Rina is a unit co-ordinator and lectures in Applied Microbiology and Introduction to Haematology, School of Medical and Health Sciences. Her research interests include malaria drug resistance, her work included field trips to Papua New Guinea and earned her the prestigious JFA-Sprent Medal. As a scientist-artist, she also seeks to inspire next generation scientists, including community outreach, invited talks, stage shows, authoring and illustrating her picture storybooks ‘My Mad Scientist Mummy’ and ‘My Mummy’s Pet Parasites’. Her science outreach work provides a valuable platform for mentoring scientists-in-training to communicate their passion to the general public including young children and people with special needs.
Current Teaching
- SCH2235 Applied Microbiology
- MMS2101 Introduction to Haematology
Background
- Medical scientist, pathology laboratory
- Research scientist, on malaria drug resistance; in vitro drug sensitivity, field work in Papua New Guinea, novel treatments and development of a new molecular assay for detecting single nucleotide polymorphisms at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland USA.
- Sessional teaching, University of Western Australia, Curtin University and Edith Cowan University in biochemistry, physiology, haematology, human structure and function, immunology.
- Team teaching, inter-professional course, unit development
- Author-illustrator-Artist (a.k.a. Dr Rina Fu)
- Lecturer, Unit Coordinator, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University
Professional Associations
- The Australian Society for Parasitology (National)
- The Australian Society for Microbiology (National)
- The Australian Society for Authors (National)
- Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (International)
- Worldwide Antimalarial Resistance Network (International)
- Australian Institute of Medical Scientists
- Golden Key International Honour Society
Awards and Recognition
National and International Awards
- 2014 – The John Frederick Adrian Sprent Medal
University and National Teaching Awards
- 2018 – Vice Chancellor Staff Award for Teaching & Learning, ECU
- 2016 – Faculty Teaching Excellence and Innovation Award, Curtin University
Other Awards
- 2019 – Women in Technology WA Tech [+] 20 Award
- 2019 – Famelab State Finalist
- 2018 – Outstanding Collegian Award Finalist
- 2013 – The Medical Research Foundation Publication Award
- 2013 – Murdoch University Research Presentation Award
- 2012 – Barry Marshall Travel Award
- 2012 – Cross Disciplinary Award
Research Areas and Interests
- Malaria Drug Resistance
- Novel treatments for uncomplicated P. falciparum infections
- Correlations between laboratory drug sensitivity, molecular markers and clinical treatment outcome for uncomplicated falciparum malaria
- Engaging children in science
- Creative science communication
- Virtual microscopy in tertiary education