The EMCRN Symposium is a chance to get a taste of the breadth and quality of research at ECU.
The annual EMCRN Symposium is a chance to get a taste of the breadth and quality of research EMCR’s are doing at our University, meet with other researchers and peers, and hear from speakers on topics close to our academic hearts.
Dr Zulqarnain Gilani, co-chair of the Symposium, said the symposium was a rare opportunity to bring together researchers from diverse fields.
"Generally, we sit in our schools or departments and hear about the cutting-edge research taking place in our field. This symposium gives everyone an opportunity to listen to fabulous research being carried out at ECU across disciplines," he said.
This year the EMCRN Symposium Organising Committee, co-chaired by ECU researchers Dr Zulqarnain Gilani and Dr Alexis Vassiley, received abstracts from 24 candidates. Each abstract was reviewed by a minimum of three acclaimed researchers to eventually shortlist 12 candidates who will present their research at the symposium.
ECU Post-Doctoral Research Fellow from the Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research (CMER), Dr Anna Lafratta, will be presenting her research on seagrass at the symposium.
Dr Lafratta said that in Port Pirie (SA) one of the world's largest lead smelters has been operating since 1889 and has heavily contaminated the surroundings, with serious consequences for the environment and human health. Here, seagrass meadows on the coastline may play a key role in sequestering a large proportion of the smelter's pollution. Seagrass conservation should be prioritized in highly contaminated areas to avoid the potential release of pollutants following habitat loss.
ECU Post-Doctoral Research Fellow from the Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute (NHIRI), Dr Myles Murphy, will present his research, which has quantified the burden of injury in Western Australian Police Force Recruits, with one-in-five recruits suffering an injury during recruit training. This research has also demonstrated that women, and recruits aged over 30 years are at an increased risk of injury. Finally, recruit fitness also directly impacts injury occurrence, as recruits with lower levels of fitness are at a higher risk of injury.
Top tips for Early Career Researchers
This year’s symposium features a panel discussion of researchers from across the University offering tips for early career researchers.
Symposium Co-chair Dr Alexis Vassiley said academia can be a steep learning curve, and some of the best advice for early career researchers can come about informally.
"The panel discussion will provide a space for experienced researchers to share their tips with ECRS, and answer their questions," said Dr Vassiley.
The inaugural ECU EMCRN Symposium was a resounding success in 2020 and proved its value again in 2021.
The EMCRN symposium will be held in Building 32 of ECU's Joondalup campus, 10.00am – 4.30pm on Friday, 4 November 2022.
The full program can be viewed by visiting the EMCR Network Webpage. You can book your ticket on TryBooking
For any enquiries, contact emcrcommittee@ecu.edu.au
