Two internationally acclaimed scientists will take up Western Australian Fellowship positions at Curtin University, bringing with them vast knowledge and expertise in the areas of radio astronomy and marine mammal acoustics.
Professor Carole Jackson, an astronomer from New South Wales, will lead a research team focused on the scientific exploitation of the recently commissioned Murchison Widefield Array, the low frequency radio telescope led by Curtin that will investigate the universe in more detail than previously possible.
Professor Darlene Ketten, a marine biologist and neuro-anatomist from Harvard Medical School and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in the United States specialises in functional analyses and biomedical imaging of sensory systems.
Professor Graeme Wright, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Development, said the Western Australian Fellowship Program had been very successful in attracting world-leading expertise to the State and these two appointments were no exception.
“Both Professor Jackson and Professor Ketten will work on research projects that will address issues of international importance,” Professor Graeme Wright said.
“Curtin is delighted to have been awarded these two Fellowships and acknowledges the State Government’s support in funding such high quality international researchers and bringing them to Western Australia.”
Professor Jackson is an expert in low frequency radio astronomy and technology research management working across industry and the research sector in her twenty-five year career.
At Curtin, her Fellowship will help in the verification of prototype SKA-low stations to be built at the Murchison Radio-Astronomy Observatory, 370km north-east of Geraldton, in the next three years.
Professor Ketten’s research will look at how sounds in marine environments impact marine life including shark deterrent technologies. Her appointment will initiate a program in sensory system imaging and promote studies in both animal and human hearing.
Professors Jackson and Ketten are the first female Western Australian Fellows appointed. Both will commence their postings at Curtin later this year.
