team

We are a group of 6 undergraduates from the University of Sydney under the guidance of Dr Shelley Wickham (Chemistry, Physics, AINST), Dr Anna Waterhouse (Medicine, HRI, AINST), and Dr Alice Williamson (Chemistry). In this competition, we aim to build a biosensor for viruses with many significant applications in R&D and healthcare. We are also the first team from the University of Sydney to enter the competition (and only the second nationally), so throughout our entire journey we’ve been documenting every step to help both ourselves and future teams and participants!

Members

Amanda
Role: Team leader, detection DNA design
Background: Chemistry / Molecular Biology
Bio: most efficient at 3 am

Isabelle
Role: Amplification DNA design
Background: Biomedical Engineering
Bio: *overthinking intensifies*

Jeanne
Role: Treasurer, community outreach, graphic design, sponsorship
Background: Genetics / Molecular Biology / English Literature
Bio: *evil laughter* *Shakespeare puns*

Johnny
Role: Amplification DNA design, film director
Background: Meme Scholar Chemistry / Molecular Biology
Bio: resident memelord

Michael
Role: Graphics and web design, documentation
Background: Mathematics
Bio: taught himself website design in under 3 months

Wunna
Role: Graphics and web design, Animation, Mathematical Modelling, Detection DNA Design
Background: Biochemistry, Physics
Bio: If he were a protein, he’d be Cas9 Nuclease because he only uses designer jeans.

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Fortune Cookie
Role: ???
Background: ???
Bio: Class 5 cryptid

Dr Shelley Wickham
Bio: Currently building an art installation out of hoarded safety glasses

Dr Alice Williamson
Bio: Running a successful side hustle as a Jon Snow impersonator

Dr Anna Waterhouse
Bio: Ninjas microfluidic chips across half the campus to show us what *real* chips are like

Sponsors

We’d like to thank the following institutions and faculties for their generous contributions to our project.

We’d also like to thank these institutions and faculties from the University of Sydney.

team

The Faculty of Science

The DVC Education Portfolio

The School of Chemistry

The School of Physics

The School of Life and Environmental Sciences

Australian Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology

The School of Medical Sciences

as well as the Australian Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis.

We’d also like to thank the University of Sydney Union for providing us with merchandise and clothing.

team

Special thanks

These people have been extremely helpful to our project, and without them we would not be where we are today.

Jeremy Bowring

Peter van Vuuren, ENT specialist at Mildura Base Hospital

Dr Mario Glass

Marcus Guthrie, Medical Administration Manager at Ramsay Health Care