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Dr Chiara Neto with scanning electron microscope photos of a polymer surface.

Home / Engage with us / Alumni / Publications for alumni / Sydney Alumni Magazine

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Sydney Alumni Magazine

The ideas and people making the world a better place

Sydney Alumni Magazine (SAM) links a worldwide alumni community. Explore the achievements of our alumni and stories of leading University research.

News_

Green peaks and ridges of the Nepenthes pitcher plant.

Biomimicry and polymer surfaces recreate nature for industry use

Surfaces in nature can be anything from super water-repellent to super slippery, or able to pull water from the air. Now Dr Chiara Neto and her team are working on recreating those surfaces to solve human problems.

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A Sumatran rhinoceros wandering through the national park.

One wildlife veterinarian's quest to save Sumatran rhinos from extinction

From a young age, Benn Bryant felt that humans should be good custodians of the planet. Now, as an intrepid vet, he works to save Sumatran rhinos, which could be down to as few as seventy left in the world.

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Dennis Wilson, and Her Excellency, Margaret Beazley

NSW Governor, Margaret Beazley, starts with a move to Government House

She helped make the law more welcoming to women and in the process became the first female judge of the Federal Court. Now, Margaret Beazley, with her husband, Dennis Wilson, has taken on a new role: Governor of NSW.

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Monitoring childbirth and labour is moving beyond the limits of CTG

When an almost universal piece of medical equipment nearly brought tragedy to the birth of her second child, Sarah McDonald decided to build something better. She just needed a PhD in medicine to do it.

Analysis_

Newly completed, wood-constructed building.

Wood is back as architecture goes beyond cement and steel for building

Physics says a skyscraper can be made of wood. There are also some good reasons it should be. Handled properly wood can be the most ethical and sustainable building material there is. And no, fire isn't a deal breaker

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You know medicine's placebo effect. Now meet the nocebo effect

The placebo effect has been known for some time, but how it works has been a mystery. Now, Dr Ben Colagiuri is using new insights to identify the mechanisms at work and how they can be used to improve treatments.

Opinion_

Illustration showing world limited resources.

Multispecies justice: A new approach to a growing environmental threat

Confronting another climate change summer of extremes, it's obvious the future of humans and the health of the environment are inextricably linked. New theories of justice must respond to this ecological entanglement.

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Tegan Cheng holding a plaster and thermoplastic orthotic

The 3D printing revolution in orthopaedic devices for children

Most orthopaedic devices only come in adult sizes, but using biomedical engineering, Dr Tegan Cheng is changing that. Based at Westmead and using 3D printing, her most useful tools are imagination and determination.

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The answer to economic famines affecting millions could be in Bangladesh

Not all famines are caused by droughts, floods or wars. In Bangladesh, famines are driven by unemployment. Shyamal Chowdhury grew up seeing the devastating consequences. Now he might have a solution.

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The Getty Museum director's journey from archaeology to art

Being the director of one of the world's most powerful and forward-thinking, private art organisations isn't a job that many people could do well. For Tim Potts, it's as if he was meant for it.

Featured image: Dr Chiara Neto with scanning electron microscope photos of a polymer surface. Photographer: Stefanie Zingsheim