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Update from the Public Health Discipline Group Lead
In this update: At the 4th International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing (Lowitja) Conference in Adelaide, Linda Tuhiwai Smith closed with her poem Stand Strong Be Fearless Work Together. Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and First Nations research embody these values and were well represented.
Recent highlights from Public Health include:
- Cheryl Schelbach receiving the VPED Innovation in Teaching Award for her work developing chatbot literacy through problem-based learning.
Susan Matthews’ Point of Care Testing team playing a key role at the Asia Pacific Conference in Bangkok, delivering presentations, chairing sessions, and contributing to the organising committee.
Gianluca Di Censo being awarded the Frank Dalziel Prize for the best thesis in Psychology.
Finally, I am delighted to announce that the Flinders Clinical Trials Unit team, led by Natalie Walker (one of a growing influx of Kiwis to CMPH!) is joining the Public Health Discipline group. We look forward to providing a new ‘home’ for the unit and to working to support their activities, including, I hope, new trials to evaluate public health interventions.
Tumbetun Ruwi – Healing Country by Talia Scriven, commissioned by the Trauma and Injury group. Highlighting the role of community, culture and connection in supporting Aboriginal patients after road trauma.
Pictured: Tamara Mackean, Amy Marshall and the Aboriginal and Torres Trait Islander Health team at the 4th International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference in Adelaide
Public Health Discipline Group Lead, College of Medicine and Public Health
Welcome
Tahlia Johnson has joined as Senior Lecturer in First Nations Health. She recently presented at the NAIDOC Week Indigenous Research Showcase led by Tamara Mackean. |
Stine Hoj has joined The National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA) as a Research Fellow, from Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, bringing valuable expertise to the team. |
Blair Monteagle has joined the Biostatistics Discipline as a PhD student. He will be working with Murthy Mittinty in causal methodologies in biostatistics and epidemiology. |
Congratulations
Congratulations to Courtney Ryder and the Trauma and Injury Group on receiving a $5 million NHMRC grant for the HEAL Cohort study, which aims to transform health and wellbeing outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children following injury. The Nra:gi Ya:yun diabetes study has also been recognised as a NHMRC Case Study for Consumer and Community Involvement, and Courtney was recently honoured with a prestigious Tall Poppy award.
Congratulations Uncle David ‘Tarnda’ Copley
After 40 years in health – including two decades in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health – Uncle David ‘Tarnda’ Copley is stepping back from his long and impactful career. A proud Kaurna and Peramangk Elder and Flinders graduate, David was recognised with a Distinguished Alumni Award in 2020 for his leadership in Indigenous health.
Scholarship Success for Flinders Medical Student
Flinders MD student and Aboriginal midwife Samantha Nillissen has been awarded an Australian Medical Association (AMA) Indigenous Medical Scholarship. One of three First Nations students recognised nationally this year – the first time the AMA has awarded three scholarships in a single year – Samantha’s achievement is a testament to her determination and passion for paediatric care.
Out and About
ICPOCT showcases expertise at Asia Pacific POC Testing Conference in Bangkok
Researchers from the International Centre for Point-of-Care Testing (ICPOCT) represented Flinders University at the 2nd Asia Pacific Conference on Point-of-Care Testing for Infectious Diseases, held in Bangkok. Susan Matthews co-chaired a session on novel testing approaches in resource-limited settings and contributed to the conference organising committee. Corey Markus co-led a panel exploring innovative sampling methods to improve community access. Oral presentations from Kelly Andrewartha and Nina Alternetti highlighted quality indicators and analytical performance in molecular testing. Read more
(Pictured L - R) Corey Markus, Nina Alternetti, Susan Matthews, Kelly Andrewartha
HDR CoP Coffee catch-up CMPH students had a chance to connect over coffee at the HDR Community of Practice Coffee Catch Up last week. The break from work was all the better with a free drink, thanks to FHMRI-RED |
Riverland Open Night in Renmark Flinders Open Night at Renmark drew over 20 attendees. Dean of Education Karen Lower and SARM students Ella McIntosh and Hilary Harrison shared insights into rural medical careers. |
Expressions of Interest
Expression of Interest: CMPH College Orientation Lead (Bedford Park only)
Expressions of interest are open for the CMPH College Orientation Lead (0.1 FTE) – a specialist role supporting student orientation and transition at Bedford Park. Working under the Dean of Education and within the CMPH educational leadership team, the role leads planning and delivery of student-focused orientation activities across
Semester 1 and 2, including Connect Week. This includes project management, marketing, event coordination and stakeholder engagement, in collaboration with central orientation teams and course coordinators. Please send a short paragraph outlining your interest in the role to cmph.deaned@flinders.edu.au. Submit before COB Friday, 22 August.
Events
- Thu 14 Aug: Medical Grand Round (12:15 - 1:30pm, Lecture Theatre 1, Lvl 5, FMC)
- Thu 14 Aug: Stronger Together: Building Collective Resilience
- Thu 28 Aug: FHMRI's Road to Research (Register for a stall here)
- Mon 1 Sep: FHMRI Inspiring Leaders Seminar (12:30pm, HMRB or online)
- Tue 9 Sep: MPH College Forum hosted by Lorraine Karunaratne: Overview of College Professional Services (2:30pm - 3:40pm)
- Wed 1 Oct: 2025 HERGA Conference, Bedford Park campus (register now)
Higher Degree by Research Milestone presentations (from 12:30pm Fridays)
In the Level 2 Seminar Area, Health and Medical Research Building, or online via Teams. Join the next presentations on Friday 15 August:
- Andrew Partington - ‘Early economic evaluation for the development and management of health services: an example from an Australian hospital network’
- Borislav Stoilov - ‘Scaffolds as an Approach for Skin Ulcers Treatment’
Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Consultation: Help Shape Our Stretch RAP
With our Innovate RAP now complete, Flinders is moving into the consultation phase for our Stretch RAP, to be launched in May 2026. This next stage, focused on ‘Embedding and Extending’, will guide our reconciliation efforts over the next three years. Staff are invited to contribute by attending one of the upcoming consultation sessions:
For those in Nhulunbuy, a session will be held on Thursday 14 August. Contact reconciliation@flinders.edu.au if you haven’t received an invitation. Your voice matters — help shape a more inclusive future.
(SEEDs Seminar) Promoting Causal Thinking: Emulating Trials with Observational Data
12 - 1pm, Thur 14 August, Hlth Sci Lec theater 1.08
Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) are often seen as the gold standard for causal inference, while observational studies are viewed as limited to showing associations. However, when carefully designed and analysed, observational studies can also produce strong causal evidence, particularly when trials are not feasible, ethical or affordable.
In this seminar, Murthy Mittinty will introduce the concept of “trial emulation” using observational data. He will demonstrate how applying structured frameworks and design principles can help observational studies achieve results that closely reflect those of RCTs.
3-Minute Thesis University Semi-Final (Thursday 14 August)
12 PhD students from across Flinders, including CMPH’s Stefano Zaccagnini (Alcohol: Beyond the empty glass) and Ruthy Canty (Tobacco in the Top End), will compete in the 3MT Semi-Final (2 - 4pm, Alere Function room) . Each will present their research in just three minutes using one slide. The top six will advance to the University Final on 29 August.
Stronger Together: Building Collective Resilience (Thursday 14 August)
12:30 - 2:30pm, HMRB Seminar Room 2 (Lunch provided)
This interactive workshop is led by Kathryn McEwen (Global Lead of Working with Resilience) and explores how care, connection and shared purpose can support wellbeing and team effectiveness. Gain practical strategies and take part in collaborative activities designed to build resilience within and across teams.
HDR and Postdoc Career Development Workshop (Wednesday 20 August)
10.30am, UniSA Bradley Building HB10-17
Join Adrian Liston from the University of Cambridge for a tailored career development workshop designed for postdoctoral researchers and HDR students. This small-group session (limited to 30 participants) will provide practical strategies for identifying career pathways, creating opportunities, and planning your progression within or beyond academia. Registration is essential – email kadie.tilley@unisa.edu.au.
Cancer Impact Seminar: Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors – The Tipping Point Between Response and Resistance
12–1pm (lunch + network 1 - 2pm) Thursday 21 August, Level 2 seminar space, HMRB. Speaker: Helen Rizos (Macquarie University). A leader in cancer cell and molecular biology, Helen explores treatment response and resistance in melanoma, head and neck cancer, and glioblastoma.
FHMRI Inspiring Leaders Seminar Series: Next seminar Monday 1 September
From 12:30 (lunch provided), Level 2 Seminar Rooms, Health and Medical Research Building. Join on Monday 1 September to hear from Inspiring Leader Grace Lidgerwood (Stem cell disease modelling, University of Melbourne). No need to register – livestream link is in the calendar invitation. Open to all disciplines, these seminars offer valuable insights for everyone. Nominate a speaker
Need to know
Flinders University Visiting International Research Fellowships - Open for Application
The Visiting International Research Fellowship provides funding to colleges to attract visiting international researchers (typically $5,000 to $15,000 (3-12 weeks)). Applications should be forwarded to cmph.research@flinders.edu.au by COB Friday 17 October. Download application and guidelines (as in previous years, Fellowships will be offered on a co-investment basis with the host College).
ADDI Collaboration Portal Now Live
The new Adelaide Drug Discovery Incubator (ADDI) Collaboration Portal has officially launched, offering researchers a dedicated online space to connect, share expertise, and access resources across disciplines and institutions. The platform is designed to support collaboration, streamline access to equipment, and boost research impact. All ADDI community members are encouraged to join. Join the Collabortation Panel
Vice-Chancellor’s Research Awards are now open: The Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Research celebrate excellence in research, impact and engagement across six categories. Applications close 5pm, Friday 30 August. Details and guidelines will be available on the Vice-Chancellor’s Research Awards page. |
2025 Reconciliation Awards:The Reconciliation Awards recognise individuals or teams contributing to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation, retention and success in higher education. Nominate by Monday 29 August: Nomination form. Rules and eligibility. |