Grand Challenge: Ask Me Anything with Dr Cameron Webb (NSW Health)

This event was held on Thursday 17 September 2020

Ask me anything with Dr Cameron Webb

By joining this event you are under no obligation to submit a proposal to the Grand Challenge. Those that intend to, however, will find this event will help you to develop a great submission. This is an event for anybody to join, regardless of your affiliation to the University.

The University of Newcastle’s Grand Challenge is an annual initiative with the aim of encouraging multi-disciplinary teams to propose and develop potential solutions to a complex challenge.  The most compelling submissions will share in more than $50,000 in funds to advance their idea.

This year the Grand Challenge has focussed on a complex problem that has both local and global significance – controlling mosquitoes. Mosquitoes can be a major annoyance, but also present an increasing threat of disease.

At this Ask Me Anything you'll have the opportunity to pick the brains of people at the forefront of mosquito interventions to help you develop and refine a potential solution for submission to the Grand Challenge.

Event is free but bookings essential - register here.

Dr Cameron Webb (NSW Health Pathology)

Dr Cameron Webb is a Principal Hospital Scientist in Medical Entomology at NSW Health Pathology, Clinical Lecturer with the Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity (MBI) and the University of Sydney and Senior Investigator with Centre for Infectious Diseases & Microbiology Public Health. Cameron is also the Academic Leader (Research Education) with Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney.

After completing a BSc (Hons) at Macquarie University, Cameron was awarded a research scholarship with the Department of Medical Entomology at University of Sydney to investigate the ecology of pest mosquito populations associated with the estuarine wetlands of Homebush Bay with a view to assisting Sydney Olympic Park Authority to better manage the pest mosquitoes. The findings of Cameron’s Ph.D. formed the basis of the mosquito treatment and monitoring program at Sydney Olympic Park and has resulted in the successful reduction of mosquito populations during the summer months and a better understanding of the complexities of wetland management.

In his role at NSW Health Pathology Cameron provides professional advice to local, state and federal governments, wetland management authorities, engineers, developers and private industry regarding mosquito management and control. Cameron has undertaken Mosquito Risk Assessments for wetland and residential developments, laboratory assessments of mosquito repellents, field-based trials of new mosquito trapping technologies and conducted research into better mosquito management strategies in natural and constructed wetlands.

Cameron has an intimate knowledge of the types of mosquitoes most prevalent in Newcastle having developed a mosquito management plan on behalf of the NSW Premier’s Department for the Hunter and Mid North Coast region of NSW. The plan was developed in conjunction with five local councils, state and federal government agencies and was officially endorsed by all relevant organisations in 2006 with the formation of the “Living with Mosquitoes” focus group. The plan has subsequently been adopted by a group of local and state authorities for the Central Coast and Byron Shire regions.

Known as ‘the mosquito guy’ Cameron shares his insights via his blog and on Twitter @Mozziebites.

The Grand Challenge

Skill up and get informed to help drive a strong submission to the Grand Challenge. Grand Challenge submissions open Sep 21 – Oct 25

The Grand Challenge is open to all University of Newcastle students, staff, academics and alumni across the globe, as well as the wider community. It is a great way to meet new people, be exposed to fresh ideas, learn new skills and build creative, original work while having real-world impact. Great ideas come from everywhere, so no matter your background or experience you’ve got everything to gain by participating. For more information visit newcastle.edu.au/grand-challenge