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Update from Public Health
🎓 Education Update: At the midpoint of Semester 2, Topic Coordinators are busy with teaching and assessment while continuing to work to enhance student learning. Insights from Semester 1 SET reviews will drive improvements in course delivery and assessment with the aim of enhancing student experience and learning outcomes. A Public Health Marketing Strategy Workshop scheduled for late October will focus on refining our value proposition and enhancing course visibility through interventions such as refreshed web content, compelling alumni stories, and targeted digital campaigns. Meanwhile, the combined MPH/MCE program is progressing toward a Semester 1, 2026 launch, enhancing cross-college collaboration and research training opportunities.
🔬 Research Update: Flinders Public Health continues to have notable successes in securing new research funding. For example, a $7.45 million SA Health grant was recently awarded to a team led by Jacqueline Bowden - the Alcohol, Tobacco, E-cigarette and Other Drugs (ATEOD) Research and Evaluation Program. The Health Equity Impact Program, co-directed by Courtney Ryder and James Smith, held a highly successful ‘Impact Bootcamp’ at the Adelaide Oval, featuring excellent sessions on writing for publication and policymakers, applying for grant funding, and consumer engagement (attendees pictured below):
🌿 Looking Ahead: These initiatives and activities highlight the strength and collaboration across Flinders Public Health and with the College and FHMRI, as we continue to innovate in teaching, research, and community engagement - driving real-world impact locally, nationally, and globally.
Teaching Program Director (Public Health), College of Medicine and Public Health
2025 CMPH Staff Awards: Nominate before 5pm, Friday 31 October
Opportunities to recognise achievement, celebrate our staff, reward service and showcase excellence remain a highlight of our College end-of-year celebrations. Nominations are now open for the 2025 College Awards. In each category, all nominations will be considered relative to opportunity. A sub-committee of the College Executive and representatives from across the College will assess nominations. (Please note: self-nominations are only permitted for the Consumer and Community Engagement Award):
Five categories of awards are open
VPED and Service Awards (including a new award for Consumer and Community Involvement)
Research Awards
Teaching Excellence Awards
Professional Staff Awards
Student Awards
How to nominate:
Familiarise yourself with the 2025 Award Categories
Complete the 2025 Awards Nomination Survey to make your nomination(s)
Submit your nomination before 5pm, Friday 31 October 2025
Join the 2025 College End of Year Celebration and Staff Awards. 3pm to 5pm on Friday 12 December in the Level 2 Seminar rooms (HMRB). Whether you’ve contributed to groundbreaking research, supported our students, or worked behind the scenes, this is our chance to celebrate all we’ve accomplished and look forward to an exciting 2027. Enjoy food, drinks, music, and awards as we toast another productive year.
Welcome
Welcome to Hayley Anderson. A Project Officer based at Bedford Park, supporting college leadership to deliver key initiatives that improve processes and experiences for staff across the College. She focuses on enhancing operational efficiency and creating positive outcomes for the college community. Before this role, Hayley worked across Flinders in a range of operational, research, and project support positions, and was most recently Principal Project Officer for the Social Workers Registration Board of South Australia, helping to establish the state’s first registration scheme.
Congratulations
History was made on Kangaroo Island as local doctors and nurses completed the Island’s first Advanced Life Support Level 2 Training Course — the first of its kind held in a remote (MMM7) area of South Australia. Led by David Lam, Director of the Flinders SA Regional Training Hub, the course provided internationally recognised emergency resuscitation training. Following its success, more life-saving courses are planned for rural and remote communities across the state.
Out and About
2025 Victor Harbor Trauma Sim (photo courtesy Fleurieu Sun)
Flinders University’s annual trauma simulation in Victor Harbor saw medical and nursing students team up with SA Ambulance Service volunteers to manage a staged roadside crash, gaining valuable hands-on experience in rural emergency care. Learn more
Daniher’s Drive participants visit the MND&NR Ian Davis Lab
Last week, South Australian participants in the Daniher’s Drive visited the MND&NR Ian Davis Laboratory in the Health and Medical Research Building (HMRB) to learn more about the groundbreaking research being undertaken at Flinders University.
The Daniher’s Drive, running from 9–11 October through regional Victoria, raises vital funds to support the search for effective MND treatments and a cure. The visit offered participants an inside look at the groundbreaking work happening at Flinders and how community support is making a real difference. Donations can be made via the Team Microbiology Daniher’s Drive fundraising page to continue advancing this important research.
Partnering with Torres Strait Islands communities Flinders Rural and Remote Health is proud to collaborate with Torres Strait Islander leaders to advance community-led health research in the region. In September, Jaqui Hughes, a Kuike of Medicine of Wagadagam, and her team attended the 2025 Winds of Zenadth Cultural Festival to share updates on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Advancement Projects and gather valuable community feedback. Key initiatives include efforts to bring dialysis care to the Torres Strait Islands, supported by a local workforce. Learn more about the program. |
2025 National Regional Training Hub Forum Flinders’ NT and SA staff joined Regional Training Hubs from across Australia at the 2025 National Regional Training Hub Forum, bringing together educators, medical leaders, and RTH representatives to share innovations and champion rural medical training. Discussions covered cross-collaboration, rural learning hubs, and cultural safety, with Flinders highlighting programs such as cultural immersion camps and workforce evaluation projects. The Forum emphasised the role of national collaboration in building a resilient rural medical workforce. |
Get to know your College
Dr Scott Milan – from rural roots to worldwide reach
For Scott Milan (BMBS(Hons) ’05), rural medicine isn’t just a career — it’s a calling. From his early days as a medical laboratory scientist in a country town to leading Hawkins Medical Clinic in Mount Gambier, Scott has dedicated nearly two decades to strengthening rural health and mentoring the next generation of doctors.
A Flinders graduate and Clinical Supervisor with the South Australia Rural Medical (SARM) program, he’s passionate about teaching in regional settings and helping students experience the full scope of rural practice. Learn how Scott’s journey from hands-on training at Flinders to global medical outreach continues to shape the future of rural medicine. Read more
Expressions of Interest
Flinders University Researcher Mentoring Program 2026 – Call for Applications
The Flinders University Researcher Mentoring Program for Early Career Researchers will run again in 2026. The Program pairs ECRs with senior academics to support career development, goal setting, and strategies for future success. Participants will also join a University-wide ECR community, offering peer support and networking opportunities. To apply, review the Program Guidelines and submit your Expression of Interest by COB Friday 31 October. For enquiries, contact Program Coordinator Jen Beaudry, Manager (Researcher Training, Development and Communication), Research Development and Support.
Australian Research Council Discovery Projects 2027 (DP27) - Expression of Interest
ARC Discovery Projects for funding commencing in 2027 will open in RMS on 3rd November 2025. Please note the Discovery Projects scheme has a two stage application process, commencing with an Expression of Interest (EOI), followed by invitation only for full applications. The successful applicant will receive Project funding between $30,000 and $500,000 per year for up to five consecutive years. More Information
Events
- Sun 12 Oct: Quiz Night Fundraiser: Raise funds for cancer research (Email Nadine Smith for more information or to book)
- Thu 16 Oct: UniSuper: Eat Smart, Live Well! (1pm - 2pm, Online)
- Thu 16 Oct: Medical Grand Round - Renal (12:15 - 1:30pm, Lecture Theatre 1, Lvl 5, FMC)
- 23 - 24 Oct: Australasian Society of Autonomic Neuroscience (ASAN) 2025 meeting
- Wed 29 Oct: FHMRI Inspiring Leaders Seminar series w. Laura Downie (University of Melbourne) 12:30pm, Lvl 2 Seminar rooms, HMRB
- Thu 30 Oct: 2025 Chalmers Oration (2pm - 3:30pm, HMRB)
- Sat 22 Nov: 2025 Triple 0 Charity Ball (Adelaide Oval)
Complete the short form and submit a 150 word abstract of your collaborative research. Projects can be of any study design, and at any stage – development, in progress, complete. Early and mid-career researchers and Higher Degree by Research students are particularly encouraged to present their work. Submit an abstract before October 20.
RePaDD Seminar: Bridging Paramedicine and Palliative Care
12:30 - 1:30pm, Tuesday 14 October, Online. Join the next Research Centre for Palliative Care, Death and Dying (RePaDD) seminar: “Bridging Paramedicine and Palliative/End of Life Care: A Collaborative Approach”
Speakers will explore how paramedicine supports palliative and end-of-life care, and the benefits of cross-professional collaboration:
Andrew Makkink & Caleb Gage (South Africa): The role of paramedics in end-of-life care across settings.
Madeleine Juhrmann: Insights from the European Association for Palliative Care Task Force.
Shyla Mills, CEO Palliative Care SA: Local impact and the Ambulance Wish program.
Higher Degree by Research Milestone presentations (from 12:30pm Fridays)
Seminar 1, Level 2, HMRB, or online viaTeams. See the full October schedule
- Lee Li (confirmation of candidature). From information to insight: predict, understand, and manage cancer treatment efficacy and toxicity heterogeneity with data science
- Rahkesh T Sabapathy (final thesis review). Re-engineering the GPCRome
FHMRI Cancer Impact Seminar Series: October 21
12 - 1pm (Free lunch and networking to follow) Level 2 Seminar space, HMRB. Joanna Achinger-Kawecka (Laboratory head, SA immunoGENomics Cancer Institute, The University of Adelaide) presents on ‘Targeting the Regulatory 3D Genome for Cancer Therapy”. Joanna's work has significantly advanced the understanding of the 3D genome and epigenome in cancer, including the development of innovative technologies and bioinformatics for mapping 3D chromatin structure in cancer cells.
Contact Jean winter jean.winter@flinders.edu.au to schedule a meeting with the speaker.
10 - 11:30am, Thursday 23 October, Alere North, The Hub Level 2, Bedford Park (or online). Flinders University Library invites CMPH academics and staff to a thought-provoking event exploring the intersection of Open Access and artificial intelligence. As part of Open Access Week 2025, we’ll unpack this year’s theme — Who Owns Our Knowledge? — and examine how AI is reshaping the way research is created, shared, and controlled. Expect engaging discussion, themed morning tea, 3D printed door prizes, and time to connect. Register now to save your spot
Attend the 3rd Australasian Society of Autonomic Neuroscience (ASAN) 2025 meeting
23–24 October, Flinders Health & Medical Research Institute
The program features oral presentations from leading neuroscientists worldwide, exploring how the nervous system controls organs such as the heart, gut, bladder, and brain. A conference dinner will be held at Luciano’s on the Marina, Glenelg. Register now or contact Nick Spencer (Nicholas.spencer@flinders.edu.au) for further details.
Book Launch: Mental and Physical Health Dimensions
12pm, Monday 27 October, Online via Zoom (password: 547524)
Flinders University and the University of South Australia are celebrating the release of Mental and Physical Health Dimensions, an Open Educational Resource exploring the links between mental and physical health in contemporary Australian healthcare. Authors Paul Cooper, Raymond Tini, and Alice Standfield will discuss the book’s development and insights, including mental health promotion, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander wellbeing, and holistic approaches to wellness.
CMPH Biosciences Seminar: Tuesday 28 October
9:30 - 10:30am, Level 2 Seminar Room 02, HMRB. All welcome. Lachlan Jolly (Neurobiology Research Group, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide) presents ‘RNA Processing in Rare Disease’. In this talk, Lachlan will describe the development and application of RNA-based gene diagnostic approaches and mechanisms of brain development involving mRNA decay pathways.
9am - 5pm, Thursday 4 December, Level 14, Flinders City Campus, North Terrace, Adelaide. This symposium will showcase the breadth and impact of cancer research being conducted by FHMRI. Join a day of networking and engaging presentations from keynote speakers, emerging early- and mid-career research scientists and students presenting the latest insights into cancer research, driving real-world impact for patients and communities.
Need to know
Vale Monica Dreimanis. The College extends its condolences on the recent passing of Monica Dreimanis, a long-serving member of the Haematology and Genetic Pathology team. Monica dedicated around 30 years to Flinders University before her retirement. Renowned for her expertise in cell culture, she generously trained colleagues from across several departments and was recognised with a staff award shortly before retiring. Her contribution to the College and her mentorship will be remembered with great respect and gratitude.
Reminder from P&C: Bulk leave booking for Academic staff (not casuals)
Annual Leave of 20 days (pro rata for part-time) will be automatically booked for Academic staff to take effect from Tuesday, 30 December 2025, as per clause 30.3 of the Enterprise Agreement.
Requests to cancel this leave must be made due to extenuating circumstances and in accordance with operational needs. Staff should discuss such requests with their supervisors in the first instance and if supported, action agreed leave cancellation via Workday. Once the supervisor approves leave cancellation, staff are required to book a new period of annual leave via Workday to ensure this leave is taken before the end of December 2026.
Reversal of block booked annual leave will not be considered for any staff member who has an annual leave balance exceeding 294 hours. Visit the End of Year Closure webpage.
Reminder: Summer Research Scholarships for high achieving undergraduates
FHMRI Summer Scholarships offer students 4–6 weeks of hands-on research experience between November 2025 and early March 2026, at $250 per week. Students must confirm a willing supervisor with start date and duration before applying. Full guidelines and eligibility details are available here. Staff are encouraged to share this opportunity with students. Applications close Friday 24 October. For details email cmph.research@flinders.edu.au
The College is now accepting travel applications for academic and professional staff travelling between February – July 2026. Support is available for domestic and international travel for conferences and professional development opportunities. Visit the CMPH Funding page for application forms and details. Closing deadline for Round 1 applications is 5pm, Friday 12 December. Please forward any enquiries to cmph.operations@flinders.edu.au
CMPH Travel Schemes – Apply now for 2026
Funding Opportunities
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2025 FHMRI Kickstart Grant Program – The FHMRI Kickstart Grant Program is now open to support early‑career researchers across the Flinders footprint (SA and NT) to build their research and track records. Applications should be submitted to CMPH Research by 5pm, 30 October. Guidelines + application |
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Flinders University Visiting International Research Fellowships are now open. Applications should be forwarded to CMPH Research by COB Friday 17 October. The application form can be accessed here. Fellowships will be offered on a co-investment basis with the host College. |
Avant Foundation Transformation Grant - Funding of up to $1M over 3 years to create transformational impact in healthcare through innovations in quality, safety, and sustainability. Internal close: 17 October. More Information
Ignacio H. de Larramendi Research Grants: Health Promotion – Applications close: 20 Oct | More information
NHMRC Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies - Applications close: 5 Nov, 5pm AEDT | Learn more
NHMRC Centres of Research Excellence (CRE) 2026 - Applications close: 19 Nov | GrantConnect
Improving Medicines Safety: Research Seed Grant – Applications close: 30 Oct | More information
MRFF 2025 Research Data Infrastructure – Deadline: 11 Dec , 4:30pm AEDT | Up to $2.5m | GrantConnect GO7714
MRFF 2025 Maternal Health and Healthy Lifestyles Applications close: 3 Dec, 4:30pm AEDT | Up to $3m | GrantConnect GO7816
MRFF 2025 Genomics Health Futures Applications close: 4 Feb, 4:30pm AEDT | Up to $10m | GrantConnect GO7833
MRFF – CTA Initiative – 2025 Clinical Trials Activity Grant Opportunity - The MRFF Clinical Trials Activity Initiative strengthens clinical care evidence, improves patient access to relevant trials, and supports international research in Australia. Minimum Data 4:30pm 4 March | Applications Close: 4.30pm 1 April. GrantConnect: GO7923