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UNSW Medicine Newsletter - 6 August 2008
General News
Research News
IT News
Library News
Current Events
General News |
Post Event: Deans Lecture Series 2008 - "Pandemics and Emerging Infections-Panic and Paranoia or Potential Threat"
Despite some initial concerns that many of the 200+ RSVP's would be left without a seat and it would be standing room only, the nicely packed AGSM John B Reid lecture theatre worked well for our signature CPD presentation of 2008.
Before the lecture, guests were treated to drinks and canapes downstairs at the AGSM Building which served to loosen everybody up and allow some time to catch up with colleagues.
Professor Peter Smith started the proceedings with a welcome address to the attendees and introduced the new format of 3 speakers and a facilitator/moderator. Professor Bill Rawlinson did a fine job as facilitator and introduced excellent presentations from two of UNSW's key researchers, Associate Professor Mary-Louise McLaws and Head of the School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Professor Raina MacIntyre. Both brought their own expert perspective to this lively debate. Mary-Louise recalled and critiqued the Hong Kong response to the SARS outbreak complete with interesting photos, charts and anecdotes. While, Raina informed the eclectic audience about epidemiology and pathogenesis of many potential threats but gave special attention to the Influenza virus. Raina also gave an insight in to what our next potential threats may look like.
Our 3rd speaker was the Chief Medical Officer of Australia, Professor John Horvath AO. John gave an honest, humble, well delivered and humorous presentation on the role of the Commonwealth in pandemic threats and how it works "behind the scenes". It was a perfect conduit to the excellent presentations that preceded him on what pandemics have looked like globally and what they may look like in the future.
Bill took the microphone again and gave the audience a generous 25 mins of question time which could have gone on for much longer. The many GP's in the audience and members of key stakeholder groups took the microphone for many of the questions, needing very little persuasion from Raina and Bill. Many of the general practitioners asked about their role in potential pandemics, often being the "first line" in health care. Hospital workers asked what more could be done from their point of view and a good question was raised about the role of the nursing staff in this potential threat. Others were interested in the differing roles of the Commonwealth and the State Departments. It was a very interactive and informative question time. Bill reluctantly brought the meeting to a close 15 mins past the scheduled time. The feedback post event was good.
Keep a look out for the next Dean's Lecture coming up in late October.
Biological Resources Update
Australian Bio Resources at Moss Vale was officially opened on 29 July and will be receiving mice from UNSW in the week beginning 11 August. The first colony to move to Moss Vale will be our balb/c nude colony. It is our intention to keep this colony short-term as the number of nudes bred is few and insufficient to meet demand. Our advice is that Australian BioResources are likely to import mice from Jackson Laboratories, USA with the intention of being able to supply partner institutes in 2009. In the interim period, Biological Resources are able to supply limited numbers and will also source mice from LAS in Adelaide and ARC in Perth. Due also to limited supplies from these sources, orders need to be placed well in advance. Please check availability with our office.
Bookings for Animal Imaging Laboratory equipment and procedure rooms and hoods.
Carl Power has established an on-line booking system and will shortly be contacting all users of both PC 1 and PC2 laboratories with registration and booking details. Thank you, Carl!
Our new phone numbers: Office: 9385 8456 Fax: 9385 8457
Alumni Reunion - 40 year celebrations (1968 – 2008)
The graduates of the 1962, second intake year of the then new Medical Faculty of the UNSW celebrated their achievements at a 40-year reunion dinner held recently at the Australian Golf Club.
70 graduates and partners re-established contact with class mates, many not seen since graduation. Large font name tags were a great help!
While several speakers reminisced about the bad old days and regaled the audience with memories of humorous events and colourful characters of the time, Rosemary Schwarz – Psychiatrist – spoke of the sexism that pervaded the university during those days.
The function organiser, Craig Lilienthal, has published a collection of the post graduate biographies of 60 of the graduates and colleagues from the intake year.
He reports the evening was a great success and showed that the bonds established during those undergraduate days have ensured long lasting friendship amongst the graduates.
Stay connected to UNSW - update your details: http://www.unsw.edu.au/alumni/pad/updateform.html
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UNSW Preferred Hotels
For the first time in 2008 UNSW has a preferred hotel program - that is, a group of properties in Australia and overseas who we have negotiated a special rate for staff & students to use when travelling on University business, or even for their own personal use.
Broadly speaking Accor Hotels, Toga Hospitality, Carlson Hotels, Crowne Plaza and Marriott Hotels are preferred partners to the University and provide rates that are often lower than the government rates, and certainly cheaper than the corporate rates offered to large corporations.
Even so, there is still a high number of bookings being made either direct with hotels or through websites such as Wotif. The perception is often that these websites can offer better deals, or "last-minute" rates. The reality however, is that nowadays hotels are experiencing such high demand they have very little distressed inventory, and the days of last minute rates are long gone. Further, the rates you see at Wotif are pre-paid rates, which are standard publicly available rates and available through the e3 online booking tool we use. Bookings made through this tool can at least be tracked so we know the room nights being booked at a given hotel or in any city, and I can potentially negotiate a better rate for 2009.
In summary, a listing of the hotels where UNSW have excellent rates negotiated and where I would appreciate your strong support are available on the UNSW Procurement website - http://www.proc.unsw.edu.au/travel/prefhotels.html
If you would like to make contact with these hotels to organise a group or conference please let me know, or if you would like to meet with any of them I can also assist. Any questions about hotels or UNSW Travel in general please come to me and I'm happy to assist where I can. As I will shortly begin negotiating for 2009 any feedback on these hotels, or if you think an alternative should be included, please let me know.
Nathan Jones
Category Manager - Travel
UNSW Procurement
Ph: +61 2 93852687
Fax: +61 2 93852724
Website: http://www.proc.unsw.edu.au
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Research News |
NSi News - Using Material Transfer Agreements
What is a Material Transfer Agreement?
A Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) is used when one party is transferring or supplying research materials (eg. chemicals, drugs, biological materials, software, or datasets) to another party, be it a university, research institute or company. It is a written agreement defining the terms and conditions governing this transfer from the owner or authorised licensee to the party for evaluation or further research. An MTA is a binding contract that impacts on the ownership and use of the research materials and data supplied.
There are two types of MTAs: (1) outgoing MTAs are used when University members are providing resources to an external party; and (2) in-coming MTAs are generally issued to University members when they request resources from external parties.
Download full article, including the headings below at: http://www.med.unsw.edu.au/medweb.nsf/resources/2008_2/$file/mta.pdf
- Why is it important to use an MTA?
- UNSW’s Standardised Model
- Who can sign MTAs?
- Using MTAs
- What if I want to change the standard Agreement?
- What about accepting incoming MTAs?
- NSi’s Involvement
Who to contact
Grants Management Office (GMO) - Deirdre McKay ext. 57236 or
The UNSW Legal Office - Celia De Winter, Solicitor, ext.52579 or
Laura Issa is the NSi Business Development Manager for the Faculty of Medicine and can assist with any enquiries relating to MTAs for projects that are, or may be commercialised (ie where NSi has received or will receive an IP Notification). Laura can also help with any questions you have about research with commercial potential.
Laura can be contacted on ext. 55592 or mobile: 0410 607 458, or
NHMRC Partnerships initiative - call for funding applications
The NHMRC is calling for funding applications under its NHMRC Partnerships initiative. Information can be found at the NHMRC web-site:
http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/grants/partnerships.htm
The NHMRC Partnership Projects Funding Policy. Information on this initiative is available on the NHMRC website and application forms and advice to applicant's documentation will be available early August.
Enquiries about the NHMRC Partnership Projects can be directed to Maryanne Haslam
Glaxo Smith Kline Australia Award for Research Excellence
Nominations have been called for this prestigious award. The closing date for applications is the 1st October 2008. Further information can be obtained via the GSK website.
http://www.gsk.com.au/research-development_awards-grants_gskaawardforresearchexcellence.aspx
Call for Expressions of Interest for bids for an Australian contribution to the recently announced International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC)
Please see document at the link below for a call for Expressions of Interest for bids for an Australian contribution to the recently announced International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) -
http://www.med.unsw.edu.au/medweb.nsf/resources/fsea2/$file/NHMRC_Call_EoI_ICGC.doc
Following link is to the international public announcement about the ICGC -
http://www.icgc.org/news/press-releases/Scientists-Form-International-Cancer-Genome-Consortium
Please note that this is an advance notice prior to a formal announcement of Australia's participation in ICGC by the Minister for Health and Ageing, the Hon Nicola Roxon MP. Accordingly, the NHMRC asks that you keep this notice out of the public domain until the Minister has made her announcement.
However, the NHMRC would like to provide research groups with the opportunity to review the material that will be made available so that work can commence on assembling an expression of interest.
As the NHMRC needs to be in a position to make a decision on which cancer to select for Australia's focus prior to a November 2008 meeting of the ICGC, bids will need to be with the NHMRC by Friday 29 August 2008.
Please contact Dr Greg Ash on (02) 6217 9010 or greg.ash@nhmrc.gov.au if you require clarification or further information.
Monash Awards / Rhodes Scholarships / Fulbright Scholarships
Application for the 2009 General Sir John Monash Awards, Rhodes Scholarships, and Fulbright Scholarships are closing soon.
The General Sir John Monash Awards
“Australia’s most prestigious postgraduate scholarships promoting excellence in learning.”
Annually, up to 8 Awards will be awarded to outstanding Australians graduating from Australian Universities to enable them to study abroad at the world’s best Universities, appropriate to their field of study.
Applications for the 2009 Awards close on 31 August 2008. Detailed information and application materials can be found on The General Sir John Monash Awards website: http://www.monashawards.org/home.asp.
Rhodes Scholarships
Scholarships are available to Australian citizens to undertake a program of study at the University of Oxford. Only 1 scholarship is awarded to the State of New South Wales per year, with a further 3 scholarships available nationally.
Applications for the 2009 Scholarships close on 1 September 2008. Detailed information on the Rhodes Scholarship can be found on the following website: http://www.usyd.edu.au/registrar/rhodes/index.shtml. Application materials for UNSW graduates (hard copy only) can be obtained from Paul Ashworth (details below).
Fulbright Scholarships
Scholarships are available to Australian citizens to undertake either periods of study or research in the United States as a Fulbright Scholar. Approximately 25 scholarships are available nationally each year, offered across 4 levels – Postgraduate, Postdoctoral, Senior and Professional.
Applications for the 2009 Scholarships close on 31 August 2008. Detailed information and application materials can be found on Australian-American Fulbright Commission website: http://www.fulbright.com.au/scholarships/australian.html
Please note: all three of these programs are highly competitive, involve significant preparation, and require multiple letters of reference.
Paul Ashworth
Strategic Development Manager (Prizes & Awards)
Research Strategy Office, Level 4, Rupert Myers Building (South)
Ph: 9385 2011 | Fax: 9385 6545
Email: P.Ashworth@unsw.edu.au
Australian Health & Medical Research Congress (AH&MRC)
Date: 16-21 November 2008
Venue: Brisbane Convention Centre
Conference website: http://www.ahmrcongress.org.au/
Uniquely, the AH&MRC brings together a broad range of scientific disciplines creating a rare and fertile environment to stimulate cross collaborations and foster new approaches to old problems. Make sure you are part of the possibility!
Greg Anderson and the Programming Committee are compiling an impressive program with a top line-up of national and international stars. Our international plenary speakers are: Elaine Fuchs (Rockefeller University, USA), Michael Karin (University of California, USA), Josef Penninger (IMBA, Austria), Stephen Baylin (Johns Hopkins University, USA) and Roger Tsien (University of California, USA).
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IT News |
Spoof/ Hoax E-mail Warnings - Please be aware!
There have been a number of reports of scam or malicious emails falsely claiming to be sent by IT at UNSW or well known companies that you may use in your daily business. These e-mails attempt to scam the user into surrendering personal information, (such as usernames, dates of birth, passwords) that will be used for identity theft. Often such e-mails direct users to visit a Web site where they are asked to update personal information. Sometimes they will include a file which, if you open it, will infect your computer with a virus. They may also include a real UNSW website to fool you into responding. However, their reply email address has nothing to do with UNSW.
IT at UNSW Service Desk will NEVER call you to ask for details such as your UniPass password, date of birth, credit card details or other such personal information and will NEVER ask you to email such details.
Recommendation:
If you have already clicked on a link in an email, your computer may be compromised. We strongly recommend that you immediately update your anti-virus software (and its signature files) and run a full virus scan and repair on your computer.
Anti-virus software is freely available for download for all staff and students of UNSW at the following link:
http://www.acsu.unsw.edu.au/soft_dist/anti_virus/
Never provide personal information and never click on links included in such emails.
To get further assistance with this issue please contact the IT Service desk on 9385 1333 or email servicedesk@unsw.edu.au
Visit the IT Security web page for information on computer security threats, email hoaxes and scams etc detected at UNSW as well as tips and resources for helping to secure IT and computer resources for both staff and students at http://www.it.unsw.edu.au/services/security
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Library News |
New Anatomy database
The Library has taken out a subscription to the Primal Pictures Anatomy database:
New Library opening hours
From Monday to Friday during Semester 2, the UNSW Main Library will operate as study halls from 7am to 9am.
During this time, staff and students will be able to access the Library collection, borrow books using the self-checking machines, use computers, print and photocopy.
The Loans and Information Desk will open at 9.00am
To gain entry before 9am, staff & students will be required to show their UNSW ID card.
Please visit the Library Opening Hours page for further information.
Trial Library resources Faculty of 1000 Biology and Medicine
The Library is trialling two new resources, Faculty of 1000 Biology and Medicine.
- These are authoritative online services in which over 4,500 leading researchers and clinicians share their expert opinions by highlighting and evaluating the most important articles in biology and medicine.
- The articles are selected from over 1000 biomedical journals from a wide range of publishers, and they are then graded. Recommendations and interpretations based on the article's merits, not the journal's.
Please complete the evaluation form http://info.library.unsw.edu.au/web/resources/evaluationform.html to let us know what you think of this trial. Trial ends 28th August.
First global online atlas of infectious diseases
More than 300 indicators for more than 20 infectious diseases of major public health concern.
Standardised data and statistics for infectious diseases at country, regional, and global levels are brought together for comparison and analysis.
Also contains data on Human Resources for Health in countries around the world.
The Library will be adding this to our new ‘LibGuide’ for Public Health at http://subjectguides.library.unsw.edu.au/publichealth
For further information please contact the Faculty's Outreach Librarian Kate Dunn ( or (02) 9385 8241)
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Current Events |
Directed Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells
Date: Friday August 8, 2008 (8.30am-3pm)
Venue: Edmund Blacket Lecture Theatre, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick
Cost: $80 / $30-students
View Program and Register online at http://www.stemcellnetwork.org.au/events/events.htm
The potential of embryonic stem cells to become any cell type of the body has stimulated imaginations and hopes that scientists may direct the process towards cures for a wide variety of illnesses. With Geron Corporation on the verge of clinical trials for spinal cord injury, realisation the potential of ESC is tantalisingly close. Along with Dr Ed Wirth III from Geron, and Dr Allan Robins from Novocell, another international company at the forefront of ESC research, the cream of Australia’s embryonic stem cell researchers will present on their progress in this field.
At least as important as the scientific are the social aspects of ESC research. Federal MP, Senator Jan McLucas, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Ageing, will talk about the Federal Government’s perspective on scientific innovation in this field. Professor Andrew Webster from the University of York, UK who is engaged in research with the EC on global developments and implications in this field, talks on standardisation, stability and uncertainty. Dr Olivia Harvey and Gabriel McDowell present their social research on international comparisons of state strategies and Australian public opinion respectively.
China's Recent Health Reforms
The Faculties of Health International Office, University of Sydney, invite to a special guest lecture by
Vice-Minister Huang Jiefu, Vice-Minister of Health - PRC
Time | Date: 3pm-3.45pm, Tuesday 12th August 2008
Venue: Professorial Board Room, Main Quadrangle, University of Sydney
RSVP to
iTunes U Seminar
Your students are mobile. They rely on their phones to stay in touch, their iPods to stay entertained and their laptops to stay connected*. To balance the demands between life and life on campus, they must be able to learn anywhere, at any time they choose. iTunes U is part of the answer <http://www.apple.com/education/itunesu_mobilelearning/itunesu.html> . iTunes U lets you easily expand the availability of your curriculum, and deliver audio, video and documents that you curate or create yourself in a user interface students already know.
This free 90 minute seminar looks at the student profile based on current research, the creation of content both manually and automatically, and most importantly the distribution of course material through iTunes U. iTunes U became available in Australia in early June, and the presenters will call upon their experience with the pilot project. Integration with existing Learning Management Systems and recording systems will be touched upon. Mobile delivery through the iPhone and iPod touch will also be explored.
Date: Wednesday, 20 August 2008
Venue: The Theatre, Australian National Maritime Museum, 2 Murray Street, Darling Harbour NSW 2000
Presentation: 5.00pm - 6.30pm
Drinks & Canapes: 6.30pm - 7.30pm
* Millea, J., Green, I., & Putand, G. (2005) "Emerging technologies: A framework for thinking."
Oliver, B., & Goerke,V. (2007) "Australian undergraduates’ use and ownership of emerging technologies."
Kennedy, G., Krause, K., et al (2006) "Questioning the net generation: A collaborative project in Australian higher education"
Also See UNSW itunes
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Keep in touch with faculty news and events on our website. If you have an upcoming event or story please submit it for display.
http://www.med.unsw.edu.au/medweb.nsf/page/News+and+Events (Staff ID and UniPass required to submit)
If you have any research in press, which would be of interest to a general audience, please contact Susi Hamilton in the Media unit at UNSW on 9385 1583 or
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