Body image issues loom large: Gemma Sharp gives three top KIT tips

Dr Gemma Sharp prepping for the documentary

When a distorted sense of yourself becomes pathological, you could have body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). BDD is getting more common and more extreme. Why?

Dr Gemma Sharp was one of the experts interviewed in Channel 10's recently broadcast (8-9 September 2021) documentary "Mirror, Mirror" by Todd Sampson to answer that question. She also participated in the Facebook Live chat after the screening. See below for some of the questions asked. 

Dr Sharp has also won a grant from the Australian Psychological Society (APS) of Clinical Psychologists 2021 Research Grant Award for futher development of her team's world-first body image chatbot "KIT", which helps people experiencing body image concerns while they are on social media. The grant will be used to improve KIT's conversational abilities, with KIT having spoken with more than 20,000 people already! 

Wins for the work and innovations of sexual health researchers

The MSHC team members L-R: Prof Kit Fairley, A/Prof Eric Chow,
Prof Marcus Chen, Prof Catriona Bradshaw; lower row L-R:
A/Prof Lei Zhang, Prof Deborah Williamson, Prof Jane Hocking

Melbourne Sexual Health Centre researchers won individual and team awards at the 2021 Joint Australasian Sexual Health + HIV&AIDS Conference.

Congratulations to Associate Professor Eric Chow  for winning the Best Poster Award at the Sexual Health+HIV&AIDS conference! His poster is about spatial mapping of gonorrhoea notifications by sexual practice in Victoria.

Congratulations also to the team at Melbourne Sexual Health Centre (MSHC), as part of the Melbourne Collaborative Group, which has won the 2021 Australasian Sexual and Reproductive Health Alliance Innovation Award. See detail below.

Celebrate Diversity and Inclusion Week 2021: 13-17 September

Start your day differently next week with online events to celebrate Diversity and Inclusion Week 2021!

There are online events running in the morning during Diversity and Inclusion Week 13–17 September.

● Monday - Barriers and Challenges to Succeeding in STEM: Panel Discussion
● Tuesday - Women in Leadership Panel (MONSU Peninsula)
● Wednesday - The Anatomy of Inclusion and Diversity
● Thursday - Exploring Cultural Frames: Raising Cultural Awareness
● Friday - Monash Financial Hardship Survey Launch Event

Visit the Diversity and Inclusion Week website to register. www.monash.edu/diversity-inclusion/week

Why is a third COVID-19 vaccine dose important for people who are immunocompromised?

by Dr Emily Edwards and Dr Kylie Quinn
Reproduced from The Conversation

Hear them discuss the topic on ABC radio (3 Sept)

A number of countries including the United States and the United Kingdom are moving to make a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine available to people who are immunocompromised.

But why are people with weaker immune systems at the front of the queue for a third dose?

31 Aug - 6 Sep 2021 Central Clinical School recent publications

What is the immunological link between neonatal lung and eye
disease? Review

Recent publications featuring research as notified by PubMed during 31 August - 6 Sept 2021 from Central Clinical School affiliated researchers in the following departments. The below is not a comprehensive list. The most recent validated publications for the school and departments can be seen on their publications pages, linked to from the headings below. Otherwise, read down the entry for recent notifications.

Eric Chow named in the 40 under 40 most influential Asian-Australians 2021

Associate Professor Eric Chow

Congratulations to Associate Professor Eric Chow, Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, who has been named one of the 40 Under 40: Most influential Asian-Australians 2021. The awards are now in their third year. They were announced during a virtual presentation on 7 September. 

The Awards are an initiative of the Asian-Australian Leadership Summit, co-convened by Johnson Partners, Asialink at the University of Melbourne, PwC Australia and the Centre for Asian-Australian Leadership at the Australian National University.

What is Autoimmune Encephalitis? Find out more

The Australian Autoimmune Encephalitis Consortium Project website is now up. It answers the question "What is Autoimmune Encephalitis?", gives an overview of the national multi-partner project led by Dr Mastura Monif and invites involvement from consumers, patients and caregivers.

See more: 

• www.monash.edu/medicine/autoimmune-encephalitis
• research.monash.edu/en/projects/autoimmune-encephalitis-a-rare-and-debilitating-neurological-illn