Damian Laird

I am both a teacher and a researcher. The science questions that interest me have always been ones where 'traditional' disciplines overlap, e.g. applying chemical knowledge to explore exploiting and understanding biological systems and developing new materials ; in a sense using a molecular level perspective to explain the macro world we live in.

While I have been involved in teaching almost all areas of chemical sciences, my recent focus has been on first year general chemistry, transitioning between high school and University, and development of students chemical analysis knowledge using a wide range of instrumental techniques. Some of that happens in the class room and some is broader, looking at how we redevelop teaching experiences and re-design our Courses. I have been responsible for oversight of the Chemistry major and now have a role as Associate Dean, Learning and Teaching for the School of Mathematics, Statistics, Chemistry and Physics where I actively support academic staff across the whole School who are looking to innovate in the way that they teach and assess student learning. My knowledge of teaching practice has been recognised with the award of Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy and being a panel member awarding Murdoch University's Vice Chancellor's Awards for Excellence in Learning and Teaching

I am also an active researcher with a substantial collaboration with colleagues in the Murdoch University Algal Innovation Hub within the Harry Butler Institute Centre for Water, Energy and Waste. In that research we are particularly interested in how we can use single celled algae (microalgae) to remove nutrients from polluted wastewaters. As part of their growth, these amazing living chemical factories convert those organic pollutants + CO₂ to pigments, bioplastics, protein, carbohydrates and lipids that we can then utilise as replacements for fossil-fuel based products. The pigments and carbohydrates can be used in the pharmaceutical and food industries, the bioplastics are readily biodegradable, the protein can be used to feed animals and/or humans and the lipids can be converted to next generation biofuels or even new materials. And, of course we can return 'clean' water to the environment and reduce CO₂ emissions from industrial waste processes.

That work has also involved the supervision of 8 research students who have completed their studies and a further 10 who are currently working on diverse projects from inland cultivation of seaweed to gathering essential genetic data so we can better target production of particular products from microalgae.

I have also undertaken a number of research consultancies for WA businesses and worked in the hydrometallurgical processing and wine industries.