Dr Roger Mandel

Summary

I am currently involved in a GRDC funded project investigating emerging weeds in the WA Wheatbelt. As well I am involved in two GRDC projects trying to increase the uptake of precision agriculture in WA.

My scientific education is combined with 25 years of experience on our 1200 hectare family farm in Southern Alberta, Canada. I have experience with dryland cereal and canola production as well as forage production for a 150 head cow/calf operation.

Teaching

By understanding the various ways students learn, and by thinking about what the most important student outcomes are, I am committed to designing a teaching strategy that will stimulate students to develop a deep knowledge of the subject area and also develop learning skills which can be used in their future careers. The statement that best explains my approach to teaching is “I love teaching” and this comes through in my ability to relate to students in a very enjoyable, non-intimidating and often entertaining manner. I find this to be a particularly valuable educational tool, as it provides an enjoyable learning environment which serves to stimulate, rather than stifle, class involvement. This method also promotes student attendance in lectures. Comments from students include “you make lectures fun” and “you make lectures worth going to.” I have found that conducting lectures as pseudo-tutorials invites increased student involvement, such that they are able to at least partially define their own learning experience, often without realising that they are doing so. If students need or want help I have an open door policy, I will make time to help if students ask.

My goal as an educator is to present the required subject matter in such a way that the students themselves want to know more. One of my goals is to motivate students to want to build on information that I present to them during and beyond their University careers. I believe that this can be done by presenting information using real world examples and explaining the relevance and importance of material in their careers. I aim to bring out the confidence in students so that they feel at ease to ask questions and develop the skills to find answers themselves.I too seek to encourage deep learning and discourage surface learning. I instill in students the ability to evaluate, rather than simply absorb information. Further, I seek to promote an analytical, critical attitude so that learning can be facilitated beyond the course level. The ultimate aim of such development is to encourage autonomous and self-propagated educational desire on the part of the student.

Research

Currently involved in 2 GRDC funded precision agriculture projects in collaboration with CSIRO and DAFWA and a GRDC funded weeds research project.

Memberships & Awards

John Harper, Roger Mandel, Geoffrey Burrows & Marion Addinsall. Carrick Citations for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning. "For excellence in team teaching providing a constructivist approach that motivates students from diverse backgrounds to learn botany in a challenging, supportive environment." (2007)

Team Botany (John Harper, Roger Mandel & Geoff Burrows) awarded a Teaching Award from The Australian Society of Plant Scientists (2006)

Team Botany (John Harper, Roger Mandel, Derek Moore & Marion Addinsall) Faculty of Science and Agriculture Team Award (CSU)(2005)

Publications

Hays DB, Mandel RM, Zhang R, Pharis RP, (2007) Changes in levels of gibberellins, their putative conjugates, and ABA in zygotic embryos during late maturation and dry seed stages of Brassica napus cv. Topaz. Plant Growth Regulation 52 (2) 181-186

Holzapfel B, Smith J, Mandel RM, and Keller M. (2006) Manipulating the Post harvest Period and Its Impact on Vine Productivity of Semillon Grapevines. Am. J. Enol. Vitic. 57:2:148-157

Crisp P, Evans K, Savocchia S, Mandel R, Wicks T, and Scott E. Novel powdery mildew control in Australian vineyards. 15th IFOAM Organic World Congress, 20-23 September 2005. Adelaide, South Australia

Mandel RM, Holzapfel B, DeGaris K, & Keller M (2001) Identifying manageable factors determining carbohydrate accumulation in reserves and root growth of grapevines after harvest. Aus Grapegrower and Winemaker. (445): 10-13.

Hays DB, Mandel RM, & Pharis RP (2001) Hormones in zygotic and microspore embryos of Brassica napus. Plant Growth Regulation 35 (1) 47-58

Wilen RW, Hays DB, Mandel RM, Abrams SR, & Moloney MM (1993) Competitive Inhibition of Abscisic Acid-Regulated Gene Expression by Stereoisomeric Acetylenic Analogs of Abscisic Acid. Plant Physiology 101:(2) 469-476

Mandel RM, Rood SB, & Pharis RP (1991) Bolting and floral induction in annual and cold-requiring Brassica spp.: effect of photoperiod and exogenous gibberellin. In: Progress in Plant Growth Regulation. Karssen CM, LC Van Loon, D Vreugdenhil (eds.) pp. 371-379. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Wilen RW, Mandel RM, Pharis RP, Holbrook LA, & Moloney MM (1990) Effects of Abscisic Acid and High Osmoticum on Storage Protein Gene Expression in Microspore Embryos of Brassica napus. Plant Physiology 94:875-881

Rood SB, Mandel RM, & Pharis RP (1989) Endogenous Gibberellins and Shoot Growth and Development in Brassica napus. Plant Physiology 89:269-273