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Conference/Symposium

RISE 2026: Rise Above

Date
Tuesday, 20 October 2026 - Wednesday, 21 October 2026
Time
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (NSW Time)
Location
Lismore Campus, National Marine Science Centre
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Rise generic header

Categories

Hosted by:
Faculty of Science and Engineering

15th Annual Postgraduate Research Conference 

Research in Science and Engineering 


Our mission statement

The Conference aims to provide a supportive and fun experience for postgrads researching information technology, science and engineering and to engage and share each other’s research, develop confidence and communication skills.

RISE Conference key objectives

  • Engage - RISE aims to involve as many students, academics and researchers to participate, in all the scheduled activities, throughout the conference.
  • Share - RISE will foster all to share their research and/or research stories.
  • Encourage - RISE will be a place for personal and professional development, encouraging supportive peer to peer constructive feedback.
  • Connect - RISE will provide opportunities to make connections and friendships with colleagues from common and other research fields.
  • Enjoy - RISE emphasises the importance of breaking up the pattern of postgrad life and will focus on fitting fun into the program.
Register now
RISE 2024 - Cropped

Attend and participate

Tuesday 20 October to Wednesday 21 October

  • Anyone is welcome to attend and participate as part of the RISE conference audience.
  • Postgraduate students are the main target audience and are encouraged to participate.
  • Honours students are also welcome to submit entries.
  • Undergraduates may also submit entries. However, limited numbers will be accepted.
  • Registration is required for anyone wishing to attend the on-campus conference.
  • Get in touch to find out more.

2026 RISE Conference Committee

Ravi Poudel

Ravi Poudel

Chair

I am a Ph.D. student based at the Gold Coast campus. My research revolves around Building Information Modeling and HVAC systems. I will be looking into ways of optimizing the performance of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems in retrofitted buildings, with strong emphasis on enhancing energy efficiency and thermal comfort. I am hopeful that my research will contribute to the sustainability of existing buildings and reduce their carbon footprint.

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Leslie Galstaun

Co-Chair

I am a Ph.D. Student at Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry, SCU.

Duc Thanh Nguyen

Duc Thanh Nguyen

Secretary

I’m a master's by thesis student at Southern Cross University- Gold Coast. My research focuses on how learning theories can be meaningfully integrated into Generative Artificial Intelligence in higher education. My research contributes to the design of more pedagogically grounded Generative AI learning support systems and enhances students’ learning experience in universities.

Fatima Anjum

Fatima Anjum

Program Coordinator

My name is Fatima Anjum, and I am originally from Pakistan. I hold a degree in Agriculture, specialising in soil science and plant nutrition. As a master’s student at Southern Cross University, I am investigating species-specific critical concentrations of copper, zinc, and boron in subtropical pasture species thriving on basalt-derived soils across the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales.

Ehab Etman

Ehab Etman

Media Officer

Ehab is an Egyptian second-year Master’s by Research student with a background in Construction and Architectural Engineering. His research explores using VR and technology in construction training. Passionate about self-development and productivity, he enjoys supporting others to build soft skills, set meaningful goals, and achieve them through strong habits and discipline.

Kuume Benjamen Pendapala Enguwa

Kuume Benjamen Pendapala Enguwa

Financial Officer

I am a PhD candidate at Southern Cross University, Lismore Campus. My PhD research examines how management practices in Australia's Southern cropping regions affect soil health and infiltration, and whether the application of cover crops in these regions can deliver additional benefits to soil health and infiltration.

Hamid Sadati

Hamid Sadati

Co-Financial Officer

I'm a PhD candidate at Southern Cross University. My research focuses on predicting herbicide sorption in Australian soils — work that could help farmers and regulators make better decisions about herbicide use and land management. My path here wound through biochar and wastewater research, which sparked a broader passion for understanding how agricultural inputs interact with soil systems.

Sheena Chung

Sheena Chung

NMSC Representative

I am a PhD candidate based at the National Marine Science Centre, Coffs Harbour. My research uses multiple approaches, including genomics, experiments and modelling, to understand how extreme temperatures affect foundation species such as corals and kelps as the climate changes.

Mohammad Shafi

Mohammad Shafi

Gold Coast Representative

My name is Shafi, and I am from Bangladesh. I have a background in Information Technology (IT), with experience in computing and intelligent systems. My PhD research focuses on developing advanced machine learning algorithms for short-term flood prediction and early warning systems to enhance disaster preparedness and risk mitigation. I am passionate about applying innovative AI and data-driven solutions to address real-world environmental challenges and support sustainable community resilience.

Joanne Oakes

Joanne Oakes

Academic Advisor

I’m an academic and Deputy Director of Higher Degree Research in the Faculty of Science and Engineering. My research is in biogeochemistry – the interaction of biological, geological, and chemical processes. I study the processing and fate of carbon and nitrogen in environments from the arctic to tropics, and from bare sediments to seagrass beds, mangrove forests, freshwater ecosystems, and soils.

Ben L

Ben Liu

Academic Advisor

I am a researcher, a lecturer, and a food and natural product chemist at SCU. I enjoy teaching and working with students. I have a service role as Deputy Director of Higher Degree Research in the Faculty of Science and Engineering. I help to look up the faculty enrolments of master and PhD students, and our popular RISE conference.

Douglas Tait

Douglas Tait

Academic Advisor

Dr Douglas Tait is a prominent biogeochemist and Senior Lecturer within the Faculty of Science and Engineering. His primary research focuses on coastal nutrient dynamics, geohydrology, and greenhouse gas cycling. He specialises in tracing submarine groundwater discharge to evaluate its impact on vulnerable marine ecosystems. Notably, Dr Tait led pioneering research demonstrating that invisible groundwater discharge delivers more nutrients to the Great Barrier Reef than river runoff.

Sonia Weiss - Admin Coordinator

Sonia Weiss

Administrative Coordinator

I am one of two Administrative Coordinators (Research) in the Faculty of Science & Engineering. I have been involved with the RISE Conference since its inception back in 2016, but have been working at SCU for much longer than that. My role in RISE is supporting the Committee with general administration and helping out on the conference days.

Video presentations

Researcher Jacob Birch discusses Australian native grass grains

Gloria Rathner video thumbnail

Grace Russel Video thumbnail

Coral researcher Conor Hendrickson in lab

Get in touch

riseconference@scu.edu.au
lecture theatre style room with graphic displays