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Tuesday 11 November 2014

Year 3 MBBS End Of Year Awards

L-R: Kath Colman, Scott Santinon, 
Dr Claire Dendle
The MBBS Year 3 Academic year finished on the 31st October.  On the final day of lectures Dr Claire Dendle presented awards to recognise students whose exceptional performance had stood them out as leaders in a very high performing 2014 cohort.

Major winners were Yue-Guang Baey (based at MMC) who collected the School of Clinical Sciences Academic Award, Massad Alfayadh,  Isabelle Hau (both MMC students) and Caleb Zhi Liang Lin  (from Casey) who collected Citizenship awards recognising their contribution to the 2014 cohort.  The winners of the Michelle Leech Award for Overall Excellence were Katherine Colman (MMC) and Scott Santinon (DDH).  Both Katherine and Scott were worthy recipients as judged by the MBBS clinical and administrative staff.  We wish all our student the very best for the exam period.

World-class research and treatment of kidney disease at Monash

Professor Kitching
Vasculitis may not be as well-known as its autoimmune disease cousins lupus and multiple sclerosis (MS), however in a Victorian first, Monash Health has opened a clinic dedicated to improving outcomes for patients with this debilitating, often fatal and little-known inflammatory disease.

Vasculitis is a condition that affects blood vessels as a result of inflammation, and can lead to organ damage, especially the kidney (the condition effectively turns the body’s immune system on itself). Although lacking the profile of other autoimmune diseases, vasculitis in Australia has a similar incidence to MS.

The new Monash Health Vasculitis Clinic, led by nephrologist and physician-scientist Professor Richard Kitching, from the Monash Health Department of Nephrology, and Head of the Centre for Inflammatory Diseases (CID) in the School of Clinical Sciences, is a collaboration between renal (kidney) medicine and rheumatology.

Centre for Inflammatory Diseases research recognised at the American Society of Nephrology

A significant number of School of Clinical Science researchers will share their latest findings this week when they present at Kidney Week, the world’s premier nephrology meeting in Philadelphia, hosted by the American Society of Nephrology (ASN).

More than 13,000 kidney professionals from around the world attend the annual event, the world’s largest and most prestigious renal science and education meeting.

Fewer than 10 per cent of the submitted scientific abstracts are selected for oral presentations,” said Professor Richard Kitching, Head of the Centre for Inflammatory Diseases (CID) in the School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health and the Monash Health Department of Nephrology.

International ground-breaking study to change medical practice

Dr Diana Egerton-Warburton
In a world-first clinical trial supported by an NHMRC grant, the management of a common disease affecting young people is being investigated at Monash Health and Monash University.

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP), or collapsed lung, is a significant global health problem and the most common disease of its type affecting adolescents and young adults.  

At present, management of the condition is variable due to a lack of evidence guiding emergency doctors.

Welcome Professor Kate Loveland to SCS

It is with much delight that I welcome Professor Kate Loveland into the School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health as the Head of Post-Graduate Studies.  Kate is an internationally renowned fertility researcher, and NHMRC Fellow. 

A recent review of Post-Graduate studies across the MMC campus identified the need to unify the management and assessment of HDR students across the Precinct, especially now that all PhD students in the MIMR-PHI Institute are now students of SCS.  Kate's appointment, along with the establishment of a supporting committee structure with several Study Area Co-ordinators will provide a clearly defined structure for overseeing the students across the Precinct.

Monash research to improve quality of life for adults with autism

A/Prof Kylie Gray
Addressing a fundamental gap in understanding the implications of autism across the lifespan is the basis of an ARC funded research project at the Monash Health Translation Precinct.

Autism is a pervasive and generally life-long developmental disorder, affecting 1 per cent of Australians, their families and communities. Individuals with autism are particularly vulnerable to poor social outcomes and significant emotional and behavioural problems, especially in adulthood.

“Despite the considerable improvements in early diagnosis, childhood interventions and services in recent decades, there are many variables and factors that determine the well-being of adults with autism,” said Associate Professor Kylie Gray, (Acting) Director at Monash University’s Centre for Developmental Psychiatry and Psychology (CDPP) at the School of Clinical Sciences.
 

“The prevalence and type of severe behaviour and emotional problems, and mental illness, in adults with autism is not well understood,” added Professor Gray. “In particular we have very little understanding of the early childhood markers of such outcomes in adulthood.”

Severe emotional and behavioural problems are likely to be key factors in precluding adults with autism from work, independent living and social contact; ultimately undermining their quality of life and increasing support needs.

The ARC Discovery Project grant, nearly $300,000 over three years, will enable Associate Professor Gray and her research team to address this major gap in current knowledge.

“We aim to better understand the pathways to positive social outcomes,” added Associate Professor Gray. “And this will facilitate the development of specific interventions to provide much needed improvements in outcomes for adults with autism.”

Importantly, the introduction of services and interventions as a result of this international study will alleviate the human and financial burden on individuals, their families, and the state.

The collaborative project brings together considerable expertise and experience of Monash University, the University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind Research Institute and Centre for Disability Research and Policy and the renowned Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College London.


2015 Office for Learning and Teaching Fellowships Program - applications now open

The Fellowships program advances learning and teaching in higher education by supporting a group of leading educators to undertake strategic, high-profile activities in areas of importance to the sector. Through their fellowship activities, Fellows have a positive and lasting influence and impact on higher education practice in Australia.  Fellowship selection is based on individuals’ demonstrated leadership capacity in higher education. The fellowships are prestigious acknowledgements of individuals’ expertise and influence and, as such, are highly valued by recipients’ home institutions. Fellowships afford opportunities for individuals to undertake strategic programs of activities around identified educational issues, to develop their knowledge of the broader higher education environment in Australia, and to practise and further develop their leadership skills in this area.

NHMRC Funding Calendar 2015

Planned application and peer review dates are attached below and subject to change. Refer to the scheme-specific funding rules, once released, for confirmation of relevant dates

Calendar here.

Single-Cell RNA sequencing - Wed 12 November

Wednesday 12 November, 1.30-2.30pm
MHTP boardrooms A and B, level 3
MIMR-PHI Institute

Please see attached flyer.



MHTP Seminar - Single Cell RNA sequencing & high throughput gene expression analysis, Wednesday 12 November 1.30pm

The MHTP Medical Genomics Facility, Scientifix Pty Ltd, Clontech Laboratories Inc and Millennium Science Pty Ltd invite you to learn more about single cell RNA sequencing and high throughput gene expression analysis.
Wednesday 12 Nov, 1.30 pm - 2.30 pm, MHTP Boardrooms A&B, Lvl 3, MIMR-PHI Institute
The MHTP Medical Genomics Facility has recently introduced single cell and high through-put genomics using the Fluidigm C1 Autoprep and BioMark system. Learn how these capabilities can be used for targeted or whole RNAseq or DNA sequencing at a fraction of the cost of conventional techniques. Please click to RSVP your attendance today. Monash_-_Event_flyer_print.pdf (1912k)

MIGR Forum Wednesday 26 November

Location: Building 72, Theatre E7, Clayton Campus

Time: 2.00pm - 4.00pm (Including afternoon tea)

You are invited to attend the Monash Institute of Graduate Research (MIGR) forum to be held on Wednesday, 26 November from 2.00pm to 4.00pm.

Professor Zlatko Skrbis, Vice-Provost (Graduate Education) will give an overview on the topics listed below, followed by presentations from specialist staff.

MMCAF Social Club BBQ November 20

We are holding a monthly social club BBQ to raise money for social team building activities for the staff, including our end of year break up.  We also sponsor the endanagered pygmy possum and are trying to raise money to support the foundation for the species.  

SCS social club: Pub night- Friday 28th Nov

A message from the SCS Social Club to staff and students,
Save the date!   For our last drinks night for the year, we're having a pub night on Friday 28th Nov.

If you have a venue suggestion, please email Tali (tali.lang@monash.edu) or Clare (clare.westhorpe@hotmail.com). We were thinking Corner Hotel or Swan Hotel in Richmond, but other suggestions are welcome.  The social club will cover nibbles on the night.  Details to come soon!

Memorial Service for Dr William Orchard - Thursday 13 November

There will be a Memorial Service for Dr William Henry Orchard at MCC Kew Sports Club, 397 Barkers Rd, Kew on THURSDAY (Nov. 13, 2014) commencing at 2.00pm
No flowers by request. In lieu, donations may be made to Cancer Council Victoria.

Emeritus Professor Graeme Smith has been asked to speak about Bill's professional life.

Drunk patients in hospital emergency departments regularly attack staff — ACEM

EMERGENCY department doctors have been knocked unconscious and pregnant nurses threatened with being punched in the stomach as drunk patients turn hospitals into places of violence.  Full story here.

New treatment available for Australians with most common leukaemia

AROUND 1,500 Australian leukaemia patients have been given hope with a new treatment that delays progression of their cancer by over a year.
 Full story here. 

Key Principles of the OHS Act 2004 (Vic)

The OHS Act 2004 requires that:
      All employees – staff, students including visitors, contractors, general   public – should have the highest level of protection against risks to health and safety
Duty of employer:
      Those who manage or control things that create health and safety risks in the workplace are responsible for eliminating those risks or reducing those risks so far as reasonably practicable.