in real-time, aiming to restore trust and resilience within the information landscape while addressing the challenges posed by this rapidly evolving technology.
Bio:
Hafiz Malik is a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Michigan–Dearborn. His research in the areas of deepfakes, automotive cybersecurity, cyber-physical system security, sensor security, multimedia forensics, steganography and steganalysis, information hiding, pattern recognition, and information fusion is supported by the National Science Foundation, the National Academies, Google, Ford Motor Company, Metapyxl Inc., and Marelli Inc.
Dr. Malik has received numerous awards, including the UM-Dearborn Chancellor’s Inclusive Excellence Fellows 2022, the UM-Dearborn 2022 Distinguished Research Award, and the College of Engineering and Computer Science 2020 Excellence in Research Award. He has published over 180 articles in leading peer-reviewed journals, conferences, and workshops and is a (co-)inventor of 22 patents.
He is the founder and CTO of Media Shield Inc., a cutting-edge platform for deepfake detection. Additionally, he is a founding member and Chief Operating Officer of the Global Foundation for Cyber Studies and Research, a director and founding member of the Cybersecurity Center for Research, Education, and Outreach at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, and a key member of the leadership circle for the Dearborn Artificial Intelligence Research Center at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. Dr. Malik also served on the Scientific and Industrial Advisory Board of the National Center of Cyber Security Pakistan from 2018 – 2024 and has been actively involved with the MCity Working Group on Cybersecurity since 2015.

7th FRDC Australasian Scientific Conference on Aquatic Animal Health & Biosecurity - Technology for Improved Production and Health
2025-07-08 - 2025-07-11 | Pullman Reef Hotel Casino 35-41 Wharf Street, Cairns QLD
The Seventh Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) Australasian Scientific Conference on Aquatic Animal Health and Biosecurity will be held at the Pullman Reef Hotel, Cairns, starting at 9:00am on Tuesday 8 July and closing at midday on Friday 11 July 2025. The conference dinner will be held on Thursday 10 July 2025.
Sponsored by the FRDC, delivered through the Aquatic Animal Health and Biosecurity Coordination Program (AAHBCP), and organised by CSIRO, the conference is the premier event for the aquatic animal health community in Australia, bringing together researchers, industry, government, and students. Emerging researchers in the field are encouraged to present their work, with a prize for the best PhD student presentation. The side conversations that occur at this event are also an invaluable opportunity to foster collaboration.
This year the theme of the conference is “Technology for Improved Production and Health”. The proposed conference program will depend on the range of topics received as abstracts and all topics relating to aquatic animal health and biosecurity are welcome.

Safe Trade showcase: Strengthening the science and tools that underpin market access
2025-07-24 10:00 - 12:00 | Online
A webinar and forum for plant industry and biosecurity stakeholders
Join us for the 2025 Safe Trade Showcase, a forum to share research and innovation aimed at transforming how we assess and manage plant biosecurity risks in trade.
Safe Trade is a collaborative initiative supported by Hort Innovation, bringing together CSIRO, Australian Commonwealth and State Governments, the Northern Territory Government and the horticulture industry. Together we are developing innovative scientific methods, models and tools to support evidence-based risk assessment and to better harness commercial practices that reduce phytosanitary risks.
The webinar will feature:

Progress updates on our co-developed tools and decision-support models, including the Menu of Measures Resource and Pest Risk Analysis Online
New national guidelines to enable market access for sites with low pest prevalence
Innovative technologies, including our analysis of optical grading and other commercial practices to reduce phytosanitary risks
Partner insights on how this collaboration is modernising risk assessment and management for safer trade in Australia

Take a tour of RV Investigator in Hobart
2025-07-25 14:00 - 18:00 | CSIRO Marine Laboratories, Castray Esplanade Battery Point (Hobart), Tas
CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, invites you to step aboard Australia’s advanced ocean research vessel, RV Investigator, while it’s in Hobart between research voyages.
This 94-metre super science ship is packed with state-of-the-art equipment to enable vital ocean and atmospheric research for Australia. RV Investigator is a national workhorse for science and can travel over 10,000 nautical miles on a single voyage, carrying up to 60 scientists, technicians and crew on incredible voyages of exploration and discovery. The vessel delivers geoscience, atmospheric, biological, oceanographic and underwater cultural heritage research from the equator to the Antarctic ice-edge.
RV Investigator is part of the Marine National Facility, national collaborative research infrastructure funded by the Australian Government through the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy, and operated by CSIRO on behalf of the nation.
Activities
Take this rare opportunity to step onboard and tour RV Investigator. Explore above and below decks to discover the latest in marine science equipment and technology. Speak with our expert researchers, technicians and crew about their unique work conducting science at sea.
Details
Tours will be self-guided at your own pace and take approximately 45 minutes. Visitors will depart in 15-minute slots and must be pre-booked. Tours are free, but places are strictly limited.
You will be required to show your ticket (digital or paper copy) to board the vessel.

2025 Kenneth Myer Lecture, Melbourne: Professor Brett Sutton AO
2025-08-05 18:30 - 20:30 | The Pavilion, Arts Centre Melbourne
Join us for the 2025 Kenneth Myer Lecture in Melbourne, presented by Professor Brett Sutton AO.

The world is increasingly faced with what might be termed existential threats – climate change, biodiversity loss, fracturing of multilateralism and social cohesion, enabled by political and ideological polarisation and mis- and disinformation. These threats have complex inter-relationships but can negatively synergise and represent a profound and urgent issue for Australia’s wellbeing in the world.

Professor Brett Sutton explores these ‘wicked problems’ and provides thoughts on how, in tackling them, we can support and revive Australia’s wellbeing as a public and global good.

This event will take place at The Pavilion, Arts Centre Melbourne.
Entry is free but bookings are essential.
Light refreshments will be served following the presentation.

Sustainable Chiswick Project Day
2025-08-06 | CSIRO Chiswick, 9308 New England Highway Armidale NSW
Come and join us at CSIRO’s Chiswick Research Station for a special event!
CSIRO is a leader in agricultural innovation, supported by our research farms around Australia, including at Chiswick on Anaiwan Country, near Armidale in NSW.
The Sustainable Chiswick Project is making this livestock research farm a real-world testbed for agricultural sustainability. This project covers all aspects of sustainability, including environmental, social, and economic.
You’re invited to our Chiswick site for a special project day where we will share our aspirations for this project and its activities.
The morning will feature an overview of the information we have collected to date for the Chiswick farm in natural capital baselining, animal welfare, biodiversity and soil monitoring. In the afternoon, there will be an opportunity, for those interested, to dive deeper into the natural capital and sustainable landscapes activities. We will reflect and explore with participants the next steps and opportunities for how we can drive solutions together.
This is an in-person only event being held at CSIRO’s Chiswick livestock research farm, and registration is required.

Getting to Net Zero
2025-08-06 12:00 - 14:00 | ATSE Office, 28 National Circuit
Getting to Net Zero – Australia’s energy transition and what it means for the ACT & ATSE

The ACT Division Committee are excited to welcome you to our third hybrid seminar for 2025, which will explore the topic of Australia’s energy transition towards net zero greenhouse gas emissions. We will hear from three of our ACT Fellows – from a national and ACT perspective, and in the context of what it means for mitigating climate change.

Why foundational AI matters!
2025-08-06 12:30 - 14:00 | TechCentral Lecture Theatre, Lot 14, Adelaide
Join us on 6 August to hear from Professor Simon Lucey, Director of the Australian Institute for Machine Learning (AIML).
Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the defining technologies of the 21st century, promising significant benefits for economies and societies. Deep neural networks, like those in Open AI’s ChatGPT, now form the backbone of all modern AI. However, despite AI becoming more common, its core principles are still poorly understood; it remains prone to bias and hallucinations; and it demands enormous amounts of energy, data, and computational power.
In this talk, Simon will argue that gaining a better understanding of the foundational aspects of modern AI offers a cost-effective way for Australia to take a leading role. The study of Foundational AI aims to develop methods that are less reliant on big data and high power consumption. The advancements expected from this research are crucial, as companies and governments worldwide race to reduce emissions while expanding the capabilities of next-generation AI. Investing strategically in Foundational AI will also strengthen Australia’s capacity for unique sovereign AI capabilities—an essential factor as our country approaches the mid-21st century.

Using the National Energy Analysis Centre for your business
2025-08-11 13:00 - 14:00 | Online
Do you need to make decisions based on a deeper understanding of the whole Australian energy system, its transition and connections to other infrastructure and the environment? Do you want to understand the energy use patterns, consumer energy resource investment aspirations, and policy needs of Australians from all walks of life?
The National Energy Analysis Centre (NEAC) combines the energy information and insights from Australian households and businesses with state of the art energy system modelling, analysis and visualisation tools, based on rigorous systems science.
You can use NEAC to:

Conduct research ranging from a single survey to a multi-year trial with installed energy monitoring devices
Test new energy products in homes and businesses and understand the implications for the broader system
Monitor and evaluate consumer energy programs
Model parts of the energy system, or all of it, including interactions with other systems such as water and transport. Model at scales ranging from suburbs and industrial hubs to the whole country
Support decarbonisation goals with enhanced regional energy system planning
Evaluate energy security and resilience across jurisdictions in a range of existing and future scenarios.

Join this webinar to hear NEAC Director Dr Stephen Craig, and other members of the team, explain how you can use NEAC to make insightful decisions. There will also be time for questions and answers.

AI in science: the promise, perils and path forward – AI and our food
2025-08-12 17:30 - 19:00 | The Shine Dome, 15 Gordon Street, Acton ACT
Curious about how artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the world around us?
Join the Australian Academy of Science in 2025 for ‘AI in science: the promise, perils and path forward’ to explore the current and future implications of AI.
Discover how AI is helping scientists make breakthroughs in health and medicine, climate research, agriculture and food production, space exploration and more. The series will also delve into potential risks, limitations and ethical issues as AI becomes increasingly prominent in science and our society.
The six events in our public speaker series across 2025 will be a mix of panel discussions and presentations, and will feature a range of speakers from science, technology, social science, industry and government. Audiences, both in person and online, will have the opportunity to engage with speakers in the Q&A sessions at each event.

Nerd Nite Melbourne
2025-08-13 19:00 - 21:00 | Howler, 7-11 Dawson Street, Brunswick
2025 is powering ahead, and Nerd Nite Melbourne is back for our fourth epic instalment of the year! This time, we’re diving into: The curious world of LEGO—how those little bricks built a global obsession, Parasitic bacteria in wastewater—gross, yes, but also fascinating (and important!) and behind the scenes with a film director: where do ideas really come from?
Come for the facts, stay for the vibes, and leave with at least three new niche obsessions. Be building bacteria-infested blockbuster dreams.
Be there. Be Square
Ivan Poon
The danger of collecting LEGO!
Description: Collecting LEGO is a major challenge among adults in Australia and worldwide. Not only LEGO has become more expensive over the last few years, preventing adults from saving up enough money for home deposits, LEGO collecting can lead to significant strain on household spaces. So, why are so many adults obsessed with collecting LEGO, and why is it so dangerous to collect LEGO? In this talk, I will explore the culture of LEGO collecting and discuss strategies to address this important global issue.
Bio: Funded by not-so-secret government agencies, Ivan expertly kills and dismantles cells for a living. Occasionally, he writes scientific literature and mentors research fellows, grad and undergrad students to have fun in science. When he is not working as a servant for his two young daughters, he enjoys designing cell biology-related artworks and goodies. Ivan is a true nerd, he enjoys collecting Pokémon cards, watching anime, reading manga and building a LEGO empire!
Socials:
Instagram: @wherearemycells
LinkedIn: Prof Ivan Poon
Steve Petrovski
Who gives a crap
Description: Wastewater foaming is more than just a bubbly nuisance; it’s a serious problem. Persistent foams can disrupt the treatment process and increase operational costs, which ultimately appear on your water bill. In this talk, Steve will dive into the world of wastewater and explore how he is using bacteria and viruses (yes, viruses!) to break down these stubborn foams. It’s a frothy blend of microbiology, environmental science, and unexpected solutions to a surprisingly costly problem.
Bio: Steve Petrovski is an Associate Professor at La Trobe University and a molecular microbiologist with a research focus on mobile genetic elements in bacteria. His work explores how these elements contribute to bacterial strength, particularly through the introduction of antibiotic resistance. Steve also investigates bacteriophages—viruses that infect and kill bacteria—as potential tools for microbial control. He collaborates widely across disciplines and is committed to advancing microbiological science through both research and education.
Socials:
Twitter/X: @PetrovskiLab
Saara Lamberg
Where do you get your ideas from?
Description: When doing a Q&A for a film, the most asked question that repeats every time, is Where do you get your ideas from? I once shared a video call with David Lynch, and he told me what his passion is. Come along, I’ll share the secret map towards Ideas Land.
Bio: Forget “passion”, the way Saara Lamberg describes their arts practice is “obsession”. A film director, actor, writer, producer, comedian, poet, marathon runner and Professionally Certified Dark Humorist, Saara has many more questions than they do answers. Will you get more ideas attending the session? Will Saara end up stealing your ideas? What IS the meaning of being a nerd?
Socials:
Instagram: @saaralambergofficial
https://linktr.ee/saaralamberg
https://artists.australianculturalfund.org.au/s/project/a2EMn00000R4wKoMAJ/the-next-saara-lamberg-arthouse-film

Tracking progress: Insights from the Australian Adaptation Database
2025-08-20 13:00 - 14:00 | Online
How are Australians adapting to climate change – and how do we know?
The Australian Adaptation Database is providing a clearer picture of the actions being taken to adapt to climate impacts across Australia. Developed through the NESP Climate Systems Hub, the database captures a sample of real-world adaptation efforts across sectors, locations, and scales. Join us as we walk through how the database was built, what it can tell us, and how it can support decision-making across all levels of government. We’ll explore how the tool is being used to track national progress, characterise adaptation trends, and inform planning and policy – from local councils to national reports. We’ll also share what’s next, including opportunities to contribute your own work to the database.

2025 Einstein Lecture (Associate Professor Jacqueline Romero)
2025-08-20 18:00 - 19:30 | 12 Wally’ Walk, Macquarie University Wallumattagal Campus
The Einstein Lecture is an annual public event run by the NSW Branch of The Australian Institute of Physics during the past 15 years. Distinguished speakers have covered a wide range of topics with an emphasis on Einstein’s ideas and their consequences for physics and technology today. Topics can range from quantum computing to plasma physics to astrophysics. The aim of the talks is to generate interest by exciting the audience to the wonders of physics by providing the most recent advances by world experts.
Entanglement Levels Up: Quantum Information Using the Shape of Light
Abstract: Quantum entanglement is the quintessential quantum phenomenon. This talk will give an introduction to entanglement, its importance and implications. Photons played an instrumental role in the experiments that established the reality (aha!) of entanglement. Photons are rich physical systems that are not limited to representing the ubiquitous qubit—photons are naturally high-dimensional, they can be qudits. In particular, the transverse modes—the shape—of light forms a convenient quantum alphabet for high-dimensional quantum information. This talk will introduce qudits, high-dimensional entanglement, and their potential for quantum technologies.
Bio: Dr Jacq Romero is an expert in experimental photonic quantum information. Her research is focused on using higher-dimensional systems for exploring curious quantum physics phenomena and developing future quantum technologies. She is the group leader of the research team Qudits@UQ. Jacq was born and bred in Manila, Philippines. Hearing her high school physics teacher complain about quantum physics, she became curious and googled “quantum physics”—she has been hooked ever since. She holds a PhD degree from the University of Glasgow where she was a researcher for seven years. In 2015, she moved to the University of Queensland, where is currently an Associate Professor. She has received prestigious awards and fellowships that include a 2016 ARC DECRA, a 2019 Westpac Research Fellowship, and a 2019 L’Oreal-UNESCO For Women In Science International Rising Talent Award (1 of 15 awards globally). She received the Ruby Payne-Scott Medal of the Australian Institute of Physics in 2018 for excellence in early-career research. She is a Chief Investigator at the ARC Centre of Excellence For Engineered Quantum Systems (EQUS) and the Deputy Director of the ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre on Current and Emergent Quantum Technologies (CEQuTech). Outside work, she is a busy mum to three lovely boys, and an occasional painter.
Choose from two lecture sessions:
Wednesday 20 August 2025, 6pm – 7.30pm 12 Wally’ Walk, Macquarie University Wallumattagal Campus REGISTER HERE (free)
Thursday 21 August 2025, 6pm – 7.30pm Science Space, University of Wollongong Innovation Campus REGISTER HERE ($5 – includes a drink)

Made & Grown: The Future of Food
2025-08-21 | Lotus Hall Auditorium Theatre (Building 188A), The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
The Agrifood Innovation Institute in partnership with Cellular Agriculture Australia is bringing the future of food to Canberra. Made & Grown: The Future of Food will place the spotlight on the biotechnologies shaping our food system.

Our food system is changing. Innovation and necessity are driving an evolution of how we produce food, in both new and traditional industries.
Australia is well-placed to build on our agricultural excellence to leverage global demand for more protein, functional foods and innovative consumer products. Through the application of biotechnologies like cell cultivation, precision fermentation, plant molecular farming and synthetic biology, Australia has the potential to capitalise on a multi-billion dollar opportunity and become a global biomanufacturing leader.
Whether we can realise this opportunity will depend on the ability to grow the sector in Australia through a combination of: building familiarity and trust in the technologies, growing public and private investment, and the right policy environment.
Made & Grown will showcase these technologies to support legislators, policymakers and regulators to understand the technologies, applications and products that are changing how we produce food and how they could shape a resilient food system.
The Made & Grown program is being designed by an Advisory Committee in conjunction with the cellular agriculture sector, to ensure high calibre, relevant and contemporary content.
You’ll enjoy a full day of engaging programming from 9:00am to 5:00pm, including catered morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea.

International Meeting of the Psychosocial Aspects of Hereditary Cancer (IMPAHC) and Familial Aspects of Cancer Research and Practice
2025-08-25 - 2025-08-28 | Kingscliff, NSW
For the first time in over a decade, the International Meeting of the Psychosocial Aspects of Hereditary Cancer (IMPAHC) returns to Australia! The 18th IMPAHC will take place on 25–26 August 2025, leading into the Familial Aspects of Cancer (FAC) meeting on 27–28 August 2025.
Why Attend?
IMPAHC 2025 will explore cutting-edge topics in hereditary and genomic cancer research, from precision prevention and polygenic risk to diversity in cancer genomics.
FAC 2025 will cover key themes, including:

Breast, ovarian, prostate, sarcoma, colorectal cancer & melanoma
Polygenic Risk Scores & cancer risk
Novel Long Read Sequencing & variant detection
Genetic epidemiology & early cancer detection
Precision medicine in diverse populations
Variant curation & bioinformatics

Join leading experts at this premier event bridging research, clinical care, and innovation.
Learn more and register: https://www.ivvy.com.au/event/IMPAHCFAC25/home.html

The Secrets of Healthy Ageing - Global update in seXXspecific health policy
2025-08-25 13:00 - 14:00 | Online
Join us to learn about The Secrets of Healthy Ageing and a Global update in seXXspecific health policy.
Professor Cassandra Szoeke is one of our CSIRO Alumni members and is the principal investigator of the Women’s Healthy Ageing Project, the longest ongoing study of women’s health in Australia.
The CSIRO Alumni network is hosting a series of online talks with Professor Szoeke to delve further into the Secrets of Healthy Ageing.
The event will be hosted by Peggy Stasinos who will help guide the discussion with a Q&A session at the end. The audience are invited to submit their questions online through the event portal.
This will be an online event. Once you register, you will receive an email with the link to attend the event.

Energy Systems Planning Workshop
2025-08-26 - 2025-08-28 | Brisbane
Australia is committed to having 82% renewable energy in its electricity grids by 2030, building a low-emissions energy system for all Australians. Effective planning is a vital aspect of this transition.
The Australian Energy Market Operator’s Integrated System Plan (ISP) places Australia at the forefront of system planning globally. The CSIRO plays an integral role in the planning of this future system.
Robust planning processes are essential for ensuring the security, affordability, and reliability of our electricity systems.

2025 Quantum Physics in the Pub
2025-08-26 18:00 - 20:00 | ABERCROMBIE, 100 Broadway, Chippendale, NSW
Physics in the Pub is an initiative of the NSWAIP branch to bring to interested people, other physicists or general public, interesting ideas related to physics, over an enjoyable drink in a lively, fun, pub atmosphere. The night, once per year, usually consists of several short talks of about 8 minutes.
It’s the International year of Quantum Science and Technology, and local researchers will be at the pub to tell you about the quirks of quantum physics’ history, behaviour, and even its taste! There’ll be petty squabbles, cosmic mysteries and billiards, so, register now, turn up early to get a good seat, and settle in for a thought provoking and entertaining evening with Sydney’s greatest minds.
Date: Tuesday 26th August 2025
Time: From 6:00pm
Venue: ABERCROMBIE, 100 Broadway, Chippendale, NSW
REGISTER HERE (FREE): Tickets for Physics in the Pub – Sydney – August 26
The 2025 Line Up:
1) Have you ever tasted quantum mechanics? Alison Goldingay (UNSW) thinks it might be yummy, and is bringing snacks so we can perform the experiment.
2) Larissa Huston’s (CSIRO) talk will transform your life! Fourier transform it, that is.
3) How many galaxies can you fit into a pub? Mali Land-Strykowski (Sydney Uni) knows – I’m betting it’s in the thousands!
4) Russell Olwell (Notre-Dame) is going to tell us about the surprising link between quantum physics and the cold war.
5) Benjamin Pope’s (Macquarie) research is right out of this world. Out of this solar system, actually – he looks at exoplanets, planets orbiting other stars.
6) Physicists are united in their goal to advance human knowledge, and this transcends petty rivalries, right? Wrong, says Sue Farroukh (Sydney Catholic Schools).
7) There are artificial monuments on the moon, and mars. Honest! It’s in a book, so it must be true says Jack Foster (Sydney Observatory).
8) Junliang Wang (CQC2T) says quantum computing is just like playing billiards, with electrons!
Speaking on behalf of event Sponsor, S3B, we’ll hear from David Reilly, Co-Founder and CEO of Emergence Quantum.
MCed by Dr Phil Dooley (Phil Up on Science).

Science at the Shine Dome 2025
2025-09-02 - 2025-09-04 | The Shine Dome, 15 Gordon Street, Acton ACT
During our flagship event, Australia’s science sector will gather at the Shine Dome in Canberra – the home of Australian science – to celebrate science and to honour outstanding achievements.
Fellows elected in 2025 will sign the historic Charter Book, adding their name to the scientific greats of our nation, and delegates will have a unique opportunity to learn about the depth and breadth of Australian science from the nation’s best. We will celebrate the recipients of the Academy’s prestigious awards and early- and mid-career researchers will have an unparalleled opportunity to network and forge new collaborations.
The National Symposium which is part of Science at the Shine Dome will explore the findings of Australian Science, Australia’s Future, the Academy’s examination of the capabilities Australia requires to meet our national ambitions.

Help Shape the Future of Australian Food Manufacturing
2025-09-02 11:00 - 12:00 | Online
Have a seat at the table. Influence the future of Australian food manufacturing.
Join us for a pivotal industry webinar where we will introduce the Food Manufacturing 2050 (FM2050) project – initiated by the Australian Food and Innovation Network (AFIN) and led by CSIRO.
FM2050 is an initiative for industry to co-create a long-term vision, backed by evidence and shared priorities, to drive innovation, resilience, and global competitiveness to 2050. Despite a decade of inquiries and reports, Australia’s food manufacturing sector still lacks a clear, unified vision. FM2050 aims to change this by developing an industry-led R&D strategy to realise the vision.
This webinar will explore:

Why a shared, industry-led vision is critical for long-term success
How we can build a resilient, sustainable, and globally competitive sector by 2050
The co-investment opportunities available for industry stakeholders
How your company can help shape R&D priorities, influence the national food plan, and unlock future collaboration and investment

This is more than just another report. FM2050 is designed to deliver actionable, evidence-based outcomes for the sector. Evidence will be based on analysis of existing information, such as submissions to the inquiry into Food and Beverage Manufacturing in Australia, plus your experience and views captured through workshops. Based on your input short and long term industry R&D needs will be identified.
Governments only back what industry is willing to lead. FM2050 is not just a study – it’s a platform to demonstrate industry commitment and alignment. Your financial support is vital to ensuring the project reflects real industry needs and delivers tangible outcomes for Australian food manufacturers.
To unlock meaningful government financial support, the project requires clear investment from industry. We’re inviting food and beverage manufacturers to co-invest in this critical initiative.
Whether you’re a manufacturer, policymaker, or innovation leader, your voice is crucial. Help us drive real change.

Darwin Living Lab Symposium 2025: Adapting to heat through community focussed solutions
2025-09-11 08:30 - 12:30 | Danala, CDU Education and Community Precinct, Festival Learning Room, Level 1 54 Cavenagh St, Darwin City NT
The Darwin Living Lab Symposium is an opportunity to bring together community, industry and government practitioners, to learn and exchange local knowledge on heat mitigation, urban planning and tropical design.
The CSIRO-led Darwin Living Lab (DLL) was established as part of the Darwin City Deal and is a 10-year collaborative partnership (2019-29) between the Commonwealth Government, Northern Territory Government and City of Darwin. The partnership brings together research, government, industry and the community to co-create solutions to Darwin’s most pressing urban challenges that include adapting to a warming climate and creating a more liveable and sustainable city.
The focus of this years’ symposium is on identifying practical heat mitigation opportunities for people living, working and visiting Darwin – empowering people to take action to stay cool in Darwin’s warming wet-dry tropical climate. We will discuss topics such as:

Busting myths about human thermal comfort
The impacts of heat on health
What technologies can help us stay cool and how do we use them.

CSIRO Conversations: AI with ROI - A guide to smarter AI investment
2025-09-16 13:00 - 14:00 | Online
Feeling the pressure to “do something with AI”?
Join us for the next instalment of CSIRO Conversations, where we’ll explore how industry leaders can make smarter, more strategic decisions when investing in artificial intelligence (AI).
With global AI investment projected to reach $980 billion by 2028, organisations are under pressure to act – but not all AI projects are created equal. In fact, up to 80% of AI projects fail to deliver value because the wrong use case was chosen from the start.
To help navigate this complex landscape, CSIRO has released a new guide, Evaluating and prioritising artificial intelligence projects: A guide for better decision making and investment outcomes.
In this webinar, you’ll hear from the guide’s lead author Dr Stefan Hajkowicz and CSIRO’s Professor Elanor Huntington as they unpack key insights and real-world examples of what works – and what doesn’t. Joining them will be a special guest from industry, poised to bring unique perspectives to this industry-focused conversation.
Whether you’re just starting out or scaling up, this session will help you decode the AI maze and invest with confidence.
Let’s talk AI – without the artificial hype.

9th HUGO Variant Effect Prediction Training Course
2025-09-28 - 2025-10-01 | Porto, Portugal
Supercharge your variant interpretation skills!
Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) has transformed genetic analysis, but interpreting variants remains complex. Our expert-led course will equip you with the skills to confidently analyse genomic data. Join us from 28th September to the 1st of October in the breathtaking city of Porto, Portugal, and take your expertise to the next level!
Why attend?
VEPTC 2025 is an interactive course for people involved in DNA sequencing data analysis. It provides a transformative opportunity to elevate your professional capabilities and expand your network.

Master HGVS nomenclature & variant classification using ACMG guidelines
Learn to navigate genome browsers like Ensembl, UCSC, and IGV
Explore advanced topics, including RNA analysis & mitochondrial genomics
Gain hands-on experience in practical workshops

Who Should Attend?
This course is ideal for researchers, clinicians, and students eager to expand their knowledge of genetic variants and their impact on protein function and disease risk. With expert instructors and hands-on sessions, you’ll leave with practical skills you can immediately apply.
Event Highlights:

Interactive Learning: Engage in practical exercises and real-world case studies.
Networking Opportunities: Collaborate with fellow experts and peers.
Incredible Location: Learn and relax in the heart of the UNESCO World heritage city Porto, Portugal.

Spaces are limited, Register now to secure your place in this must-attend event!
We can’t wait to welcome you to Porto!
Discover more on the website > https://www.veptc.hugo-int.org

AI in science: the promise, perils and path forward – AI and our safety
2025-10-14 17:30 - 19:00 | The Shine Dome, 15 Gordon Street, Acton ACT
Curious about how artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the world around us?
Join the Australian Academy of Science in 2025 for ‘AI in science: the promise, perils and path forward’ to explore the current and future implications of AI.
Discover how AI is helping scientists make breakthroughs in health and medicine, climate research, agriculture and food production, space exploration and more. The series will also delve into potential risks, limitations and ethical issues as AI becomes increasingly prominent in science and our society.
The six events in our public speakers series across 2025 will be a mix of panel discussions and presentations, and will feature a range of speakers from science, technology, social science, industry and government. Audiences, both in person and online, will have the opportunity to engage with speakers in the Q&A sessions at each event.

Nerd Nite #65
2025-10-15 19:00 - 21:00 | Howler, 7-11 Dawson Street, Brunswick
Three presenters share a topic they are NERDY about while the audience shares a drink.
Nerd Nite Melbourne is back for our fifth epic instalment of the year! This time, we’re diving into: the hidden history of infectious diseases: how outbreaks from the plague to COVID have reshaped society and the survival and resilience of queer nightlife in the face of rising challenges! We also have another surprise mystery talk guaranteed to blow your nerdy socks off.
Come for the facts, stay for the vibes, and leave with at least three new niche obsessions. Be infectious, be fabulous, be surprised.
Be there. Be Square
Moxie Delite
I will survive! Survival in AUS queer nightlife
Description: With the rise of queerphobic hate and the cost of living, many queer nightlife performers have had to resort to multiple sources of income and surviving despite the odds. As an events producer, I do my best to keep my friends and co-workers afloat financially where I can, but also to uplift underrepresented talent. I’ve interviewed queer nightlife veterans and researched into the trends that have made or broken us, in hopes that future generations will know exactly how to respond the next time we experience knock backs in the arts.
Bio: Moxie Delite is a burlesque and drag performer who has a love for ridiculousness, subversive performance, and high camp. In her 7 years of performing and producing events, she’s strived to platform underrepresented performers and provide upcoming performers with resources to do their own shows, and make the process a lil less scary. She is passionate about transgender health, local queer history, and BIPOC excellence in the arts.
Socials: @moxiedelite (IG, TikTok) @moxiedelitedrag (FB)
Felicia Bongiovanni
Have infectious diseases changed how we live?
Description: Whenever winter approaches, there are two things you often dread: the cold weather and the increased risk of getting sick. We’ve all experienced firsthand the significant impact that a virus can have on society with the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there are plenty of other infectious diseases that have changed the way you live every day that go unrecognised. Grab a gin and tonic and join me for this talk, where we’ll see how, over time, different infectious diseases have shaped society.
Bio: Felicia has been fascinated by infectious diseases ever since she took her first virology lecture during her undergraduate degree. Before that, she was a space fanatic, and for a living, she would simulate missions to Mars for school students. Today, you can find her at WEHI, constantly frustrated with her code, where she is researching the immune response to different pathogens for her PhD.
Socials: https://linktr.ee/feliciabongiovanni

Caring for Country, culture and community in a changing environment: First Nations leadership in One Health
2025-10-28 14:00 - 15:00 | Online
Join us for the eighth installment of the One Health Wonders webinar series at 2pm AEDT on Tuesday 28 October 2025. Brought to you by the interim CDC and the CSIRO, we aim to showcase the relationship between human, animal and ecosystem health.
The One Health Wonders webinar series showcases cutting edge research and action that focuses on the interdependent relationship between human, animal and environmental health. We seek to promote discussion and collaboration between academic researchers, state and federal government departments, NGOs and One Health stakeholders.
This seminar will feature three presentations on ‘Caring for Country, culture and community in a changing environment: First Nations leadership in One Health’ showcasing one health in action on:

A framework to understand cascading and compounding impacts: Indigenous insights in disaster resilience
One Health on Country: First Nations perspectives in environmental biosecurity
Listening to Country: First Nations community panels and bird flu preparedness
Q&A panel discussion

Come along with your questions for a lively discussion!

Australian Farming Systems in a Changing World
2025-10-29 13:00 - 14:00 | Online
Incremental Transformation of Agricultural Production: Searching for System Synergies
Presenter: Dr. John Kirkegaard, Chief Research Scientist, Agriculture and Food, CSIRO
About the Series:  Hosted by the Systems Program in CSIRO’s Agriculture and Food Business Unit, this series explores the overarching theme “Australian Farming Systems in a Changing World”. Researchers and international experts will discuss research advances in their implications for the productivity, resilience and sustainability of Australia’s agricultural production systems at a time when they face a confluence of environmental and socioeconomic pressures.
Presentation Abstract: Throughout history, few individual technologies have been singularly transformational in improving sustainable agricultural productivity. Rather, step changes in productivity have come only when combinations of technologies, often a mix of old and new, synergise within a farming system. This realisation has important implications for the way we organise and conduct research to better capitalise on new science and technologies to gain real impact on farm. In the end while organisational structures can help, it behoves all of us to be thinking and mixing with colleagues who work on topics and at scales beyond those of our specific expertise as they may hold the key to realising the benefits of our specific idea. In his presentation Dr. John Kirkegaard will reflect upon some examples from his own teams and those of international colleagues where genuine “G x E x M” approaches to research have led to significant and potentially transformational impact. The intent is to stimulate discussion about the potential to better envisage and capture of the future G x E x M opportunities to meet the productivity challenges of a climate-constrained world.
About the presenter: Dr John Kirkegaard FAA is a Chief Research Scientist with 35 years of experience in farming systems research. He has led numerous national and international teams researching many aspects of dryland farming systems, with the National Water Use Efficiency (2013) and Dual-purpose Canola (2021) projects attracting CSIRO Medals for impact from science. In recent years he has championed projects designed to capture benefits from the synergies between individual management and genetic innovations on farms. He has published 200 refereed journal papers and is a regular speaker at forums ranging from regional GRDC Updates to International Symposia. Numerous awards highlight his ability to communicate impactful outcomes from his research teams which inevitably include farmers and advisors. He was Deputy Chair of the International Global Wheat Initiative’s Expert Working Group on Agronomy, and is a current member of the Global Council for Innovation in Rapeseed and Canola. John has supervised and mentored many young agronomists, scientists, Postdocs and PhDs throughout his career and was recently awarded a Fulbright Distinguished Chair in Agriculture at Kansas State University and will spend 6 months in 2026 embedded in the KSU Agronomy Department with his host Dr Romulo Lollato to explore application of system synergy thinking to the extensive dryland wheat production system of the US Great Plains.
This webinar series is moderated by Frank Sperling, Senior Principal Research Scientist, A&F, CSIRO.
