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Monday 4 May 2015

Occupational Health & Safety

Image source:
http://claybennett.com/pages/workplace_safety.html
We are serious about our safety at SCS.  We work with the University community to develop a proactive safety culture, prevent injuries and illnesses in the workplace, comply with OH&S laws and promote wellbeing.
The following training opportunities are available to staff and students:
Biosafety (Level 1) - 3 July
Biosafety (Level 2) - 3 July
Breathing Apparatus - 27 May
Breathing Apparatus skills maintenance - 1 July
Chemwatch MSDS - 7 July
CPR Refresher Course - 4 May, 13 May, 1 June, 9 June, 2 July
Emergency Warden Training - 11 May, 10 June, 15 June, 19 June, 26 June, 27 July
Ergonomics & Manual Handling -  6 May, 22 June
Essential OHS (OHS for Managers & Supervisors) - 26 May, 16 June, 15 July
Fire Safety - 27 July
First Aid Level 2 - 3 & 4 June, 11 & 12 June, 29 & 30 June, 21 & 22 July
First Aid level 2 (Mixed Mode) - 13 July, 24 July
Hazard & Incident Investigation - 6 July, 17 July
Hazardous Substances & Dangerous Goods - 18 June
Mental Health First Aid - 30 June & 7 July, 2 & 3 July, 14 & 16 July
Radiation Safety Officer refresher - 10 July
Radiation Safety Officer training - 9 & 10 July
Risk Management / Rick Management Specialised
 - 13 May, 2 June, 29 July
Workplace Safety Inspections
 - 20 May, 6 July, 17 July

Improved eduroam wireless network at MHTP

A faster, seamless and enhanced wifi experience is now available to all staff and students throughout the Monash Health Translation Precinct (MHTP).

The wireless network “eduroam” that is broadcast at MMC Clayton has moved from being provided by Monash Health to a direct University network.  Users can now access internal university resources such as university network drives, printing, etc, with greater ease. The internet connection is now via Monash University, not Monash Health. 

When moving between MIMR-PHI, E Block and the new Translational Research Facility (TRF), users will not be prompted for re-authentication. You may experience momentary 'drop out' between these buildings but will reconnect automatically when back in range.

Please contact Kristian Goree for further information.

Monash study shows benefits of high intensity exercise for older adults

Dr David Scott
A world-first study led by researchers at the School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health sheds light on the health effects of vitamin D and high physical activity levels among older adults.

Published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, the research is the first to show that having both high vitamin D and high physical activity levels reduces gains in body fat over five years in older adults.

However the reduction in weight gain is probably not explained by a direct benefit of vitamin D alone, said lead author Dr David Scott from the Department of Medicine.

“Rather, the finding appears to be related to ​the fact that older adults with high vitamin D and physical activity levels perform more moderate and vigorous intensity activity,” said Dr Scott.

"While both high vitamin D and high physical activity levels have been linked to lower body fat and better muscle strength during ageing, it is not clear whether these effects are independent of each other, or whether high vitamin D enhances physical activity benefits in older adults.”

CID Presentation: Type I Interferons in MPO-ANCA Vasculitis, 5 May

Dr Odobasic
Tomorrow's CID  seminar will be presented by Dr Dragana Odobasic.  

12pm in the Medicine Seminar Room, Level 5, Block E.

Diagnostic Imaging - Grand Rounds- 6 May 2015

"Evidence based decisions about imaging in adult and paediatric emergency medicine: resources, education and policy at Monash Health"

Presented by Professor Stacy Goergen, Diagnostic Imaging

Date: Wednesday 6th May 2015
Time: 12.30pm to 1.30pm
Venue: Main Lecture Theatre, Monash Medical Centre
Details here.

MIMR-PHI seminar: "Stem Cell Therapies and Cancer" 7 May

Professor Trounson
The MIMR-PHI seminar on 7 May will be held from 4-5pm, Lecture Theatre 1, Monash Medical Centre.

The speaker will be Prof Alan Trounson - Distinguished Scientist, MIMR-PHI Institute.  More details here.

Light refreshments to follow presentation outside the Lecture Theatre.    



2015 Australian Society for Medical Research Invite a Scientist to Dinner

In conjunction with ASMR Medical Research Week® (May 28 – June 5) ASMR Victoria invite you to join Professor Wayne Phillips (oesophageal cancer researcher) and Associate Professor Lara Lipton (medical oncologist) and their team of researchers for a three course dinner to talk about their research to understand the causes of Barrett’s oesophagus and oesophageal cancer and their search for better treatments.

Thursday 14th May, start at 6 pm
William Angliss Restaurant, 550 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne
Cost: $40 per person.  Book tickets here.   Flyer attached here.

Hudson Masquerade Ball, 31 July 2015


Science Pathways 2015: Effective Science Communication for EMCRs

Dr Clare Westhorpe
Making science more accessible was the theme of the Australian Academy of Science's annual EMCR forum held in Adelaide last week.

The 150 delegates, including School of Clinical Sciences ECR representative Dr Clare Westhorpe heard from a range of eminent speakers on science journalism, communication in trans-disciplinary research and community engagement.

"Communicating our research and breakthroughs to the wider community can be a real challenge for many of us," said Dr Westhorpe.

"But if we don't get our research into the public sphere, no-one else will.  Or worse still, those discussing it will be less qualified than you."

"The good news is that avenues like The Conversation, RiAus and mainstream media are crying out for our research stories," added Dr Westhorpe.

According to speakers at the EMCR forum, targeted science communication can enhance a researcher's profile, lead to research or industry collaborations and even promotion. 

If you would like advice or assistance promoting or communicating your research, please contact Clare Westhorpe or SCS Communications Manager Katherine Greenberg.




Australia - Germany Joint Research Cooperation Scheme

A researcher exchange program between German and Australian higher education institutions and research institutes has been launched, based on an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between UA (Universities Australia) and DAAD (The German Academic Exchange Service).

Information about the Australia - Germany (DAAD) Joint Research Cooperation Scheme is available here.   



Ten rules for the presentation and interpretation of data in publications - 11 May

Science can only flourish if journals maintain minimal standards, and papers are read critically. Professor David Vaux will propose ten rules of thumb for the presentation of data in publications that can be used in writing publications and also when interpreting other people’s papers.

His talk will include many humorous and shocking examples in numerous papers by high profile researchers in prestigious journals. This presentation is not to be missed!

Monday 11 May 2015, 3 – 5pm
Lecture theatre S4, 16 Rainforest Walk  (building 25), Clayton campus

The Annual Medical Research Tertiary Careers Evening: “Careers in Science and Medical Research” 5 and 7 May

Tuesday 5th May, 6-8pm - Undergraduate & honours night
Thursday 7th May, 6-8pm - Postgraduate night

Hear from speakers with science/biomedical science degrees about:
 Opportunities available to you
 Advice and tips on how to succeed
 How research can take you overseas
 Careers in research, industry, government, clinical trials and public health

More information here.

FOCUS Series - Faculty Graduate Research Student Workshops


FOCUS SERIES – Faculty specific HDR workshops, Hargrave-Andrew Library Clayton

Focus Series is a set of workshops especially designed for Higher Degree Research students in the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences. Its aim is to assist with the development of advanced information research skills, including researching and composing Literature Reviews, using EndNote, managing research data and maximising research profiles. The series will be run at the Hargrave-Andrew Library at Clayton campus, on 5th and 6th of May.Please see attached poster for further details. 

Participants can attend the entire series or select individual workshops, to suit their individual requirements. The workshops can be booked through the Library Booking System, using the search term ‘focus series’: http://lib.monash.edu.au/classes/.


For further information, please contact AnneYoung or Tomas Zahora 



"PhD Pre-submission / Final seminar: The effect of intrauterine inflammation on atherosclerosis development"

Maria Nguyen will be presenting her PhD Pre-submission / Final seminar titled "The effect of intrauterine inflammation on atherosclerosis development".

Title: The effect of intrauterine inflammation on atherosclerosis development
Date: Monday 11th May
Time: 10:30am
Location: MIMR Level 3 Board Rooms

Supervisors: A/Prof Timothy Moss, Dr Megan Wallace, Prof David Burgner

Timesheet supervisors & approvers: migration to ESS timesheets

Automated timesheet users within the Medicine, Nursing & Medicine Sciences will migrate to the ESS timesheet entry mode effective Friday [8th May] 2015. Employees will therefore receive their last PDF timesheet on Tuesday [5th May] 2015. They should submit their timesheet as usual before the submission deadline of 5PM on Thursday [7th May] 2015. Access to the ESS timesheet will be available from 10am on Friday [8th May] 2015 and can be used to submit times worked between Wednesday [6th May] 2015 and Friday [8th May] 2015.

Key dates & times:
·           Last PDF timesheet issued: 6PM Tuesday [5th May] 2015
·           Submission of last PDF timesheet: before 5PM on Thursday [7th May] 2015
·           ESS timesheet mode available: from 10am on Friday [8th May] 2015

Timesheet users: migration to ESS timesheets


Automated timesheet users within the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing & Medicine Sciences will migrate to the ESS timesheet entry mode effective Friday [8th May] 2015. If you are a timesheet user you will therefore receive your last PDF timesheet on Tuesday [5th May] 2015. You should submit your timesheet as usual before the submission deadline of 5PM on Thursday [7th May] 2015. Access to your ESS timesheet will be available from 10am on Friday [8th May] 2015 and can be used to submit times worked between Wednesday [6th May] 2015 and Friday [8th May] 2015.

Key dates & times:
·           Last PDF timesheet issued: 6PM Tuesday [5th May] 2015
·           Submission of last PDF timesheet: before 5PM on Thursday [7th May] 2015
·           ESS timesheet mode available: from 10am on Friday [8th May] 2015

Manipulation of B-cell responses with histone deacetylase inhibitors

Dr Sarah Jones
Jake Shortt, Sarah Jones, Eric Morand published in Nature Communications.

Read article here.

An authentic animal model of the very preterm infant on nasal continuous positive airway pressure

Professor Hooper
Stuart Hooper, Tim Moss, Graeme Polglase published in Intensive Care Medicine Experimental.

Read article here.

Assessment of the Geometric Interaction Between the Lotus Transcatheter Aortic Valve Prosthesis and the Native Ventricular Aortic Interface by 320-Multidetector

Professor Meredith
Ian Meredith and Jim Cameron published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Read article here.

High incidence of vitamin D deficiency in 2 – 17 year olds presenting with fracture to a Melbourne suburban public hospital

Peter Ebeling published in the International Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology.

Read article here.

CX3CR1 reduces kidney fibrosis by inhibiting local proliferation of profibrotic macrophages.

Professor Kitching
Richard Kitching and Michael Hickey  published in the Journal of Immunology.

Read article here.

Effects of anti-sclerostin antibody and running on bone remodeling and strength

Peter Ebeling published in Bone Reports.

Read article here.