Congratulations to PhD graduate Nick Lam on the award of his degree

Congratulations to Nicholas Lam, who has been awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Nicholas's thesis, "Cardiac regeneration: effect of nerve growth factor", was accepted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree by the Graduate Research Steering Committee on Tuesday 11 March 2014. Nicholas was supervised by Professor David Kaye, BakerIDI, who heads up the Heart Failure Research Group.

Simulating the blood-brain barrier in vitro to stop stroke drug side effects

Animation for video

Dr Be'eri Niego and Professor Medcalf published an article in 2013 on a method for simulating the blood brain barrier (BBB), in particular to see how to prevent stroke drug side effects. They describe an improved technique for preparation of a contact BBB model, which permits coculturing of human astrocytes and brain endothelial cells on the opposite sides of a porous membrane. It has an associated video prepared by the Journal of Visualised Experiments (JoVE), interviewing the authors and showing the techniques - hands-on scientific research. Note: only subscribers can view the video. Article link:  http://ow.ly/uzEX0

Michael Cangkrama wins Young Scientist Skin Research Travel Fellowship

Michael Cangkrama receiving the
award from Birgit Lane, the Executive
Director of the Institute of Medical
Biology, A*Star (Singapore)

Michael Cangkrama, Department of Medicine PhD student, received a top award (Young Scientist Skin Research Travel Fellowships AUD $3500) from the Singapore International Conference on Skin Research 2014 (2-5 March) at which he made both oral and poster presentations. Approximately 300 people attended, and Michael was the only presenter from Monash University. His presentation was entitled, "Coordinate function of the Grainyhead-like transcription factors is critical for maintenance of skin barrier function post-natally". See conference link showing the programme and details of presentations: http://www.skinconferencesingapore.com/programme.html

Traumatic Brain Injury researcher Sarah Hellewell going to Canada

Dr Sarah Hellewell

Dr Sarah Hellewell, a recent CCS PhD graduate, has been working as a Centre of Excellence in Traumatic Brain Injury Research (CETBIR) Fellow with NTRI since April last year.  Her fellowship finishes 28 March 2014, and she has secured a new position in Canada where she will be joining the lab of Dr Ibolja Cernak, who has recently relocated from Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Maryland to the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Focus on anaesthesia research: Dr Stefan Dieleman

Professor Paul Myles and Dr Stefan

Dieleman reviewing an echo result

Dr Stefan Dieleman was appointed a Research Fellow in the Department of Anaesthesia in 2013, and a General and Cardiac Anaesthesia Fellow at the Alfred Hospital. Stefan trained as an anaesthetist in the University Medical Center Utrecht in The Netherlands, completing in 2012. Stefan has been involved in cardiac anaesthesia research for over 10 years. Stefan will be working together with Professor Paul Myles on two major research projects. These are firstly, the preparation of a randomised study of prophylactic corticosteroids for cardiac and major non-cardiac surgery, and secondly, addressing the value of intraoperative transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE).

Professor Fabienne Mackay recognised by French government for exceptional contribution to education

Prof Fabienne Mackay receiving the
award. Photo: Jean-Baptiste Lemercier

Professor Fabienne Mackay, Head, Department of Immunology, has been recognised by the French government for her exceptional  contribution to education and research overseas. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosts the award of an annual trophy to seven French expats selected, in 2014, out of 415 applicants worldwide. Professor Mackay received her trophy from CNED, the National Centre for Distance Education, on 6 March at a ceremony held at the Quai d' Orsay. The award was organised by le Petitjournal.com, supported by several organisations including CNED, which helped particularly for the award to Professor Mackay.

A Nobel opportunity for early career researchers

Dr Rebecca Segrave

Two Monash early career researchers have scored coveted invitations to attend the 64th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Physiology or Medicine, in Germany to share knowledge, network and learn from 37 Nobel Laureates, who will present lectures, master classes and panel discussions. Dr Rebecca Segrave, from the Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, is one of two Monash researchers to be invited. Rebecca uses brain stimulation, neuroimaging and neuropsychological methods to better understand the causes of depression and develop new antidepressant treatments.