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Helen Camakaris

(she/her)
Honorary Fellow in the School of Biosciences, The University of Melbourne

Helen studied Science at the University of Melbourne where she obtained her Ph.D. in the Department of Microbiology in 1975. She stayed in the same Department for several decades studying how bacteria regulate genes in response to their environment. She simultaneously developed her general research skills in other areas of science, particularly as seen from an evolutionary perspective. Since she retired from active research in 2008 she has devoted all her time to studying and writing in interdisciplinary areas that relate to sustainability and climate change, evolution and psychology. She has been writing popular science articles and essays and is currently working on a book.

Experience

  • 2014–present
    Visitor in the Department of Genetics, University of Melbourne
  • 2015–present
    Visitor in the School of Biosciences, University of Melbourne
  • 2009–2013
    Honorary Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne
  • 1978–2008
    Research Scientist, University of Melbourne

Education

  • 1975 
    University of Melbourne, Ph.D.
  • 1970 
    University of Melbourne, Bachelor of Science (Honours)

Publications

  • 2016
    Masters of the Anthropocene: Choosing Our Future, Kosmos Journal at http://www.kosmosjournal.org/reader-essay/masters-of-the-anthropocene-choosing-our-future/
  • 2015
    Half-baked and Out of Time, New Internationalist at http://newint.org/features/web-exclusive/2015/08/28/evolutionary-shortcomings-and-climate-catastrophe/
  • 2015
    Evolutions Paradox: Why We Ignore Climate Change, Kosmos Journal at http://www.kosmosjournal.org/news/evolutions-paradox-why-we-ignore-climate-change-2/
  • 2013
    Wanted: a Political Leader with a Vision for a Sustainable Future, The Conversation at https://theconversation.com/wanted-political-leader-with-a-vision-for-a-sustainable-future-17007 and in The Story of the 2013 Election (Future Leaders), ISBN 9780987480712
  • 2011
    The Poisoned Chalice: Genetic Heritage, Future Demise, Meanjin Quarterly Volume 70 (4), 50 - 57
  • 2009
    Stone Age Brains, Cosmos Magazine Issue 29, p 88 (Opinion)

Research Areas

  • Ecological Impacts Of Climate Change (050101)
  • Climate Change Processes (040104)
  • Microbiology (0605)
  • Evolutionary Biology (0603)
  • Population, Ecological And Evolutionary Genetics (060411)