A group of Charles Sturt University (CSU) academics have proven that research and teaching can go hand-in-hand, winning the Vice-Chancellor’s excellence awards for teaching and research in 2003.

The winning teaching team consisted of Dr Andrea Bishop, Dr Dan Bedgood, Dr Paul Prenzler, Dr Terry Haig, Professor Kevin Robards, Dr Stuart Helliwell and Mr William Adlong from the School of Science and Technology and Associate Professor Ken Dillon from the School of Information Studies. They are based in the Faculty of Science and Agriculture on the University’s Wagga Wagga Campus.

The teaching team received its award for designing and teaching innovative chemistry subjects and combining their skills and experiences in science, educational theory and information technology to provide the best educational experience for their students.

All members from the School of Science and Technology team then joined Dr Michael Antolovich and PhD students Suzy McDonald, Curtin Kalua, Hassan Obied, Alek Zander and Ingrid Wootton in taking the University’s top team research award.

They received the 2003 Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence in Research Award for their studies into the basic chemistry of plant phenols and their future possible uses in foods, pharmacy and forensic science.

CSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Goulter said this team driven achievement highlighted the importance of collaborative research in universities.

“Much of our innovation comes through this ‘hot-house’ team environment, where staff and students with differing specialist interests combine their knowledge and critical thinking.  Research and teaching go hand-in- hand in providing the best education for our students and the regions we serve,” Professor Goulter said.

The CSU individual award for Research Excellence was won by Associate Professor Frank Marino, Head of the School of Human Movement Studies on the Bathurst Campus.

Professor Marino has gained critical acclaim for his specialist area of research; the study of human performance under extreme conditions in hot and cold climates.

The 2003 CSU Vice-Chancellor’s awards for excellence will be presented to the winners during graduation ceremonies to be held on all CSU campuses in 2004.