WELCOME and THANKS TO OUR NEW SCS-MHTP STUDY AREA COORDINATORS!

Thanks to the following individuals, we now have 15 Study Area Groups, listed below.  

All Monash Uni PhD students enrolled in SCS who are yet to complete their Mid-Candidature Milestone review have been allocated to a SAG.  Newly enrolled students will also be placed in these groups.  Students post-Mid-Candidature will be managed by their Departmental HDR Coordinator, as previously.  Students enrolled externally will be managed locally and we will assist as appropriate.

Welcome morning tea for our PhD candidates

A welcome morning tea and information session for our new PhD students took place last week. There are currently more than 130 PhD students enrolled at the Monash Health Translation Precinct (MHTP). 
(Please contact Rachael Unwin or Kate Loveland if you need support or have questions.)

Russian move to block transgender drivers

Professor Nicholas Keks, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, contributes to a discussion about proposed legislation in Russia to block transgender drivers.

SBS, World News Australia  Listen to podcast here.

Do you love riding a bike?

Join the Monash Health bike user group (Monash BUG)!

• improve bike parking
• shower and locker facilities
• raise the profile of cycling
• share information about routes, rides and events
• cycle to work events

Please contact us if you'd like to join.  

Alteration to DAFF/AQIS Importation Permit

On the 29th January 2015 The World Organisation for Animal Health confirmed an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in the USA.  The USA has no been removed from the low risk category list until further notice for laboratory products derived from avian materials produced within 21 days prior to the outbreak.

The variation will limit avian products from the USA that can be imported under the permit to those produced before 29 December 2014. The variation takes effect immediately. 

This variation to the permit means that from yesterday, we will no longer be permitted to import any avian derived products produced on or after 29 December 2014 from the USA. We will be able to continue to import product from these countries with a production date before 29 December 2014 under a varied permit.

The Department of Agriculture this morning has issued the varied DAFF permit to us. The previous permit will be removed from the Institutes intranet and replaced with the new one. 

If staff have any questions relating to this please do not hesitate to contact Steve Bouralexis

MHRO East/West Bridge Link Works

Works to install the East/West Bridge link from the TRF into L3 of MHRP are about to kick into overdrive. Lend Lease have issued me with a program of details for the works to take place starting on the 28th January and concluding on the 23rd of March 2015.

As always we have envisaged a minimal interruption program, with works that involve drilling/coring to be done after hours/weekends and at times that do not impact on highly sensitive commercial operations.

The works will see the installation of two bridges:

1. An aerial bridge connecting the TRF on Level 4 to the MHRP building on Level 3 

2. Installation of a smaller bridge connecting the TRF and MHRP at ground level providing access to Kanooka Grove.

Below is a summary of key dates:

New MHTP website launched

Monash Health Translation Precinct (MHTP) partners Monash University, MIMR-PHI Institute and Monash Health are proud to announce the launch of the new MHTP website. 

This new and improved site is aimed at explaining and promoting the MHTP while acting as a central site for all MHTP activity and directing visitors out to each of the partner websites where more detailed research and health information is available. 

The MHTP is one of the Institute's major draw cards for potential recruits, students and funding bodies and this website is a great promotional tool to use at conferences and meetings to demonstrate the significance and potential of this site.  Please visit: http://www.mhtp.org.au/

Initial meeting with Melbourne Genomics Health Alliance - 3 March at 4pm

Dear Department of Medicine members,

The Melbourne Genomics Health Alliance (MGHA) is seeking to meet with clinicians and researchers at MMC/MHTP Clayton to discuss:

- 5 year vision of integration of genomics into clinical medicine, developing new intellectual property and clinical tests, linked to EHRs and clinicians, etc.

- A plan being developed for presentation to the State Government, as a response to an election promise of $25 million to develop a statewide Medical Genomics initiative.

You are invited to provide valuable input and attend this meeting scheduled for Tuesday 3 March 2015, 4 - 5pm in the Medicine Seminar Room, Level 5, Block E, MMC, Clayton.  Professor Kathryn North (Director Murdoch Children's Research Institute and Clara Gaff  (WEHI/MGHA) will be representing MGHA.

If you are attending please RSVP by Friday 27th February to jinleng.graham@monash.edu.

Monash Health Research Week Poster Competition - abstracts due 3 March

Monash Health Research Week

Tuesday 17^th March – Thursday 19^th March 

New Lecture Theatre 1 Monash Medical Centre Clayton

Research Week is an exciting opportunity to acknowledge the achievements and showcase the ground breaking research being conducted at Monash Health and its organisational partners in the Monash Health Translation Precinct.

Highlights of this week:

• Official Opening of the new refurbished Lecture Theatre 1.
• Launch of Research Report.
• Research Lectures and Seminars.
• Poster Presentations. Best in Theme Poster Award.
• Best Young Basic and Clinical Researchers Competition.

Poster competition and Young Investigator Awards.

A key element of Research Week is the Poster display and Competition.  The poster competition this year includes awards for Early Career Investigators and also for Best Research.  Both are divided into Clinical and Basic Science Research sub categories.   Please refer to the guidelines and entry form for further information.

Please note that that the closing date for Poster Abstracts is  Tuesday 3^rd March.

Everyone is welcome to attend any or all of the events during this exciting week.  Registration is not required. 

For further information, please contact the Research Support Services, email:

Research@monashhealth.org

SCS Near-Miss Scheme 2015

SCS Researchers are reminded that an internal SCS Near-Miss Scheme has been developed for highly-ranked ARC Discovery and NHMRC Project grants that miss out on funding. 

To be eligible to apply for a SCS Near-Miss grant at the end of this year, your grant application must have initially been through an internal grant review process in early 2015, such as the joint SCS-MIMR-PHI Early Grant Application Review Process, which is currently underway. 

An additional review panel to assess clinical research-based grants is being established and further details will be distributed to researchers shortly.

Interdisciplinary Research (IDR) Support Programs – CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

The Vice-Provost (Research), Professor Pauline Nestor, has announced that the Interdisciplinary Research (IDR) Support Programs are open for 2015. Nominations for the following central grants are due by 1 May 2015:

• IDR Major Project Grants  - up to $250,000​ per project
• IDR Seed Project Grants - up to $50,000​ per project

Program information, Guidelines and Nomination Forms can be accessed here. If you have any questions, please contact Kylie Reid (99029467; Kylie.Reid@monash.edu)

IMPORTANT REMINDER: 2015 Project Grants Round - Minimum Data Requirements in RGMS

M​inimum data ​for the 2015 Project Grants Round must be entered  in RGMS by 5:00pm

​(​AEDT​)​ on 18 February 2015​, to allow the NHMRC to commence sourcing suitable assessors. Applications that fail to satisfy this requirement will not be accepted. 

Applicants are also reminded to complete the recommended fields below with correct information. Using placeholder text such as “text”, “synopsis” or “xx” etc. are not acceptable as minimum data.

NHMRC Project Grant Information Session - Slides and Information

Unfortunately the video recording of last week's NHMRC Project Grant session failed and no video or audio of the session is available.

However, the MRO has uploaded the slides of the presentation, tips on filling out the New Investigator form, example feedback from MRO, questions and answers that arose from the session and an assessors snapshot and summary snapshot of the RGMS application form highlighting the Minimum data requirements, common errors and requirements new to the 2015 application process on their website here.

All links are available at the bottom of the page under the heading 2015 MRO Project Grant Information Session.  The Medical and Health Sciences Team at MRO can be contacted for any assistance.

What does your snoring say about you?

Sleep expert Dr Sarah Biggs talks about snoring on ABC radio.

Listen here.

5 week Mindfulness Program - lunch time sessions, starting Tuesday 3 February at MMC

Following on from last year's "Introduction to Mindfulness" session at MMC, Wellbeing at Monash is pleased to invite you to participate in a 5 Week Mindfulness Program, delivered by Dr Craig Hassed.

Mindfulness involves a series of simple meditative practices and cognitive strategies to help change unproductive thought and behaviour patterns. Mindfulness can also be described as an attitude to living and may enhance:

- stress management

- work and study performance

- contentment, peace of mind and balance

- relationships at home and work

- concentration and focus in the moment

- resilience

- physical and emotional health

Program dates:Tuesday February 3, 10, 17, 24 and March 3

Time: 1pm - 2pm

Venue: Surgery Seminar Room, Level 5, Block E, Monash Medical Centre Clayton

Cost: Free for Monash University staff

How to register:  SWAP ID 252015: Monash Medical Centre 5 Week Mindfulness

Biosafety Module 2 Training - (OGTR and Australian Quarantine Regulations) - On-site Training

Date: Tuesday 10th Feb 2015

Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Venue: MIMR L3 Board Room

To enroll for the course please email:  Ganeema.Tokhi@mimr-phi.org,  by COB Friday 6 Feb 2015

Personnel who need to complete this course:

As per the Monash University OHS training matrix, the following personnel must complete this course every three years:

- Biosafety Officers

- Supervisors (whose staff undertake research in this area)

- Technical staff who undertake such research

- Postgrad and Honours students whose research involves gene technologies

Using your Monash Corporate Credit Card

Monash Corporate Credit Cards should only be used for University travel and entertainment expenses. If you wish to purchase any goods or services not related to travel or entertainment you should contact your local Procure to Payment team x24838 who can assist you with the entire purchasing process.

To help staff understand what they can and cannot use their credit card for while travelling, Finance has developed a printable wallet size guide and a quick reference guide to credit card spend.

These guides are a handy resource for understanding when and where you can use your credit card while travelling and how much you can spend.

For further information about using your credit card please contact your local Procure to Payment team or visit our Expense guidelines.

Monash Travel Management Companies (TMCs)

The quickest and easiest way to book travel for University business is through Monash’s Travel Management Companies (TMCs) Voyager and Campus Travel.  Both TMCs provide a dedicated Monash team of highly trained, experienced staff who are able to book and manage all your travel requirements.

To make a booking simply contact Voyager or Campus Travel via phone or email with your travel details and they will take care of the entire booking process.

The TMCs will also take care of the payment process for you - just remember to provide your Cost Centre and Fund when booking.  For further information please visit the Travel at Monash website.

Ring Road Interruption: High Voltage Cable Run

What is happening?

• Final works installing High Voltage electricity supply cables to the new MHTP-TRF building are scheduled from next week.
• During the works, the intersection of our service road adjacent to Blocks D, E and I will be closed to traffic.

How will the works impact me?

·         There will be No Thoroughfare through the site to or from Kanooka Grove during the works.
·         Access to the loading dock, E Block, P-Block car park and Area G Car Park will only be available from Clayton Road.

• The Browns Road South Car Park Shuttle Bus will drop-off and pick-up on the service road between McCulloch House and P-block during the works.

MHRP East/West Bridge Link Works

Works to install the East/West Bridge link from the TRF into L3 of MHRP are about to kick into overdrive. Lend Lease have issued me with a program of details for the works to take place starting on the 28th January and concluding on the 23rd of March 2015.

As always we have envisaged a minimal interruption program, with works that involve drilling/coring to be done after hours/weekends and at times that do not impact on highly sensitive commercial operations.

The works will see the installation of two bridges:

1. An aerial bridge connecting the TRF on Level 4 to the MHRP building on Level 3 

2. Installation of a smaller bridge connecting the TRF and MHRP at ground level providing access to Kanooka Grove.

Below is a summary of key dates: