Leesa Ann Sidhu

Leesa is currently a Lecturer in Statistics and the Postgraduate Coursework Coordinator in the School of Physical, Environmental and Mathematical Sciences at UNSW Canberra. Biography: PhD, 2007, University of NSW. MEdSt, 1998, University of Queensland. DipEd, 1990, University of Queensland. BSc (with 1st class Honours in Mathematics), 1989, University of Queensland. Employed by UNSW Canberra as Associate Lecturer (Feb 1997 - Jan 2000) and as Lecturer from Feb 2007. Employed as High School Mathematics teacher at Bremer State High School, Queensland (Jan 1991 - Jan 1997). Research Interests: Current projects in my research areas of Statistical Ecology, Mathematical Biology and Education include:- Effect of climatic and oceanographic variables on survival of little penguins - Effect of banding on little penguins - Bayesian analysis of multiyear tagging and catch-at-age data for southern bluefin tuna - Modelling food- and water-borne disease outbreaks - Comparing the performances of first-year engineering students at UNSW Canberra. PhD Opportunities: MPhil, MSc and PhD thesis topics for the above research areas are available. Honours and Awards: UNSW Canberra Rector's Commendation for Excellence in Classroom Teaching: 2009; Highly commended for seminar entitled "Little Penguins: to band or not to band?" at the Australian Statistical Conference in Melbourne: 2008; Ria de Groot Prize for the best female postgraduate research student graduating from UNSW Canberra: 2007. Statistical Ecology, Mathematical Biology and Education: Effect of climatic and oceanographic variables on survival of little penguins; Effect of banding on little penguins; Bayesian analysis of multiyear tagging and catch-at-age data for southern bluefin tuna; Modelling food- and water-borne disease outbreaks; Comparing the performances of first-year engineering students at UNSW Canberra