![Environmental and Life Sciences](/__data/assets/image/0004/556330/school-environmental-life-sciences-header.jpg)
Our people
School Executive
Associate Professor Clovia Holdsworth
Acting Head of School
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Head Of School
- Clovia.Holdsworth@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 5481
Associate Professor Troy Gaston
Associate Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Deputy Head Of School: Marketing, Engagement & Outreach
- Troy.Gaston@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4349 4569
Professor Scott Donne
Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Deputy Head Of School: Research
- Scott.Donne@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 5477
Associate Professor Michelle Duffy
Associate Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Deputy Head Of School: Research Training
- Michelle.Duffy@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 5097
Dr Richard Yu
Senior Lecturer
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Deputy Head Of School: Teaching & Learning
- Richard.Yu@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 6990
Associate Professor Bill Leggat
Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Student Academic Conduct Officer (SACO)
- Bill.Leggat@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 43484021
Ms Kristy Atkins
School Executive Officer
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
School Executive Officer (SEO)
- Kristy.Atkins@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 7915
Associate Professor Geoffry De Iuliis
Associate Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Head Of Discipline: Biological Sciences
- Geoffry.Deiuliis@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 7295
Professor Erica Wanless
Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Head Of Discipline: Chemistry
- Erica.Wanless@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4033 9355
Associate Professor Hannah Power
Associate Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Head Of Discipline: Earth Sciences
- Hannah.Power@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 5606
Dr Craig Evans
Senior Lecturer
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Head Of Discipline: Environmental Science & Management
- Craig.Evans@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4405 0695
Dr Quan Vuong
Associate Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Head Of Discipline: Food Science
- Vanquan.Vuong@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 43484124
Professor Simon Springer
Professor of Human Geography
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Head Of Discipline: Geography & Environmental Studies
- Simon.Springer@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 2075
Academics & Researchers
If you are interested in investigating and experimenting to learn more about living organisms, a Biology major is for you. You’ll gain an understanding of the fundamentals of biology including plant and animal biology, cell and molecular biology, plus genetics and evolution.
Building on your in-depth knowledge of the basic principles of biology, you’ll have the opportunity to explore different areas of interest – focusing your studies on different courses to specialise in an area that most suits your career plans.
Research areas cover genetics, plant cell development, DNA damage, reproductive biology to name a few, with opportunities for biology graduates to embark on careers involving biochemistry, environmental/ecological biology for example, or to further study specific topics at a higher level.
Potential job opportunities for biology graduates include animal biologist, biochemist, botanist/plant scientist, environmental/ecological biologist, pathology assistant or research assistant.
Associate Professor Mark Baker
Professor
School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy
Male infertility
- Mark.Baker@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 7880
Dr Alex Callen
Lecturer, Vegetation and Restoration Ecology
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Threatened species, Environmental monitoring, Environmental management
Dr Anita Chalmers
Honorary Lecturer
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Flora, Conservation biology, Plant ecology
- Anita.Chalmers@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4349 4462
Associate Professor David Collings
Honorary Associate Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Gymnosperms, Spiral grain development
- David.Collings@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 5711
Associate Professor Geoffry De Iuliis
Associate Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
DNA damage, Oxidative stress, Proteomics
- Geoffry.Deiuliis@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 7295
Dr Craig Evans
Senior Lecturer
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
microbial species in environmental samples, Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)
- Craig.Evans@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4405 0695
Dr Zamira Gibb
ARC Research Fellow
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Fertility, Reproductive biology, Stem cells
- Zamira.Gibb@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 5637
Associate Professor Ian Grainge
Associate Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Microbiology, Novel antibiotics, Site-specific recombination
- Ian.Grainge@newcastle.edu.au
- 4921 7238
Professor Christopher Grof
Honorary Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
C4 photosynthesis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Biofuels
- Chris.Grof@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 5858
Associate Professor Karl Hassan
Associate Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Antimicrobial resistance, Membrane transport, Microbial genomics
- Karl.Hassan@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 7236
Professor Matthew Hayward
Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Conservation biology, Ecology, Introduced species
- Matthew.Hayward@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 7472
Dr Ben Long
Senior Lecturer in Molecular Plant Biology
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
synthetic biology approaches to building a CO2 concentrating mechanism in plant chloroplasts to enhance photosynthesis
- Ben.Long@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4055 4137
Dr Tessa Lord
ARC DECRA
Office PVC - Engineering, Science and Environment
Fertility, Reproductive biology, Stem cells, Reproduction, Wildlife conservation
- TESSA.LORD@NEWCASTLE.EDU.AU
- (02) 40553026
Professor Brett Neilan
Laureate Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Bioactive compound discovery, Cyanobacteria, Genetics of complex biosynthesis
- brett.neilan@newcastle.edu.au
- 0421227477
Professor Brett Nixon
Deputy Head of College
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Andrology, Biology, Gamete biology
- Brett.Nixon@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 6977
Dr Joseph Pegler
Lecturer
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
RNA silencing, microRNAs, Abiotic stress, Plant physiology, Sugar transport
- Joseph.Pegler@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 6129
Dr Darren Southwell
Lecturer
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Conservation biology, ecology, optimal monitoring, population modelling, quantitative ecology, threatened species, species distribution modelling
- Darren.Southwell@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 6826
Dr Michael Stat
Senior Lecturer
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Coral reefs, environmental DNA, genomics, symbiosis
- Michael.Stat@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 5710
Research in Chemistry is central to most areas of modern science and technology. Deepen your understanding of the properties and uses of chemicals, elements, and compounds with a Chemistry major. Studying Chemistry at UON you will have access to our world class facilities and our existing industry relationships, as you explore the primary concepts of chemistry, including basic atomic and molecular structure, the chemistry of carbon compounds as well as principal physical concepts of the discipline. Chemistry impacts and interacts with our lives on a daily basis. Use your extensive knowledge to pursue a career in research, the food or manufacturing industries, or even science communication and journalism.
Professor Michael Bowyer
Executive Dean of Central Coast Campus
Regional Campuses
Heterocyclic chemistry, Hydrogen sulfide, Molecularly imprinted polymers
- Michael.Bowyer@newcastle.edu.au
- (02)43484119 CCC
Dr Robert Chapman
Senior Lecturer
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Polymer synthesis, Self assembled nanoparticles, Macromolecular therapeutics
- Robert.Chapman@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4985 4260
Dr Sam Chen
Senior Lecturer
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Carbon Materials, Graphene, Materials Chemistry, Materials Science, Membranes, Rechargeable Batteries
Professor Scott Donne
Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Electroanalytical chemistry, Electrochemistry, Energy storage materials
- Scott.Donne@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 5477
Dr Thomas Fallon
Lecturer - Computational and Synthetic Organic Chemistry
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Computational and synthetic organic chemistry
Dr Khay Fong
Honorary Lecturer
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Colloid, Drug delivery, Light scattering
- Khay.Fong@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 7449
Associate Professor Clovia Holdsworth
Acting Head of School
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Analytical chemistry, Molecular imprinting, Organic chemistry
- Clovia.Holdsworth@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 5481
Dr Tim Kirkman
Technical Manager
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Chemistry
- Timothy.Kirkman@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4913 8760
Professor Adam McCluskey
Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Anti-cancer agents, Chemical biology, Clathrin inhibitors
- Adam.McCluskey@newcastle.edu.au
- 0249216486
Professor Alister Page
Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Carbon nanotubes, Combustion, Computational chemistry
- Alister.Page@newcastle.edu.au
- 40339357
Dr Ian Van Altena
Honorary Lecturer/Casual Academic
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Chemical ecology, Compound identification by spectrometry, Environmental chemistry
- Ian.vanAltena@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 5480
Professor Erica Wanless
Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Adsorption, Atomic force microscopy, Characterisation of the solid-liquid interface
- Erica.Wanless@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4033 9355
The Earth Sciences major is for those that are looking to build new concepts working in a variety of environments. Examine the processes of our earth, soil, water, as well as our spatial science and structural geology. You will learn from leading science researchers who will guide you through a tailored program, specifically designed to give you the skills that employers are seeking. You’ll be able to follow your passions, and customise your study with a wide range of disciplinary choices, incorporating many areas of study. Find scientific solutions to complex problems and gain the confidence that employers are looking for.
Associate Professor Gregory Hancock
Honorary Associate Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Environmental geoscience, Physical geography
- Greg.Hancock@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 5090
Associate Professor Anthony Kiem
Associate Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Agriculture, Climate change
- Anthony.Kiem@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 8656
Dr Michael Kinsela
Lecturer - Coastal and Ocean Geoscience
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Coastal risk management, Coastal hazards, Climate change, Coastal barrier-estuary systems, component depositional landforms
Dr Chris Owers
Lecturer - Spatial Information Science
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Spatial science, carbon storage, remote sensing, GIS, coastal science, biogeography, vegetation science, geomorphology, biodiversity
- Chris.Owers@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 7803
Associate Professor Hannah Power
Associate Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
coastal environments including sandy beaches, estuaries, rocky shores, and coral reefs; coastal processes including ocean waves, tides, and currents; coastal hazards including wave overwash and tsunami; climate change impacts on coasts; geographic information systems (GIS); field experiments; numerical modelling
- Hannah.Power@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 5606
Dr Gabriel Rau
Lecturer- Hydrogeology
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Engineering geology, Hydrogeology, Groundwater, Hydrogeophysics
- Gabriel.Rau@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 7743
Dr Danielle Verdon-Kidd
Associate Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Climate change impact/vulnerability assessment, Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Hydrology
- Danielle.Verdon@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 5749
If you have a passion for science, sustainability and want to play a part in solving the environmental problems facing our society, the Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management at the University of Newcastle is for you. You'll learn to understand and combat the critical issues placing a growing strain on the earth’s natural resources such as climate change, human impacts, and the biodiversity crisis. Find scientific solutions to our current environmental
Dr Alex Callen
Lecturer, Vegetation and Restoration Ecology
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Dr Anita Chalmers
Honorary Lecturer
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Plant conservation, vegetation management, restoration ecology
- Anita.Chalmers@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4349 4462
Dr Craig Evans
Senior Lecturer
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
microbial species in environmental samples, Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)
- Craig.Evans@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4405 0695
Associate Professor Troy Gaston
Associate Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Marine, coastal and estuarine ecosystem functioning and health, habitat rehabilitation, fishery productivity
- Troy.Gaston@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4349 4569
Dr Andrea Griffin
Associate Professor in Wildlife Conservation Science
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
- Andrea.Griffin@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4348 4393
Professor Matthew Hayward
Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
- Matthew.Hayward@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 7472
Associate Professor Geoff MacFarlane
Associate Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Estuarine and marine ecotoxicology
- Geoff.Macfarlane@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 7858
Professor Michael Mahony
Honorary Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Environmental Science and Management, Frog Species
- Michael.Mahony@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 6014
Dr Bonnie McBain
Senior Lecturer
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Sustainability Science, Learning for sustainability, Science Teaching
- Bonnie.Mcbain@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 8871
Dr Liam Phelan
Senior Lecturer in Multidisciplinary Science
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Climate change, Complex adaptive systems, Environmental Studies
- Liam.Phelan@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 492 16464
Dr Margaret Platell
Lecturer/Casual Academic
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Aquatic systems, Ecological processes, Fishing and aquaculture impacts
- Margaret.Platell@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4349 4809
Associate Professor Hannah Power
Associate Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
coastal environments including sandy beaches, estuaries, rocky shores, and coral reefs; coastal processes including ocean waves, tides, and currents; coastal hazards including wave overwash and tsunami; climate change impacts on coasts; geographic information systems (GIS); field experiments; numerical modelling
- Hannah.Power@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 5606
Dr Danielle Verdon-Kidd
Associate Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Climate change impact/vulnerability assessment, Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Hydrology
- Danielle.Verdon@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 5749
Dr Richard Yu
Senior Lecturer
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
EDC, Endocrine disrupting chemicals, Environmental DNA (eDNA)
- Richard.Yu@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 6990
The Bachelor of Food Science and Human Nutrition is offered at the Ourimbah campus. The degree provides a strong background in the principles underlying the sciences of food technology and human nutrition. This includes the basic sciences, the chemistry and biology of nutrients and the attributes of food, including food commodities and functional foods.
Many countries have alarming rates of obesity, diabetes, cancer and heart disease. New healthy, enticing and tasty products are needed to help with these emerging health threats and graduates of this program are in the best position to make a difference.
Dr Taiwo Akanbi
Senior Lecturer
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Food Bioprocessing; Food Waste Valorisation; Encapsulation for Nutrient Delivery
- Taiwo.Akanbi@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 43484117
Dr Emma Beckett
Casual Academic/Casual Academic - Online Development (HEPP)
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Biomedical science, Epigenetics, Science management
- Emma.Beckett@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4348 4158
Dr Tamara Bucher
Associate Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Food labelling, Health perception, Nutrient profiling
- Tamara.Bucher@newcastle.edu.au
- 43484162
Mrs Michelle Challinor
Associate Lecturer
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
- Michelle.Challinor@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 434 84654
Dr Joseph Pegler
Lecturer
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Food security; Sugar transport, Abiotic stress; Plant physiology; microRNAs
- Joseph.Pegler@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 6129
Dr Penta Pristijono
Lecturer
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Edible coating, Food processing, Food safety
- PENTA.PRISTIJONO@NEWCASTLE.EDU.AU
- (02) 43494783
Professor Christopher Scarlett
Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Biochemistry, Carcinogenesis, Metastases
- C.Scarlett@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4348 4680
Dr Quan Vuong
Associate Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Bioactives as functional ingredients, food waste utilisation, food preservation
- Vanquan.Vuong@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 43484124
Geography explores the ways that people and places are connected. On the surface this appears to be a simple connection, yet our research demonstrates the complex entanglements and consequences that arise out of various spatial, political, social, cultural, economic and environmental knowledges, practices and processes. The intersection of these is where Science sits.
Future directions for the Discipline must address the existential threat of climate change, its deeper causes, and the differential impacts it will have across communities and places. Geography is uniquely positioned to do so – indeed, this work is already underway. An important research trajectory involves acknowledging different ways of understanding the world and how these understandings shape places and environments. Indigenous frameworks of relationality and reciprocity, which translate into Country-led research projects, exemplify such work and offer an important pathway for more just and sustainable futures. Research which helps to foreground equity and care will be vital for navigating times of change, not just for human communities but also ecological communities. Lastly, a challenge for all Science disciplines is to find effective ways of communicating research to a broader public, to better inform policy and participation, and to help foster resilience for all people and places.
Dr Faith Curtis
Honorary Lecturer
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Social Geography
- Faith.Curtis@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 6081
Associate Professor Michelle Duffy
Associate Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Affect, Community, Embodiment
- Michelle.Duffy@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 5097
Dr Paul Hodge
Senior Lecturer
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
- Paul.Hodge@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 49215092
Dr Bonnie McBain
Senior Lecturer
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Environmental management, Futures analysis, Learning for sustainability
- Bonnie.Mcbain@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 8871
Associate Professor Kathleen Mee
Associate Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Assemblage, Belonging, Cultural geography
- Kathy.Mee@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 6451
Professor Simon Springer
Professor of Human Geography
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Southeast Asian studies, Human geography, Social justice
- Simon.Springer@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 2075
Dr Meg Sherval
Senior Lecturer
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Climate change Impacts, Community engagement, Energy development
- Meg.Sherval@newcastle.edu.au
- 61 2 4921 6809
Dr Jill Sweeney
Lecturer
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Social Geography
- Jill.Sweeney@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 49138787
Professor Sarah Wright
Future Fellow
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Cultural geography, Development studies, Food sovereignty
- Sarah.Wright@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 7157
When you undertake a Bachelor of Coastal and Marine Science at UON you will build up your experience through practical activities in a range of marine habitats where you will learn to collect, analyse and present information appropriate for your career. The Bachelor of Coastal and Marine Science allows you to tailor your program to your interests through a wide range of minors while obtaining the core skill for a career relating to coastal and marine environments. This program will help you increase your employability by complimenting traditional science learning in marine and coastal environmental studies with a number of study areas, such as animal biology, education studies, social science and environmental regulation. While undertaking your degree you will have access to boats and field equipment plus a dedicated marine science lab used for undergraduate and postgraduate research activities. If you have an interest in learning about marine environments, their ecosystems and natural processes this is the degree for you.
Associate Professor Troy Gaston
Associate Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Bycatch reduction in fisheries, Ecosystem processes, Marine ecology
- Troy.Gaston@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4349 4569
Dr Megan Huggett
Senior Lecturer
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Bacterioplankton, Environmental change, Marine Ecology
- Megan.Huggett@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 43484025
Dr Michael Kinsela
Lecturer - Coastal and Ocean Geoscience
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Coastal risk management, Coastal hazards, Climate change, Coastal barrier-estuary systems, component depositional landforms
Associate Professor Bill Leggat
Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Anthropogenic impacts, Climate change, Coral
- Bill.Leggat@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 43484021
Associate Professor Geoff MacFarlane
Associate Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Estuarine and marine ecotoxicology
- Geoff.Macfarlane@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 7858
Dr Chris Owers
Lecturer - Spatial Information Science
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Spatial science, carbon storage, remote sensing, GIS, coastal science, biogeography, vegetation science, geomorphology, biodiversity
- Chris.Owers@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 7803
Dr Margaret Platell
Lecturer/Casual Academic
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Benthic ecological processes, Fishing and aquaculture impacts, Food webs
- Margaret.Platell@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4349 4809
Associate Professor Hannah Power
Associate Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
coastal environments including sandy beaches, estuaries, rocky shores, and coral reefs; coastal processes including ocean waves, tides, and currents; coastal hazards including wave overwash and tsunami; climate change impacts on coasts; geographic information systems (GIS); field experiments; numerical modelling
- Hannah.Power@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 5606
Dr Vincent Raoult
Casual Senior Research Assistant
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
- Vincent.Raoult@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 43484082
Dr Gabriel Rau
Lecturer- Hydrogeology
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Engineering geology, Hydrogeology, Groundwater, Hydrogeophysics
- Gabriel.Rau@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 7743
Dr Michael Stat
Senior Lecturer
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Coral reefs, Environmental DNA, Genetics
- Michael.Stat@newcastle.edu.au
- (02) 4921 5710
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.