10 December 2008
10 December 2008
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| Monash Centre for Electron Microscopy. |
Monash University has become home to one of the world's most powerful electron microscopes, part of a new facility to study the structure of materials.
The "Double aberration corrected Titan 80-300 cubed transmission electron microscope", worth more than A$9 million, can see atoms with a clarity never before achieved.
It is one of only four microscopes of this type in the world and is the first outside of North America.
The Victorian Minister for Innovation Gavin Jennings opened the A$37 million Monash Centre for Electron Microscopy (MCEM), which is home to the Titan - the most powerful of ten high-performance microscopes housed in the purpose-designed building, and one of the most stable ever constructed.
MCEM Director Associate Professor Joanne Etheridge said the new facility would allow scientists to gain a deeper understanding of the atomic structure of a wide range of materials.
"Everything in the world is made of atoms," Associate Professor Etheridge said.
"By illuminating atomic structures, the powerful microscopes at MCEM give scientists the knowledge they need to develop new and better materials such as faster computer chips, more efficient solar cells, smarter plastics and lighter, stronger metals for energy efficient transport."
Monash University Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Edwina Cornish said the world-class research centre would enable new technological and industrial innovations, as well as help scientists understand the fundamental workings of the physical world.
The centre, based at the Clayton campus, was purpose-built to house the highly sensitive microscopes and uses special design features to protect the microscopes from mechanical, acoustic, thermal and electro-magnetic interference.
The centre has attracted expert staff with specialist expertise in microscopy from leading centres around the world, including Oxford, Cambridge and Cornell universities.
MCEM supports a wide variety of disciplinary and interdisciplinary research projects, covering topics including corrosion, catalysis, optics, superconductivity, alloys, ceramics, polymers, biomaterials, microelectronics and nanotechnology.
The centre serves and collaborates with researchers both nationally and internationally and also plays a key role in educating students in microscopy, supporting the research projects of over 100 postgraduate students.
Primary funding for the centre and its instruments was provided by the Victorian Government, the Australian Research Council and Monash University.
10 December 2008
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| Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Larkins (centre, back) with recipients of the Vice-Chancellor's awards for exceptional performance by professional staff. |
The outstanding efforts of Monash University staff members were acknowledged in a ceremony held at the Clayton campus last week.
The University's Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Larkins presented awards for exceptional performance by professional staff at Monash House on Friday 5 December.
The awards are presented each year in recognition of exceptional performance by members of professional staff and are equivalent to the Vice-Chancellor's awards for distinguished teaching.
This year, three individuals and one team were recognised.
Coordinator Safer Community Programs Bronwyn Drake from Health and Wellbeing and Development was given an individual award for her commitment, dedication and professionalism in her role as the "face" of campus security.
John Noonan from the Human Resources Division was recognised for his high-quality service in the "seamless" appointment of about 2000 senior academics over his 10 years at Monash.
Doug Rash, a product steward from the School of Chemistry, was awarded for his contribution to research, building design and maintenance, occupational health and safety and teaching throughout his many years at the University.
The School of Rural Health management group have received this year's team award.
Vicki Dane, Elaine Evans, Jenny Donelly, Michael Elswyk, Marg Bibic, Lisa Lavey, Louise Bassam, Laura Salomone, and Carolyn Vaughan won the award for facilitating and actioning plans and managing the effects of the rapid change at the school, while still administering its regular operations.
Professor Larkins said the awards were timely recognition of the important role professional staff played in the University's success.
"It is always very difficult to determine who should receive these awards given the outstanding contribution made by our staff," Professor Larkins said.
"I would like to congratulate those staff who have won awards and thank those who took the time to nominate their fellow staff members."
For more information on the awards contact Vicki Mihalakopoulos on +61 3 990 56800 or visit the Staff Development website.
10 December 2008
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A team of researchers from Monash University, The Brigham and Women's Hospital (Boston), Harvard Medical School and Vanda Pharmaceuticals has found a new drug with the potential to alleviate jet lag and sleep disorders caused by shift work.
Dr Shantha Rajaratnam from Monash University's School of Psychology, Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine said tasimelteon, a drug which acts on melatonin receptors in the brain, could be a highly effective treatment for circadian rhythm sleep disorders.
The research was released today in respected publication, The Lancet.
"Our studies show that tasimelteon is able to effectively shift the rhythm of melatonin levels in the body, which are a well-established marker of the human biological clock," Dr Rajaratnam said.
"This drug has the potential to improve the quality and quantity of sleep for patients with transient insomnia caused by jet lag.
"Tasimelteon improved a patient's ability to fall asleep and then stay asleep when bedtime was shifted earlier by five hours.
"This is the equivalent of travelling eastwards and putting your clock back five hours, such as returning from India to Melbourne, or Dubai to Perth.
"About two-thirds of all international travellers who cross time zones experience jet lag symptoms, which include disruption of sleep, difficulty getting to and staying asleep, sleepiness during waking hours and gastrointestinal symptoms."
He said the drug could also help those who work at night or early in the morning.
"An estimated one in five work outside the regular nine-to-five pattern. In the United States alone it is estimated 19.7 million people start work between 2.30 am and 7 am," Dr Rajaratnam said.
"Our work has shown the drug to be highly potent, having the strongest effect when first taken; a single dose treatment was found to be effective for this type of sleep disturbance."
The drug is in the later stages of trials and must undergo rigorous testing before being made available to consumers.
10 December 2008
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| University Librarian Cathrine Harboe-Ree, Residental Services Officer Catherine Thorne and Peninsula Campus Director Professor Phil Steele. |
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| Peninsula's first physiotherapy graduates celebrate. |
The Peninsula campus has experienced two significant milestones this year – its 50th year of providing quality education, and the graduation of its first of group of Bachelor of Physiotherapy students.
To celebrate the campus's 50th, past and present staff and students were asked to contribute mementos to a time capsule that was sealed to be reopened in 2058.
A range of items have been added including a letter from the Vice-Chancellor, a copy of the campus history Still Learning that was commissioned to coincide with the campus celebrations, a USB stick, DVDs, course guides and photographs.
The Peninsula campus was established in 1958 when the Department of Education responded to the increasing demand for teachers. With 109 students and one original building, Struan House, the Frankston Teachers' College opened its doors.
Three decades later in 1990, the college, which had already experienced mergers, became the Peninsula campus of Monash University with courses from its historic roots in early childhood and primary education being the main stay.
Over the years the campus has developed into a thriving institution with a range of courses focussing on health and wellbeing including the Bachelor of Physiotherapy that took its first cohort of students in 2005.
This year that foundation group of Monash Physiotherapy students graduated from the degree taking the campus, the Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences and Monash to a new level in health education excellence.
Head of Physiotherapy Professor Jenny Keating congratulated the students on their achievement.
"They have worked hard to develop extensive practice in musculoskeletal, neurological and cardiorespiratory sciences, at the same time engaging in interprofessional learning, paediatric and rural practice," Professor Keating said.
"As well as their theoretical and practical skills, students have gained research skills that position them for best practice across the spectrum of workplace challenges they will face as qualified physiotherapists.
"We celebrate as our students become our professional colleagues and take their carefully nurtured skills into the workplace, flying the flag of our innovative Monash curriculum."
10 December 2008
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| Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Professor Steve Wesselingh with Professor John Murtagh. |
It is a rare GP who doesn't have a copy of Murtagh's General Practice stored in their bookcase.
The book has become one of the must-have references for GPs and has been translated into 10 languages.
Author Professor John Murtagh's relationship with the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences began in 1961, when he gave up his career as a science teacher to study medicine with the first group of Monash medical students.
After graduating, he trained in surgery, worked extensively in general practice in rural Victoria, and developed a special interest in musculo-skeletal medicine.
He has since taught over 3000 GPs the basic skills of mobilisation and joint injection, and has completed a doctorate on the management of back pain in general practice.
Despite retiring in 2004 Professor Murtagh continues in an educational role in the faculty's School of Primary Health Care.
He recently convened his 30th annual refresher course for general practitioners.
Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Professor Steve Wesselingh recently celebrated Professor Murtagh's ongoing contribution to general practice, and presented him with a commemorative plaque to honour the milestone.
For more information see the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences website.
10 December 2008
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| Dr Sonia Allen |
According to Dr Sonia Allen, it's never too late to learn – and never too late to earn your PhD.
At the age of 64, the Gippsland campus student has graduated with a PhD from the School of Nursing and Midwifery after completing her research into palliative care within residential aged care facilities.
Lifelong learning has been a focus throughout Dr Allen's career, following her registration as a Division 1 Nurse in 1965. Since that time she has gained a number of qualifications at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.
The motivation to enrol in her PhD came from her desire to improve the care of the aged in the final stages of life.
Dr Allen hopes her research will inform policy makers and practitioners working in the field of gerontology - the study of the social, psychological and biological aspects of aging.
Dr Allen said her PhD taught her just as much about herself as it did about research.
"Research can be an isolating experience but I was lucky to have great support from my supervisors and colleagues," Dr Allen said.
"One of the main challenges I faced as a mature-aged research student was managing new technology.
"I had a continual fear about losing my research work and without advanced computer skills it took time to build up confidence with the technology and techniques."
Dr Allen's PhD research has already been adopted by one organisation leading to the implementation of new practices in palliative care and improved outcomes for aged care residents and their families.
10 December 2008
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| Second year Industrial Design student Sarah Hamilton with the 'Uni-cycle'. |
Industrial Design students from the Faculty of Art and Design have designed and built a prototype bicycle that is set to become the centrepiece of the University's bike sharing initiative.
The 'Uni-cycle' was built from recycled plastic and has been designed with innovative features including a gas lift seat, photosensitive lights and a drive shaft instead of the traditional oily chain.
It could be on the road within two years as part of a new bike sharing scheme funded through the Facilities and Services Office of Environmental Sustainability.
The bike share scheme, which has been developed to encourage use of sustainable transport options, will allow students living in accommodation in the North-East corner of the Clayton campus to ride to classes or activities.
It links in with a proposed shared pedestrian/cyclist path being built to cover the same route.
It will be tested during Orientation Week next year with 70 'hack bikes' that the students have built from spare parts.
If the scheme is successful, the Uni-cycle will go in to mass production.
The students, guided by Industrial Design lecturer Mark Richardson, have also developed prototypes for a vandal-proof docking station, tubular steel shelters and a state-of-the-art helmet.
Director of the Office of Environmental Sustainability Paul Barton said the end result of the project had been better than expected.
"It has been an absolutely fantastic effort by all the students and we will now wait on the results of the trial before bringing in this iconic bike system," Mr Barton said.
Mr Richardson said the project was fantastic for students because they were able to see tangible outcomes.
"As a lecturer, it has been extremely gratifying - I have never seen such enthusiasm from students as I witnessed on this project," Mr Richardson said.
For more information on sustainability initiatives at Monash visit the Facilities and Services website.
10 December 2008
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The Employment and Career Development unit has launched a new online portal for Monash staff who teach or coordinate work placement opportunities for students.
The portal provides staff whose work involves work-integrated learning with an avenue to come together and share knowledge.
Work-integrated learning is the umbrella term used to describe such activities as teaching, and coordinating or placing students in internships, cooperative placements, clinical rotations, and work experience.
The portal allows staff to collaborate with peers, as well as access vital resources such as information on student preparation and participation, contracts, career development and risk management.
Director of Employment and Career Development Joanne Tyler said work-integrated learning opportunities were now available across all Monash faculties, offering students a variety of practical opportunities related to their course.
"As more academics and professional staff become involved in facilitating these opportunities it is important to establish a repository of knowledge that is accessible across campuses and disciplines," Ms Tyler said.
"This portal is an excellent resource for anyone wanting to network more effectively; receive peer recognition; develop additional or stronger programs; or contribute towards shaping best practice."
To join the site visit the wikispace sign-in web page or contact Cait Ryan, Work Integrated Learning Project Officer, Employment and Career Development on + 61 3 9905 3921 or cait.ryan@adm.monash.edu.au.
10 December 2008
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| Dr Judy Sheard and Professor David Abramson with the MONADS PC. |
The Monash Museum of Computing History has welcomed the return of a piece of history, a computer that was designed and built at Monash in the mid-1980s.
The MONADS PC computer has been returned from the University of Ulm in Germany where it has spent the last 23 years supporting operating system research.
The machine was a research experiment designed by David Abramson and John Rosenberg when they were academics in the Department of Computer Science.
At the time, it was at the leading edge of computer science research, testing ways to develop software systems that were more reliable, secure and cost effective.
Many of the ideas generated during the research have been adopted by the software industry such as 64-bit architecture, security architectures, and distributed virtual memory.
Professor Abramson is currently an Australian Research Council Professorial Fellow in the Faculty of Information Technology.
Museum director Dr Judy Sheard said the MONADS PC was a significant piece of computing history for Monash University.
"It reflects the innovative approach to computing started with the beginning of computer studies at the University and continued today in current e-Research," Dr Sheard said.
The Monash Museum of Computing History was created in 2000 to provide a resource for the study of computing history and the preservation of computing technology.
It is open from Monday-Friday 9am - 5pm in the Foyer, Level 2, Building B, Caulfield campus, Monash University.
For more information visit the museum website.
3 December 2008
I am writing this final edition of Ancora Imparo for 2008 in Hyderabad while attending the Association of Commonwealth Universities Council meeting and conference. Before coming to Hyderabad, I had taken part in the highly successful launch of the IITB-Monash Research Academy in Mumbai. As you all know, Mumbai was the target on that evening of a terrible terrorist attack. The members of the large Monash delegation attending the scientific thematic symposia for the opening of the Academy were all a long way from the sites of the attack and were safe. We offer our most sincere condolences to everyone in Mumbai who was affected by these terrible events and also extend our sympathy to any of our students from India whose family may have been affected.
The crisis has strengthened our relationship with IITB and I am sure that the Academy will be a centre of excellence in research and research training. It is a unique partnership model which will benefit both institutions as well as providing high quality research addressing the needs of industry and some of the most pressing problems facing our two nations and the planet.
I am delighted to be able to congratulate Professor Stephen Barkoczy on being the joint recipient of the Prime Minister's Teacher of the Year Award. In recent years we have had a number of recipients of prestigious research awards, but I am particularly pleased that on this occasion one of our staff has been recognised for teaching excellence. I also have great pleasure in congratulating Anthea Lindquist, a final year medical student, on being the recipient of the Rhodes Scholarship for Victoria this year.
As this is the last Ancora Imparo for 2008 I will provide a brief summary of the year. It has been another very successful year for Monash University. Ultimately we exist to provide a high quality educational experience for our students and to advance knowledge for the benefit of humankind through research and scholarship. Essential ingredients are to provide an environment whereby we can attract, retain and develop the best possible staff and provide opportunities for the best students from diverse backgrounds to achieve their potential. We must also have sound financial management and administrative capability aligned to the objectives of the University.
Despite an extraordinarily difficult external environment we have continued to work towards achieving our major objectives in research and education. The University's research performance has been strong and has continued the momentum of recent years although there is still room for improvement, particularly in achieving a greater level of success in ARC Discovery Grants. Major new research platforms have been delivered including the Monash Centre for Electron Microscopy, the Monash Antibody Technology Facility, the robotic protein crystallography facility and the Zebra fish facility. A number of leading researchers have been attracted to Monash, partly because of these platforms and partly because of the reputation that Monash has gained as a good place to work. The capital program has progressed satisfactorily with the STRIP 2 building close to completion.
With respect to education, the Monash Passport, a major refocussing of our educational programs, has been launched successfully. The unit evaluations by students have steadily improved and the University had a 16 per cent increase in first preferences through the initial choices from the VTAC system, making it easily the most popular Victorian university.
Our international campuses in Malaysia and South Africa have had excellent years. Monash University’s Sunway campus, which celebrated its 10th anniversary this year, goes from strength to strength with almost 4000 students, improved research performance and good educational outcomes. The Monash South Africa campus has once again exceeded its student number target and now has 2300 students and is likely to better its budget target once more.
The program to celebrate fifty years since the formal foundation of Monash University has been very successful with the public lecture series being outstanding and the Gala Dinner where the public phase of the Fund-Raising Campaign was announced was a very high profile, memorable event. Already more than $A70m of a target of $A200m has been raised since this campaign began in 2006.
In many ways, the most significant event in the 50 year celebrations was the staff celebration on 2 December where the role of the staff in the outstanding achievements of Monash University in 50 short years was recognised. Monash has been characterised since its foundation by bold, innovative and committed staff and its incredible progress is entirely attributable to this.
I was delighted to learn that Professor Ed Byrne has been appointed to replace me when my term finishes on 30 June next year. Many of you will know Professor Byrne from his time at Monash as Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences. He has all the qualities to provide outstanding leadership to the University and I am sure it will continue to go from strength to strength under his guidance.
I wish you all a peaceful and restful holiday break.
10 December 2008
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Name: Graeme Farrington
Org unit: Science
Title: Manager - Biological Sciences Service Areas
Dept: School of Biological Sciences
How long have you been with Monash University and what are some of the memories you have of the early days at Clayton?
I started at Monash University in February 1964, spent two years in the Australian Army from 1967-1969 (including a stint in Vietnam), returned and have worked continuously at the University since.
Being part of a fledgling university, Monash staff were aware that they were developing a new culture and it was typified by optimism, genuine camaraderie and a definite "anything is achievable" attitude.
What roles have you had at Monash?
I've had numerous roles but all have been within the same department (but with a succession of name changes of the latter). I was originally employed as an electron microscope technician. I extended into Limnology Field technician, vertebrate specimen collector for the department museum and later I was asked to manage the Animal House and Jock Marshall Reserve. I subsequently added the botany experimental area, genetics glass houses and the management of school field vehicles to my list of responsibilities.
What is it about your job that has held your interest or is particularly satisfying?
Probably the great variety of tasks and responsibilities and the quality of the people that form the biological sciences community.
What have been some of the greatest achievements for yourself or your department in your time at Monash?
On a personal level, winning the inaugural Vice Chancellor's Award for Exceptional Service for General staff. At a departmental level, successfully negotiating amalgamations with other departments.
Where do you see Monash in another 44 years?
Monash will be the hub of a worldwide complex. Undergraduate teaching will be exclusively online, with students selecting units from an array of international universities and practicals. Workshops will only relate to exclusive postgraduate studies conducted at specialist universities. Specialist student streams will derive from primary school level with enhanced scholarship systems.
What plans do you have for your future?
I plan to retire at the end of the year.
What is your favourite place in the world and why?
Any wild place in the world where you can fly-fish. Both the natural world and the past-time of fly-fishing are beautiful.
What is the best piece of advice you have received?
Take great care when catching 85 kilogram male grey kangaroos.
What is something about yourself that most of your colleagues wouldn't know?
That I'm not grumpy, simply dour.
10 December 2008
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The A$37 million Monash Centre for Electron Microscopy, located at Clayton campus, is made up of nine freestanding buildings each with its own separate brick walls, roof, and concrete slab floor that is up to one metre thick.
The buildings are also fitted with water-filled ceiling panels to ensure still, silent air-conditioning and a temperature variation of less than 0.1°C per hour.