Bungoma Hospital Project, Kenya - Do you have unwanted children's books to donate?

You can donate your children's books to the Bungoma Children's Hospital in Kenya.

Bring any good-condition, but no longer needed children's books to SCS Reception (MMC, Level 5 Block E) and we will add your donation to the books heading across to Keyna to add to this great project.  

All donations will also go into a raffle to win a $50.00 Bunnings voucher, courtesy of Bunnings.

To see more about the Bungoma Children's Hospital, including other ways to donate, go to: http://bungomaproject.com.au/about-us/

High impact stroke research wins Dean’s Award

Assoc Prof Cadilhac

Research improving the prevention and treatment of stroke has earned School of Clinical Sciences’ Associate Professor Dominique Cadilhac a prestigious Dean’s Award for Research Impact.

Professor Cadilhac’s research program over the last 17 years has focussed on stroke, the leading cause of adult disability and second leading cause of death in Australia.

Using a range of methodologies including mixed-methods health services research, program evaluation and health economics, Professor Cadilhac has provided evidence to improve outcomes for patients with stroke at an acceptable cost.

“Most recent examples of the impact of my research include the establishment of the Australian Stroke Clinical Registry, the Victorian Stroke Telemedicine (VST) program and providing, for the first time, the greater opportunity to understand unwarranted clinical variation in acute stroke care and the impact on longer-term patient outcomes including quality of life,” said Professor Cadilhac.

“Using decision-analytic modelling in 2007, I showed that by closing recognised gaps in practice and providing improved access to evidence-based therapy, approximately 27,000 (or 38 per cent) of strokes in 2015 could potentially be prevented.

“I calculated $1.06 billion could be recovered in lifetime cost-offsets through this modelling,” said Professor Cadilhac.

Extreme exercise linked to blood poisoning

Dr Ricardo Costa

Dr Ricardo Costa from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics has led a study showing that extreme exercise can cause intestinal bacteria to leak into the bloodstream, leading to blood poisoning.

Experts at Monash University monitored people participating in a range of extreme endurance events, including 24-hour ultra-marathons and multi-stage ultra-marathons, run on consecutive days.

"Blood samples taken before and after the events, compared with a control group, proved that exercise over a prolonged period of time causes the gut wall to change, allowing the naturally present bacteria, known as endotoxins, in the gut to leak into the bloodstream. This then triggers a systemic inflammatory response from the body’s immune cells, similar to a serious infection episode.

Read more here.

$500,000 seed funding and 6 PhD scholarships now available at MIME - call to ALL clinicians

The Monash Institute of Medical Engineering (MIME) fosters stronger collaborations between clinical researchers in Monash partner hospitals and engineering and IT researchers.  Our aim is to develop new medical technologies that address significant unmet clinical needs.

Two funding sources are now available from MIME to support collaborative research projects involving a clinician researcher from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences and a researcher from the Faculty of Engineering or IT:

(i) MIME seed fund - between $10,000 and $50,000 for collaborative projects delivering an outcome in 12-18 months

(ii) MIME PhD scholarships - for jointly supervised projects

PLEASE NOTE: the MIME Affinity meeting scheduled for this Thursday 18 June at MMC has been postponed.  It will be rescheduled after expressions of interest for projects have been received.

We are asking clinicians to nominate areas of clinical need / opportunity via this form by 29 June.

Selected clinical areas will be advertised on the MIME website on Monday 6 July.

In July, engineering, IT and other researchers will be invited to respond to these areas of clinical need with a proposed technical solution - applications will close 31 July. 

In August, MIME will assist with the optimisation of final joint proposals. Announcement of successful applicants on 28 August.

Academic Promotions - applications now OPEN

Following information presented at the last School Meeting, academic staff are reminded that applications for academic promotions are currently open. 

There have been some changes made to the procedure this year, outlined in the attached document 'Academic Promotion 2015'.  

Full details of academic promotions can also be found on the HR website: http://www.adm.monash.edu.au/human-resources/academic-promotion/

Netball champions at SCS

Winning team the SCS Cytopaths

The SCS Cytopaths have won the Monash Social Sport 3rd Division mixed netball premiership, played on campus last week. 

The team, comprised of students and staff from SCS (with a little help from other departments, including Monash Health's Immunology Lab and e-Solutions), won a physical tussle to take home the honours for SCS with a final score of 13 - 10. Thanks to everyone who played throughout the season and here's to the next one!

BMedSci Information Night - Tuesday 14 July at MMC

Enhance your MBBS experience, help people, get into research, make discoveries, and give yourself career options!

Come to the SCS Information Night for prospective BMedSci (Hons) on Tuesday 14 July,  5.30 - 7.30pm
Lecture Theatre 3 at Monash Medical Centre.

Pizza and refreshments will be provided!   Please register online and attend on the night to go into the draw for 2 Gold Class movie tickets.

For more information see our website or contact Rachael Unwin.

Whistleblowing Q&A: "Caught in the middle - students, placements and whistleblowing"

All students are encouraged to attend this inaugural Q & A forum.

Thursday 25 June, 6-7.30pm
South One Lecture Theatre, Building 64, Clayton campus

See attached flyer for more details.

Invitation to participate in research about genetic engineering. Human Gene Editing Would you do it?

Have your say on a technology that could change humanity.

Gene editing or genetic engineering techniques can be used to replace DNA changes or mutations in DNA. Essentially, this means that is it now possible to accurately change the genetic code of an individual cell or embryo. There are potential risks and benefits from this technology. 

For example, one potential benefit is that genetic diseases in human or animals could be eradicated. However, currently we do not know the risks of altering DNA, meaning the changed DNA could have an unpredictable effect on the future development of that person or animal.

Recently there have been a number of technological advances in biology and genetics. The application of this technology could have important ramifications for human health and well being. 

We need participants to complete our survey and it will only take 5 minutes of your time. Our questionnaire (linked here) seeks to understand your views and beliefs about the ethics and application of this technology.  

Thank you, we are grateful for your support.

2015 Victoria Prize for Science & Innovation and Victoria Fellowships CLOSING IN 2 WEEKS

A reminder that submissions for two of Victoria’s most prestigious science and innovation programs in the life and physical sciences close in 2 weeks.

2015 Victoria Prize for Science & Innovation
The Victoria Prize for Science & Innovation celebrates leadership, determination, endeavour and creativity. These prestigious prizes are for a scientific discovery or technological innovation, or a series of such achievements that significantly advances knowledge.  The clear potential to produce a commercial outcome or other substantial benefit to the community will be highly regarded.

Download the nomination guide, nomination form and referee report here.

2015 Victoria Fellowships
Victoria Fellowships provide a travel grant of up to $18,000 to undertake a short-term overseas study mission to assist in developing a commercial idea; undertaking specialist training; or career development not available in Australia. Additionally, Fellows can apply for the Australian French Association for Science and Technology (AFAS) Associate Award valued at up to $5,000.

Download the application guide, application form and referee report here.

Applications and nominations must be received by 2:00PM on Thursday 25 June 2015 via the veski website.

DE16 Rejoinders now open in RMS

The ARC has released the Assessor Reports for DE16 and the Rejoinder Process is now open in RMS.​ All applicants are strongly urged to submit a rejoinder. This is your final opportunity to engage with the ARC College and advance your case for funding. 

If you would like to receive feedback from MRO on your response, please submit your written rejoinder draft as a Word document (maximum 5000 characters, including spaces) to arc@monash.edu no later than 9am, Tuesday 16 June.

(This notice refers to the DECRA (DE16) scheme, and not Discovery Projects (DP).

CID seminar TODAY: "Towards cell based therapy for liver fibrosis"

Prof Sievert

Tuesday 16 June at 12pm
Medicine Seminar Room located on Level 5, Block E.

Presented by Professor William Sievert.

Cutting Edge Research Presentation- Lung & Sleep- TOMORROW

Presented by Prof Philip Bardin: "Vocal cord dysfunction, Botox and asthma"
and Dr Paul King: “Mechanisms of bacterial and virus infections"

Date: Wednesday 17^th June 2015

Time: 12.30pm to 1.30pm

Venue: Main Lecture Theatre, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton

Hudson seminar, Thursday 18 June: “Sex steroid receptor interactions in breast and prostate cancer”

Prof Tilley

Student pizza lunch at 1pm, seminar at 4pm.

Presented by Professor Wayne Tilley, Director Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, The University of Adelaide

Flyer here with more details.

Invitation to attend a forum - MHTP Biobank - Thurs 25 June 10am

Attn: Researchers/Clinicians at MHTP


We would like to invite you to a forum to discuss the possible formation of an MHTP Biobank.  There is widespread interest in having a biorepository for tissue samples to support research across the precinct (and beyond).   There are many issues to discuss: what samples, what type of cryopreservation, how will clinical and other linked information be stored, who will have access, how will it be funded, where will it be located and other ethical and governance matters.  Monash Health currently has a tissue bank linked to the Victorian Cancer Biobank and we hope to have representatives from the MH facility to discuss how these entities might interact.  We plan to send out a brief questionnaire prior to the meeting to understand the biobanking needs of investigators as an initial step.

This forum is an initial meeting to gauge interest and raise questions, so we hope you will be able to attend to provide your valuable input.

Date: Thursday 25th June 2015 Time: 10am - 11.30amVenue: Surgery Seminar Room, Level 5 Block E, MMC Clayton
RSVP: by return email to jinleng.graham@monash.edu

Registration and Housing Now Open for Kidney Week 2015 in San Diego, California

EXPERIENCE THE LATEST ADVANCES IN KIDNEY CARE

Registration and housing are now open for ASN Kidney Week 2015. Join more than 13,000 kidney professionals from across the globe in San Diego, CA, November 3-8, at the most exciting nephrology meeting of the year. Register today for the annual meeting and for one of 13 early programs to reserve your spot.

The theme of this year's Kidney Week is Found in Translation: Connecting Research and Patient Care. This theme honors the commitment and dedication of kidney health professionals worldwide who focus time and expertise to advance the lives of millions of people with kidney disease.

More here.

Essence of Health program available to university staff at Dandenong Hospital

Delivered by Dr Craig Hassed, the Essence of Health program is a model for enhancing wellbeing and sustainable performance as well as the prevention and management of chronic illness. Essence is an acronym standing for Education, Stress management, Spirituality, Exercise, Nutrition, Connectedness and Environment and is a comprehensive lifestyle program underpinned by enabling strategies such as mindfulness, enhancing motivation, goal setting and behaviour change.

The program has been delivered within the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences for a number of years in training doctors and allied health practitioners in stress and lifestyle management.

Program dates: Friday 31 July, 7,14,21 August, 4 September

Time: 1:00-2:00

Venue: Seminar Room 1, Dandenong Hospital

Cost: Free only Monash University staff members.

How to register:  SWAP ID 322015: Dandenong Hospital (Monash Staff) 5 Week ESSENCEof Health program

HR and Research & Revenue Finance staff on Level 5

Research and Revenue staff are no longer located in the office in the Hudson Institute Building and will now be at SCS on Thursdays and Fridays. They will be in Katherine Greenberg's office in Rm 5.MC.30. It is anticipated that after the new research building opens, the R&R staff will be accommodated here at SCS HQ on a full-time basis. Co-location on Level 5 of E Block will make it easier for research staff to interact with R&R personnel.

The new Senior HR Business Partner for the SCS, Ms Selda Evci, will be located on Level 5 of Block E every Thursday starting on 2nd July. Selda will be located in Rm 5.SS.20.

Decommissioning of Legacy RMS

As the final pieces of functionality from Legacy RMS are created within RMS 2.0, access to Legacy RMS will no longer be required.

At 5.00pm (​AEST)​ on Tuesday 30 June 2015, access will no longer be available to Legacy RMS.

As a result, any information currently held in Legacy RMS that you may like to retain (e.g. Proposals) should be downloaded by this date. These pieces of information will not be transferred to RMS 2.0 and will not be accessible following the removal of access to Legacy RMS.

PLEASE NOTE: Final Reports within Legacy RMS will be transferred to RMS 2.0 and due to be available in the new system by late July.

If there is any information that you are having difficulty downloading, please email RMS2updates@arc.gov.au.

Diversity and Inclusion Committee - seeking new Members

The Diversity and Inclusion Committee is seeking new members to join our dedicated team.   This committee is vital in promoting a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion within the Faculty supporting the University's social justice values. Currently several Schools and Departments have no representation on this Committee, so I encourage you to consider becoming an active member.

If you are interested, please email Associate Professor Jenny Newton (Chair) for further details.  Jenny's email - jenny.newton@monash.edu

Car parking charges at Monash Health 15/16 financial year

Please be advised that the hourly rate for staff car parking at Monash Health will increase from $.69 to $.71 per hour, effective from 1 July 2015.

These charges are needed to ensure parking revenue helps cover the costs of existing facilities, as well as our parking infrastructure program.

Monash Health's car parking charges remain substantially lower than many comparable health services, and we are comparable with public transport fees.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Director Support Services, Sharon McNulty (sharon.mcnulty@monashhealth.org).

Concur goes paperless

Continuing Finance’s commitment to improving processes and services, we are happy to announce that from today physical copies of receipts for transactions processed via Concur only need to be kept until the transaction has been finalised by the Travel and Expense Management Team.

This means you can now dispose of any old receipts for Concur transactions included in an expense report that have been fully approved by the Approver and finalisation has occurred by the Travel and Expense Management Team. These reports will appear with the status: Approved, and Payment Status: Finalised for Accounting/Payment.

If you have any questions, please contact the Travel and Expense Management Team.  More information about Concur is available on the Concur intranet.

Ironman Triathlon events can cause intestinal leaks and blood poisoning: Monash University research

Dr Ricardo Costa

Department of Nutrition and Dietetics' Dr Ricardo Costa in the International Business Times.

Read story here.

Early developmental brain injury/interference: moving on from cerebral palsy

Michael Fahey published in Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology.

Read article here.

Couples coping with cancer: exploration of theoretical frameworks from dyadic studies

Professor Kissane

David Kissane published in Psycho-Oncology.

Read article here.

Sleep apnoea in the child

Gillian Nixon and Margot Davey published in Australian Family Physician

Read article here.

Quantification of Normative Ranges and Baseline Predictors of Aortoventricular Interface Dimensions Using Multi-detector Computed Tomographic Imaging In Patients Without Aortic Valve Disease

Ian Meredith et al. published in the European Journal of Radiology.

Read article here.

Very Preterm Infants Failing CPAP Show Signs of Fatigue Immediately after Birth.

Stuart Hooper published in PLoS One.

Read article here.

PD-1 and its ligands do not limit experimental foreign antigen induced immune complex glomerulonephritis.

Joshua Ooi et al. published in Nephrology.

Read article here.

Myeloperoxidase Peptide-Based Nasal Tolerance in Experimental ANCA-Associated GN.

Poh Yi Gan et al. published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

Read article here.

Immunosuppressive potential of human amnion epithelial cells in the treatment of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Graham Jenkin and Euan Wallace published in the Journal of Neuroinflammation.

Read article here.

Higher Dietary Calcium Intakes Are Associated With Reduced Risks of Fractures, Cardiovascular Events, and Mortality: A Prospective Cohort Study of Older Men and Women

Peter Ebeling published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.

Read article here.

Dietary α-Linolenic Acid and Total ω-3 Fatty Acids Are Inversely Associated with Abdominal Aortic Calcification in Older Women, but Not in Older Men.

Dr David Scott

David Scott and Peter Ebeling published in The Journal of Nutrition.

Read article here.

Fall and Fracture Risk in Sarcopenia and Dynapenia With and Without Obesity: the Role of Lifestyle Interventions

Dr David Scott

David Scott and Peter Ebeling published in Current Osteoporosis Reports.

Read article here.

Health-related quality of life after stroke: reliability and validity of the Duke Health Profile for use in Vietnam

Velandai Srikanth published in Quality of Life Research.

Read article here.