Dr Ula Alexander

Scanning Probe Microscopy Facility Manager

College of Science and Engineering

+61 8 8201 3014

ula.alexander@flinders.edu.au

Physical Sciences

GPO Box 2100, ADELAIDE, SA, 5001

My PhD was awarded for using UV/visible lasers and molecular calculations to understand chemical reactions relating to silicon and germanium thin-films. Postdoctoral research at Flinders resulted in the development of a powerful laser-based technique for studying molecules and small clusters.

My research has included laser-based detection of trace compounds, using lasers in biological applications and building prototype devices with Raman and Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) capabilities.

Qualifications

PhD: Laser studies of silylene and germylene - experiment and computation, Flinders University (2001).

Honours: Synthesis and laser studies of air-sensitive light-activated molecular switch compounds containing iron, Flinders University (1993).

Honours, awards and grants

Funding Awards

Flinders University DVCR Infrastructure Funding - High-Resolution Spectrometer - 2020

Flinders University Cross-College Research Funding - UV laser crosslinker - with Dr Marta Gabryelska (CMPH) - 2021

Inspring SA science-art grant with Micro-X - "SmART Science - Seeing Things Differently" - 2022

Key responsibilities

Scanning Probe Microscopy Facility Manager, Flinders Microscopy and Microanalysis (https://www.flinders.edu.au/microscopy)

Nano and Microplastics Research Consortium Member (https://www.nmrc.com.au/).

Project Officer - STEM Enrichment Academy

Teaching interests

Previous teaching responsibilities in Chemistry and Physics topics at Flinders University include:

CHEM1201 - General Chemistry - Academic Developer and Demonstrator; PHYS1702 - Physics for Health Sciences - Demonstrator

PHYS2702 - Quantum Concepts - Lecturer; PHYS3711 - Quantum Physics - Demonstrator

Professional engagement

RACI (Royal Australian Chemical Institute) SA Branch Committee member
- Past President (2025), President (2022-2024), President Elect (2022)
- Women in Chemistry group founder and chair (2018 - 2022)
- Communications officer (2018)
- Physical Chemistry group chair (2017)
Science-Art - patterns in nature at the molecular level - QuantumConversations.net - including exhibitions for SALA (South Australian Living Artists Festival) 2012 and 2016.