"The cry of a newborn baby is a symbol of hope", says Aidan Kashyap, PhD candidate in the School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health (SCS). Aidan who won the Junior category of the 2017 SCS 3MT competition, talks about his research into diaphragmatic hernia in newborn babies.
Monday, 18 September 2017
SCS researcher—and first woman—receives Excellence in Stroke Award
 |
| Professor Thrift |
Professor Amanda Thrift from the School of Clinical Sciences
at Monash Health has been recognised for her lifetime contribution to stroke
research and overall contribution to the field, receiving the Stroke Society of
Australasia’s (SSA) Excellence in Stroke Award.
As part of the Award, Professor Thrift delivered the
Excellence in Stroke Oration at the SSA annual scientific meeting in
Queenstown, New Zealand last month.
During Professor Thrift’s post-doctoral work, she undertook
a large incidence study of stroke in the northern suburbs of Melbourne (the North
East Melbourne Stroke Incidence Study: NEMESIS).
“This work resulted in more than 50 publications,
contributed to 7 PhD completions and also led to a number of international
collaborations, including further work in Iran and Viet Nam, as well as some
data pooling studies of individual patient data, one of which included 13
studies in 11 countries,” Professor Thrift said.
In her Stroke Oration, Professor Thrift presented an
overview of the work she has led, including the NEMISIS and STANDFIRM (Shared
Team-Approach Between Nurses and Doctors For Improved Risk Factor Management)
studies.
One of the key focuses of Professor Thrift’s research is
stroke and other chronic diseases in under-privileged settings.
“The study I conducted in Iran was a replica of NEMESIS, and
demonstrated the enormous burden in that country, with people having their
strokes about a decade earlier than in Australia,” Professor Thrift said.
“Aboriginal Australia also suffers a disproportionate burden
of stroke—some of the messages from the Aboriginal people we interviewed for
our early research studies were very powerful.”
“One man who lived in a remote community, had no access to
rehabilitation, and so he devised his own program which involved riding his
bicycle about 120 km per week. His resilience, innovation, and determination
was truly remarkable.”
Professor Thrift’s oration also included an overview of how
improvements in health can be made in settings where resources are limited.
“In India we taught health workers about hypertension (and
other risk factors), and provided them with the skills to teach their local
communities how to manage their hypertension—to reduce their chances of having
stroke or heart disease,” Professor Thrift said.
Professor Thrift said she was overwhelmed by the honour and
recognition of the Award. All prior four awardees have been neurologists.
“I’m particularly honoured to be the first woman to receive
the Award, and the first epidemiologist!”
“I’ve been very fortunate to have great colleagues, collaborators
and PhD students,” she added. “I would like to acknowledge their enormous
contribution as, in reality, this award is not mine alone, but is recognition of
our combined research efforts.”
SCS staff recognised in 2017 Dean’s Awards for Excellence
 |
| Dr Simone Gibson |
Two staff from the School of Clinical Sciences at Monash
Health were recognised recently with Dean’s Awards for Excellence.
Dr Simone Gibson from the Department of Nutrition, Dietetics
and Food received the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Education (Quality of
Teaching) while Ms Ruth Fantozzi, from the Department of Medicine received the
Dean’s Award for Excellence in Administration.
Dr Gibson, a senior lecturer in the Nutrition and Dietetics
courses said of her teaching, she optimises clinical and professional skill
development to equip nutrition and dietetic students for work-integrated
learning and employment after graduation.
“This award is great in that it recognises the importance of
quality teaching at Monash University,” Dr Gibson said. “I am very humbled as I know there are
fantastic educators in our Faculty.”
 |
| Ms Ruth Fantozzi |
“Achieving this award would not have been possible without
the amazing and supportive team in the Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and
Food,” she added.
Ms Fantozzi provides high-level Executive Assistant support
to Professor Peter Ebeling in his role as the Head of the Department of
Medicine, as well as for his role as Chair of the Division of Medicine at
Monash Health.
Ms Fantozzi said winning this award would not have been
possible without the inspiration she’s received from her seniors and
colleagues, for whom she has the deepest respect.
“In particular, I would like to thank my boss, Professor
Peter Ebeling and our School Manager Dr Eugene Fredericks who have enabled me
to challenge myself and perform better at each stage,” Ms Fantozzi said.
Monash researchers’ rebuttal about PCOS overdiagnosis in MJA
 |
| Professor Helena Teede |
Monash
University and Monash Health researchers Dr Melanie Gibson and Professor Helena
Teede from the Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation published a
rebuttal article last week in the Medical Journal of Australia, along
with patients affected by the condition, arguing that the commentary ignored
the extensive evidence on PCOS prevalence, delayed diagnosis, complications and
PCOS related distress.
“We have
demonstrated that there is no direct evidence that PCOS is over-diagnosed,
rather there is substantive literature that PCOS is under-recognised,”
Professor Teede said.
“We have
compelling evidence that delayed diagnosis and inadequate information provision
can be distressing for affected women.”
The research
team also outlined an international initiative to improve PCOS diagnosis and
outcomes, including a new statewide service of excellence starting at Monash
Health in the near future.
Read full article here” https://www.doctorportal.com.au/mjainsight/2017/35/pcos-overdiagnosis-claim-not-based-on-evidence/
Latest Ritchie Centre success stories
 |
| Dr Courtney McDonald, Professor Alistair Gunn and Madison Paton in Osaka |
Established in 2009, 20 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Falling Walls Lab is an international forum that promotes interdisciplinary connections between aspiring academics, innovators, entrepreneurs, investors and professionals, known for the excellent work.
Participants are given three minutes to present their work.
Madison presented her research into the use of stem cells to assist brain injury in preterm babies. Watch Madison's presentation HERE (go to 1 hour, 19 mins and 30 seconds).
In further news, Madison Paton and Dr Courtney McDonald took out the two major awards at the 44th Annual Meeting of the Fetal and Neonatal Physiological Society Meeting in
Osaka, Japan last week.
Madison received the Tanya Gunn prize for best oral
presentation by a PhD Student for her talk entitled “Assessing human umbilical
cord blood therapy as an early treatment for preterm brain injury”; while
Courtney took out the Tanya Gunn prize for best oral presentation by a Post Doc
for her talk entitled “Differential effects of umbilical cord blood cells to
reduce neuroinflammation following neonatal Hypoxic-Ischaemic brain injury.
Courtney and Madison were ably supported by other
members of The Ritchie Centre who gave excellent oral and poster presentations,
including a memorable keynote lecture by Flora Wong, Department of
Paediatrics and Ritchie Centre entitled “Cerebral haemodynamic functional
response in fetus and neonate”
Get ready for the annual SCS trivia extravaganza
As we gear up for the annual SCS Trivia Extravaganza in
December, here are some questions to whet your appetites. The first instalment
this week is based on TV characters and their shows. Answers will be
published in e-News next week. Enjoy!
MHTP Student Open Days 19 & 20 September
All prospective research students are invited to
explore the postgraduate research opportunities (Honours, Masters and
Phd projects for 2018 intake) available to you at the Monash Health Translation
Precinct (MHTP).
We invite you to two events next
month, to discover our research opportunities:
o Tuesday 19 September: MHTP
Open Day information session, 4.30pm - 6.30pm, Monash University,
Banquet Hall, Campus Centre, Clayton
o Wednesday 20 September: Tour
our facilities / meet our supervisors, 4.00 pm - 6.30 pm,
Translational Research Facility, (meet at MHRP Building foyer, 43 -
51, Kanooka Grove, Clayton)
For catering purposes, please
register for one or both of the events HERE.
For further information, please
contact
o School of Clinical Sciences and
Monash Health:
Ms Katherine Marks: E: katherine.marks@monash.edu P:
8572 2595
o Hudson Institute:
Ms Ann Pukallus: E: Ann.Pukallus@hudson.org.au P:
8572 2699
In the meantime, please take a
glance at our available research projects HERE.
And more information about
postgraduate studies at MHTP is HERE.
Walk for Monash Children's Hospital: save the date 4 March 2018
Join us on Sunday 4 March
2018 and walk around the beautiful Jells Park, to help sick children and their
families receive the best care at Monash Children’s Hospital.
The Walk for Monash Children’s Hospital is a non-competitive, family friendly and fun day out with loads of activities on the day including an animal farm, kid zone, free massages, delicious food and live entertainment.
Choose between a 10km Walk, 10km Run, 5km Walk, 5km Run and 1km Walk. The event is suitable for all ages!
All fundraisers who raise over $50 will receive a free Monash Children's Hospital t-shirt.
Early bird registration is $15 for Children (aged 5-15) and $25 for adults and children over 15. Children aged 4 and under are free and don’t need to register.
To register visit: www.mchwalk.com.au
The Walk for Monash Children’s Hospital is a non-competitive, family friendly and fun day out with loads of activities on the day including an animal farm, kid zone, free massages, delicious food and live entertainment.
Choose between a 10km Walk, 10km Run, 5km Walk, 5km Run and 1km Walk. The event is suitable for all ages!
All fundraisers who raise over $50 will receive a free Monash Children's Hospital t-shirt.
Early bird registration is $15 for Children (aged 5-15) and $25 for adults and children over 15. Children aged 4 and under are free and don’t need to register.
To register visit: www.mchwalk.com.au
Victorian Global Health Conference 2017. ChangexUnzipped. 30 Sept-1 Oct
Change X Unzipped is a collaboration between Victorian medical students from Deakin University, Melbourne University and Monash University.
This
event is Victoria’s annual global health conference. Run over two days, it is
an exceptional opportunity not to be missed.
Day 1: Unzip it (Saturday 30th September, Geelong Clinical
School)
Day 1 will focus on ‘unzipping’ the big ideas in global
health. Through our exploration of the global health workforce, preventative
medicine, advocacy, the refugee crisis, human rights, law, politics and more -
you will be left engaged, inspired (or even somewhat perplexed).
Day
1 will feature an all-star speaker and panelist line-up including (but not
limited to):
- Dr Maithri Goonetilleke (founder of NGO ‘Possible Dreams International’)
- Dr Damien Brown (author of ‘Band-Aid for a Broken Leg’).
- Dr Fiona Lander (previous Consultant to the UN Office
of the High Commissioner for Human Rights)
- Alanna Maycock (Paediatric nurse and whistleblower of
Nauru detention center mistreatment)
- Prof Paul Komesaroff (executive director of NGO 'Global Reconciliation’)
- Leigh Matthews (founder of ReThink Orphanages)
Day
2: Change it (Sunday 1st October, Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne)
After unpacking big (and
somewhat lofty) ideas, Day 2 will focus on making tangible ‘change’ both
globally and locally. Through intelligent discussions on a diversity of topics
from youth empowerment, advocacy, social enterprise, sustainable food systems, environmental
choices and Indigenous health you will left motivated to search for local
solutions to global issues.
Day
2 will feature speakers including;
- Sashenka Worsman (CEO of 'Oaktree')
- Shen Narayanasamy (Human Rights Campaign Director
of 'GetUp! Action for Australia')
- Michael Matulick (CEO of 'Soap Aid')
- Sophie Lamond (Co-founder of 'Youth Food Movement Melbourne')
- Morgan Koegel (CEO of 'One Girl’)
- Dr Tim Duncan (from DoctoredFilms)
- And many more!
For
more information:
See
our website (http://changexunzipped.org/)
Like
CxU on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/changexunzipped)
Tickets:
Only
$20 for one day tickets and $30 for 2-day full conference pass. Now that’s a
bargain.
Link: http://bit.ly/2vzIjv7
CID Seminars present: A/Prof. Mark Miller from the Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University St. Louis, USA, 19 Sept
Tuesday 19th September, 12 - 1pm (Lunch from 11.45am), Venue: Seminar Room 1, Level 2, TRF Building
A/Prof
Miller's group uses multi-photon microscopy (MPM) in combination with
histological and genetic approaches to study the immune response to bacterial
infection in the spleen. He has shown that bacterial challenge in mice induces
the rapid redistribution of splenic macrophages and dendritic cells in a
bacteria-specific fashion. His hypothesis is that tissue remodelling serves an
“antigen transport” function that delivers pathogen-derived antigens to
distinct microenvironments for presentation. Because both the antigen
presenting cell type and the local environment impact the immune response, this
could provide a mechanism to tailor immune responses to a wide-range of
pathogens.
His
laboratory focuses on three key stages of infection: 1) the initial capture and
fate of bacteria in marginal zone macrophages and dendritic cells, 2) the
migration of these cells in response to infection, and 3) bacterial-antigen
presentation in tissue microenvironments and its influence on the subsequent
adaptive immune response. Moreover, the multi-dimensional cell tracking data
from these studies is being used to create in silico models of infection and
immunity in the hope of providing fresh mechanistic insight into microbial
pathogenesis and guide vaccine development.
Grand Rounds, "“Is my patient ‘competent’? Decision-making capacity in the acute setting” 20 September
Presenter: Dr
Niloufar Kirkwood, Neuropsychology Unit
Topic: “Is my patient ‘competent’?
Decision-making capacity in the acute setting”
Date: Wednesday 20
September 2017
Time: 12.30pm -
1.30pm
Venue: Main Lecture
Theatre, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton
Monash Haematology: ‘Melanoma post allogeneic transplantation – What are the risks?’, 20 September
20 September, 7.30am Breakfast & 7.45am Presentation
Monash Medical Centre, Level 2 - Lecture Theatre 3
‘Melanoma post allogeneic transplantation
– What are the risks?’
Presenter: Dr Hannah Stevens
PhD mid-candidature review - Shreya Rana, "Subcortical changes during brain development: clues on drivers of cortical folding", 22 September
All staff and student are invited to attend Shreya Rana's mid-candidature review.1pm, 22 September, Boardrooms, Level 3 MIMR building
Synopsis: My project is looking at the structural changes that occur with brain folding during fetal development, with the aim of trying to identify processes that are unique to the folding brain.
Supervisors are David Walker, Mary Tolcos and Bryan Leaw.
Panel chair is Caroline Gargett and independent assessors are Suzie Miller and Roger Pocock.
Special Edition- Grand Round (World Thrombosis Day) Wednesday 11th October
There will be 3 speakers each speaking for around 12-15 minutes, as listed below.
Assoc. Prof Sanjeev Chunilal (Monash Haematology)Introductory comments about World Thrombosis Day
Presentation title: ‘Rivaroxaban safety pathway’
Prof. Thanh Phan (Stroke unit)Presentation title: ‘Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis’
Dr. Adam Brown (Monash Heart)Presentation title: ‘Bioprosthetic aortic valve thrombosis - cause for concern?’
Monash University Animal Ethics Information Session - “Animal Use in Research & Teaching”, 11 October
Monash University requires that:
• All new
research staff and students using live animals complete the
information session “Animal Use in Research and
Teaching”.
• Researchers,
Teachers and students must have attended or enrolled
in the next available session to be named on an animal
ethics application.
Date: Wednesday 11 October 2017
Time: 10am – 12:30pm
Venue: Lecture Theatre S12, 16 Rainforest Walk, Clayton
Campus
Register on-line -
Medicine in the media (1 day course), 25 November
Medicine and the media
Saturday 25 November 2017
9am - 4:30pm
553 St Kilda Road, Melbourne
Course fee: $299 (incl GST)
In this one-day interactive course, participants from both
academic and journalism backgrounds will work together to identify important
barriers in communication of health research to the general public. The
paradigm of evidence-based medicine and how it can be used to enhance reporting
will be highlighted, using recent case studies of optimal and imbalanced
reporting. Small group sessions will engage journalists in tasks designed to
explore evidence based approaches to reporting, while researchers and academics
will cover tips for better engagement with media such as how to stay on
message, avoid being misquoted and steer away from difficult areas. Mock
interviews of academics by a prominent health journalist will be staged to
demonstrate useful media techniques, and safe and effective use of social media
tools to convey your message will also be discussed.
Further information and registration: https://www.monash.edu/medicine/sphpm/teaching/shortcourses/med-and-media
Enquiries: shortcourses.depm@monash.edu T: +91 03 9903 0693
NHMRC Fellowship Applications in 2018 - CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (EOI)
MRO have advised that they are
expecting a larger number of NHMRC Fellowship applications in the January to
March period given that 2018 is the final year of applications for the fellowship
scheme.They are requesting that academic staff complete the EOI Google Form (link here): https://goo.gl/forms/SVT3PIJYypS6rY4s1.
This will greatly assist MRO with planning and resourcing for fellowships for the major round.
Responses due by COB Friday 27 October 2017.
REMINDER: 2017 International Networks of Excellence Grant Scheme – CLOSING ON 28 SEPTEMBER
A reminder that the 2017 International Networks of Excellence Grant Scheme (NoE) is closing soon.
The aim of
the scheme is to increase Monash research collaboration with high-quality
international research networks and institutions. The scheme offers one year
Major, Seed or Facilitation grants to Monash employees’ worth $10K – $200K
depending on the scale of activity. Please note, the focus of the scheme is
‘excellence’ and is open to research groups or clusters (rather than individual
to individual). Partner institutions should be ranked equal or above Monash in
international rankings.
The NoE guidelines and information on how to apply can be found here:
http://intranet.monash.edu.au/research/research-strategy/international-networks-of-research-excellence/.
The NoE guidelines and information on how to apply can be found here:
http://intranet.monash.edu.au/research/research-strategy/international-networks-of-research-excellence/.
Application is
via the online Smarty Grants
system - https://monashuniversity.smartygrants.com.au/NOE2017.
Applications
close Thursday 28 September 2017.
(vp.research-noe@monash.edu or phone 99029467).
Joint Arts-Medicine IDR Seed Funding Scheme now open
The Faculty of Medicine, Nursing
and Health Sciences is very pleased to announce that applications for the 2017/8 Joint Arts-Medicine IDR Seed Funding
scheme are now open.The total budget for the scheme is $100,000. The maximum available funding for each individual application is $25,000.
Please find attached scheme guidelines HERE, application form HERE and
faculty research priorities HERE. Further
information and resources are available at
Applications are due by 5pm on Monday 2 October 2017.
If you have any questions about the scheme or would like to apply, please contact
the Arts Research
and Business Development Office (arts-research-enquiries@monash.edu
or 990 58557).
We look forward to receiving your applications.
MMC/MCH Site Alert UPDATE: Scaffold Removal - Browns Road North Car Park Walkway
What is happening?
·
Scaffolding forming a
temporary covering over the walkway between the CRC and the Brown’s Road North
Multi-deck car park will be removed.
·
A temporary walkway will be
created around the works area
·
The works will be
undertaken in two stages, minimising the impact to available parking spaces
How will the works impact me?
·
All pedestrians are to
observe the signage and barriers in place during the works indicating the
temporary pathway for all foot traffic
·
All pedestrians should take
note of the surrounding areas and vehicular traffic flow during the works.
·
All drivers are to drive
with additional care around the works area.
When will the works take place?
·
Works are scheduled to
commence on Tuesday September 19, 2017 and conclude by Wednesday
October 4, 2017
What about safety?
·
The contractor will conduct
all works in compliance with relevant Safe Work Methods, utilising appropriate
tools and PPE for the tasks undertaken
·
Barriers will be installed
around the construction zone to block traffic access and pedestrian access.
·
We take this opportunity to
remind all staff:
o to be aware of traffic flow and pedestrian movements, and
o to be vigilant for your safety and the safety and wellbeing of
others
How do I get more information or report a concern?
Please contact the Monash Children’s Hospital Project Team
for more information or to report any concerns regarding these works.
·
Project Office
Telephone:
03 857 23921
·
Project Team mobile:
Karen Green 0409 203
949
Retailer-Led Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Price Increase Reduces Purchases in a Hospital Convenience Store in Melbourne, Australia: A Mixed Methods Evaluation
Claire Palermo et al. published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.Read article here.
Achievement of saturation targets in preterm infants 32 weeks' gestational age in the delivery room
Stuart Hooper et al. published in Archives of Disease in Childhood. Fetal and Neonatal Edition.Read article here.
Delayed intranasal infusion of human amnion epithelial cells improves white matter maturation after asphyxia in preterm fetal sheep
Suzie Miller et al. published in the Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism.Read article here.
The Beneficial Effects of Melatonin Administration Following Hypoxia-Ischemia in Preterm Fetal Sheep
Tamara Yawno, Suzie Miller et al. published in Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience.Read article here.
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