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Colleagues,
I recently had the honour of delivering the oration at the University of Melbourne to honour the life and work of Professor Priscilla Kincaid-Smith – a giant of Australian medicine.
Professor Kincaid Smith was a physician first and foremost, but a clinical researcher, a campaigner for public health, and a powerful advocate for patient groups. The professor’s qualities – described down the years in phrases like “nerves of steel” or “courage of her convictions” – speak to an unorthodoxy; to a willingness to take the road less travelled because it was the right one. Professor Kincaid-Smith’s crowning achievement was her work in analgesic nephropathy.
The simple beauty of her work – and that of Professor Ken Fairley – showed that some health issues, if well understood, can be completely resolved. She recognised the disease, identified that it had a man-made cause, realised it was entirely preventable, and through dint of hard work, made the complete elimination of analgesic nephropathy a reality within her own lifetime. Sadly, one of the most difficult obstacles she encountered in this journey was the companies that wanted to keep selling the toxic drug combinations, even though they were responsible for an epidemic of renal failure.
My own field of research and clinical practice is in cancer – which sadly isn’t like analgesic nephropathy. We know some of its causes and public health initiatives like smoking prevention and HPV vaccination have helped reduce its impact. However, cancer continues as a major global health problem, with no hope of eradication on the horizon. Yet over the last four decades, the medical research of countless individuals has revealed some of the inner workings of cancer and has led to the development of some very effective treatments including entirely new classes of drugs such as Trastuzumab (Herceptin) and Rituximab for breast cancer and lymphoma respectively. These drugs were developed because of a seminal research discovery in 1975 by Kohler and Milstein, in the creation of hybridoma technology and monoclonal antibodies. These antibodies were useless in treating cancer and that
particular path may have simply ended there. Yet 15 or so years later, scientists discovered how to make recombinant human antibodies. Medical research rarely takes the straight path. A constant that demands curiosity of thought and patience in equal measure.
As part of my PhD, I had the chance to genetically engineer this new class of drug –in my case using an antibody developed at Westmead Hospital for the treatment of lymphoma. Over the last 30 years these antibodies have been used to save or relieve the suffering of millions of people worldwide. In my own career as a cancer researcher and oncologist, I have seen the extraordinary advances in cancer treatment and diagnosis and from this vantage point and hence I have a very acute appreciation of the critical importance of research in all its guises.
Here, within our Faculty, our unwavering commitment to ethical research abounds.
To draw on just three from the countless examples we see every day, Dr Dinny Graham is working to develop molecular tests for predicting the behaviour of breast cancers; Associate Professor Anne Cust has shown the importance of the regular use of sunscreen in preventing melanoma; and Associate Professor Wojciech Chrzanowski from the Nano Institute is developing a method to use the extracellular vesicles released by cells as diagnostic tools for cancer. Just three of our many talented colleagues within Medicine and Health who are shaping the future of healthcare – following in the footsteps of giants like Kincaid-Smith. We all can inspire the next generation of students, as they set out to alleviate suffering around the world through scientific advancements.
Robyn
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Faculty operating model DCP update
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All feedback on the Draft Change Proposal (DCP) for a new faculty operating model has been read and considered as it arrived from 23 May onwards.
The faculty received more than 200 feedback emails up to the 18 June deadline. This translated into 620 separate items of feedback for review by senior faculty staff. All DCP feedback will be published with faculty responses in the ‘Revised Change Proposal’ (RCP) in July.
More than 200 meetings with individual affected professional staff, HR and senior faculty/school staff are occurring now until 5 July.
The next major milestone will be the July release of the first Revised Change Proposal (RCP) for consideration and feedback by all staff in the faculty and the Faculty of Health Sciences.
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Dementia research finds its perfect match online
A new online matching service is set to revolutionise the way people with dementia and researchers connect, fast-tracking more effective and inclusive dementia research across Australia.
Read more >
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New device could replace need for diabetes pin prick testing
Researchers from the University of Sydney, AusMed Global and the Australian Trade and Investment Commission recently unveiled a breath ketone analyser at the Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair.
Read more >
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Sydney Nursing School reaches 25-year milestone in Singapore
Nearly 3000 nurses have graduated from the Bachelor of Nursing (Post-Registration) taught in Singapore, marking the 25 year partnership between the Singapore Institute of Management and the University of Sydney.
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Waminda with the support of Sydney University secures $3m funding from Family and Community Services for Nabu, a healing program for families with children in child protection.
Nabu was recently recognised as an outstanding demonstration model by the NSW Government’s Their Futures Matter program. Waminda proudly states that, within 18 months of working with mothers and 52 Aboriginal children, the Nabu model achieved 91% family preservation and 100% restoration - an achievement not met by any other organisation in Australia.
Read more >
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University of Sydney research partnership receives $3.67m to tackle eating disorders
Eating disorders affect over 5% of the population and have a high death rate. Until now they’ve had one of the lowest research dollar spends - $1 per affected individual compared with over $150 for depressive illnesses. InsideOut, the Charles Perkins Centre, Brain Mind Centre, School of Psychology and national health system partners will create the first surveillance system and lived experience survey for eating disorders, to track detection, treatment and recovery rates to drive change to the national health system.
Read more >
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Eliminating the deadliest infectious disease
Persistent high rates of disease and death caused by tuberculosis (TB) is unacceptable, since TB is curable and it is within our power to make a difference for good, says Professor Ben Marais.
Read more >
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Brain disease found in former league players.
For the first time, a brain disease linked with repetitive head injury in American sport has been identified in the brains of two former Australian rugby league players.
Read more >
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Research Code of Conduct updated
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Current research funding opportunities:
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New MOOC ‘Using health data for better healthcare’
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The University of Sydney and NSW Health have partnered to deliver a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) to provide existing and future health workforce with insights into the use of healthcare data called 'Using clinical health data for better healthcare'.
This course is appropriate to all students undertaking health and medical degrees, as well as teaching staff who seek quality curriculum resources. The MOOC addresses foundational capabilities for information seeking, knowledge creation and decision making, utilising health data contained within digital systems.
Led by Professor Tim Shaw, Faculty of Health Sciences and Digital Health Cooperative Research Centre, and Adjunct Professor Annette Solman, Health Education and Training Institute, the MOOC consists of over 30 videos and associated learning resources, delivered by subject matter experts from across health, education, government and industry.
Learn more and register via the link below and please share with anyone who might be interested.
Find out more>
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FMH Awards for Excellence
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The FMH Awards are intended to recognise impact, leadership, entrepreneurship, mentorship, and industry and community engagement as well as outstanding performance in the support of research, research education and education, and professional service. They are open to eligible FMH academic staff and affiliates and professional staff and teams who have made contributions beyond expectations. See guidelines for more details.
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The University of Sydney was awarded Silver Employer of Choice Awards at the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) LGBTIQ Inclusion Awards ... and only 14 points off gold so we are making big strides in this space! Christie Adamson is Co-Chair of Pride Network, and School Manager of Sydney Nursing School.
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Professor Deborah Black appointed Associate Dean Student Life
Queen's Birthday 2019 Honours
Congratulations to all our staff who have been recognised for their achievements and contributions to medicine and health in the Queen’s Birthday 2019 Honours:
Companion (AC) in the General Division
• Professor David Burke
Officer (AO) in the General Division
• Professor Elizabeth Martin
Member (AM) in the General Division
• Professor Peter Bye
• Professor Mary Chiarella
• Dr Jonathan Clarke
• Professor Alan Cooper
• Professor Geoffrey Isbister
• Professor Carolyn Sue
Honorary Member (AM) in the General Division
• Professor Jacob George
Medal (OAM) in the General Division
• Ms Regula (Ria) Deamer
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Explore the range of tools, guides, tips and other resources to help you create and manage communications
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The Medicine and Health Marketing team recently updated the Marketing and Communications intranet tab to highlight a range of services available to you. The new intranet includes the following sections:
Medicine and Health Marketing
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Who does what: contact information and quarterly reports
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Our channels: marketing channels, Sydney Courses, APOs
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Events and conferences: Twitter guide, event checklist, cheat sheet for attending events, recruitment event FAQs, post-event evaluation
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Tools and templates: using the University logo, design resources, business cards, naming conventions and email signatures
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Websites: website update requests and how to request a new website
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Introduction to social media for academics
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During this session on 1 August, you will get best practice advice for key platforms, including Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook, and leave with a clearer idea of how to effectively engage with your peers and the broader community via social media.
Registration is required as numbers are limited.
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Media training session for academics
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This session on 30 July will offer guidelines on how to lift your media profile through publicising your research, offering expert commentary on contemporary issues and writing opinion pieces.
Registration is required as numbers are limited.
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Lifespan Research Day
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The annual Lifespan Research Day is the highlight of our calendar, providing an opportunity for us to come together to share our recent research achievements across all areas of the University's lifespan research.
When: Thursday 25 July 2019, 9am – 4.30pm
Venue: New Law School (Lecture Theatre 106), Eastern Avenue Camperdown
Registration: free but essential by 5pm Thursday 18 July
Find out more>
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Sydney Health Education Research Network Showcase
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Sydney Health Education Research Network (SHERN) invites academics, clinicians, and professional staff to join us on 12 August 2019 for our 2019 showcase themed Interprofessional Learning: Preparing Our Students for the Workplace
When: Monday, 12 August 2019, 9am – 1pm
Where: Charles Perkins Centre (CPC)
Opportunities to network and share insights with colleagues from across the health professions.
Registration is free and essential by 12 July
Find out more>
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