Pro Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President
(Research)
B.Sc (Hons) La Trobe, PhD La Trobe, MBA (Tech Mgt) APESMA/Deakin, Grad Cert Tert Ed Flinders
Contact Information:
Tel: 02 6201 5914
Fax: 02 6201 5466
Email: Sue.Thomas@canberra.edu.au
Personal Assistant: Miss Nadina Geary
Tel: 02 6201 2884
Fax: 02 6201 5466
Email: Nadina.Geary@canberra.edu.au
Location: Building 1, Room D121
Biography
Sue Thomas has B.Sc (Hons) and PhD degrees in Microbiology from La Trobe University. In her early career she worked as a postdoctoral research scientist at Princeton University in the USA and for the Medical Research Council National Institute for Medical Research in London. In late 1990 she moved back to Australia to assume an academic position at Flinders University in Adelaide. During her 15 years at Flinders she assumed a variety of roles and was for over 5 years the Head of the School of Biological Sciences. Her research background is in non-clinical microbiology, where she has studied the genetics and molecular biology of bacteria.Her longest standing interest is in the forces causing genetic change (mutation), how cells respond to chromosomal damage,and how the genes involved in mediating such responses are regulated. She has been involved in a number of projects on this theme, including studying enzymes involved in DNA replication, collaborating with a mathematician in calculating mutation rates, and creating live bacterial biosensors for the rapid detection of hazardous chemicals. She has also led a range of other more serendipitous projects on bacterial diversity that have involved bioprospecting for and assaying novel bacteria in subterranean caves, mangroves, tidal pools and the open ocean. She has a variety of teaching experience, having taught large first year general biologyclasses, basic and advanced microbiology, biotechnology, nanotechnology and environmental science. In 1998 she was the recipient of the Flinders University Vice Chancellor's Award for Teaching Excellence.
Sue also has an MBA (Technology Management) from Deakin University/APESMA and a Graduate Certificate in Tertiary Education from Flinders University.
