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Update from the Dean of People and Resources
As we conclude another busy semester, I would like to thank everyone for your ongoing contributions and extend a warm welcome to our new colleagues who have recently joined CMPH across our campuses. We are continuing to enhance our induction and onboarding processes, and your feedback is important in helping us improve these experiences.
I would also like to acknowledge the recent Rural GP Supervisors Workshop, held last week as part of the SARM program. This event played an important role in supporting and strengthening our clinician supervisors, both staff and affiliates, which is vital to the continued success of the MD program. Thank you to James Padley and his team for their leadership in driving these efforts forward.
Finally, I want to draw your attention to the Collaboration Catalyst Development Program, which will now be offered in an online format. This program is designed to enhance collaboration and leadership skills across the college and is open to all staff involved in teaching who wish to further their academic development. There is no formal EOI process; please follow this link to express your interest. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to develop your skills and engage with colleagues across the college.
Dean (People and Resources), College of Medicine and Public Health
Welcome
We’re pleased to welcome Wendy Taleo (Learning Designer) to the Learning and Teaching Innovation team. She supports MPH across a range of learning and teaching activities, including engaging with the Dean of Education to identify priorities, leading discussions on authentic assessment and generative AI with RRH staff, reviewing micro-credentials in Canvas, and supporting Topic Coordinators to prepare Semester 2 topics in Flinders Online Learning.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Martha Menburu, recipient of the $50,000 Dr Sarah Barlow Bowel Cancer Foundation Research Grant. Her project, in collaboration with Erin Symonds and Renee Smith from the South Australian Genomics Centre, will develop a microbiome-based test to better predict bowel cancer risk in young adults—supporting early detection and prevention. |
Congratulations to Amelia Ong Suet Ting on her appointment as a 2025 StudyAdelaide Student Ambassador. Originally from Malaysia and studying the Bachelor of Clinical Science/Doctor of Medicine, Amelia brings a warm and enthusiastic voice to the international student community. Amelia will help showcase international student life in Adelaide and Flinders on a global stage. |
Out and About
Presenters L to R: James Padley, Peter Stuart, Patrick Burgon, Kishan Pandithage, Tshokey Tshokey, Peter Michelmore, Sally Nelson, Larissa Taylor, Sophie Hamilton, and Natalie Payne
GP Supervisors Gather at Bedford Park for a Day of Rural Medical Education
Rural GP supervisors from across South Australia came together at Bedford Park last week for the 2025 Supervisors Workshop, part of the SARM Program. The day featured hands-on clinical simulations, rural care updates, and practical teaching strategies, with a strong focus on student wellbeing and culturally informed supervision. The event highlighted the vital role rural educators play in shaping future doctors, and concluded with a networking dinner supported by the Flinders Regional Training Hub. Read more on the MPH Blog
Flinders at the Lowitja Institute International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference
Several Flinders University staff attended the Lowitja Institute’s 4th International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference—Strong, Fearless, Together—held this month. The event brings together a global audience committed to improving the health and wellbeing of Indigenous peoples through transformational research and Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing. The conference honoured the legacy of Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue AC CBE DSG and provided an important space for sharing ideas, connecting with international colleagues, and celebrating Indigenous-led research. Flinders’ strong presence at the event reflected our ongoing commitment to advancing Indigenous health in Australia and beyond.
Get to know your College
Lavender Otieno is an Early Career Research Fellow in the Trauma and Injury research group at FHMRI. Her research aims to reduce health inequities through culturally informed early intervention programs. She also manages the current development of Australia's first public health and clinical data platform. Curious, creative, and committed to real-world impact, Lavender brings energy and insight to everything from injury prevention research to playing piano and hiking. Read more about her journey and advice for aspiring researchers
Expressions of Interest
Collaboration Catalyst: Virtual Development Program (application deadline extended)
Following the success of the first program, Dean of Education, Karen Lower is excited to announce the launch of an Online Collaboration Catalyst Development Program, designed specifically for uplifting collaborative and leadership capacity in our college across our entire footprint. This program offers an opportunity for you to enhance your professional skills, drive your personal growth, and contribute to our continued collective success in education at the college. The program is designed for CMPH teaching specialists and balanced staff members who are heavily involved in teaching and who are located at any site across Australia.
If you're curious, have questions, or would like to hear more from someone who took part in the first round, we encourage you to reach out. You’re also very welcome to contact Karen for a conversation about whether the program might be right for you. Submit your expression of interest by COB Friday 27 June.
Events
- Thursday 26 June: Medical Grand Round, 12:15 - 1:30pm, Lecture Theatre 1, Lvl 5, FMC
- Friday 27 June: SAGC and FHMRI presents: Bioinformatics workshopNextflow vs Snakemake (Learn more or register)
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Inaugural Adelaide Bioconductor Meetup 3pm - 4:30pm, Wednesday 25 June, University of Adelaide Join local Bioconductor users and developers for an informal meetup to connect, and learn. Lachlan Baer (Uni of Adelaide) will share insights from developing tadar during his PhD, and Stevie Pederson will lead a discussion on accessing community expertise and supporting one another. |
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The Power of Protection: IP Essentials for Pharmaceutical and Life Science 11am - 1pm, Friday 27 June, University of Adelaide ADDI have invited Flinders staff and students to attend a free intellectual property (IP) session with a focus on pharmaceuticals and life sciences. Attendees will also have an opportunity to submit questions prior to the event (as well as during the Q&A session on the day). Light lunch provided. |
FHMRI Inspiring Leaders Seminar Series: Next seminar - Tuesday 1 July
12:30 (lunch provided), Level 2 Seminar Rooms, Health and Medical Research Building. No need to register – livestream link is in the calendar invitation
- Tue 1 Jul: Lezanne Ooi - Neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration (University of Wollongong)
- Mon 28 Jul: Peter van Wijngaarden - Ophthalmic neuroscience (Florey Institute)
- Mon 1 Sep: Dr Grace Lidgerwood – Stem cell disease modelling (University of Melbourne)
- Wed 24 Sep: Joseph Trapani – “Small molecule inhibitors of lymphocyte perforin as focused immunosuppressants for auto-immune and post-infectious immunopathologies” (Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre)
- Wed 29 Oct: Laura Downie – Optometry & vision science (University of Melbourne)
- Wed 19 Nov: Fiona Blyth - Public health & pain epidemiology (University of Sydney)
- Mon 8 Dec: Thomas Cox – Matrix and metastasis (Garvin Institute of Medical Research)
Open to all disciplines, these seminars offer valuable insights for everyone. Nominate a speaker
Sustainability Master Class – 8 July (City campus)
Staff are invited to attend the upcoming Sustainability Master Class from 9am to 1pm on 8 July, part of the University’s 2030 Sustainability Strategy. The session will explore how research can inform sustainability policy and is relevant to researchers across all disciplines. Enrol now
3MT (Three Minute Thesis) Competition 2025. HDR supervisors - encourage your students to polish their presentation skills for their milestones & conferences, and have the chance to win cash prizes! Register now. Key Dates:
- Recorded info session: learn what 3MT is about and hear from ‘24 winner
- Practice sessions: June and July -refine your presentation with feedback
- Registrations close: 11 July
- CNHS + CMPH Heat: 23 July
Are you looking to recruit honours, masters or PhD students? FHMRI’s annual Road to Research (11:30am - 1pm, Thursday 28 August) student recruitment event is an opportunity to showcase your research to potential students and capture their interest in joining your research team. Potential supervisors are invited have an interactive display or activity to demonstrate your research to a range of prospective students and spark conversations. Examples have included origami from protein folding researchers, and standard drink pouring from NCETA. Register your interest by Friday 25 July.
Need to know
2025 Promotions Closing Dates. A reminder that applications for Promotions must be submitted via Service One and with your supervisors by 12:00 pm on the following dates:
- Promotion to Level B or Level C - Thursday 17 July
- Promotion to Level D or Level E - Thursday 7 August
Reminder for Researchers: Sunset Clause and Research Investment Fund Expenditure
In 2024, the DVCR determined that the Sunset Clause (previously allowing unspent URB funds to carry forward for up to 12 months) would be discontinued. As a result, all USF and URB funds must be fully expended by 31 December 2025, in line with agreed funding timelines.
If you do not expect to fully expend your 2025 funds by the deadline, a rephasing request with clear justification must be submitted. All rephasing requests must be approved by your Dean of Research before submission to the DVCR. To allow adequate time for review, requests should reach your DOR by 15 July. Approved requests must be submitted to the DVCR by 30 July. Please note: Rephasing may not be considered for minor unspent amounts (generally less than $10,000).
As a recipient of USF and URB funding, it is your responsibility to ensure timely expenditure. If you have questions about your actual or planned expenditure or need guidance on preparing a rephasing request, contact College Finance. College Finance may contact you shortly to confirm your funds will be spent as planned or to discuss whether rephasing may be required. Please prioritise responding to these emails to avoid any risk of losing unspent funds.
Final reminder: Round 2 CMPH Travel Schemes applications close Friday 27 June
The College is accepting travel applications for academic and professional staff travelling between August 2025 – January 2026. Support is available for domestic and international travel for conferences and professional development opportunities. Full details of the schemes and links to the online applications can be found on the CMPH staff website. Deadline for Round 2 applications is 5pm, Friday 27 June. Please forward any enquiries to cmph.operations@flinders.edu.au
Work Health & Safety Focus for June: Slips, Trips & Falls
Slips, trips and falls account for around 35% of all incidents at Flinders, often due to uneven surfaces, stairs, wet entryways and inattention, particularly in winter. Help prevent incidents by:
- Taking care on ramps, stairs and wet surfaces—use handrails.
Avoiding distractions like mobile phones while walking.
Sticking to designated paths.
Reporting hazards (damaged flooring, poor lighting) via ServiceOne.
Keeping walkways clear and cleaning up spills promptly.
Using signage for wet floors.
Undertaking regular workplace inspections to identify hazards.
Using trolleys to transport items instead of carrying them.
Want more information? Check out the preventing slips, trips and falls training short video in SafetyHub or contact whs@flinders.edu.au.
New Menopause Guidelines and Toolkits Launched
Flinders is strengthening its commitment to staff wellbeing with the launch of new menopause resources to support awareness, reduce stigma, and foster an inclusive workplace. Now available:
A Menopause at Work webpage with training, guides, and Teams links
Support guides and conversation toolkits for staff and supervisors
Two dedicated Microsoft Teams spaces for resource sharing and discussion
These initiatives form part of Flinders’ journey to becoming an accredited Menopause Friendly Organisation.
HTSA Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Catalyst Grant Scheme
This scheme is coordinated by HTSA and provides targeted funding to collaborative research projects that address health system needs in South Australia and ultimately increase SA’s success at winning MRFF funding. Funding streams:
- Stream A: Improving health outcomes for people living with chronic conditions
- Stream B: Maternal/Paediatric health and wellbeing
- Stream C: Cancer
Amount: $20,000 - $60,000 | Closing date: 14 July. Please inform the NHMRC grants team and CMPH RDS team of your intent to apply at nhmrc@flinders.edu.au and cmph.research@flinders.edu.au. More information
Reminder: Complete the 2025 Improving Flinders Staff Services Survey
The 2025 Improving Flinders Staff Services Survey is now open until Monday 30 June. Your anonymous feedback helps shape better services and supports across the University. Participants can go in the draw to win one of 15 great prizes—including an overnight stay at the Oval Hotel, or meal vouchers to top local restaurants like Fugazzi and Golden Boy!
New resource: Supporting grief and bereavement in clinical care. A new short video from the End-of-Life Essentials project at Flinders offers practical and compassionate strategies to help healthcare professionals respond to grief and bereavement — with patients, their families, and themselves. Watch the video