Professor Jeffrey V. Rosenfeld becoming Director of Monash Institute of Medical Engineering (MIME)

From Head of School, Professor Stephen Jane:

It is with great pride (and a certain degree of sadness) that I write to announce that Professor Jeffrey V. Rosenfeld AM, OBE, KStJ has signalled his intent to step down as Professor and Head, Division of Clinical Sciences and Department of Surgery, Central Clinical School, Monash University, and Professor and Director, Department of Neurosurgery, Alfred Hospital to assume the prestigious and strategically pivotal position of Founding Director, Monash Institute of Medical Engineering (MIME).

AMREP Research Prize 2014 for original basic research to Prof Fabienne Mackay

The AMREP Research Prize 2014 for the article describing original basic research published in the journal with the highest impact factor in 2013 was awarded to Professor Fabienne Mackay (Department of Immunology, Monash University). The prize was one of a suite awarded for work presented during the Alfred Research Week 27-31 October 2014. See more:

• Alfred Research Week prizes. 
• Article reference
  Figgett WA, Fairfax K, Vincent FB, Le Page MA, Katik I, Deliyanti D, Quah PS, Verma P, Grumont R, Gerondakis S, Hertzog P, O'Reilly LA, Strasser A, Mackay F. The TACI receptor regulates T-cell-independent marginal zone B cell responses through innate activation-induced cell death. Immunity 2013;39(3):573-83. [IF:19.795]
• Video of Fabienne describing the research
• Animation of B cell interaction

GPs offered unique opportunity to care for mental health patients with recover-oriented practice

GPs working in mental health in south east Melbourne are being offered an opportunity to participate in an Australian-first project. The PULSAR project (Principles Unite Local Services Assisting Recovery) aims to implement and evaluate recovery-oriented practice in mental health across primary care sites and specialist mental health services in the catchment of Monash Health. See 28 Oct 2014 Monash story.

12 Nov 2014 Clinical Haematology symposium

The Australian Centre for Blood Diseases (ACBD) is hosting a one day symposium with speakers on a broad range of topics. See flier for details and below.
Details

• Date: Wednesday 12 November 2014
• Time: 9.00 am - 5.00 pm
• Host: ACBD 
• Location: AMREP Lecture Theatre (AMREP Education Centre)
• Speakers: ACBD researchers
• Topic: Clinical Haematology Symposium
• Twitter tag for following live tweets: #ACBD_Haem
• Cost: free
• Registration: not required

If you have any questions about the event, please contact Roisin Brisoe Ph: 9903 0122 Em: roisin.briscoe@monash.edu

PhD student sought: Neuroscience of ultra-runners

Extreme athletes: what drives them?

Do you ever wonder how some people are able to run hundreds of kilometres in extreme conditions such as the high humidity of the Amazon jungle or the freezing temperatures of the Himalayas? Would you be surprised to find out that many “ultra-runners” are just normal everyday people who work full-time while juggling families?

In this PhD project, we are looking for an academically high-performing student with a background in psychology and/or neuroscience to explore what underlies the desire and ability of these people to accomplish such extreme feats. We hope that by establishing a better understanding of the psychology and brain functioning associated with ultra-running, we may be able to assist other people to achieve seemingly impossible goals and develop a greater understanding of chronic pain conditions.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact:

• Dr Bernadette Fitzgibbon at bernadette.fitzgibbon@monash.edu or
• Dr Donna Urquhart at Donna.Urquhart@monash.edu.
• Download flier
• See more about Bernadette's research at www.maprc.org.au/dr-bernadette-fitzgibbon

3MT videos from the 2014 CCS student heat: Ben Fancke, Sara Mokhtar and Kye Hanafiah

Sara Mokhtar. See video

Ben Fancke. See video

Kye Hanafiah. See video

Central Clinical School #PhD students regularly compete in the "Three Minute Thesis" competition (3MT), offered in every Australian university.
See more:

• the CCS 3MT event: www.med.monash.edu.au/cecs/education/hdr-3mt.html
• 2014 3MT video playlist
• Photo gallery of the 2014 event

Phantom limbs: pain, embodiment, and scientific advances in integrative therapies

A recent study co authored by CCS researcher Dr Carolyn Arnold found that due to the disruption to multiple neural networks in the case of a phantom pain—including sensory and motor, multiple treatment approaches are required. Many of the latest therapies are dependent on sophisticated, specialized, and expensive technology making them inaccessible for most individuals with phantom pain at present. 

The Art of Thinking: European Journal of Respiratory Medicine series

Edvard Munch: 'The Scream'

The European Respiratory Journal is publishing a series of essays by Associate Professor Tom Kotsimbos (Department of Allergy, Immunology and Respiratory medicine) over 2014. The essays feature key pieces of revolutionary European art spanning the last 500 years to spark cross-disciplinary conversations, insights and extrapolations the “Art of Thinking” between the Arts, Science and Philosophy. October's essay looks at the art of Edvard Munch and Gustav Klimt. See more:

• Overview
• The Art of Thinking: Part 8 Klimt and Munch
• The Art of Thinking: Part 2 Holbein and Erasmus

Immunology/Burnet symposium: Dendritic cells, interferon and vaccines - 24 Nov 2014

The Monash Department of Immunology and the Burnet Institute are hosting an afternoon symposium, "Dendritic Cells, Interferon and Vaccines", on 24 November 2014. Two international speakers will be attending, Dr Virginia Pascual and Dr Jacques Banchereau. The event is free, all welcome - please RSVP for catering.

• Weblink for detail and RSVP
• Follow @ImmunologyMU for symposium updates 
• Download flier