Why I fight fires

Some of you will be familiar with Anne Crawford, who writes many of our blog posts. Anne is also a volunteer fire fighter with the Country Fire Association, and recently spent time fighting the serious fires in Bunyip, east of Melbourne. We invited her to share her experiences..

by Anne Crawford
Biomedical science writer

Photos like this reveal the intensity of fighting large fires,
but don't convey the hours of boredom and watchful waiting.

I joined the CFA because the farmer next door asked me. As simple as that. That was more than 10 years and two campaign fires ago, the 2009 fires and Bunyip.

Being a fire-fighter isn’t always about battling the blazes you see on television. Yes, there are times when you’re so pumped full of adrenalin that you work at a fire for hours on end without noticing the 40 deg. plus heat but they’re the minority.

Womens Minds Matter

Prof. Jayashri Kulkarni featured in the "Women" project.
Credit: Sam Burke & Rebecca Umlauf

Prof. Jayashri Kulkarni has been honoured with a 4-metre high banner currently displayed outside the Malvern Town Hall. Artists Sam Burke and Rebecca Umlauf captured eight influential and inspiring women as part of the Stonnington Council’s “Women” project. The black and white portraits celebrate women’s achievements as opposed to the objectified images we usually see in billboards. Professor Kulkarni, Director of the MAPrc (Monash Alfred Psychiatry research centre), is pictured wearing a white t-shirt with the slogan “Women’s Minds Matter”, a fitting message for her extraordinary contribution to the mental health field. “I felt really chuffed to be in the company of famous business women, champion women's footballer, feminist activist, and other fabulous women”. Western Bulldog's ex-Vice President Susan Alberti, Boowurrung elder Carolyn Briggs and tram driver Lee Brown also feature in the month long installation.

Translational Research Symposium Speaker Spotlight: Professor Christoph Hagemeyer

A/prof Christoph Hagemeyer

Monash University's 5th annual Translational Research Symposium is being hosted by its three metropolitan clinical schools on 21 June 2019. The symposium will host a diverse group of medical researchers presenting their work into translational research. RSVP here.

Associate Professor Christoph Hagemeyer is Head of the Nanobiotechnology Laboratory at the Australian Centre for Blood Diseases.

CCS Recent Publications: 12th March - 18th March 2019

ACBD researchers published on
treatments for chronic ulcers

Recent publications for Central Clinical School feature affiliated authors in the following departments:

• Surgery
• Australian Centre for Blood Diseases
• Neuroscience
• Melbourne Sexual Health Centre
• Anaesthesia and Perioperative Medicine
• Infectious Diseases

Study investigates MS medication use in pregnant women

Women with active MS are increasingly opting to try to get
pregnant, rather than waiting for remission

by Loretta Piccenna 

The number of people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) has steadily increased over the past 50 years with women three times more likely to develop MS than men, resulting in a greater number of women of childbearing age presenting to neurologists in specialist clinics.

However, very limited information is available about the safety and use of disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) in these women during pregnancy. No clinical guidelines currently exist to assist health professionals in providing informed advice to women about their treatment.

Public Surgery Lecture and Brain Awareness Week wrap up

From left Dr. Mostafiz Rahman,
A/Prof Heather Cleland, Mr. Cheng Lo,
Prof Steven Boyce, Dr Shiva Akbarzadeh
and Dr. Ilia Banakh

Mid-March was a time of great community outreach for the School, as we hosted events to share our work and the latest knowledge with colleagues and the public.

The Department of Surgery's Annual Public Lecture was delivered by Emeritus Professor Stephen Boyce from the University of Cincinnati. He spoke about the importance of wound closure in treating life-threatening burn injuries, and delved into the latest research surrounding investigative models of tissue-engineered skin to improve closure. The technology offers the hope of one day restoring the use of full, uninjured anatomy and physiology of skin, without scarring. Around 80 people turned out to hear from the visiting Professor.

Speakers: A/Prof Joanne Fielding,
Dr Caroline Gurvich
MC: Professor Jayashri Kulkarni

The Department of Neuroscience, MAPrc and Alfred Health jointly celebrated Brain Awareness Week through a public lecture, and information stands in The Alfred engaging the public in the opportunities to participate in brain-related research here at the precinct. Students Flavia Medeiros Gomes and Juliana de Castro e Silva proved that playdoh is not just for adults by making incredible models of neurons and brain anatomy, which passers-by loved.

Playdoh neuron

The lecture saw A/Prof Joanne Fielding and Dr Caroline Gurvich share the latest on research into Visual Snow, and sex hormones and mental health, respectively. You can see Joanne's lecture here and Caroline's lecture here.

Translational Research Symposium Speaker Spotlight: Associate Professor Catriona Bradshaw

A/Prof Catriona Bradshaw

Monash University's 5th annual Translational Research Symposium is being hosted by its three metropolitan clinical schools on 21 June 2019. The symposium will host a diverse group of medical researchers presenting their work into translational research. RSVP here.

The Keynote speaker for the event is Associate Professor Catriona Bradshaw is head of the Genital Microbiota and Mycoplasma Group at Melbourne Sexual Health Centre and an Associate Professor at the Central Clinical School.