Science at the Local - August 2025

Sunday 31st August at 2pm

Waves Of Change: How Sex Hormones Influence The Brain And Anxiety Across The Female Lifespan
Dr. Jodie Pestena

Frog Saunas & Fungal Killers: Innovative Responses to the Chytrid Epidemic
Dr. Anthony Waddle

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Jodie is a behavioural neuroscientist researching how fluctuations in hormones during pregnancy influence the brain's ability to regulate mental health and respond to treatments. Driven by her passion for women's health, Jodie also investigates the impact of other experiences of hormonal fluctuations, such as the menstrual cycle. In doing so, Jodie hopes to create more evidence-based and tailored treatments for women with mental health conditions, which is important given that anxiety and depression disproportionally impact women.

Jodie completed her PhD in 2023, and is currently a postdoctoral researcher in the School of Psychology at UNSW. She is a proud advocate for women's mental health, delivering award-winning talks and eagerly sharing science with the public. As a lifelong soccer player inspired by the Matildas at the World Cup, Jodie is dedicated to encourage more women and young girls to kick down barriers and increase female representation in STEM and beyond.

Anthony has worked in amphibian conservation research for over 10 years with a passion for creative solutions to big issues. His research focuses on enabling endangered frogs to coexist with the notorious amphibian chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis). This pathogen has spread worldwide from Asia via the pet trade, leaving devastation in its wake. He focuses on practical research that has resulted in on-the-ground conservation. Anthony’s work is interdisciplinary, borrowing methods and expertise from immunologists, ecologists, engineers, and molecular biologists to develop chytrid immunisations, habitat shelters (frog saunas), and genetic interventions to boost disease resilience. Anthony received his PhD from the University of Melbourne in 2022 and is now a Schmidt Science Fellow and Australian Research Council Early Career Industry Fellow at Macquarie University in the Faculty of Science and Engineering – Applied BioSciences.