ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space

After a busy year, P4S teams at both The University of Western Australia and La Trobe University gathered on Friday 13th December to reflect, connect and celebrate 🚀 Dr Lim Chee Liew from La Trobe University shared, the event had “nice weather, great games, delicious food, and the best people—what a perfect combination”, and we couldn’t agree more ☀️🎉 #P4S #EndOfYear #Research

Next stop, La Trobe University 🎤🌾 After presenting at the University of Adelaide Waite Campus last week, we welcomed Dr Sarah McKim from the University of Dundee for a seminar at La Trobe University on Monday 16 December. We thank Dr McKim for another insightful presentation, discussing her team's research investigating developmental genetics of cereals. #collaboration #research The James Hutton Institute International Barley Hub

Congratulations to the Leafy 2.0 team (Dr Alex Stumpf, Adam Console, Dr Fernando Galetto, Jaydeep Patel, and P4S Chief Investigator Professor Mathew G Lewsey) who have been awarded the La Trobe University 2024 Vice-Chancellor's Cultural Qualities Award for Innovation 🎉 This award acknowledges their ground breaking work on smart farm technology, in collaboration with P4S partner Gaia Project Australia Pty Ltd 💡🥬 #controlledenvironmentagriculture #collaboration #research #P4S

Earlier today, we welcomed Dr Sarah McKim from the University of Dundee for an External #P4S Seminar. Bringing together Centre members online and in person, the Seminar was held in collaboration with the Waite Research Institute at the University of Adelaide Waite Campus. In a presentation titled 'Beyond Face Value: epidermal specialisations in cereals', Dr McKim described several projects, including a recent discovery of a genetic network in barley controlling multiple epidermal specialisations. We look forward to welcoming Dr McKim at La Trobe University next week 🌏 #Collaboration #PlantScience The James Hutton Institute International Barley Hub

Several researchers and staff from #P4S recently attended the LIMS-DLR Microgravity Workshop and "Life in Space" Symposium 📚🚀 Presented by world-renowned gravitational biologist Dr Jens Hauslage (DLR), the workshop offered a unique opportunity to gain essential hands-on experience in microgravity simulation, as well as connect with researchers from different disciplines. The "Life in Space" Symposium presented the latest findings and success stories in microgravity research from across Australia and overseas, as well as exploring topics such as space science education and outreach. Adriane Piechatzek, a Postdoctoral Researcher from our University of Adelaide node, has shared a few pics from behind the scenes 📷 German Aerospace Center (DLR) La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science (LIMS)

With the end of the year right around the corner, professional staff at the #P4S University of Adelaide node took some time out last week to celebrate over lunch and a tour of Chihuly and the Journey of Light exhibition in the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium, South Australia 🌷🌱 Inspired by the iconic art pieces from Dale Chihuly, the Journey of Light is an artistic and scientific exploration of glass led by University of Adelaide Professor and ANFF-OptoFab Deputy Director Heike Ebendorff-Heidepriem.

Year 9 and 10 students attended workshops presented by the #P4S University of Adelaide node team today, as part of The Science Experience Program. Led by PhD student Matthew Fox Morgan and Communications and Engagement Officer Dr Lieke van der Hulst, the students explored the challenges of growing, preparing and eating food in Space, as well as taking a closer look at duckweed 🌱🚀 #STEMeducation #scienceeducation #scienceoutreach

Congratulations to #P4S PhD student Thomas Cobbinah, who received the Best Poster Award at the recent Australian Society of Plant Scientists 2024 Conference (ASPS 2024) 🌟 Thomas' research is focused on understanding the genetic control of glandular trichome initiation and development in tomato plants 🍅🌱 #P4S #research

Plant experiments are well underway at schools across Australia as part of the Simple Seeds program. It is great to see Townsville SHS observing, asking questions and investigating different possibilities 💡🌱 Is your class participating in the Simple Seeds program? How is your experiment progressing? Magnitude.io #scienceeducation #stemeducation

It was a great pleasure to participate in the Space Industry Working Group as part of the Asia Pacific Regional Space Agencies Forum in Perth this week, co-organised by JAXA: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and Australian Space Agency. Thanks to Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) for the invitation and to my great co-panellists Tim Parsons, Koyo Tsuchiya and Seyed Miri and moderator Ian Christensen, Secure World Foundation. We discussed the importance of keeping space open for future generations and the vital role of space for Earth. We also considered the lessons we can learn to improve and protect life on Earth from activities in space. Space is part of our vital ecosystem and we depend on it increasingly for quality of life on Earth, every day. #APRSAF-30 #Spacesustainability #Sustainability ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space University of Adelaide