Spotlight on Science

Can artificial intelligence be used ethically? How are virtual worlds created? How do water quality and chemistry relate? Join us at Hornsby Library to celebrate National Science Week and tackle these questions and more.

You’ll hear from a panel of three working scientists from different fields, who will talk about the science that has inspired them, what the future holds, and the career path choices that got them where they are today.

This event is suitable for students, emerging scientists, and anyone with an interest in science and technology.

OUR PANELLISTS

Dr. Nakia Belmer – Freshwater Ecologist, NSW Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

Specialising in riverine health monitoring, Dr Nakia works in freshwater environmental management. This includes water quality and chemistry sampling but more specifically he is an expert in collecting, identification, and analysis of freshwater macroinvertebrates or “waterbugs”.

Juan Esquivel Muelbert – Aquatic Ecologist andPhD Candidate, Benthic Ecology group and Macquarie University.

Juan is passionate about improving the management, conservation, and protection of aquatic habitats. He holds hold a bachelor’s degree in Aquaculture Engineering, a master’s degree in Biological Sciences, and is currently finishing a PhD in Biological Sciences.

Prof. Deborah Richards - Professor in the School of Computing, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University.

Deborah uses games technology and artificial intelligence to create virtual worlds, training simulations and embodied conversational agents to improve learning, health and wellbeing. She advocates for ethical use of artificial intelligence to empower all humans to make better choices.

OUR MODERATOR

Dr Ana Rubio - Catchments Coordinator - Hornsby Shire Council Estuaries and Natural Resources.

Dr Ana is an environmental scientist with over 15 years of strategic, operational and management experience on estuary processes and threats, catchment health and coastal management. Ana’s current role is to manage the Lower Hawkesbury Estuary.