The Scholarship Excellence Network (SCENE) is a new 2019 initiative being established in the Division of Health Sciences that will coordinate staff activity in the educational grants and awards space. The primary aim of SCENE is to involve previously successful Teaching and Learning (T&L) academics within the Division as mentors for staff looking to apply for a T&L award.
Process
Staff considering applying for a teaching award will be able to identify previously successful applicants within the Division and nominate a potential mentor. As the coordinator of SCENE, I will liaise between the applicant and mentor for the initial meeting(s). The mentor will provide constructive guidance to the applicant, which may include: Is there sufficient evidence to support an application? What are the strengths and what are the weaknesses of the application?
Staff
Below you will find details of the staff members participating in the SCENE program. You can either browse all staff, or click on the links below to go to the relevant school.
Pharmacy and Medical Sciences staff
Co-ordinator |
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Dr Costabile is a senior lecturer in the School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences. He received a Bachelor of Science degree with First Class Honours from Flinders University and completed a PhD at the Women's and Children's Hopsital through the University of Adelaide. He has been employed at the University of South Australia since 1998. He is the Honours co-ordinator for the Laboratory Medicine Program, and an active teacher as well as researcher in the Centre for Cancer Biology. Contact: Maurizio.Costabile@unisa.edu.au |
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Pharmacy and Medical Sciences |
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Dr Pearce is a Senior Lecture in Nutrition and Food Science and Pharmacy programs in the school of Pharmacy and Medical Science. She has dual degrees in Applied Science (Microbiology and Chemistry) and Adult Education. She gained extensive industry experience as a Quality Manager, Food Analyst, NATA signatory and researcher before undertaking a PhD in Nutritional Physiology at the University of Adelaide where she also established undergraduate teaching courses in Nutrition. Karma’s doctoral research with the CSIRO focused on Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity. |
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Dr Thalluri holds a doctorate degree in Neurosciences from John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra. She has several years of teaching experience at the University of South Australia, teaching human anatomy, human physiology, pathophysiology, pathology, and neurosciences. Jyothi is the founder of the 'Preparing for Health Sciences' workshop (ScienceReady), and the Student Coaching/Study Buddy Support Scheme and Virtual Pathology Museum at UniSA. Contact: Jyothi.Thalluri@unisa.edu.au |
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Dr Todd is a neuroscientist who specialises in neural control of movement in humans. She completed a PhD at the University of New South Wales, and is currently a Senior Lecturer in the School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences at the University of South Australia. She leads the Neurophysiology of Human Movement Group and two large multidisciplinary teams of researchers that are investigating early motor signs in Parkinson’s disease and the long-lasting effects of methamphetamine on movement. Contact: Gabrielle.Todd@unisa.edu.auxx |
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Contact: Kristen.Bremmell@unisa.edu.au
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Dr Tim Barnes teaches courses in Pharmaceutical Science/Dosage Form Design in the Pharmaceutical Science and Pharmacy programs. He is involved in the Pharmaceutical Science and Therapeutics Group of the Sansom Institute, and is actively involved in a number of research projects with colleagues at the Future Industries Institute (UniSA) and interstate. Contact: Tim.Barnes@unisa.edu.au |
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Dr Vijay Suppiah graduated from the National University of Singapore in 2003 with an Honours degree in Pharmacy. After graduating, he commenced a PhD at the School of Pharmacy at Queen's University of Belfast, Northern Ireland. The PhD project investigated the shared immunogenetics of autoimmune diseases; namely, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. In 2006, he joined the University of Sydney as a post-doctoral scientist working on the pharmacogenetics of Hepatitis C therapy, which was funded by an ARC linkage grant working together with an industrial partner, Roche Pharmaceuticals. This project identified the role of IL28B in Hepatitis C treatment outcome. Contact: Vijay.Suppiah@unisa.edu.au |
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Prof Sandra Orgeig is a lung biologist with a strong focus on the evolution and function of the pulmonary surfactant system. She has worked with comparative, evolutionary, and biomedical approaches to understand how this complex lipid-protein mixture regulates the surface tension at the air-liquid interface of lungs and promotes efficient lung function. In the School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, she leads the Molecular and Evolutionary Physiology of the Lung Laboratory, which aims to understand the evolution, development, function and regulation of pulmonary surfactant in health and disease across a range of animal models. Contact: Sandra.Orgeig @unisa.edu.au |
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Assoc Prof Sally Plush's research is aimed at using a mixture of organic and inorganic chemistry to advance knowledge in biology especially around key biological processes. She has a background in supra-molecular chemistry and the design of macrocyclic luminescent lanthanide sensors for biologically relevant analytes. Her current research interests are primarily focused on the further development of luminescent metal ion complexes (transition and lanthanoid based)for live cell imaging applications. She teaches or supports the following courses: Chemistry 101, Synthetic Chemistry, Advanced Synthetic Chemistry, Advanced Structure Determination, and Analysis and Chemistry 100 Contact: Sally.Plush@unisa.edu.au |
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Dr Evangeline Mantzioris is the Program Director for the Bachelor of Nutrition and Food Sciences Program. She is a qualified Accredited Practicing Dietitian (APD) and an Accredited Sports Dietitian (SDA). Evangeline has had extensive experience working in clinical dietetics at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and the Repatriation General Hospital, as well as having her own private practice. She also has experience in clinical teaching, having been the Clinical Tutor for the Flinders University Dietetic program at The Repatriation General Hospital. Evangeline’s PhD examined how omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids can affect the inflammation in the body. She has several research interests including: The health effects of increasing dietary n-3 fatty acids, as well as the impact of n-3 fatty acids in growth and development of children; The environment-food nexus and how it impacts on nutrition; The Mediterranean Diet; Nutritional properties of sports supplements. Contact: Evangeline.Mantzioris@unisa.edu.au |
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Dr Matt Sykes completed a Bachelor of Science honours degree in chemistry at Flinders University and subsequently completed a PhD at the same institution working in the field of molecular property prediction with Dr. Errol McCoy. He then worked as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Sheffield in the UK and at Astra Zeneca pharmaceuticals in Alderley Edge, Cheshire with Professor Barry Pickup and Dr Andrew Grant. This work centred around developing computational tools to expedite the drug development process, in particular looking at areas related to solvation of small molecules and proteins. Prior to moving to UniSA, Matt was working as a Research Fellow in the Department of Clinical Pharmacology at Flinders University with Professor John Miners, looking at computer-based methods for screening, identification and analysis of molecules of importance to human hepatic drug metabolism. Matt has won a number of awards for his teaching including: Division of Health Sciences Teaching Award (2009) Nominee, Student Nominated Excellent Educator Award (2010) University Supported Teacher Award (2011) UniSA Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning for "For sustained excellence in the teaching of chemistry to large first year student cohorts from a diverse range of programs and backgrounds" (2015). Contact: Matt.Sykes@unisa.edu.au |
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Assoc Prof Craig Williams graduated with a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Zoology and a major in Microbiology from the University of Adelaide. After a few years working in research, he took a Graduate Diploma in Education (University of Adelaide) and a PhD (University of South Australia), before working as a school teacher. After post-doctoral research work at James Cook University, he returned to an academic position at the University of South Australia. Throughout his academic career of more than 20 years Craig has combined skills in education and communication with his research studying the interface between environmental and public health. His particular focus is on mosquito-borne diseases. This academic work has been recognised through awards such as the South Australian Young Scientist of the Year (2007), an IgNobel Prize in Biology (2005), and a Commonwealth Office of Learning and Teaching (OLT) Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning (2013). Contact: Craig.Williams@unisa.edu.au |
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| Bradley Simpson
Dr Bradley Simpson coordinates and teach a number of undergraduate courses centred around human health in the School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences. He has a particular interest in biologically active compounds found in plants and how they interact with physiological processes. Much of his research has involved merging Aboriginal traditional knowledge and philosophy with western scientific methodologies to generate innovative solutions to contemporary issues relevant to human health, while preventing further loss of traditional knowledge. His teaching and research pursuits encompass the discovery and characterisation of biologically active compounds from Australian native medicinal and food plants; the biochemistry and mechanism of action of natural products; inflammation processes in the initiation and promotion of disease states; and ecological biochemistry. Contact: Bradley.Simpson@unisa.edu.au |
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Dr Catherine King is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences. She coordinates Pharmacology 2 and is a Research Education Portfolio Leader (REPL). Dr King completed her undergraduate Master of Pharmacy Degree at Queen's University, Belfast, and her subsequent pre-registration training with Boots The Chemists, Edinburgh, as a student of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. She returned to Queen's University, Belfast in 2004 to undertake a PhD examining the genetics of susceptibility to multiple sclerosis and pharmacogenomics of interferon beta treatment in multiple sclerosis patients. Besides her main research focus on MS genetics/pharmacogenomics, Dr King is also interested in rheumatoid arthritis genetics and pharmacogenomics. Contact: Catherine.King@unisa.edu.au |
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Assoc Prof David Foster is the Course Coordinator of Pharmacokinetics and Biopharmaceutics, Frontiers in Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutical Sceince, and Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacodynamic Modelling. His research interests include the optimisation of pharmacotherapeutic treatment of patients through understanding the factors that are responsible for differences in response to medicines between people. He is the current President of the Population Approach Group of Australia and New Zeland (PAGANZ) which is the peak body representing pharmacometrics in Australasia, and a co-chaor of the Drug Disposition and Response special interest group of the Australasian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists (ASCEPT). He has won the UniSA Supported Teacher award (2011 and 2012), and the student-nominated Excellence in teaching (2017). Contact: David.Foster@unisa.edu.au |
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Dr Jackie O'Flaherty is a senior lecturer who specialises in anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology and case based learning. She has focused on fostering engagement for online learners. Jackie won an International Online Effective Practice Award in 2018, and has received multiple teaching awards including: UniSA and national citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning; UniSA’s Award for Teaching Excellence (2012); the OLT National Australian Award for University Teaching Excellence (2013); an OUA National Award for Excellence in the engagement of students studying online (2017); and two awards for Innovations in Effective Practice in Digital Online Learning (2017, 2018). She is a scholarly teacher who has published journal articles to disseminate the context, challenges and successes of her work. Contact: Jackie.O'Flaherty@unisa.edu.au |
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Assoc Prof Michael Ward is a lecturer in Pharmacy. He obtained his Bachelor of Pharmacy in 2001, and then practised as a pharmacist at the Royal Adelaide Hospital before completing his PhD in 2007. Michael's overarching philosophy is one of a connection between the foundational sciences and clinical practice. This is evident in his contribution to teaching, research, knowledge application and maintained clinical practice. His research interests are broadly focused upon the determinants of drug response including pharmacogenetics, drug metabolism and drug interactions. Michael's philosophical approach to teaching and learning centres on engaging with the emerging medicines and therapeutic modalities through research-acquired expertise; remaining contemporary in a complex and dynamic area of professional practice; and accepting responsibility for challenging teaching endeavours which he believes are critical for safe and effective professional practice. Contact: Michael.Ward@unisa.edu.au |
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Dr Sarah List is a Lecturer in Biosciences. She is responsible for the course and assessment design, staffing, review and budgeting for two large courses (totalling over 1600 students per year). These courses incorporate students based on campus and online ,and at the Whyalla and Mt Gambier regional campuses. She has considerable experience in e-learning and effective design of online spaces, course delivery, support and assessment methods. She has been recognised and commended for her innovative teaching approaches at the University, State and National Award level. Her interests include developing competent leaders with effective investigative and reasoning skills, and mentoring of students in their professional career directions. Contact: Sarah.List@unisa.edu.au |
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Dr Emma Parkinson-Lawrence is passionate about two areas of health and medical research; protein structure and function and disease pathogenesis. She has linked these two research areas to focus on studying the pathogenesis of disease in a group of genetic diseases called Lysosomal Storage Disorders. Despite presenting as a major clinical problem, the molecular basis of this brain disease is poorly understood and herein lies the major focus of my research. Contact: Emma.Parkinson-Lawrence@unisa.edu.au |
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Dr Bronwen Mayo has a background in microbiology and toxicology relating to cancer treatment. She is currently a member of the Cancer Toxicities Treatment Group and is currently completing her PhD in patnership with Helsinn Healthcare looking at the effect of an naturally occuring gut peptides conventional and new cancer treatment toxicities. She has been tutoring since 2012 and has recently joined UniSA as a Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences in 2015. She also has a keen interest in promoting science in the community and has been a committee member for the Australian Society for Medical Research since 2009. Contact: Bronwen.Mayo@unisa.edu.au |
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Dr Andrea Stringer is a senior research fellow with the Musculoskeletal Biology Research Laboratory in the School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences. She coordinates research into the role of the intestine related to vitamin D with musculoskeletal outcomes. Andrea's broad area of research has focused primarily on gut function, with varied applications. Andrea's broad area of research and expertise is in developing strategies for preventing or treating oral and gastrointestinal damage following cancer treatments (mucositis) to reduce the burden of cancer. Andrea's work has also encompassed identifying the mechanisms underpinning the damage that occurs following cancer treatments, with studies investigating the microbiome, inflammatory cytokines, the mucus barrier, and the enteric nervous system. Her current work focuses on the role of vitamin D in the intestine, specifically the effects of the microbiome, inflammatory cytokines and the mucus barrier. Contact: Andrea.Stringer@unisa.edu.au |
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Nursing and Midwifery |
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Associate Professor Jane Warland practised as a nurse-midwife for 30 years before commencing work as an academic. She researches preventative and modifiable risk factors for stillbirth and promotes awareness of stillbirth. Her program of research is STELLAR (stillbirth, teaching, epidemiology, loss, learning, awareness and risks). Since becoming an academic in 2008 she has won more than ¼ million (AUD) in research funding, has more than 80 publications (books, chapters, journal articles) and she has presented her research at more than 40 conferences both national (Australian) and international. Jane teaches undergraduate nursing and midwifery students and has broad experience teaching across all year levels. Her engaging and dynamic teaching style, as well as curricula and authentic assessment development, have been recognised by winning many teaching awards at School, Division, University level as well as nationally. Contact: Jane.Warland@unisa.edu.au |
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Dr Lois McKellar has been a midwife for many years and is the Program Director for the Bachelor of Midwifery. She is dedicated to providing excellence in Midwifery education and equipping midwives for practice in the 21 century and beyond. She has received a UniSA Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning (2015) and an OTL Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning (2016). her PhD explored issues around postnatal midwifery care, specifically the study focused on developing evidence based strategies to improve care by working with both industry and consumers. I am an advocate for improving the well-being of women and the development of healthy and resilient families through collaborative research, publications, workshops and presenting at numerous conferences. She is also involved with an NGO providing consultation regarding training of skilled and traditional midwives in Cambodia. Contact: Lois.McKellar@unisa.edu.au |
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Assoc Prof Nayana Parange is the Associate Dean for Online education in the Division of Health Sciences. She has an extensive clinical and teaching background, is active in teaching, research, industry and community engagement and her career spans nearly thirty years. Dr Parange currently provides academic leadership in the Division and UniSA Online, facilitating the digital transformation of academic programs, driving curriculum development for UnISA Online programs, promoting innovative online teaching approaches and contributing to establishing an exceptional educational and student experience for online students. She has extensive experience in academic leadership and governance, stakeholder engagement, and strategic planning and operations within complex delivery models, having held a range of appointments to several national and international committees in ultrasound. Contact: Nayana.Parange@unisa.edu.au |
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Health Sciences |
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Dr Emily Ward is a Lecturer in the Physiotherapy program with a main focus on paediatric content including the role of Course Coordinator for Physiotherapy with Children. She has over 15 years clinical experience in senior clinical roles in hospital, community and private practice sites across South Australia and Western Australia. She completed her PhD in 2011 for a project investigating the effect of intervention parameters for children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), and has a continued interest in research in this area. She is a member of the International Centre for Allied Health Evidence (iCAHE). Contact: Emily.Ward@unisa.edu.au |
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Dr Margarita Tsiros is a Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy (Paediatrics) and a researcher with the Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity at the University of South Australia. She has clinical career spanning more than decade, and has worked extensively with children with disabilities. Margarita’s research examines how overweight and obesity influences aspects of physical function and well-being in children. Her research has been formally recognised through many external awards. In 2016, she was named an AMP Tomorrow-maker, recognising her determination to have a positive impact on the community through her research. In 2015, she was a finalist for the Team Kids Young Investigator Award and in 2014 she received a Tall Poppy Science Award, recognising her extensive work engaging with the media, policy-makers, schools and community groups to promote healthy lifestyle behaviours relevant to tackling childhood obesity. In 2017, she was part of a team which received a Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning. Contact: Margarita.Tsiros@unisa.edu.au |
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Dr Sophie Lefmann has worked for a number of years as a physiotherapist with children. She has wide ranging clinical and research interests in paediatric disorders, in particular neurological disorders, and has completed advanced training in Prechtl's Method of Qualitative Assessment of General Movements. She is a very experienced clinical supervisor and educator for physiotherapy students in community-based settings. Recently, she has been leading supervision in inter-professional education environments. Her PhD was in the field of emergency department physiotherapy, and she conducts research in paediatric rehabilitation and related fields, most recently supervising research students exploring robotic rehabilitation. Contact: Sophie.Lefmann@unisa.edu.au |
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Ms Eileen Giles has 12 years experience working as a Radiation Therapist in both the private and public health sectors of South Australia. She joined the University of South Australia in January 2006 as the Lecturer and Stream Co-ordinator of the Radiation Therapy discipline within the Medical Radiation Science Program. Contact: Eileen.Giles@unisa.edu.au |
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Dr Thalluri holds a doctorate degree in Neurosciences from John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra. 
