Dr Rowena Lavery
Senior Lecturer in Biotechnology
College of Medicine and Public Health
Senior Lecturer (Teaching Specialist) at Flinders University who enriches course content and structure, emphasising interactive teaching and work integrated learning (WIL). With a background in international medical biotechnology research spanning two decades and several countries: Ireland, Italy, UK, France, and here in Australia, her enduring passion for science and education shines. Over the last decade, her focus has been directed to the education sector, with a belief that education opens doors to new and amazing opportunities for everyone.
Research portfolio summary
-experience spanning two decades working as a postdoctoral research scientist in diagnostic, clinical and medical research laboratories in Ireland, Italy, UK, France and Australia.
-ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-9249-8868
-Scopus Author ID: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=25640156800
>534 citations, h-index: 10
Teaching portfolio summary
-spans 9 programs [Bachelor of Medical Science, Master of Biotechnology, Bachelor of Health Science, Associate Degree in Applied Science, Diploma of Laboratory Technology (Biotechnology & Pathology Testing), Diploma of Health Science, Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation (Science), Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques, and Certificate III in Science].
2016 Trainer and Assessor Qualification, Certificate IV in Training and Assessment TAE40110
Training and Development Institute of Australia, Melbourne Training Centre, Melbourne city, Australia
2000-2005 PhD
University of Galway (previously known as the National University of Ireland),
DNA laboratory, National Diagnostics Centre, Galway city campus
Thesis title: Molecular Investigations of the Genetics of Idiopathic Male Infertility.
1998-2000 Bachelor of Science (Hons) 1ST class honors (grade 1:1)
University of Galway, city campus, Ireland
1995-1998 National Diploma in Fine Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals (Merit 1)
Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, Galway city campus, Ireland
Awards, Recommendations and Scholarships
2019, 2022 RMIT SEH Top course award for Perform Histological Tests BIOL5224C - an outstanding good teaching scale of > 90%
2019, 2022 RMIT SEH Top course award for Perform Molecular Biology Tests and Procedures BIOL5235C - an outstanding good teaching scale of > 90%
2018 Certificate of achievement awarded by RMIT in recognition of excellent teaching performance in 2018 AD012 Associate Degree in Applied Science.
2018 RMIT capital equipment grant for the purchase of histology tissue processing machine -$40,000
2018 RMIT SEH Top course award for Biochemistry BIOL2364- an outstanding good teaching scale of > 90%
2018 RMIT SEH Top course award for Examine body systems VU22071- achieved an outstanding good teaching scale of > 90%
2014 Awarded the Harold–Mitchell Postdoctoral travel grant - $5,000
2013 Awarded the Equity Trustees equipment grant $35,000
2012 Faculty of 1000 recommendation for research: Lavery et al., PLOS Genetics. Recommended by: Professor Humphrey Yao and Nicol Bolas
2011 Faculty of 1000 recommendation for research: Lavery et al., Developmental Biology. Recommended by: Professor Marilyn Renfree
2002-2003 Awarded Certification from the European Molecular Genetics Quality Network for successful molecular diagnosis of Y-chromosomal microdeletions (EQAS-Y CHROMOSOME)
2000 Scholarship for my PhD studies awarded by National University of Ireland upon earning a 1st class honours degree (one of four students awarded 1st class honours; class of 50)
1997 Scholarship for Science Summer Abroad: One of 4 top tier students awarded
Teaching Specialist focused on reviewing/updating canvas LMS course content and canvas module structure, sharing knowledge, using a personalised approach to teaching that includes real-time interactive team /game-based technology and preparing students for work-integrated learning (WIL) placements.
Subjects I have coordinated and / taught:
-HLTH2107 Research and Study Skills 2 (2023)
-HLTH1004 Human Bioscience (2023)
-MSL975034 Perform Molecular Biology Tests and Procedures (2017-2022)
-MSL975037 Perform Chemical Pathology Tests (2017-2022)
-MSL975029 Perform Histological Tests (2018-2022)
-BIOL2364 Biochemistry (2017-2020)
-ONPS2431 Molecular Biology and Genetics (2019-2021)
-VU22071 Examine Body Systems (Recognise Healthy Body Systems HLTAAP001) (2017-2019)
-VU22068 Examine Concepts in Biology (Concepts in Biology VU20929) (2017-2019)
-BSBCMM401 Make a Presentation (2017-2021)
-MSL975008 Apply Electrophoretic Techniques (2018)
-MSL975009 Apply Routine Chromatographic Techniques (2017)
-MSL973008A Perform Histological Procedures (2016)
-MSL975002A Perform Haematological Tests (2016)
Tertiary qualifications in Education (2016)
- TAEASS401B Plan assessment activities and processes
- TAEASS402B Assess competence
- TAEASS403B Participate in assessment validation
- TAEDEL401A Plan, organise and deliver group-based learning
- TAEDEL402A Plan, organise and facilitate learning in the workplace
- TAEDES401A Design and develop learning programs
- TAEDEL402A Use training packages and accredited courses to meet client needs
- TAEASS301B Contribute to assessment
- TAEASS502B Design and develop assessment tools
- TAEDEL301A Provide work skill instruction
- TAEDEL501A Facilitate e-learning
- TAELLN411 Address adult language, literacy and numeracy skills
2022 Helena Laboratories workshop and industry engagement 29/09/2022 9/10/2022
2022 Indiko clinical chemistry blood analyser 3-day workshop run by Thermo Scientific
2021 Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre CAR T-cell therapy 1-day fieldtrip, 305 Grattan St, Melbourne VIC 3052
2021 Helena Laboratories workshop and industry engagement 4/05/2021 11/05/2021
2019 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Awareness Training (half-day- SEH)
2019 VCS pathology, 265 Faraday Street, Carlton. Specimen reception (half-day) fieldtrip
2019 Melbourne museum ‘Gut Feeling exhibition’ 28/06/2019
2019 Industry engagement with Monash Medical centre genetics counsellor Dr Michaela Cormack 14/10/2019
2019 Boron Molecular industry visit 13/06/2019
2019 Helena Laboratories workshops and industry engagement 16/04/2019 and 08/08/2019
2018 Monash Histopathology industry visit 5/12/2018 - Piero Nelva
2018 Australian Genome Research Facility (AGRF) Fieldtrip, WEHI, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne 3052, Australia
2018 Helena Laboratories workshops and industry engagement 7/05/2018 and 030/07/2018
2017 CDX40 Automated Benchtop Blood analyser – 1 Day workshop
2014 CRISPR/TALENS Workshop, Melbourne University
2014 Annual HCA-RNAi 2014 meeting, Melbourne
2006 Conference in Regenerative Medicine: Remedi/Georgia tech/Mayo clinic, Ireland
2005 Adult stem cells: from the basic to the bedside. Centre for Research, Transfer, and High Education, University of Florence, Italy
2005 Institute Henri Poincaré training unit on molecular biology of skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum proteins, Department of Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, University of Ferrara, Italy
2005 FACsAria Cell Sorting system, Becton and Dickinson, 1-week (in-house) workshop, University Hospital of Siena, Tuscany, Italy
2002-2003 Successfully participated in European Molecular Genetics Quality Network (EMQN) for the molecular diagnosis of Y-chromosomal microdeletions, Ireland – awarded certification
2001 British Fertility Society (BSF) functional genomics in reproductive medicine, 2-day workshop
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South Australia 5042
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