Andrew Parker, a zoology faculty member at the University of Sydney, built his career exploring ways to model optical technology on the evolutionary adaptations seen in the eyes of animals. He has turned his interest in biomimetics, the connection between evolutionary biology and design, to issues surrounding access to potable water. Parker’s research blends Joseph Krutch’s eye for the details of desert ecosystems with a Frank Herbert-esque feel: fog condensers inspired by the bumps on the wings and body of desert beetles from Namibia, a water collection system based on the capillary abilities of the Austrailian thorny devil lizard’s skin. Parker’s work promises efficient, innovative solutions for areas seeking to promote public health and continued development in the face of desertification or poor access to resources.
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. Historian Shae Davidson's research interests include public policy and the relationship between culture and civil society. His publications range from articles on industrial history to absurdist poetry.
