Lupus research at Monash to benefit from $750,000 grant

Professor Eric Morand

Improved outcomes for patients with lupus are expected as a result of research funding worth nearly $.75 million, secured by researchers in the School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health (SCS).

Pharmaceutical companies UCB Biopharma SPRL and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), who are among the leading companies worldwide developing therapies for lupus, are to fund research led by Professor Eric Morand, Head of SCS and Head of Rheumatology at Monash Health, to develop and validate treatment targets in lupus.

“Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, or lupus) is a serious multisystem autoimmune disease,” said Professor Morand. “Patients with lupus, usually young women, suffer a loss of life expectancy and in some cases severe illness, caused by the immune system damaging multiple organs.”

SCS beach-themed Christmas party

More photos here

Mermaid Steve

How the Scottish and English celebrate Xmas

SCS Quiet Achiever Award recipients

Congratulations Nicola Abel and Michael Hickey who received the SCS Quiet Achiever Awards last week.

State-of-the- art education facilities to be built at SCS

Education facilities for students in the School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health (SCS) are set to improve significantly thanks to a new multi-million dollar building initiative funded by Monash University.

The University has agreed to fund the construction of state-of-the-art education facilities at Monash Medical Centre (MMC), at a cost of potentially tens of millions of dollars. 

“Education facilities at MMC have been outstripped by growth in numbers of learners,” said Head of SCS Professor Eric Morand. “Despite being probably the largest clinical school in Australia we currently have some of the least generous and lowest quality space for students.”

No negatives for children's weight management intervention

Professor Helen Truby

Weight management intervention in overweight children does not impact negatively on their body perception and satisfaction, according research published last month in Appetite.

The Monash led longitudinal study investigated the changes in body perception and satisfaction in overweight and obese children in a six month weight management program delivered to parents.

“Childhood obesity affects both physical and psychological health; and overweight children experience higher levels of body dissatisfaction compared with their healthy weight counterparts,” said lead author Professor Helen Truby, Head, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics in the School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health.

Positive parenting support parents

Emeritus Professor Bruce Tonge
with parents at the seminars

‘Positive parenting for children with a disability’ was the theme of a recent seminar series held by Stepping Stones, a free parenting support program at Monash University’s Clayton campus.

The 90-minute evening seminars focussed on teaching evidence-based parenting strategies to manage and prevent child behaviour problems, develop skills, and improve parental and family wellbeing. 

The Stepping Stones program offers two years of free group, individual and online parenting support to help reduce child behavioural problems and build parental resilience. 

MMC Christmas BBQ invitation - TODAY

Monash Medical Centre invites all staff to enjoy a free Christmas lunch on
Tuesday 9 December, 12 - 2pm in the Atrium Courtyard, 
Level 1, MMC

Menu:  Aussie BBQ (including vegetarian option) with a special piece of Christmas cake!

ARC Discovery Projects Workshop - Thursday 11 December

ARC Discovery Projects Workshop

Thursday 11 December 12:00-1:00pm,

Lecture Theatre South 1, Building 64, Monash Clayton Campus

In 2014, the university ranked number 1 in NHMRC Project Grants and Fellowships, and we wish to maintain this position into the future. The Faculties of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences and Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and the University also wish to improve on our success in attaining Australian Research Council support.

Monash Partners AHSC funding opportunities

The following two AHSC funding opportunities are currently open:

1) Collaboration with Manchester AHSC ...No applications were received (from any Theme) so late ones will be accepted by Michael Wright.

2) MP AHSC Seed funding projects are still open, due date 19th Dec.

Joint funding proposal here  Application form here  

                                    Seed funding application here

The inflammasome component ASC propagates inflammation via 'prionoid' type activity - TODAY 4pm

MIMR-PHI special seminar, presented by Dr Bernado Franklin from the Institute of Innate Immunity, University of Bonn.

TODAY, 4-5 pm, Level 2 seminar room, MIMR-PHI building

See attached flyer for details

"Getting there" - enhancing school attendance SAVE THE DATE 1st May 2015

We are pleased to announce a one-day conference for primary and secondary school staff, health and welfare professionals and clinicians who work with students who have difficulties with attendance. This conference will provide up to date information and practical strategies to enhance school attendance including therapeutic approaches and school-based responses.
Friday 1st May, Hawthorn Arts Centre, Hawthorn.  
See attached flyer for details.

ECR networking - Friday 12 December at 3.30pm

Medicine Seminar room, Level 5 E-block, Monash Medical Centre

Come and meet other ECRs in the School and also learn about how we can support you! 

   

  Welcome from Clare Westhorpe (ECR rep)
  Introduction to the new ECR coordinator
    Guest speakers: Tania Wilmann (Faculty Research Office) and                                                            Eugene Fredericks, SCS Manager                                                                                                                                                         Mentoring Program for next year

How to find us: E block is at the back of Monash Medical Centre, next door to the MIMR-PHI Institute. Enter via ground floor, next to loading dock, and take lifts to Level 5.

Top five under 40 - applications now open

Are you a young scientist with a passion for communicating your research?

UNSW and ABC RN want to help you make an impact and turn your vital work into compelling radio programs and online features to reach a wider audience.
To mark 40 years of The Science Show, Top 5 under 40 is an exciting initiative to discover Australia’s new generation of science thinkers – and give them a voice.
We know about the struggles of young researchers to get a foothold in Australia. This project aims to highlight the value and potential of our talented younger scientists.   More info here.  Applications close 16 January 2015.

MHTP's Professor Helena Teede featured in the MJA

Professor Helena Teede, Director of the Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation at MHTP has received a $2.5 million grant from the NHMRC to set up a Centre for Research Excellence and continue her work in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Read full story in the MJA article here.

YEAR END REMINDER: invoices, purchase orders and expense reports due by 10 December

Finance staff are reminded that, in preparation for end of year:

Wednesday 10 December 2014 is the last day to:
-request purchases with either a purchasing services team or via ESS
-enter Concur expense reports
-send manual expense reports to Expense Management
-send overseas invoices and claim forms to Accounts Payable

Monday 5 January 2015 is the last day that outstanding Concur expense reports can be approved.

Monday 12 January 2015: the Concur accrual journal will be sent to Corporate Finance Division. This means any 2014 transactions that have not been processed and approved at 5pm on Friday 9 January will be accrued.


View all Year End deadlines and procedures online.