Sandra Rees facts for kids

Professor Sandra Rees is a very respected scientist who works at the University of Melbourne. She's an Honorary Professorial Fellow in the Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience. Her main research focuses on understanding how a baby's brain can get hurt while it's still growing. This includes issues like not getting enough oxygen, infections, or being born too early.

Early Life and Learning

Sandra Rees was born in Melbourne, Australia, in 1942. When she was ten, her family moved to Sydney because her father, who was an Army officer, got a new job.

She went to the University of Sydney and earned her first science degree in 1963. She then completed a Master of Science degree there in 1965. During this time, she studied how our eyes and brain work together to help us see.

In 1965, Sandra received a special scholarship to study overseas. She moved to London and earned another Master's degree from University College in 1968.

Later, she returned to Melbourne to get her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree from Monash University in 1977. For her PhD, she learned to use a powerful microscope called an electron microscope. This helped her look very closely at the tiny parts of a normal and injured brain.

This work made her very interested in how brains develop. Throughout her career, she studied how the brain normally grows and how things like not enough oxygen, infections, or being born too early can affect it. She even worked with doctors to create ways to test new medicines that could protect developing brains.

Because of her important work in understanding the brain, the University of Melbourne awarded her a Doctor of Science degree in 2011.

Her Work and Research

In 1984, Professor Rees joined the Department of Physiology at Monash University. She did her research there until 1992. After that, she moved her laboratory to the University of Melbourne. She became an Associate Professor in 1999 and a full Professor in 2007.

Professor Rees is also a great teacher. She has taught many different science courses to university students. She also guided many students who were doing their own research for advanced degrees. Before working at the University of Melbourne, she taught about how the brain works and develops at other universities.

At the University of Melbourne, she taught courses on neuroscience, how cells are structured, and brain development. She was also involved in many university committees. She helped with things like student scholarships and programs to support women in science.

She has always been keen on helping young scientists. She has mentored many of them and given talks about women in research. Her lab has worked with other research groups around the world, including in Paris, France, and at universities like Harvard and Oxford.

Professor Rees has given important talks at international science meetings. She also helps review new research papers for science journals. She has written 140 papers for international journals, 5 reviews, and 8 book chapters. She has also guided 13 students to complete their PhD degrees.

Personal Life and Contributions

Professor Rees still stays very connected to the world of science. Until 2017, she was the Chair of the Science Programs Committee for the Royal Society of Victoria. She still takes part in their events.

She also volunteers for a science radio program called 'The Uncertainty Principal' on Vision Australia Radio. She is on the board of directors for Life's Little Treasures Foundation. This charity helps children who are born sick or too early.

Awards and Recognitions

Professor Sandra Rees has received many awards for her important work:

• 2019 She was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Victoria. This was for her amazing contributions to science in Australia.
• 2008 She received the Nina Kondelos Award from the Australian Neuroscience Society. This award recognized her outstanding work in neuroscience.
• 2004 She received an award from the Australian Academy of Science for scientific visits to Europe.
• 1993 She received an award from the Italian Science Foundation and Catholic University of Rome.
• 1991 She received several travel awards, including from the Ian Potter Foundation.
• 1988 She received travel awards from the Ian Potter Foundation and the Trust Fund of Australia.
• 1974 – 1977 She received a Commonwealth Scholarship for her PhD studies.
• 1965 – 1966 She received the Lady Leitch Scholarship for overseas study.