7 September 2005
7 September 2005
Monash research fellow Dr Marlies Alvarenga has won a Young Scientist award at the Eighth Congress of Biological Psychiatry in Vienna, for her research into panic disorder.
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Dr Alvarenga (pictured), from the Department of General Practice at Monash and the Baker Heart Research Institute, was one of 49 researchers under the age of 35 awarded at the conference.
She found noradrenaline uptake -- a natural process in human hearts -- was dysfunctional in people with panic disorder (a mental illness in which people experience panic attacks).
Her study also found that panic sufferers released higher levels of an enzyme called neuropeptide Y, which leads to cardiac spasm causing chest pain.
She said cardiac symptoms were among the most frightening symptoms for people with panic disorder.
"Many people having a panic attack often wrongly think they are having a heart attack, and most people who present at hospital emergency departments for heart complications are actually experiencing panic attacks," Dr Alvarenga said.
She said it was a great honour to receive the award from an international committee.
"It is a great privilege -- not only does it recognise the work I've been doing, but it also recognises the efforts of Monash and the Baker Heart Research Institute in this field of study."
Dr Alvarenga is now looking at the use of cognitive behaviour therapy and anti-depressants in treating the physical symptoms of panic disorder and depression to improve the quality of life for people with panic disorders, depression and heart disease.
"If these therapies are an effective treatment for the physical symptoms, they may constitute preventive treatment for the development of cardiovascular disease," she said.
Anyone suffering panic attacks or depression without an existing heart condition or diabetes and who wants to be part of the study should call +61 3 9342 8946 or email psychresearch@mh.org.au.
7 September 2005
Monash will strengthen its studies in Ukrainian language and culture after signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, in Ukraine.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Larkins signed the MOU at Lviv University on 1 September before participating in the start of the school year celebrations at the university.
He said the agreement highlighted the importance of exchanges and developing relations between Australia and Ukraine.
Professor Maria Zybryzka will be the first to benefit from the agreement spending two months on an exchange program at Monash later this year.
The agreement, arranged by Associate Professor Marko Pavlyshyn, director of the Centre for European Studies at Monash, and Dr Oleksandr Mischenko, of the University of Lviv, aims to develop research and teaching links between the two universities.
It will also give Monash a further edge in the provision of Ukrainian language and cultural studies and research.
Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations chairman Mr Stefan Romaniw said the agreement also meant Monash would be well placed to help in a range of nation building activities as the Ukraine develops.
While in Ukraine Professor Larkins also met Deputy Minister for Education Boris M. Zhebrovskij to discuss closer educational links between the two countries.
Professor Larkins said that as an international university Monash was always seeking new partnerships and bilateral opportunities.
7 September 2005
Professor Patricia Vickers-Rich, a world expert on bird fossils, has received a prestigious new award for her services to ornithological research.
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Professor Vickers-Rich (pictured), who is also director of the Monash Science Centre, received one of 10 inaugural W. Roy Wheeler Medallions for Excellence in Field Ornithology, presented by the Bird Observers Club of Australia.
The awards are named in honour of the late Wilson Roy Wheeler, a prominent figure in bird watching last century.
Mr Wheeler promoted recreational bird watching, initiated surveys and data collections and stimulated a change in philosophy in many observers from individual bird watching to a more organised field ornithology.
At the awards ceremony at the University of Melbourne last month, the audience was told that Professor Vickers-Rich was a tireless initiator of projects, who had spent many years on avian fossil sites around the world.
Her work, together with that of her husband, Dr Thomas Rich from the School of Geosciences, international collaborators and many volunteers, had helped establish the concept of a southern origin for many of Australia's birds. Dr Rich's contribution was also recognised in the Bird Observers Club award.
Professor Vickers-Rich, who was born in the US and came to Australia in 1971, said she was honoured to have received the award.
"My work in Australia really began with birds, and it has been a fascinating journey that I continue to enjoy," she said.
7 September 2005
The Honourable Justice Ronald Sackville delivered the 13th Lucinda Lecture at Clayton campus last week.
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| Back: Faculty of Law deputy dean and Lucinda Lecture convener Professor H. P. Lee and Chief Justice of the Victorian Supreme Court Her Honour Marilyn Warren; front: Sir Zelman Cowen and Justice Sackville. |
Justice Sackville has been a judge of the Federal Court of Australia since 1994 and is also chair of the Judicial Conference of Australia, a body representing judicial officers throughout Australia.
In this year's lecture, titled 'Judges under fire: how far can the critics go?', Justice Sackville called for fewer restrictions on the criticism of judges and courts.
"When compared with other institutions of the government in Australia, judges and courts receive privileged protection," Justice Sackville said.
"This is because of the longstanding belief that it will maintain public confidence in the legal system, but there is no evidence to suggest that incorrect or baseless criticisms damage people's confidence.
"The High Court needs to bring the judiciary into line with other liberal democracies, which apply more scope to the freedom of communication."
The Lucinda Lecture series is hosted by Monash's Law School and has as its patron former governor general The Right Honourable Sir Zelman Cowen.
It is named after the SS Lucinda paddle steamer, on which the drafting committee of the National Australasian Convention made important revisions to the earliest drafts of the Constitution during a three-day cruise in 1891.
The lectures canvass some of the fundamental issues of Australian constitutional law.
7 September 2005
A Monash postgraduate student aims to improve the golf swing of thousands of Americans after winning a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh.
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Ms Andrea Fradkin (pictured), from the Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine at Monash, left for the US this week to run the Golf Fitness Laboratory at the Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina, where the 2005 US Open Golf Championship was held.
As part of her fellowship, Ms Fradkin will also help rehabilitate members of the US special forces and the NFL team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, using biomechanics to help soldiers and gridiron players overcome injuries more quickly and reduce injury risks.
The Golf Fitness Laboratory is a multi-million dollar centre, which was completed in August this year. It is a collaboration between the Pinehurst Resort and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre.
The laboratory aims to provide fitness and testing programs for college and elite-level golfers and to facilitate research to improve their injury rehabilitation and performance.
Ms Fradkin completed a degree in human movement at Deakin University and began to focus on golf research while completing her honours thesis.
She said it was a great area in which to undertake research, as few researchers worked in the area and because golfers were easy to work with.
"There are a lot of golfers out there, and most want to improve their performance on the course so they take advice easily."
Ms Fradkin expects to complete her postgraduate studies at Monash this year and will spend two years in the US.
7 September 2005
Monash's first student-operated art gallery has been opened at the university's Caulfield campus.
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| Mr Tim Wilson with MONSU Caulfield vice-president Mr Andy Poon at the gallery opening. |
The Caulfield Campus Student Gallery was opened on 18 August by the chair of the Monash University Student Union Board (MONSU) and Monash University Council member, Mr Tim Wilson. The gallery provides a unique venue for students to exhibit their work.
Mr Wilson thanked MONSU Caulfield, Monash University Campus Life (the Monash campus branding of Monyx), the facilities and services department, Caulfield campus manager Ms Helen Dunne and Mr Leslie Eastman, studio coordinator, painting and printmaking, in the Department of Fine Arts.
"The continued effort by so many students and staff will ensure that this facility is able to serve Caulfield Campus students for many years to come," he said.
The gallery's inaugural exhibit is "Spacepork Adventures" -- projected video images offering a light-hearted look at space exploration.
The gallery is in Building D, in the Department of Fine Arts, Faculty of Art and Design.
It was funded by MONSU Caulfield, the Faculty of Art and Design, and Monash University Campus Life.
7 September 2005
The Bangarra Dance Theatre's acclaimed production Spirit is the last event to feature in Monash's 2005 Performing Arts Program.
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The Alexander Theatre at Clayton campus will host two evening performances and one matinee on September 20 and 21.
Produced by artistic director Stephen Page, and Frances Rings, Spirit draws together the best of the Bangarra Dance Theatre's internationally acclaimed repertoire, including highlights from the 2003 sell-out production Bush.
Inspired by the beauty and spirituality of Australia's rich Indigenous culture, the production weaves storytelling, dance, theatre and music to celebrate the spirit of creation.
Founded in 1989, the Bangarra Dance Theatre is an Indigenous dance company that blends traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture with international contemporary dance influences to create a truly Australian dance language. The word "bangarra" means "to make fire" in the Wiradjeri language of NSW.
The award-winning dance company has toured extensively in Australia and overseas, captivating audiences in cities such as Beijing, New York, Washington, Edinburgh, Seoul and Athens.
A major highlight was its creation of the Indigenous section Awakening performed during the opening ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and watched by millions around the world.
Ms Jan Clancy, Monash University Arts Centres director, said audiences would be mesmerised by the Bangarra Dance Theatre's stage performance.
"This highly innovative contemporary dance company promises a stunning spiritual adventure that is at once contemporary but remains true to its Indigenous traditions from the distant past," Ms Clancy said.
For bookings or information, contact the Monash Box Office on +61 3 9905 1111 or visit the Monash University Arts Centres website.
7 September 2005
Sixteen Indonesian high school students have visited Monash as part of a cultural excursion to Australia.
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| The students, in their palace uniforms, at attention at Monash. |
Their visit on 26 August completed a busy month for the students, who had acted as a guard of honour for the Indonesian Independence Day celebrations at the Royal Palace in Jakarta earlier in the month.
The Monash visit was organised by Mr Bas Koesasi, a senior lecturer in Indonesian studies in the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics in the Faculty of Arts. He said the teenagers had undergone a month of special training before they took part in celebrations at the palace.
"These students, who are aged 16 and 17, were selected for their scholastic achievements, leadership potential, civic duty and personality. They are the best of the best from their country," he said.
Mr Koesasi said the aim of the Monash visit was to meet fellow students and exchange information about each country's language, culture and society.
The group was welcomed to Monash by Professor Gary Bouma, head of the School of Political and Social Inquiry in the Faculty of Arts and Monash students who are studying Indonesian language and culture as well as by students from Berwick Secondary College who are studying Indonesian.
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| Malaysian students get into the spirit. |
7 September 2005
Monash students gathered to celebrate Malaysia's national independence day, on 31 August, at Clayton campus.
About 100 students waved Malaysian flags as a special contribution to the festivities.
The students also celebrated the annual Merdeka Day with live theatre, dancing and a buffet meal at the campus centre.