SCS eNews: 2015-05-31

Monday, 1 June 2015

SCS medical student garners national award for research

Professor Morand and final year
MBBS student Andrew Toh

The Australian Rheumatology Association awarded one of its highest annual research awards last week to the lupus research group in the Centre for Inflammatory Diseases at the School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health.

Led by Professor Eric Morand and postdoctoral scientist Dr Sarah Jones, the research was the basis of a project by final year Monash MBBS student Mr Andrew Toh.

During his Bachelor of Medical Science (Hons) at SCS in 2014, Andrew’s research demonstrated for the first time that expression of the anti-inflammatory protein Gilz is reduced in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and that low levels are associated with worse disease.

This important work arose from the strong collaboration between Monash University and the Monash lupus clinic at Monash Health, led by Monash academic Dr Alberta Hoi.

"Gilz has the potential to be the basis of a new way to treat SLE," said Head, School of Clinical Sciences and Director of Rheumatology at Monash Health Professor Morand.

“We are starting work on developing a therapy based on this molecule that could obviate the need for steroid drugs in SLE."

“This award is a very pleasant surprise,” said Andrew. “Contributing to this novel research has been a fascinating and deeply satisfying experience.”

“My BMedSc year was a truly exhilarating journey—I’ve gained invaluable research skills and a greater appreciation for the vast research work underpinning clinical practice in medicine.”

“I would strongly encourage the BMedSc to medical students,” added Andrew.

“The supervisors at SCS have a highly infectious passion for research; they provide a supportive and enthusiastic environment to undertake research and I am eternally grateful for the experience they've given me.”

The Australian Rheumatology Association awarded its 'Best Basic Science' award to this work at its annual national scientific meeting last week in Adelaide.

Professor Morand is convenor of the 2017 world lupus congress to be held in Melbourne.

Dr Michaela Mee receives prestigious Morson Taylor Award 2015

Dr Michaela Mee

Congratulations Monash Health emergency physician Dr Michaela Mee, winner of the 2015 Morson Taylor Research Award.

Designed to foster a high quality research project in emergency medicine, Michaela will use the $10,000 prize to fund the pilot stage of her randomised placebo controlled trial of antiemetic agents in adult emergency department patients.

“Our objective is to determine if ondansetron 16mg and 8mg and droperidol 1.25mg are superior intravenous antiemetics compared to placebo in adult emergency department patients with nausea and/or vomiting,” said Michaela.

Michaela was honoured to have received this grant from the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine. She will be presented with the Award in November during the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine Annual Scientific Meeting in Brisbane.

Congratulations Dr Monique Kilkenny

Dr Monique Kilkenny

The Monash Institute of Graduate Research is pleased to report that Monique Kilkenny has been awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

The thesis titled: "Stroke: awareness of risk factors for stroke, quality of stroke care and outcomes after stroke" was ratified by the Graduate Research Steering Committee on Tuesday 19th May 2015 and will be conferred upon graduation.

Sincere congratulations to all involved, the Monash University Institute of Graduate Research (MIGR) acknowledges the years of hard work undertaken to help Monique achieve this degree.

World Environment Day, June 5

The 5^th June is the annual United Nations World Environment Day. This year’s theme is ‘Consume with care’: Living sustainably is about doing more and better with less.

Monash Health is holding a World Environment Day event from 12 – 3pm at Monash Medical Centre, Clayton. Visit the Oxfam Shop Fair Trade stall from 12 – 2pm in the main foyer and purchase some Fair Trade coffee, chocolate, textiles and gifts and learn about Oxfam’s actions against climate change.

There will be a fantastic display about how to get involved with making Monash Health more environmentally sustainable and how your actions can make a big difference. SteriHealth are on site with giveaways and to answer questions about waste and recycling.

More information here.

Help tomorrow's leaders achieve their full potential.

At Monash University, we are committed to educating the very best and brightest students, no matter where they come from or what their personal circumstances might be.

However some of these potential future leaders sometimes also need extra help with paying the rent or buying essential textbooks – small but vital issues that can keep them from study, disrupt attendance and prevent them from becoming the best they can be.

These students need and deserve our help.

Dear MBBS students,

You are invited to attend the BMedSc(Hons) information evening for 2016 candidates on 11th June at 5.45pm

43 Rainforest Walk, Clayton Campus, South 1 lecture theatre and foyer

After the main presentation a number of researchers and potential supervisors will be available to discuss research opportunities within their departments.

Please RSVP by 8/06/2015 to email: bmedsc@monash.edu (in the email subject heading Place your student id and name).

Nature Masterclass for ECRs and MCRs

MIGR and the Faculty are sponsoring a Nature Masterclass that involves workshops with Nature Editors on the fine art of publishing a paper in the high impact Nature series journals. What is not to like about that!

There are a total of 15 places available for FMNHS and the Masterclass is aimed at researchers within 12 years of their PhD.

The Masterclass is a one-day event and will be held on Tuesday 23 June, from 9am to 4.30pm, at the Japanese Language Centre - JSC Auditorium G17, Building 58, Clayton Campus.

A preview of some of the Editors and draft programs are provided in the attached brochure. This will provide you with a flavour for what will be on offer on the day. The Editors involved and the Program will be tailored to meet the needs of the researchers attending on the day.

To apply please send a CV and a a brief paragraph as to why this would be helpful for you at this particular stage. For example you may have some great data you are hoping to publish in a Nature Journal!

Email applications by FRIDAY June 5th to medicine.research@monash.edu

SCS ECRs - Faculty Travel Grant 2015 mid-year round - applications now open

Applications are now open for the remaining 3 Faculty Travel travel grants of $1000 each allocated to the School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health for 2015. This grant is to be used to support early to mid-career researchers (Levels A-C) for their international conference travel, and allocation is contingent upon abstract acceptance. (Earlier in the year, 7 travel grants of $1000 each had already been allocated.)

We wish to invite applications from eligible SCS staff via the attachedform. Please read the attached guidelines, and submit your application by Monday 15th June 2015 to jinleng.graham@monash.edu.
(The SCS travel grant report form is also attached, if required by last year's travel grant recipients.)

Applications will be jointly assessed by the SCS Executive and you will be notified of the result of your application.

Note: Hudson Institute employees are not eligible to apply.

Breast Cancer Research Funding Opportunities from Susan G. Komen

Susan G. Komen has announced a call for research proposals from early career investigators.

There are three grant / fellowship schemes:

1. Career Catalyst Research (CCR) Grants

2. Postdoctoral Fellowships (PDF)
3. Graduate Training in Disparities Research (GTDR) Grants

KEY DATES

Application System Opens: May 6, 2015

Pre-Application Due: June 17, 2015, by 1 p.m., Eastern Standard Time

Pre-Application Decision: September 16, 2015

Full Application Due: November 9, 2015, by 1 p.m., Eastern Standard Time

Award Notification: On or around April 15, 2016

MPCCC Research Travel Grants APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN

Monash Partners Comprehensive Cancer Consortium is pleased to offer eligible cancer researchers up to $2,000 to travel interstate or overseas to present quality cancer research projects to a cancer audience, enhance their research profile and build research networks.

To find out more about MPCCC's Research Travel Grant program download the flyer and guidelines. Applications close 5pm on 3 July 2015

ARC Centres of Excellence Funding Rules and Key Dates Released

The ARC has released the following documents for ARC Centres of Excellence for Funding Commencing 2017. (CE17). Copies of the documents are attached below for easy reference.

Funding Rules

Funding Agreement

Sample Application Form

Please Note: Applications for Expressions of Interest will open in RMS on 3 June 2015 at which time we will contact you again with submission requirements and MRO process.

The key dates for the CE17 scheme are detailed in the table below.

Queries should be directed to the ARC Team at MRO (arc@monash.edu).

These prestigious Awards, now in their 13th year, recognise and celebrate leaders who have made significant contributions to health and medical research in Australia. Awards are presented across the categories of discovery, health services research, advocacy, philanthropy and lifetime achievement.

In 2015 the following Awards will be presented:

Griffith University Discovery Award
Advocacy Award
Great Australian Philanthropy Award
Leadership in Corporate Giving Award
Health Services Research Award
Lifetime Achievement Award
The Peter Wills Medal

As the national peak body for health and medical research, Research Australia’s Awards are highly regarded and coveted in the health and medical research sector. Past winners include Sir Gus Nossal, Dr Motoko Koyama, Prof Colin Binns, Elaine Henry, Clive Berghofer, Dr Franziska Bieri, The Hon Barry Jones and the Myer Family, amongst many others.

Nominations must be received by COB on Monday 6 July 2015.

Download the Nomination Form here - this document includes details about each Award, the nomination process and how to nominate. Further information is available on the Research Australia website.

Postgraduate Publication Awards (PPAs) - Round 2/2015

Applications for PPAs Round 2/2015 close on 30 June 2015.

This quarterly round applies to candidates who will be submitting their thesis between 1 June 2015 and 31 August 2015.

The PPA scheme is designed to encourage graduate research students to disseminate their research findings through publication in professional journals or books. The scheme provides an income equivalent to the APA rate for three months and is aimed at supporting students who, having submitted their thesis, wish to write up some of their research for publication whilst they await the result of their examination.

Full details (guidelines and application form) are available on the MIGR intranet – look under the ‘Scholarships/Grants’ section: http://intranet.monash.edu.au/migr/forms/graduate-research-forms/index.html

Dr Nicole de Weerd

The second joint seminar of the the Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases and the Centre for Inflammatory Diseases will be held Tuesday 2 June, 12.30pm in the Level 3 Boardrooms at Hudson Institute.

Dr Nicole de Weerd of CiiiD will speak on "A unique IFNβ-IFNAR1 signaling axis: structural and functional characterisation of this novel ligand-receptor complex".

A light lunch will be provided at 1.30pm. Please note the altered start time.

State of the Art Lecture -Monash Heart -3 June 2015: "Cardiac Rhythm Management 2015 & Beyond"

Presented by Dr Emily Kotschet, Monash Heart

Wednesday 3 June, 12.30-1.30pm
Main Lecture Theatre, Monash Medical Centre

Flyer attached here.

Hudson Seminar Thursday 4 June: Fetal cardiac interventions for congenital heart disease, using a percutaneous technique

Dr Flora Wong

This Thursday's (4 June) Hudson Seminar will be held from 4pm-5pm, Lecture Theatre 2, Monash Medical Centre (NB. different venue to usual).

The speaker will be Dr Flora Wong - Head: Neonatal brain protection lab, Hudson Institute and Consultant Neonatologist, Monash Newborn.

Light refreshments to follow presentation outside the Lecture Theatre.
Flyer attached here.

Automated cell separation - using the AutoMACS Pro, Friday 5 June

Friday 5 June, 1.15 - 2.15pm, Level 3 Boardrooms, Hudson Institute.
Presented by Paula Stoddart

Flyer attached here.

2015 Cancer Forum

Monash Partners Comprehensive Cancer Consortium (SMICS and MCCC) warmly invites all cancer researchers, clinicians and allied health professionals to join us at the 2015 Cancer Forum.

Date: Tuesday 27 October 2015 Time: 5.30-8.30pm (dinner provided)

Venue: Huntingdale Golf Club, Windsor Avenue, Oakleigh South