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Update from the Dean Research and FHMRI Director
The weather is cooling, the democracy sausages have been consumed, and Flinders Health, Medical Research Institute (FHMRI) remains a hive of activity. This week, our researchers submitted 40 NHMRC Ideas grants. These grants fund innovation, new ideas and breakthroughs. They involve entire teams working for weeks, if not months, to write the high-quality application needed for funding. Our RDS team puts every effort into assisting the researchers with their applications. My sincere best wishes to all researchers, and I am grateful to RDS.
I would like to acknowledge the 10 FHMRI HDR students who have completed so far this year, and their supervisors for their excellent guidance. Sincere congratulations to: James Alexander Sallis (Master of Sc), Katharina Denk (PhD), Jai Meyers (PhD), Katherine Boschen (PhD), Harman Sharma (PhD), Anowarul Islam (PhD), Sue Bertossa (PhD), Rekha Gounden (Master of Surg), Alisha Guyett (PhD), Michael Couper (PhD). Congratulations also to FHMRI 2025 University HDR Student award winners – Lauren Newman: Research Impact Prize and VC’s Award for Doctoral Thesis Excellence, and Manam Inushi VC’s Award for Doctoral Thesis Excellence. Every student and supervisor exemplifies our values of supporting people and research excellence.
Finally, please note, if you are interested in research leadership, we are advertising for a new FHMRI-RED Lead. I would like to thank Amy Reynolds for the transformative work she has done in FHMRI leadership firstly as HDR Co-ordinator for 3 years and more recently as FHMRI-RED Lead. She has been an outstanding contributor and a delight to work with. I wish her all the best in bringing her ARC DECRA to life and continuing to have an impact in FHMRI.
Dean Research and Flinders Health, Medical Research Institute (FHMRI) Director, College of Medicine and Public Health
Reminder: Join the upcoming College forum on Tuesday 14 May
Join us on Tuesday 14 May, 1:30–2:30pm in Health Sciences Lecture Theatre 1.01 or online for the next CMPH Forum. This session will highlight outcomes from the Collaboration Catalyst Development Program projects, which supported staff to build stronger collaborative cultures through leadership development, group coaching, and teamwork.
Vale Professor Anthony Radford AM (1937-2025)
Prof Anthony Radford AM, Foundation Professor of Primary Care and Community Medicine at Flinders University (1974–1994), was a pioneer in medical education and global health.
Anthony brought experience from Papua New Guinea and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, later earning a Master’s from Harvard. At Flinders, he developed innovative curricula integrating general practice, public health, and behavioural science, and championed rural health, Aboriginal health, palliative care, and aged care.
After retiring, he continued global work with WHO, UNICEF, and NGOs in over 40 countries, and founded Intermed SA to support health education in low-resource settings. He authored over 250 publications and two memoirs. Appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2019, Anthony is remembered as a kind, generous and visionary leader whose legacy lives on through the many lives he touched. Vale Anthony.
Congratulations
Celebrating Teaching Excellence at the 2024 AAUT Awards
Flinders University was proud to celebrate our educators’ achievements at the 2024 Australian Awards for University Teaching (AAUT) ceremony, hosted by SANTPEN on Wednesday 7 May. The evening brought together teaching staff from across South Australia and the Northern Territory to recognise excellence in university education. Flinders' Voula Gaganis was honoured with an Award for Teaching Excellence, while the Anatomy Assessment Design Team (Dusan Matusica, Christine Barry, Rainer Haberberger, and Helen Anscomb) received a Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning. Flinders was well represented on the night, with academic staff and leaders including Vice-Chancellor (Students) Romy Lawson in attendance to support and celebrate the recipients.
Ben Ellul, lecturer in Anatomy and Pathology for the Riverland SARM Program, was officially awarded his PhD this week. Since joining the Renmark team earlier this year, Ben has quickly become a valued member of Flinders Rural and Remote Health—well regarded by students and colleagues alike for his dedication and positive approach. Congratulations, Ben, on this well-deserved achievement.
Out and About
New Paramedicine students begin hands-on training in the NT
Six new paramedicine students have kicked off their studies in Darwin with an intensive training session focused on managing cardiac arrests. Students learned vital skills including CPR, airway management, and patient assessment, while also meeting teaching staff and connecting with key partner St John Ambulance NT. They’ll complete their first clinical simulation exams in July and gain hands-on experience throughout the year via observer shifts with emergency services. Read more on the MPH Blog
Get to know your College
Fresh from doing media interviews on her latest research into the public health implications of zero-alcohol drinks, Ashlea Bartram, Senior Research Fellow at the National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA) took some time out to tell Flinders in Touch about her role, her evolving research and why her life is about to get even busier.
In touch with Ashlea Bartram
Expressions of Interest
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Project Officer, Curriculum Mapping (six-month secondment) We’re seeking a Project Officer to lead curriculum mapping across CMPH. This fixed-term role (full-time or part-time by negotiation, HEO7) will work closely with course coordinators to align content and assessment with learning outcomes, support curriculum improvements, and ensure quality assurance and accreditation compliance. Key strengths include experience in curriculum evaluation, stakeholder engagement, and strong analytical and project delivery skills. Applications close 9am, Monday 12 May. View Position Description and apply. For more information, contact Karen Lower. |
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Senior Manager, Technical Services (full-time continuing) Applications are invited from internal applicants for the continuing role of Senior Manager, Technical Services (HEO9) in the College of Medicine and Public Health. This senior leadership role is responsible for guiding technical operations across research and education, leading a high-performing team, and ensuring services align with strategic and operational goals. This position is based at Bedford Park (Kaurna Country). Applications close 10pm, Tuesday 20 May. View Position Description and apply. For more information regarding this position, contact Lorraine Karunaratne |
Apply now: Associate Professor/Senior Research Fellow (Practitioner Fellows)
Applications are now invited for two part-time (up to 0.5FTE), fixed-term (2 years) Practitioner Fellowships: Senior Research Fellow (Level C) and Associate Professor (Level D). These positions are designed for clinician researchers to dedicate time to research that is aligned with their discipline to enhance competitiveness for national funding.
- Open to qualified clinicians across Medicine, Public Health, Nursing, Midwifery, and Allied Health
- Strong track record in research and grant success required
- Supports research leadership and collaboration
Applications close 10pm (ACST), 21 May 2025. View full details and position descriptions. Contact Raymond Chan for more information.
FHMRI Researcher Education and Development (RED) Lead (or Co-Leads)
FHMRI invites expressions of interest for the RED Lead role. This 0.2FTE, fixed-term (2 years) position will commence 1 July 2025, with the option to appoint two Co-Leads (0.1FTE each). The RED Lead will be a member of the FHMRI leadership team and work closely with the CMPH HDR Coordinator to drive strategic research training and capacity-building across the Institute. Responsibilities include shaping and delivering researcher development programs, strengthening support for HDR supervision, mentoring ECRs, and enhancing alignment with FHMRI and University research priorities. The position is open to academic staff with experience and interest in research development, leadership, and mentoring. Applications close COB 30 May. For more information, contact Billie Bonevski or Amy Reynolds.
Events
Brandon Biocatalyst Translation Seminar #4
Join Christoper Burns at this free event as he shares his journey through the invention and development of momelotinib, a drug for treating myelofibrosis and approved by the US FDA in 2023. This journey follows an Australian biotech company developed momelotinib through the clinic, and follows acquisitions by pharma companies Gilead and GSK. In person only. Register here
10am - 11:30am, Monday 19 May, Adelaide Health and Medical Sciences building - The University of Adelaide
Pint of Science is back, turning pubs into pop-up science venues and serving cutting-edge research without the jargon. Head to The Wheatsheaf Hotel from 19–21 May, with doors opening at 6:30 pm and talks from 7:00 pm.
- Mon 19 May – Exploring the Cognitive, Creative & Depressive Processes of the Human Mind. Includes Mental Health on Tap: A Pint Talk for Blokes and Mates by Ian Zajac
- Tue 20 May – From the Macrocosm of the Universe to the Microcosm of Pain Perception. Includes (Green) Hydrogen – why and for what by Gunther Andersson
- Wed 21 May – Health in Focus: Maternity Care, Radiation Exposure & Genetic Alterations. Includes Supporting not Reporting by Lauren Lines
Scientific writing for publication in healthcare journals
ECRs (within 5 years post-PhD) and PhD students - extend your expertise in scientific writing for the purposes of publication in healthcare journals!
Facilitated by Jonathan Craig, Vice-President and Executive Dean of the College. Jonathan is also an editor/editorial board member of many specialist and epidemiological journals.
4x 90 minute sessions
- Week 1: Introduction and abstracts
- Week 2: Background and methods
- Week 3: Results – figures and tables
- Week 4: Discussion, replying to editors, wrap up
Dates (HMRB and online for the NT)
- 10am, Monday 23 June
- 10am, Monday 30 June
- 10am, Monday 7 July
- 10am, Monday 14 July
Find more information about the content and register here. (Registration is essential)
FHMRI Inspiring Leaders Seminar Series: next seminar Tuesday 1 July
12:30pm (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)
- Wed 24 Sep: Joseph Trapani – Cancer immunology (Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre)
- Wed 19 Nov: Fiona Blyth - Public health & pain epidemiology (University of Sydney)
Join FHMRI Inspiring Leader Seminars to hear international and national research leaders share their career journeys and research highlights. Open to all disciplines, these seminars offer valuable insights for everyone. Nominate a speaker
Save the date – the upcoming HERGA Conference 2025 is happening on 1 October at Bedford Park campus. Stay tuned for more details about the conference program, registration, and keynote speakers. For further information, visit the HERGA webpage
Need to know
College Finance Update: Research Queries
CMPH Finance is streamlining research finance communications. Please direct all research-related queries to cmph.finance@flinders.edu.au instead of Grants.Finance@flinders.edu.au.
This change reflects the College Finance team’s role in managing both research and general financial matters. A single contact point will reduce confusion and ensure more efficient responses, particularly for queries that span multiple funding types. Grants Finance will continue to monitor external funder communications, but all other queries should now go to cmph.finance@flinders.edu.au. Service One requests should continue as usual.
Update your qualifications for a chance to win! Academic staff: update your qualifications in Workday by 5pm (SA time), Friday 30 May and go in the draw to win one of four $100 VISA gift cards! Make sure to upload proof of your qualifications. Managers: Watch for Workday notifications—you’ll need to approve updates submitted by your staff.
Library Refurbishment Underway – Student-Centred Space Coming Soon A major refurbishment of Level 0 of the Central Library begins mid-June and will run through to September/October, transforming the space into a student-focused hub for entrepreneurial activity and support services. Once complete, the ground floor will house Flinders Connect, New Venture Institute (NVI), Student Learning Support Services, Library Services, and Flinders Academy, all integrated with improved access and informal learning areas. Student and staff communications are rolling out via socials, signage, and email. If you have any queries email shab.agah@flinders.edu.au |
The John Monash Scholarship - Applications for 2026 are now open. The John Monash Scholarship opened on 1 May and offers Australian citizens the opportunity to pursue postgraduate study (master’s or PhD) at world-class universities outside of Australia. With a stipend of $100,000 AUD per year for up to three years, the scholarship supports tuition, accommodation, and living expenses. Scholars also receive career support and leadership development through the John Monash Foundation. Applications close 30 June 2025, and further details can be found on the Flinders' Scholarships website. |
Funding Opportunity: Strengthening Health Systems – GACD Call Now Open
The Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases (GACD) funding call, supported by the NHMRC, invites implementation research proposals focused on strengthening health systems to reduce non-communicable disease impacts and improve equity in care—particularly in low- and middle-income countries or underserved populations (e.g. Indigenous groups). Key dates: Stage 1 proposal due: 16 June | Stage 2 (if shortlisted) due to GACD: 22 October | Final application due in Sapphire: 28 October. For details, contact cmph.research@flinders.edu.au.
Flinders University has been accepted to develop a Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), marking a major milestone in our commitment to reconciliation. Following two successful Innovate RAPs—delivering over 90% of planned actions—this next stage will deepen our efforts to build strong relationships, respect cultural knowledge, and create meaningful opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Consultation will begin in May 2025, alongside the Indigenous Workforce Strategy, ensuring staff and student voices are heard across the University. Read more on the FiT