Dr John Bradley and Dr Amanda Kearney's project will see the animation of over 400 kilometres of song lines and 26 stories from the Yanyuwa people.
28 May 2008
28 May 2008
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Dr John Bradley and Dr Amanda Kearney's project will see the animation of over 400 kilometres of song lines and 26 stories from the Yanyuwa people. |
Monash researchers are animating the stories of the Northern Territory's Yanyuwa people in an effort to preserve their language and traditions for future generations.
Dr John Bradley and Dr Amanda Kearney from the University's Centre for Australian Indigenous Studies are working on animating over 400 kilometres of song lines and 26 stories from Aboriginal elders in the community.
The animation of the first song line, a Manankurra verse commonly used in public ceremonies, has been completed and tested amongst the elders who have given it their seal of approval.
Funding of A$25,000 has also been secured from the Sidney Myer Foundation for a further five animations.
Dr Bradley said Indigenous languages like the Yanyuwa were dying at an alarming rate taking with them enormous amounts of knowledge.
"Thirty years ago there were close to 230 people who spoke the language," Dr Bradley said. "Today there are about five women and four men capable of speaking the language as their first language.
"Song lines are like a title deed to country; if you know the sacred song of your country then ownership is without doubt.
"For many of these elders, these animations are about a will and testament left in a form that future generations can access."
"Every detail is significant to the elders, from things like the bubbles rising from the bundle of cycad food in a river to the colour of the stingray. These help to distinguish the Yanyuwa from other clans in the area."
Dr Kearney said the research would determine whether cross generational transfer of knowledge could take place through the use of animation. She said the research also aimed to engage the Yanyuwa people and increase their awareness of other forms of technology.
"The Yanyuwa elders are very progressive in their willingness to maintain cultural continuity using modern day media," Dr Kearney said.
"They realise that to try and teach the language to young people using traditional methods would be like teaching them French or German.
"These animations will convey information critical to the development of Yanyuwa youth, including their identity and role in their family and country."
Dr Bradley has worked with the Yanyuwa community for thirty years, creating a dictionary, website and atlas in an effort to help preserve the culture of the community. Dr Kearney has worked with the community for the last seven years in the areas of emotional geography and intangible cultural heritage.
28 May 2008
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Dr David Cram |
Monash researchers have used DNA fingerprinting to identify which embryos implanted after in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) have resulted in the birth of healthy babies.
The technique, combined with sampling cells from blastocysts (the very early embryo) before implantation, may help identify which blastocysts are most likely to result in a successful pregnancy.
Senior research scientists at Monash Immunology and Stem Cell Laboratories (MISCL) Drs David Cram and Gayle Jones believe their findings will revolutionise IVF by improving pregnancy rates and eliminating multiple pregnancies.
"DNA fingerprinting is the ultimate form of biological identification but until now it has not been used to identify the embryonic origin of babies born following embryo transfer," Dr Cram said.
"We have developed a novel method to identify viable blastocysts among the cohorts transferred to patients. Our ultimate aim is to find out which genes are expressed by viable blastocysts."
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Dr Gayle Jones |
When couples attend fertility clinics for IVF, eggs from the woman are fertilised with sperm from the man. The fertilised eggs are then left to develop in the laboratory for about five days until they reach the blastocyst stage.
As there is no reliable way of differentiating between viable and non-viable blastocysts, many couples opt to have more than one implanted in order to increase the chance of pregnancy. This often leads to multiple births.
The transfer of multiple embryos also makes it hard to determine which have developed into a successful pregnancy and therefore difficult to develop criteria which can be used to identify viable blastocysts.
Although more work needs to be done, the researchers say their work will be useful for testing different treatments of embryos without the need to recruit women to clinical trials.
This research was first published in Human Reproduction -- A monthly journal of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE).
Copies of the paper are available from Oxford Journals.
28 May 2008
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Pharmacy Practice Lecturer Kevin McNamara will use his research fellowship to develop and deliver a professional development program for community pharmacists. |
Improving blood pressure control in people with cardiovascular disease using primary care collaboration is the goal of Monash lecturer Kevin Mc Namara, who has received a National Institute of Clinical Studies Fellowship from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
A lecturer in Pharmacy Practice at the Victorian College of Pharmacy, Mr McNamara will use the fellowship to develop and deliver a professional development program to community pharmacists. The program will help pharmacists identify and educate people with high blood pressure enabling them to better manage their condition.
"Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in Australia," Mr McNamara said.
"High blood pressure (hypertension) is a major risk factor and there is strong evidence that controlling it can reduce risk significantly, but many people with hypertension are either unaware of their condition or not receiving optimal treatments.
"Community pharmacists have an important role to play and are ideally placed to provide targeted screening and medication assessments as well as dietary and other lifestyle modification advice."
NHMRC Chief Executive Officer Professor Warwick Anderson congratulated Mr McNamara.
"We look forward to working with him in this important area of cardiovascular health," Professor Anderson said.
The NICS Fellowship is co-sponsored by the National Prescribing Service (NPS).
28 May 2008
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From left: Dr Fiona Cochrane, students Jason Ng, Alexander Nichols and Yuchao Xiao, Dr Andrew Cochrane and acting dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics Professor Owen Hughes. |
Three Faculty of Business and Economics PhD students have been awarded Donald Cochrane Postgraduate Research Scholarships.
The winners are Accounting and Finance student Yuchao Xiao and Econometrics and Business Statistics students Jason Ng and Alexander Nichols.
The three-year scholarships, valued at $28,000 a year (plus allowances), are awarded annually to the most outstanding full-time PhD students conducting research in a business discipline.
The scholarships commemorate the late Professor Donald Cochrane, a distinguished economist who was the foundation dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics. Professor Cochrane held office from 1961 to 1981.
Members of Professor Cochrane's family awarded the scholarships at a recent ceremony.
Mr Xiao's research involves world price sustainability; Mr Ng's research focuses on the development of new methods for the production of accurate forecasts; and Mr Nichols' research is on exploration models forecasting the distribution of time dependent data.
In other Faculty of Business and Economics news, Department of Accounting and Finance academics Madhu Veraraghavan, Kevin Tant and Damian Barry have been awarded the Vice-Chancellor's Award for Teaching Excellence for their influence on student learning and student engagement.
The award recognises their involvement in the development of the Treasury Dealing Room project, a computer-based system that replicates Australia's financial institutions, using software developed by staff from the Department of Accounting and Finance and the Faculty of Information Technology.
The project creates a rigorous market atmosphere in the university classroom and provides students with the opportunity to apply theoretical finance concepts they have learned.
28 May 2008
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2008 Ancora Imparo Leadership Program participants from back: Jarrod Hodgson, Tyson Jones, Shin Nie, Clare Alomes and Andrew Roe. |
First-year undergraduate students from Monash's Australian campuses can now apply for the 2009 Vice Chancellor's Ancora Imparo Student Leadership Program.
The Ancora Imparo Program has been designed to help passionate and idealistic students prepare for future leadership roles.
Successful applicants will take part in a year-long program that includes a three-day residential course and monthly seminars, during their second year of study.
During 2008 students have heard from eminent speakers such as Federal Member for Maribyrnong Bill Shorten, former Victorian Premier and current chair of beyondblue Jeff Kennett, and Victorian County Court judge Felicity Hampel.
Participants, including medicine student Michael Loftus and business and economics student Shin Nie, have also attended the 2020 Youth Summit, the 2020 Summit and the Futures Summit and have spoken at various Monash engagements including the Student Experience Network, the Leadership in Action development programs and the Year 12 Leadership day.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Larkins encouraged first-year students to apply.
"You will have an opportunity to work with other like-minded students and will be provided with an understanding of the principles that guide current leaders and have guided leaders in the past," Professor Larkins said.
"I hope that the program will help inspire and equip you with the confidence and skills to help to make the world a better place."
The program is open to students from Victorian campuses. For more information please visit the leadership program website.
28 May 2008
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The panel was chaired by Associate Dean of Research Professor Paul Webley and included leading researchers in the area of sustainable water and environmental engineering from the Department of Civil Engineering. |
An expert panel of academics from Monash's Faculty of Engineering tackled the pressing issue of Melbourne's water sustainability at a lecture held as part of Monash's 50th Anniversary Public Lecture Series.
More than 200 people attended the lecture at the BMW Edge at Federation Square on April 22.
The panel was chaired by the faculty's Associate Dean of Research Professor Paul Webley and included leading researchers in the area of sustainable water and environmental engineering from the Department of Civil Engineering.
Dr Grace Mitchell spoke about the importance of selecting the best mix of options for Melbourne's water future; Dr Gavin Mudd discussed the role groundwater could play in improving Melbourne's water sustainability; and Monash PhD student David Flower discussed how Melbourne households could cut their greenhouse gas emissions by using less hot water or changing the fuel they used to heat their water.
Associate Professor Ana Deletic said Monash researchers aimed to harness the potential of stormwater to overcome water shortages, reduce urban temperatures and improve the landscape and liveability of Australian cities.
"We must all employ a range of water solutions if our cities are to become resilient to climate and social pressures," Associate Professor Deletic said.
28 May 2008
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More than 1000 TeamMONASH™ participants joined a 30,000 strong crowd for this year's Mothers Day Classic. |
The Mothers Day Classic run/walk was a family affair for TeamMONASH™ event patron Professor Susan Davis, the Department of Medicine's Head of Women's Health.
Professor Davis managed to convince her husband, daughter, stepson and even her 80-year-old mother-in-law to take part in the event. Her son also helped by handing out drinks to participants.
More than 1000 TeamMONASH™ participants joined a 30,000 strong crowd for the annual fundraising run/walk around the Melbourne Botanic Gardens earlier this month.
The event is the biggest community fundraising event for breast cancer in Australia, giving people the chance to make a real difference to the lives of those diagnosed with breast cancer.
Professor Davis said a highlight of the event was the camaraderie between TeamMONASH™ runners and walkers.
"The most striking thing on the day was that everywhere you looked, you could see another person wearing a Monash top," Professor Davis said.
"I participate in a lot of runs and it was so exciting to have so many Monash people in this one."
TeamMONASH™ took home awards for the largest tertiary team in Victoria and the largest tertiary team in Australia.
Monash donated its prize -- a $1000 cheque - to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
Upcoming events for TeamMONASH™ are the Walk the Talk fun walk in Johannesburg on 27 July and Australian University Games on 28 September to 3 October.
For more information visit the Monash Sport website.
28 May 2008
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Hard work and a commitment to rural life has paid off for Elizabeth Buchholz and Johanna Kelly who have each been awarded a scholarship to assist them financially during the early years of their studies. |
A program that trains doctors in rural and regional Victoria has recognised the talent of two students who have shown a commitment to their country communities.
Elizabeth Buchholz and Johanna Kelly have received scholarships through the Extended Rural Cohort program, which provides support to students who undertake most of their clinical training in northern Victorian hospitals and general practices.
Elizabeth Buchholz hails from Mingay southwest of Ballarat and wants to return to the country after her studies in Melbourne. "There's a real closeness between everyone in a small town that you don't get in a big city," she said.
Johanna Kelly from Kerang agreed. "There's a great support network in a country community," she said.
Director of the Bendigo Regional Clinical School Professor Geoff Solarsh said the program showed students there was a rewarding career in rural medical practice.
"It's a unique program that is generating a great deal of local support," Professor Solarsh said.
"Business and residents are keen to pitch in and help young students to achieve their goals and in return, the students will establish themselves professionally to care for the health and well being of their country communities."
28 May 2008
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Bachelor of Science graduate Tomoko Hyakumura, Vice-President Advancement Ron Fairchild, Masako and Kazushi Hyakumura, Manager Monash University Venues Pamela Peters, and Bachelor of Science graduate Michiko Hyakumura with the peace pole. |
Monash has joined the worldwide message of peace and prayer via the Peace Pole project.
Monash was offered a peace pole as a sign of thanks and friendship by sisters and Monash science graduates, Tomoko and Michiko Hyakumura from Japan, who have made Monash and Melbourne their home.
The Peace Pole, which was presented to Vice-President Advancement Ron Fairchild, will be installed in an official ceremony at the Clayton campus.
"This is a wonderful and symbolic gift to the University that complements one of our key themes of peace and security," Mr Fairchild said.
The Peace Pole movement was started by Masahisa Goi in 1955.
The Peace Pole carries the message "May Peace Prevail on Earth", and has been translated into four different languages displayed on each of the pole's four faces, promoting the global message of world peace.
The Peace Pole had been dedicated by both political and religious leaders including Jimmy Carter, Pope John Paul II, Mother Teresa and the Dalai Lama.
7 May 2008
Two recent events that have attracted a lot of attention in the media in the last month raise fundamental questions for universities of the modern era.
In the first, a senior lecturer in general practice at the University of Queensland gave a radio interview. He was identified at the beginning of the program by his professional title. During the interview, he raised some concerns about level of protection afforded by the cervical cancer vaccine, Gardasil, and about its expense. The vaccine had been developed by researchers at the University of Queensland in partnership with CSL. CSL wrote to the University of Queensland expressing disappointment with the comments by the staff member and refuting what CSL regarded as his misleading remarks. The Registrar of the University then wrote to the doctor urging him to provide a written apology to CSL in which he should make it clear that the comments were made by him in his personal capacity and were not endorsed or authorised by the university.
Questions were raised in the media about the extent to which accepting funds from corporate entities make universities beholden to those companies and whether it is good for universities to accept such funds. Secondly, the rights of individual academic staff members to speak publicly stating their views and the extent of control that the university might have over individual staff members were questioned.
The principles in relation to each of these matters are reasonably clear. Of course universities should collaborate with business and industry. This is necessary so that university research can help industries to become internationally competitive and industry can help universities and researchers to take their discoveries through to commercial development. This is not merely a matter of financial opportunism. In many cases, if a discovery is not commercialised, it will not be able to be produced or distributed in sufficient quantity to benefit the community, the environment or the economy, depending on the nature of the discovery. Gardasil is a wonderful success story arising from an appropriate partnership between an Australian company, CSL, and the University of Queensland.
University academic staff certainly have the right to speak publicly on matters within their field of expertise using their university status to enhance their credibility. Indeed, it can reasonably be argued that this is a responsibility. Of course, university staff are able to comment more broadly in areas of public interest, but if it is not in the area of their recognised academic expertise they should do this in a private capacity without referring to their academic affiliation.
Of course, the interpretation of "area of expertise" is often difficult as evidenced in the case described. The doctor may well claim that as a practising general practitioner employed by the university, he did have the expertise to draw attention to what he identified to be shortcomings of the vaccine. CSL considered his remarks to be outside his field of expertise and the letter from the university also suggested this interpretation. Perhaps it would have been simpler for CSL and the university to put out a statement correcting any misleading content by the staff member rather than requesting that an apology for his views should be sent to the company. By and large the public is sophisticated enough to recognise that there will be divergent views even amongst experts within an institution as large and diverse as a university.
The second issue related to Griffith University receiving funding from the Saudi Embassy to provide some additional funding for its Government-sponsored Centre for Islamic studies. There was a journalistic attempt to link the Centre and the funding to radical Islamic groups with exuberant references to Griffith University being akin to a madrassah.
Education and research about religions and cultures different from our own is an important role for universities. Studies of this kind do not imply a blind acceptance of the fundamentals of any faith. Far from the madrassahs which seek to close minds to alternative views, universities by their nature train students to open their minds. Mutual respect through shared understanding, even if beliefs are different, is an essential step in the quest for a more peaceful world. The fact that The Saudi Embassy provided some modest funding support does not subvert the objectives of the Centre. As for other forms of funding, the essential criterion relating to the acceptability of the funding is the constraints accompanying the funding. Any constraints limiting proper and unbiased scholarship or education are unacceptable. There is no evidence that such constraints operated in this case.
We live in complex and difficult times. Moral dilemmas do arise. We must respect academic freedom but this comes with its obligations. The two examples cited demonstrate the interest of the media in the relationships between universities and funding sources and demonstrate the need for policies to be clearly understood.
28 May 2008
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Name: Kerry (aka Kyriakos) Hourigan
Org. Unit: Division of Biological Engineering
Title: Professor and Director
Faculty: Engineering
How long have you been with Monash University?
Ever since I have been at Monash, both as a student in more turbulent times and as an academic since 1995, I have been 180 cm long.
Prior to working at Monash, where were you located and what was your role?
Before Monash, I was at the CSIRO leading a team of fluid dynamicists, following a NASA research fellowship at Caltech's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. My role had morphed from astrophysics to fluids engineering for manufacturing and mineral processing, and then to aerospace and automotive engineering. OK, I admit it, short concentration span.
What challenges are ahead in your current role?
More recently, as my role has evolved into biological engineering, the challenge is to develop research programs and teams with connections to undergraduate teaching that apply novel engineering techniques to the biological sciences, such as cardiovascular, renal and respiratory problems. This means having fun using big toys, such as the Australian Synchrotron and the Australian Partnership for Advanced Computing facilities.
What is it about your job that holds your interest or is particularly satisfying?
By far the greatest contribution an academic makes to our community and one that is immensely rewarding is the education and training of many highly talented young people who then become leaders in industry, academe and public life. By comparison, all else we do is stamp collecting.
Of all the places in the world you would like to visit/re-visit, what is your favourite?
Although the soaring peaks of the Himalayas and the volcanic caldera of Santorini are stunning, it must be Provence where we share a cotutelle PhD program and I have returned to many times. It is a stimulating place to do research plus it has a wonderful, historical, sun-drenched countryside and the art of dégustation -- a love, appreciation and respect for food, wine and conversation.
What is the best piece of advice you have received?
From my father, a Confucian saying -- "many hands make light work." In the often intensely individualistic and competitive world of academe, a little bit of teamwork can go a long way and is so much more fun than a garret in an ivory tower.
What is something about yourself that most of your colleagues wouldn't know?
A penchant for seeking out the meanest roller coaster rides around the world -- a kind of primal screaming therapy.
28 May 2008
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The Monash Centre for Electron Microscopy recently took delivery of a 10 tonne microscope called The Titan.
The Titan will enable researchers to study materials with unprecedented resolution. The instrument is fitted with spherical abberation correctors, like corrective glasses for the microscope, which pushes its resolution into the sub-Angstrom range (an Angstrom is 1x10-10 m or 0.0000000001 m).
At this resolution, the positions of atoms in the majority of materials will be resolvable. In addition, it is fitted with a range of analytical equipment that will allow researchers to study the chemistry, bonding and electronic/optical properties of these tiny features.
As a result, it will be able to solve fundamental problems in metallurgy, physical chemistry, optoelectronics, semiconductor physics, biomaterials and in many other areas of physical science.
The Titan arrived in 19 boxes and will take around four months to assemble.