Can
you explain your research?
I
have always had a nerdy attachment to B cells - the cells that make antibodies,
which are protective in immunity and harmful in autoimmunity. Now I’m
studying the ways in which the protein GILZ controls B cell behaviour. GILZ is
induced by glucocorticoids (or steroids), which are prescribed to around 70% of
lupus patients and still used in around 50% of rheumatoid arthritis patients to
try to gain some control over the disease. GILZ appears to mimic many of the
same anti-inflammatory effects of glucocorticoids (for example, by inhibiting B
cell production of antibodies), but without causing the same harmful side
effects. We are investigating the potential for GILZ to be a safe and effective
alternative treatment for autoimmune diseases.
When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew
up?
Crew
on a container ship or an icebreaker, marine pilot guiding large ships into
port, forest ranger, immunologist.
What do you enjoy doing
outside work?
Vaccinating
lambs and calves - real world immunology! We spend lots of weekend time tending
to stock, orchards, vines and our own need for fun (swimming in the dam, riding
motorbikes, playing with all the dogs) at the family farm.
Something your work colleagues probably don’t know about
you?
I’m
a senior science textbook editor and author in my 'spare time'. If your son or
daughter takes up biology in year 11 or 12 in Victoria or the rest of Australia
from this year onwards, chances are they will be working from my books (I dare
you to find a mistake!).
This briefing workshop
for academic and professional staff addresses key cultural attributes
and gives 8 methods for positive engagement with students and the broader
community and will cover:
The EMCR Forum’s
national meeting, Science
Pathways 2015 - Effective science communication for EMCRs, will
be held in Adelaide at ‘The Braggs’ Lecture Theatre, The University of Adelaide
on 23-24 April 2015. The event will bring together EMCRs and senior scientists
as well as representatives from industry and government. Making science more
accessible to a wider audience is essential, especially with the heavy reliance
on government funding for research. Effective communication of new scientific
ideas and breakthroughs to the wider community can be a real challenge for many
scientists. Science
Pathways 2015 will be an opportunity to learn new skills in the
important area of science communication. This may also open up new career
opportunities for EMCRs looking to use their research experience in a different
way.
Can
you explain your research?
The Faculty Research Office disseminates email alerts to ECRs including information about grant/fellowship schemes that specifically target ECRs, seminars,
events/workshops, useful publications and mentorship.
Monash and Museum
Victoria (MV) are excited to be strengthening their partnership through the
launch of new PhD and Honours scholarships, as well as continuing to offer
co-supervision opportunities.
Please
review this important news for postgraduate students nearing thesis submission.
