Australian scientist learns safe sex from plants

La Trobe University Professor, Marilyn Anderson, will explain how plants practise safe sex at the Australian Academy of Science's annual celebration, Science at the Shine Dome, being held in Canberra from 4 – 6 May.

She is one of three women amongst the 17 top scientists being admitted as new Fellows of the Academy this year, for their significant contributions to advancing the world's scientific knowledge.

Professor Anderson will describe how plants reject unwanted suitors and protect their valuable reproductive organs against fungal diseases and insect pests. Her talk will be at 10.25am during the New Fellows seminar being held on 4 May.

Other Australian researchers will also present their ground-breaking research during the day.

• Professor John Aitken from the University of Newcastle will discuss human's reproductive future, particularly male fertility treatments and contraception at 10.10 am.
• Professor Thomas Maschmeyer from the University of Sydney will speak on catalysts as the key to sustainable biofuels at 12.25 pm.
• Professor Emma Whitelaw from the Queensland Institute of Medical Research will explain at 4.00 pm how molecules other than DNA pass information from parents to offspring.

The Fellowship of the Academy comprises over 400 of Australia's top scientists. Each year, scientists judged by their peers to have made an exceptional contribution to their field are elected into the Fellowship.

Further information and program: science.org.au/science-shine-dome

Note to media: Media are invited to interview new Fellows prior to or during the event. Please contact Mona Akbari (below) to arrange.