Dr Alex Gentle
If I could get the PM to fund any scientific research, it would be research into why the eye becomes short sighted of course!
60 seconds with Alex
What do you enjoy most about teaching?
Two things in particular: Firstly, as my teaching is often in areas that are only loosely related to my research area, I
get to learn more about other areas of vision science when I prepare new teaching material or revise existing material.
Secondly, interaction with students in teaching modes that are more interactive, such as a tutorials or computer
assisted learning sessions, as it's obviously more social and to me more rewarding than just delivering lecture material.
Which achievement are you most proud of?
In teaching, my contribution to the successful redesign and delivery of the new 5 year optometry curriculum at Melbourne,
and now we get to go through the whole process again under the Melbourne Model! In research, obtaining my PhD as it is just
about the hardest thing I've ever done!
Who inspires you and why?
The list is too long to be specific, there are just so many students, innovative teachers and researchers that I have
had the opportunity to work with at Melbourne; they have all conspired to contribute to my development.
In three words, science is...
Fascinating and Fun, but on occasion Frustrating!