12 November 2008
12 November 2008
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| Anthea Lindquist |
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| Robert Mitchell |
A final year Monash University medical student has been named the 2009 recipient of the Victorian Rhodes Scholarship Prize.
24-year-old Anthea Lindquist will study for a Masters in Global Health Science at Oxford University, a degree which imbues graduates with advanced skills in epidemiology, public health development and economics. She then plans to return to Melbourne for specialist training in obstetrics and gynaecology.
Ms Lindquist was chosen from four Victorian finalists, including a second Monash University Medicine student Robert Mitchell, by a selection panel including the Governor of Victoria Professor David de Kretser.
Ms Lindquist said she applied for a Rhodes Scholarship because she recognised that acquiring knowledge and becoming part of a worldwide network of people who share the same vision were the most powerful tools to facilitate change.
"Through travel and work in Vanuatu and Fiji I have witnessed the inequalities that exist in the provision of health care and as a result I have become passionate about effecting change," she said.
Inspired by the global health campaigns of fellow Australians Catherine Hamilin and Fred Hollows, Ms Lindquist said she wanted to dedicate her career to improvements to maternal and child health in disadvantaged communities in Australia and the region.
A former Lions Club Youth of the Year (2002) and Zonta International Young Woman of the Year (2002), Ms Lindquist is PADI Open Water Diving certified and an AUSLAN sign language interpreter.
Meanwhile Robert Mitchell, also a final year medical student at Monash University has been short listed as a candidate for an Australia at large Rhodes Scholarship.
The 24 year old has worked in medical programs and undertaken elective subjects in remote Australian communities and in Papua New Guinea, and in 2005 was a Rotary Youth Representative to Anzac Day commemorations in Gallipoli.
Recent Monash University Rhodes Scholars include Farnaz Sabet (2005), Lucas Bluff (2004), Geraldine Buckingham (2003) and Nathan Grills (2002).
The Rhodes Scholarship provides successful recipients with a full time postgraduate course position of their choice at the University of Oxford with all university and residential college fees paid by the Rhodes Trust.
It is the 106th year that the Rhodes Scholarship has been awarded on the basis of both academic achievement and good character.
Typical Rhodes Scholars are considered to have outstanding academic achievements, a background in community work, be active participants in sport and display strong leadership skills.
12 November 2008
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| Artist Caroline Durré with the new range of ceramic giftware. |
Monash has launched a limited edition range of ceramic giftware based on the artwork of Caroline Durré in recognition of the University's 50th anniversary.
Caroline Durré is a highly accomplished artist whose work appears in numerous public and private collections including the National Gallery of Australia, the Art Gallery of New South Wales, BHP Australia and Artbank.
Her ties with Monash begin with her family lineage. She is the great-granddaughter of Sir John Monash, after whom the University is named. She is a Monash graduate and current PhD student, and also lectures in fine arts in the Faculty of Art and Design.
Ms Durré has worked with Monash graphic designer Rick Rigoni to design the giftware based on the patterns of gardens and fortifications.
Ms Durré said she was honoured to contribute to the 50th anniversary celebrations.
"It was great to work with Rick, and to see how well my two dimensional works fit the different shapes of the gift ware," Ms Durré said.
Monash Vice-President (Advancement) Ron Fairchild congratulated Ms Durré and Mr Rigoni for creating a unique and inspired range.
"This project represents almost 12 months collaboration and is a great example of the University's commitment to excellence and innovation," Mr Fairchild said.
"It's also fantastic that each piece has been created in Australia by Moorabbin company, Unique Ceramics."
Ms Durré is currently exhibiting her PhD exam show at the Faculty Gallery, Art and Design Building, Caulfield campus from the 10 to 15 November.
The collection, which includes a vase, platter, cups and saucers, and gift cards, can be purchased by contacting Leonie Magdalena at Leony.Magdalena@adm.monash.edu.au.
12 November 2008
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| Dr Burkard Polster |
Monash University lecturer Dr Burkard Polster is passionate about teaching maths, using all kinds of unconventional techniques to inspire that same enthusiasm in his students.
Dr Polster keeps a toilet plunger in his office to demonstrate the location of mathematical planes in space.
The prop sits at the foot of a bookshelf crammed with toys, puzzles, origami animals and juggling balls in the researcher, author and The Age columnist's Clayton office.
Each colourful article on the shelf has made an appearance within a Monash lecture theatre as a powerful learning tool.
A veteran of 20 years teaching complex mathematics at university level, Dr Polster has found the best way to make a point is to make it memorable.
"I use toys, gimmicks, movie clips, anything to put the hook out so that the students will remember what I'm trying to pass on to them," he said. "If they remember the plunger they will remember the maths."
That philosophy has led Dr Polster, a semi-professional juggler, to fill his lectures with magic tricks, juggling acts, clips from Hollywood movies and soap bubble sculptures.
His goal is to pass on his own appreciation of the beauty and power of mathematics, while offering students the added incentive of being able to impress their friends at parties.
"One of the key things I always try to keep in mind before I go into a lecture is that if I can't deliver at least one point that people will remember pretty much forever, then the lecture was wasted." he said.
"That has got to be true for every lecture that you give.
"Using the gimmicks and tricks is a matter of trying to capture the moment, but this is a pretty way of doing it and when people see it in front of them it's a real "a-ha!" moment and they see the beauty of maths."
Dr Polster has marvelled at maths for as long as he can remember and sees it in every facet of life.
"You can look at anything, and when you strip away the non-essential bits, what is left is some beautiful mathematics," he said.
"Like looking at a diamond in a jewellery store and seeing all the facets and symmetries.
"Or juggling where you have these three balls and you've got to fit them together and it only works this way or that. It's basically the same sort of thing that makes things beautiful in mathematics."
For more information on studying Mathematical Sciences at Monash visit the School of Mathematical Sciences website.
12 November 2008
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| Emeritus Professor Ronald Drayton Brown AM |
1927 – 2008
The S3 lecture theatre at the Clayton campus last Wednesday night was silent. It was to have been the venue for the Monash Chemical Society lecture, but sadly the speaker, Emeritus Professor Ronald Drayton Brown AM passed away the previous Sunday 2 November, 2008.
The title of Professor Brown's presentation was to have been 'Farm to Chemistry Department.' It was to be his personal recollections of the development of the chemistry school at Clayton campus, literally from the ground up. Far from being just the content of a lecture, the story of the evolution of the school will last in the memories of those who knew him and the anecdotes of the era will be passed on to student generations to come.
Professor Brown's outstanding academic career began with a PhD from Kings College, London in 1952. In 1959 he was appointed to the Foundation Chair of Chemistry at Monash University where he remained head of the Department until 1992. He also held the title of Director of the Centre for High-Resolution Spectroscopy and Opto-Electronic Technology.
His early work focused on developing theories of chemical reactivity for electron systems and led to the VESCF method still used in molecular mechanics software today.
Professor Brown's additional roles included Chairmanship of the National Committee for Chemistry and of the Committee on Science Policy. He also served as a member of the Sub-Committee on Chemical Education, and of UNESCO's Australian National Advisory Committee's specialist Committee. In 1963 he was President of the Victorian Branch of the RACI. In 1982 he was appointed by the International Astronomical Union to an international panel of consultants to advise on the desirability of creating a new commission on bioastronomy. He subsequently served as a member of the Organising Committee of the commission (1982-1997), serving as President for Commission 51 (Bioastronomy) from 1991 - 1993. He also served in various capacities for the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry between 1987 and 1997.
Dean of the Faculty of Science Professor Rob Norris said Professor Brown's commitment to higher education and his vision for the School of Chemistry was inspirational.
"Ron Brown's legacy will continue to evolve. It's benefits and educational value will live on in the experiences of every student. Ron's dedication to both research and student success should serve as a guiding light to staff and students. Ron always had passion for science and this propelled him on a life journey filled with scientific and educational endeavours and achievements," Professor Norris said.
As a founding father of the early establishment days of the Clayton campus, Professor Brown earned a significant place in the University's history. Earlier this year, Professor Brown was among the recipients of the 50th Anniversary Research Awards.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Larkins said Professor Brown will forever be remembered as integral to the establishment of one of the finest chemistry schools in Australia.
"Ron Brown continued to be a part of Monash, maintaining research interests in collaboration with Dr. Peter Godfrey, generously providing his expertise, knowledge, mentoring and time to ensure the school continued to thrive," Professor Larkins said.
.12 November 2008
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| Professor Stephanie Fahey |
Students are encouraged to apply to participate in the 2009 Educate Without Borders conference, a biennial international student conference that aims to understand and generate solutions to some of the world's greatest challenges.
The conference, held in Dubai from 29 March to 1 April, presents an opportunity for students to actively participate in discussions on themes such as technology, sustainability, education and humanitarianism.
It brings together the world's most innovative students and leaders in a collaborative forum that culminates in a commitment to action.
Previous speakers have included 2006 Nobel Peace Prize recipient and founder of the Grameen Bank Professor Muhammad Yunus, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Kevin Sullivan, and German physicist Johannes Georg Bednorz, joint recipient of the 1987 Nobel Prize for Physics.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) Professor Stephanie Fahey said the conference was an ideal opportunity for students to meet and work with students from all over the world interested in the same issues.
Accommodation during the conference is covered by the organising committee, and there are a number of travel scholarships available to students who submit high standard papers (due on Sunday 30 November, 2008).
For further information visit the conference website or email Dash Jayasuriya on Dash.Jayasuriya@adm.monash.edu.au.
12 November 2008
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| Professor Susan Davis |
Hundreds of Australian women may be missing out on lifesaving breast cancer treatment because they do not know if their cancer is sensitive to hormone therapy.
The findings of the Monash study showed 38 per cent of women who were hormone receptor positive were not aware that their breast cancer was hormone sensitive.
These women were less likely to be receiving endocrine therapy than those who did know they were positive.
Based on these findings, researchers estimate that about 500 more Australian women each year would be receiving endocrine therapy.
Endocrine therapy, which includes the removal of the ovaries or use of drugs such as Tamoxifen in hormone sensitive breast cancers, reduces the likelihood of recurrence by about one third in these women, significantly improving their survival chances.
Professor Susan Davis of the Women's Health Program at Monash University said the findings showed that health authorities were not communicating critical issues to patients.
"Women with breast cancer need to understand the implications of the decisions they make with their doctors about their treatment," Professor Davis said.
Professor Davis said that the results of the survey on 1684 Victorian women with invasive breast cancer were surprising given that it was conducted at the same time as a breast cancer awareness campaign.
The study found that women who are older or less educated were less likely to know their hormone receptor status. Women who were unable to complete the survey in English were excluded from the study indicating that the extent of the problem could even be underestimated.
Each year around 2600 Australian women die from breast cancer, and more than 13,000 are diagnosed with the disease.
While mortality rates from the disease are improving, the preliminary research findings from the Monash study underscore the importance of ongoing research into prevention. .
12 November 2008
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Forty undergraduate students from Monash's Australian campuses will join the Vice-Chancellor's Ancora Imparo Student Leadership Program in 2009.
The Ancora Imparo Program has been designed to help passionate and idealistic students prepare for future leadership roles.
The successful applicants, from each of the University's 10 faculties, will take part in a year-long program during their second year of study that includes a three-day residential course and monthly seminars.
During 2008, students in the program heard from speakers such as former Victorian Premier and current chair of beyondblue Jeff Kennett, Federal Member for Maribyrnong Bill Shorten, and Victorian County Court judge Felicity Hampel.
This year's students have had the opportunity to attend the 2020 Youth summit, the 2020 Summit and the Futures Summit. Participants have also been invited to speak at various Monash engagements including the Student Experience Network meeting and the Year 12 Leadership day.
In 2009 students will undertake a three-day residential seminar at Phillip Island, followed by eight evening forums at the Monash Caulfield campus, where they will hear from prestigious speakers including Artistic Director of the Melbourne Theatre Company Simon Philips, highly-acclaimed Monash staff members Professor Dave Griggs from the Monash Sustainability Institute and Associate Professor Mark Baker from the Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation, and alumnus Hugh Evans.
The students will also be given the opportunity to present to senior staff and participate in a number of national events.
Successful students:
Art and Design: Laura Carthew, Dominic Dowling
Arts: Alexandra Cain, Bonnie Einsiedel, Nadia McComb, Paramdeep Mettho, Sophia Buchhorn, Joel Doutch, Melusi Zwangabani, Thomas Woodroofe
Arts/Law: Jessica O'Leary
Arts/Science: Kelly Horton, Thomas Dowsley
Business and Economics: Elizabeth Slattery, Adam Greig, Samuel Jun Wen Yeo
Business and Economics/Information Technology: Swetha Ghatty, Veena Kadayaprath
Education: Samantha Smith
Engineering: Kumari Mayuri Nathoo, Hadi Michel Salem
Engineering/Law: Joshua Tait
Information Technology: Brenda Graetz
Law: Emma Wu, Georgia Hill, Zoe Wood, Anthony Hong
Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences: Aimee Parker, Emily Jenkins, Freya Jane Langham, Freya O'Loughlin, Genevieve Martin, Genna Verbeek, Kathryn Connelly, Lucy Dang, Victoria Smith, James Garrick
Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences: April Oo, Diana Sandulache
Science: Melinda Blake
For more information on the program visit the Ancora Imparo website.
12 November 2008
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| Ranelle Anderson |
France proved a colourful location for honours student Ranelle Anderson who recently undertook an eight week study placement at ITECH University in Lyon.
After completing a Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science specialising in formulation science in 2008, Ranelle's interest in cosmetics led to an honours project based on the formulation of long-last and normal-wear lipstick. Her aim was to explore whether these lipsticks penetrated the skin or remained on the surface.
"I chose to go to France as they are world leaders in the cosmetics industry and have a number of technical universities that focus on cosmetic science," Ms Anderson said.
While in Lyon, Ranelle was based in a colour cosmetic laboratory.
"The lab was well equipped with a wide variety of cosmetic ingredients and colour agents, perfect for the formulator," Ms Anderson said.
"This part of my project involved formulating a normal-wear lipstick and a long-lasting lipstick using the same pigment.
"I also developed some protocols for testing the physical properties of these lipsticks and distinguishing their lasting properties.
"As the colour produced is important in lipstick, I also carried out colorimetry measurements that measure the colour properties of the sample such as lightness, concentration and tint."
Ranelle used her time away well, managing weekend trips to neighbouring countries.
"Staying at a student residence and youth hostels, I met many international students, including Americans, Mexicans and Canadians," Ms Anderson said.
"I recommend studying overseas to any student who is ready to explore a new culture, gain a large amount of independence and meet some fantastic and inspiring people."
For more information on the University's honours program visit the Monash Passport website.
12 November 2008
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Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Edwina Cornish has launched a new intranet resource for Monash researchers.
The Research Intranet website replaces an older site and was developed after extensive interviews with Monash researchers to ensure it was structured around their needs and preferences.
"The purpose of this website redevelopment was to create a site where Monash researchers could visit to quickly find the information they need to assist them in their work," Professor Cornish said.
"Our testing revealed that the majority of Monash researchers come to our site for practical items such as forms.
"Therefore, we ensured that their most requested information is as accessible as possible for them."
Features of the new site include:
"The new Research Intranet is a great tool for Monash researchers and research administrators," Professor Cornish said.
"I invite you to explore the site and I hope you find it to be both helpful and informative.
The Research Intranet is focused on informing and assisting Monash researchers and staff, differentiating it from the promotional function of the external Research website.
Visitors to the site are encouraged to send any feedback to Karen Sutherland, Research Communications Manager on Karen.Sutherland@adm.monash.edu.au.
5 November 2008
Much has been happening over the last month in every sphere of activity for Monash University.
As indicated in last month's AI, the Australian University Games were held with Monash as the principal partner university. They were a great success, although the tragic death of a Griffith student as an innocent and random victim in a senseless road accident put a dampener on the celebrations of the event. Monash University's team was placed first, narrowly beating the University of Melbourne with the University of Sydney a distant third. Martin Doulton, the Director of Monash Sport and the whole of Team Monash are to be congratulated. While speaking of sport, more than 400 Monash students, staff and friends took part in the Around The Bay in a Day event.
Monash researchers received their largest ever share of ARC Linkage grants and NHMRC Project grants although the ARC Discovery Grants announced were $6m less than last year's record. Altogether, it was a strong performance, although there is still room for improvement.
The Monash Passport was successfully launched with much positive publicity. The educational reputation of Monash University is rising rapidly as shown by the initial indication of preferences by students through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre where Monash was the most popular Victorian university for both first preferences and total preferences with an increase of 16% in first preferences.
The shortlisting of 14 of the 55 of the Higher Education Endowment Fund was brought forward to 22 October as one of the steps taken by the Federal Government to stimulate the economy by capital expenditure. One of Monash University's two applications, The New Horizons Centre, was shortlisted. New Horizons is a visionary project which, if funded, will play a critical role in the ongoing objective to establish Monash University's Clayton campus as the centre of the most significant technology innovation hub in the Southern hemisphere. It provides a wonderful opportunity to co-locate 500 Monash and CSIRO engineers and scientists in state-of-the-art facilities alongside existing major infrastructure including the Australian Synchrotron, the Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, the Monash Centre for Electron Microscopy and the Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute.
The Legislative Assembly of the Victorian Parliament had a regional sitting at our Gippsland campus on 15 October. The new auditorium was rearranged to be a most authentic chamber. I was asked to address the Parliament and was able to describe some of the contributions made by our Gippsland campus to the local economy and the cultural life of the region as well as the broader role of universities in the community. The campus staged the sitting superbly and it was a great public relations exercise.
In the face of all these achievements we are attempting to complete the process of setting the budget for 2009. As previously reported, the Commonwealth Grant Scheme funding is only to increase by 2.1% (with some additional funds for new Commonwealth supported places partly to substitute for lost full-fee paying domestic undergraduates and for some transitional funding to compensate for the loss of fees). The international financial turmoil makes prediction of international student numbers difficult, although initial indications suggest continuing strong demand. Ongoing capital commitments make the cashflow situation particularly difficult. However, the Prime Minister's Science Engineering and Innovation Council, and particularly the Prime Minister himself, responded positively to the recommendations of the Cutler Review of Innovation and we await the Bradley Review of higher education. It is to be hoped that the Government response to these reviews will address the inadequate funding of research costs and the need for more dollars per student for undergraduate Australian students.
So next year will be very tough, but there is hope that there will be some resolution of the financial issues facing all Australian universities in the foreseeable future.
12 November 2008
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Name: Andy Tomkins
Org Unit: Faculty of Science
Title: Doctor
Dept: School of Geosciences
How long have you been with Monash University?
A little over three years.
Prior to working at Monash, where were you located and what was your role?
I was a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Calgary in Canada.
What challenges are ahead in your current role?
The main challenge will be to manage my transition from working as a full-time research academic to becoming a lecturer where I have to balance teaching and research.
What is it about your job that holds your interest or is particularly satisfying?
I really enjoy the excitement that comes with figuring out a difficult research problem, particularly when this involves a collaborative effort because then you get to share it with somebody.
What is your most recent success?
I recently won the SEG Waldemar Lindgren Award for 2008. This is a top-level international award, given by the Society of Economic Geologists, which is the world's largest and most prestigious learned society for ore deposit research. The award is presented annually to a young scientist whose published research, before the age of 35, represents an outstanding contribution to the field of economic geology.
What is your favourite place in the world and why?
Hmm… good question. Perhaps the Everest region in Nepal because the scale of the mountains just blows you away -- it really gets you thinking as a geologist. Perhaps Australia's remote deserts in spring or autumn because the open vastness, the pristine air and the beautiful clear skies give you such a liberating feeling after being in the big cities.
What is the best piece of advice you have received?
Work related; presentations are like performances, you're essentially an actor up there, bring out the excitement. Fun related; pull that rip cord before you hit the ground!
What is something about yourself that most of your colleagues wouldn't know?
I've done 58 skydiving jumps, love skiing double black diamond runs, enjoy cave and wreck scuba diving, have rock climbed for many years, survived in the Kimberleys for a week without food, water or shelter, yet I still like vegging out in front of the TV sometimes.
12 November 2008
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The Japanese Studies Centre at the Clayton campus houses a manga (comics) library that offers an extensive collection of more than 7000 Japanese manga and other related texts such as magazines, videos and novels.
The manga library, established in 2002, is the first of its kind in Australia, providing both educational and entertainment opportunities to students, staff and the public.
For more information visit the Japanese Studies Centre website. .