Shaz Sivanesan

Our Centre provides pump-priming funding to get promising projects off the ground. Senior Research Associate Dr Elitza Deltcheva received development funding for her work to develop less toxic, more targeted therapies for children and adults with B-acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). While around 90% of children with ALL will be cured, relapse is common and the toxicity of the lengthy treatment can leave them with further health difficulties. In adults, the outlook is less good, with fewer than 40% of patients likely to be cured. Dr Deltcheva told us: “There are two aspects to my approach: firstly, I am screening hundreds of novel compounds in primary leukaemia patient cells in order to find a treatment that will target specifically the leukaemic cells, while sparing the healthy ones. Secondly, I am looking at the cells that are resistant to chemotherapy and remain after treatment. “My hope is that I will find a strategy to target resistant B-acute lymphoblastic leukaemia cells before they are able to give rise to relapse. This could ultimately improve patients’ survival rates. “My work is informed by the transcriptional profiling of hundreds of thousands of patient cells, made possible by funding from the City of London Centre.” UCL Cancer Institute | Cancer Research UK Science and Innovation

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Applications are now open for The Australian Centre for Accelerating Diabetes Innovations (ACADI) Health Tech Innovation Challenge! The Challenge offers students and researchers the opportunity to pitch for seed funding for a Health Technology innovation in the field of diabetes and its possible complications. Why apply? ⦾ Have your pitch heard by a panel of expert judges in business and diabetes research. ⦾ Compete for two prizes of $30,000 and $10,000 available for a 12-month period to be put towards the development of the project. ⦾ Refine your project pitch – shortlisted candidates receive pitch training from an expert. ACADI’s definition of health tech refers to technology that is used to prevent, diagnose, monitor, or treat diabetes and its possible complications. Medical devices, including software as a medical device, assistive technology, and digital health are some of the health tech categories relevant to the Challenge. Applications close on 9 September 2024. Learn more: https://loom.ly/qIECoHE

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WASM: MECE is thrilled to announce that five individual projects from our researchers were successful in receiving funding from the Australian Research Council, as part of the Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) scheme. The recipients of the DECRA grant from WASM: MECE were Dr Yijun Zhong, Dr Daqin Guan (both pictured below), Dr Huan Li, Dr Yongqiang Chen and Dr Qiucheng Xu who were each awarded between $417,000 and $468,000 in funding. In total, Curtin University had eight successful applicants, the most out of any Western Australian University. Each of the awarded researchers and their projects are as follows: - Dr Huan Li: Critical and precious metals recovery from e-waste - Dr Yongqiang Chen: Green lithium mining from granite reservoirs - Dr Daqin Guan: Protonic ceramic fuel cells for operation under <400 °C - Dr Qiucheng Xu: Thiol ligands modified Cu catalysts for high-rate CO2 reduction to ethanol - Dr Yijun Zhong: High-voltage proton batteries operating at ultralow temperature. Curtin Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research Professor Melinda Fitzgerald said the funding result was a glowing endorsement of the work being undertaken at the University. “This year saw Curtin’s highest percentage of DECRA scheme applicants successfully receive funding, which demonstrates our commitment and capability in vital research areas identified in the new National Science Statement, Professor Fitzgerald said. “These projects highlight Curtin’s research strengths in critical minerals, the transition towards clean energy and public health.” To discover more about each project, click here: https://ow.ly/9VAQ50Tiw6W #WASMMECE #WASM #WASchoolofMines #CurtinUniversity #Curtin #ARC #DECRA #mineralsandresources #funding #grant #research #academia

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🌟 InGeNA Welcomes Australia's New National Science and Research Priorities 🌟 Australia's new National Science and Research Priorities mark a pivotal shift towards a future where technology, health, and Indigenous knowledge systems take center stage. For the first time in nearly a decade, these priorities, shaped by insights from Chief Scientist Cathy Foley's listening tour, underscore the government’s commitment to building a stronger, more resilient nation. At InGeNA, we are particularly excited about the emphasis on: 🌟 Affordable, inclusive, and culturally appropriate preventive health systems. 🌟 Precision medicine therapies for advanced disease treatment. 🌟 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led initiatives that prioritize place-based, culturally appropriate approaches to improve health, wellbeing, and life expectancy. These priorities reflect a vision of a net zero future, thriving communities, and the elevation of Indigenous knowledge systems—integral to achieving equity and closing the gap. We commend Minister Ed Husic MP and the Department of Industry, Science and Resources and our Chief Scientist Cathy Foley for this forward-thinking approach, which aligns with the five imperatives in the National Science Statement. Together, we are building a future where science, community, and culture converge to create a more inclusive and sustainable Australia. 🌿 #ScienceAndInnovation #IndigenousKnowledge #PrecisionMedicine #SustainableFuture #NetZero https://lnkd.in/gYDFx9DS

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Two upcoming Monash Public Health and Preventive Medicine #MonashHSCU online short courses that may be of interest to you and your team. DESIGNING AND USING SURVEYS AND QUESTIONNAIRES FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE This course takes you through the science and art of surveys and questionnaires. Its suitable for anyone using surveys for data collection regardless of discipline or practice area. On day one (FRIDAY 2nd of AUGUST) we go through how to write survey questions and corresponding response options, ethical considerations, sampling and recruitment and setting up an online survey. We design a survey together on day one and then distribute it so we can see how our questions and response options work in data analysis. Day two (FRIDAY 9th of AUGUST) focuses on data entry and coding, analysis of the survey designed on day 1, reporting of results, typical pitfalls and an opportunity to discuss your own survey. Throughout the two days we have case studies that show case surveys and questionnaires in action and our learnings from what worked and what we could have improved. ENGAGING OTHERS TO (re)DESIGN APPROACHES TO HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE 19th and 20th of AUGUST This 2-day course focuses on consumer and community involvement, stakeholder engagement and approaches to co-design. We cover engagement concepts and approaches, how to work out which engagement approach to use, strategies for establishing rules of engagement, co-design approaches, what to do when co-design is not the right fit and engagement of co-design. We present case studies from practice, policy and research. Find out more https://lnkd.in/gCAK4CWf Mitchell Bowden Sarah Carmody

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- CALL FOR APPLICATIONS - The 2024 AusHealth CureCell Awards of up to $10,000 are now open to PhD students undertaking a cell or biological therapy related project. The awards – intended to help with living costs – will be made to students currently enrolled in a #PhD, whose research projects have real potential for clinical impact. Applications due by 31 July 2024 Winners announced before 30 September 2024 MORE DETAILS 👉 https://www.curecell.org or contact Justin Coombs 👉 [email protected] CureCell is an Australian-registered charity accelerating the development of cell-based therapies to treat cancer and autoimmune disease by investing in outstanding young scientists. In 2023, CureCell joined forces with the AusHealth Hospital Research Fund, a medical charity that annually invests more than $3 million in Australian medical research. #medicalresearch #phdstudents #costofliving #grants #highereducationresearch #cellandgenetherapy #students #futurescientists Jo Close I Dana Bell I Jessica Maxwell I MTPConnect

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📣 New speakers announced for Medicines Management 2024!📣 ⭐ Introducing, Professor Michael Sorich ⭐ Professor in Clinical Pharmacology, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA. Prof Sorich is a clinical epidemiologist, biostatistician, and pharmacist. He develops and evaluates health applications of generative AI, aiming to maximise the positive health impacts for patients. Are you curious about how AI can be used in health care, or apprehensive of a machine replacing your role? Michael’s presentation 'AI doesn’t replace me, it complements me', will uncover how AI can be used in pharmacy practice as a force multiplier and augment human decision making. Register for Medicines Management 2024 https://buff.ly/3x3vBKZ

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Australia’s Economic Accelerator (AEA) has officially launched with the first round of grants now open. AEA INNOVATE AND IGNITE GRANTS AEA Innovate Innovate grants support mid-stage research commercialisation through competitive grants of up to $5 million for a maximum period of 24 months. These grants are available for researchers at Australian universities to collaborate with industry to advance projects that already have laboratory proof-of-concept. AEA Ignite How much: Up to $500,000. How long: Up to 12 months. Who to: An eligible higher education institution (Table A or Table B university, or ‘University College’). What for: Translation of early-stage research findings into products or services with commercial viability. https://lnkd.in/gmbyzuKs #research #innovation #university #accelerator

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So I came across this initiative today: the Australian Consumer Health Panel. The idea is great, that consumers will be able to give their opinion easily so we will broaden our reach of consumer voices. (https://chf.org.au) However, (and it’s a big however) the reading age of the questions is 13.8. That’s the equivalent of University level literacy. As long as we accept that yet again the “consumer voice” is skewed heavily to the privileged AND we have alternative ways of including the needs of those with low literacy, health literacy, digital literacy and digital poverty, I’ll accept this as a useful strategy. Otherwise, we’ll just be making the system more complex with more choice for the rich who can navigate it and no access for the poor who can’t.

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#RESEARCH RESEARCHERS AND YOUTH CO-DESIGN TWO WELL-RECEIVED RESOURCES says new research from the Matilda Centre. The paper, published in Health Promotion Journal of Australia, reviewed two public health resources developed by researchers, young people, experts and digital creators. The team worked together to co-design these digital public health resources for young people. The process found: - The digital resources were very well received by young people - Significant impacts in their perceptions of harm for vaping and mixing alcohol with antidepressants Full paper: https://lnkd.in/gRtNqcwC

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Do you have hay fever and/or asthma? Are you worried about thunderstorm asthma? Deakin PhD student Kira M Hughes is working towards a solution to reduce the risk of thunderstorm asthma here in Australia. She recently sat down with the team at Deakin Research to discuss what thunderstorm asthma is, her academic journey, and how her research is improving our current monitoring systems through an innovative real-time sensor. https://lnkd.in/gtQYAP3U

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Well done Natasha Hall Deakin Health Economics for publishing your final PhD Paper! https://lnkd.in/gumbWsKA Key Highlights: •Mean heroin dependence annual per person cost=A$120,599 (health=A$10055, productivity=A$63158, crime=A$7204, other=A$40182) •Mean costs were identified at five different time points and all costs trended downwards over the five waves (11-year period) •Lost productivity was the largest cost contributor at 52 %, followed by heroin drug at 25 % and crime costs (6 %). •Estimated early life years lost over the 11-year period was 2703 (equals a monetary value of premature death of $213 million) •When extrapolated to Australian population, the total annual cost of heroin dependence ranged from 1.9 billion to 6.4 billion

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🌟 Embedding Entrepreneurial and Innovation Training in Clinical Education🌟 At the Australian Society for Medical Entrepreneurship & Innovation (ASME), we believe that integrating entrepreneurial and innovation training into the undergraduate curriculum of medical and other clinical degrees is imperative. Clinicians, by the nature of their work, are uniquely positioned to identify and develop innovative solutions to the myriad challenges faced in healthcare today. Their hands-on experience and deep understanding of patient care make them ideal candidates for driving forward healthcare innovation. 🔹 Why This Matters: 1. Frontline Insight: Clinicians experience first-hand the inefficiencies and gaps in the current healthcare system. By equipping them with entrepreneurial skills, we empower them to create solutions that are practical, feasible, and sustainable. 2. Innovation Culture: Embedding these skills early in their careers fosters a culture of innovation, encouraging clinicians to think creatively and proactively about how to improve healthcare delivery. 3. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Innovation training promotes collaboration across various fields, blending medical expertise with technology, business, and design to develop holistic healthcare solutions. 🔹 Our Commitment: ASME is dedicated to advocating for and supporting the integration of entrepreneurial education in clinical training programs. We aim to provide clinicians with the tools, mentorship, and networks they need to become healthcare innovators. By investing in the entrepreneurial capabilities of our future clinicians, we can unlock a wave of innovations that will address current and emerging healthcare challenges. Let's work together to ensure that our healthcare system is not just reactive, but proactive in meeting the needs of our communities. For more information on how we are driving this change, visit our website https://www.asme.org.au We welcome all #medical, #nursing, #physiotherapy, #pharmacy and other clinical #students to join ASME for free to start their journey of building entrepreneurial skills. Dr Brandon Carp Anurag Ganugapati Terry Haines Jane Gunn Rebecca Lane Jane Phillips Mari Botti Julie Considine AO Sandy Brauer #HealthcareInnovation #ClinicalEntrepreneurship #MedicalEducation #Healthcare #InnovationTraining #ASME #ClinicianEntrepreneurs #HealthTech #MedTech #DigitalHealth #ClinicianInnovators

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Research on countering antimicrobial resistance, combatting extremism, and tuning body clocks for personalised sleep treatments are amongst six transformative Flinders University projects awarded $6.67 million in Future Fellowships by the Australian Research Council. Flinders secured the lion’s share of projects awarded to South Australia, with Professor Emma Thomas (Psychology), Associate Professor Andrew J. K. Phillips (Sleep), Associate Professor Martin Polkinghorne (Archaeology), Dr Vi Khanh Truong (Biotechnology), and Witold Bloch (Chemistry) named future fellows in the 2024 funding round. Deputy-Vice Chancellor (Research) Professor Raymond Chan says from 2018, Flinders saw the fastest growth in research income of any Australian university* and this latest funding success reflects the University's commitment to impactful research through industry and community collaboration on an international scale. “It’s pleasing to see that Flinders’ success rate for these fellowships is well above the national average and the strongest among SA universities. Fifty percent of the university’s projects received funding, and we look forward to seeing their invaluable impact over the next four years.” “Congratulations to our successful researchers as they embark on projects that will transform industry practices, enhance our cultural knowledge, and lead to scientific breakthroughs that ultimately benefit the entire community.” Find out more 🔗 https://bit.ly/4fDbt3M *HERDC data 2018 – 2022

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Hey Australian universities and equity practitioners! Do you want to know how effective an equity-focused intervention is? The Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success (formerly NCSEHE), through the Equity Frontiers Program, is funding trials to test the effectiveness of interventions designed to improve higher education access and success for students who are historically under-represented in Australian higher education. Applications for funding are NOW OPEN, and can be made at any time by submitting an Expression of Interest (EoI). Applicants identify and describe the intervention rather than the trial methods in this initial application stage. The Equity Frontiers Program Guidelines make clear the selection criteria, focused on the intervention and its potential to impact policy and practice, relevance to the equity sector, scalability, and evaluability. The EoI application and guidelines are here:

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The List: Top 100 Innovators 2024 Exciting news! Professor Huanting Wang and his team at ElectraLith (born from Monash University's Research Hub has been recognised in The Australian's The List: Top 100 Innovators 2024. ElectraLith is driving a green future with the cleanest, most versatile, and cost-efficient method for extracting and refining lithium. With the rapid growth of electric vehicles, lithium demand has skyrocketed, and ElectraLith tackled a key challenge—the excessive water and energy consumption in lithium processing. Their innovative solution combines refining and extraction at low voltages, achieving high recoverability. Unlike traditional brine extraction, which uses 2.2 million litres of water per tonne of lithium, ElectraLith’s process is completely water and carbon-free. https://lnkd.in/gwWaqCkn #Innovation #Sustainability #CleanEnergy #Lithium #ElectricVehicles #GreenTech #RenewableEnergy #EnergyTransition #EVs #TechInnovation #MonashUniversity #ElectraLith Samantha Lipscombe Shreejan P. Emi Gui Larisa Teterevkova Rhian Adlam

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How can robots and humans work together? 🤝 Our researcher Hashini Senaratne is exploring this question through her work applying artificial intelligence with a human-centered approach. This fascinating branch of research impacts Australians in a range of areas, from healthcare to disaster response, and agriculture to manufacturing. Watch the full video: https://lnkd.in/g2HBkwVs

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The Australian Citizen Science Association are writing a discussion paper which aims to identify and strengthen linkages between citizen science and university research to benefit society. In particular, we want to explore how to improve citizen science outcomes and applications, by supporting connections between citizen science programs and early-to-mid-career researchers in Australia. We are interested in hearing from everyone - including people who have been involved in citizen science, professional researchers and the general public. As well as collecting data from the public, we are seeking to co-create the discussion paper with multiple stakeholders, and involvement and co-authorship is open to anyone who is able to volunteer their time. Your responses to this form will help shape the second stage of the discussion paper: https://lnkd.in/gTckqR3u #emcr #citizenscience

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