Gear up for another exciting series of Fenner Flash Talks, where complex science meets clear, quick insights. Join us for just 10 minutes each and leave with a world of knowledge!

Mark Lonsdale will kick things off with “What to expect when you reach Mars - a guide for colonists.” Ready to pack your bags for Mars? Mark will map out the red planet for would-be colonists, from surviving dust storms to planting the first Martian potatoes.

Following Mark, Linda Neaves dives into “How can DNA enhance research & conservation?” Uncover the tiny twists of DNA that can have a giant impact on preserving our planet’s biodiversity. It’s conservation at the molecular level!

Jack Pezzey will then present “A two-act drama to cut Australia's greenhouse emissions.” Explore how changes in political representation and advertising laws could dramatically advance our climate policies. It’s a real-world drama with planetary stakes!

About the Speakers
 

Mark Lonsdale was Chief of CSIRO’s Entomology and Ecosystem Sciences Divisions, and co-edited the CSIRO biodiversity book before retiring in 2014.  He was a founding member of IPBES from 2013 - 2018.  He is a plant ecologist with an interest in invasive species, and he is also a keen amateur astronomer.  His talk today brings together his interests in invasion ecology and astronomy to ask, “what on earth is Elon Musk thinking?”

Dr Linda Neaves is a conservation geneticist and her research focuses on using genomic tools to inform decision-making in environmental management and policy across a range of species. She joined Fenner in 2020 and started the Conservation and Environmental Genomics Labs and is the Deputy Chair of the ACT Scientific Committee.