An evening discussion on Pacific Island health research - Redcliffe

Next date: Thursday, 05 June 2025 | 06:00 PM to 08:00 PM

Person holding a plate of fruit and vegetables

UniSC scientists are tackling the challenge of improving people’s health in the Pacific Islands.

Hear from three scientists from the Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research as they discuss topics including aquatic food systems, controlling infectious disease and pregnancy and birth outcomes in the region.

Free. Bookings required. For adults.

Meet the MC

Dr Lee McGowan is a Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing at UniSC. He researches intersections of creative writing, sport, and community engagement.

He’s published many works in a range of forms. His most recent books, Women’s Football in Oceania (Routledge 2023) and Beach Soccer Histories (Routledge 2023), were written with support from the Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research (ACPIR).

Panelists

Dr Libby Swanepoel: Associate Professor Libby Swanepoel: Associate Professor in Nutrition and Dietetics at UniSC. Libby is a dietitian and public health nutritionist with expertise in aquatic food systems and their crucial role in the health and sustainability of people and planet. She will focus on her work with communities in the Pacific to develop local food solutions to improving diets and addressing micronutrient deficiencies by utilising locally grown seaweed.

Dr Matt Mason: Lecturer in Nursing at UniSC. Matt is a registered nurse and credentialed infection prevention and control professional with expertise in preventing and managing infectious diseases, particularly in settings outside of large tertiary hospitals. He has a keen interest in supporting the strengthening of infection prevention and control in the Western Pacific through innovative and collaborative ways. He will focus on the growth of infection prevention and control in the Solomon Islands, including the considerations given to climate change in these activities.

Dr Georgia Kafer: Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences at UniSC. Georgia is a reproductive physiologist and leads the Fetal and Reproductive Health Laboratory at UniSC Moreton Bay. Georgia will share the work of her multidisciplinary team to understand the incidence and preventability of adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes in the Western Pacific.