News, Events and Highlights
News and highlights
Phil Hansbro in the News - March 1, 2013
Newcastle researchers have contributed to the discovery of a protein in the female reproductive tract that protects against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as chlamydia and herpes simplex virus (HSV).
Xu Dong Zhang & Rick Thorne in the News - February 27, 2013
The search for new pathways to treat melanoma has unearthed a molecular target that may play an important activation role in tumour growth, according to University of Newcastle researchers.
Phil Hansbro in the News
The race to develop urgently needed treatments for the deadly lung disorder Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), also known as emphysema, has been accelerated by new modelling developed by University of Newcastle researchers.
Grant Awarded - Congratulations to Nikola Bowden
Congratulations goes to Dr Nikola Bowden, recent recipient of a Priority-driven Collaborative Cancer Research Scheme grant for "Investigation of the nucleotide excision repair pathway for melanoma biomarkers", funded by the Cure Cancer Australia Foundation.
Recent NHMRC Successes
Congratulations to the following School members who were CIAs on successful NHMRC project grant applications: Jay Horvat, Eugenie Lumbers, Brett Graham, Jonathan Hirst & Rebecca Lim. Also congratulations to those who were chief investigators on University of Newcastle grants whose CIA is outside the school: Philip Hansbro (with Peter Wark), and Susan Hua and Roger Liang (with Roger Smith). Commiserations, as ever, to those that were not successful in this round.
Summer Scholarships now Open
The University of Newcastle and the School of Biomedical Sciences & Pharmacy are once again offering Undergraduate Summer scholarships for 2012/2013.
School Summer Scholarships - The School will once again support 10 x $1,000 scholarships over 8 weeks. Students enrolled in the Biomedical Science program will be eligible and we encourage all students interested in research to apply. Academic merit will still be a selection criteria.
If you have an academic you would like to work with in the their research laboratory over Summer please go directly to them to discuss a project. Do not put their name down in the application if you have not first contacted them.
Please be aware that a number of researchers who do not normally teach into the biomedical science program are usually keen to take students. Please go to our School web site to find out more about our staff.
Applicants are to apply online The closing date for School scholarships is the 2nd November 2012.
Garvan Signalling Symposium
Congratulations goes to Dr Matt Dun who recently won 'The Sydney Catalyst Translational Cancer Research Centre 'Best Cancer Related Poster'. This was an excellent meeting laden with international experts in cancer biology and cell signalling pathways and our own Nikki Verrills also presented.
PhD Student to represent NSW
PhD student Hock Tay recently won the GSK student presentation prize for NSW and will now represent NSW at the Australian finals at the AusBiotech 2012 Conference.
Congratulations to our Recent Graduates
In the recent University Graduations the school was again well represented by students venturing out with their testamurs clutched tightly in their hands, not the least of which was Leon Sokulsky who graduated with 1st Class honours in Biomedical Sciences and presented the Graduate Speech. There were 42 Biomedical students, 6 Biomedical Honours Students, 7 RhD Students and 63 Master of Pharmacy Students in total.
3 Minute Thesis Challenge
SBS&P Students have again placed in the top 3 in the University during the recent 3 Minute Thesis Finals. Congratulations goes to Daniel Beard a PhD (Human Physiology) Student with Dr Neil Spratt who came third with "Collaterals in the Brain: A potential New Treatment for Stroke".
Health Fusion Team Challenge
Congratulations to Sarah March a final year Pharmacy student who recently participated in the Health Fusion Team Challenge, representing the University who won 1st place in NSW
Rodney Scott in the News
Herald - Breast Cancer Grant Excites Researchers - 13 August 2012
The above article is copyright and cannot be directly linked. The text of the article can be read online by searching for Rodney Scott or "Breast cancer grant excites researchers" in the University's Library database at: http://0-search.ebscohost.com.library.newcastle.edu.au/login.asp?profile=ehost&defaultdb=n5h
Paul Foster awarded ANU Highest Degree
Laureate Professor Paul Foster has been awarded a Doctor of Science degree (D.Sc.) from the Australian National University at a ceremony on Friday July 13th, 2012. This is a particularly prestigious award given the Australian National University is ranked as one of the top 50 Universities in the world.
Nikki Verrills in the News
Improved Cancer Therapies On The Horizon - February 2 2012
University of Newcastle researcher Dr Nikki Verrills has been awarded a $360,000 grant to examine a potential new treatment for leukaemia patients.
Eugenie Lumbers in the News
University Trailblazers Saluted in Honours List - January 30 2012
Emeritus Scientia Professor Eugenie Lumbers was recognised for her service to the medical sciences in the fields of physiology and pharmacology as a distinguished researcher, academic and administrator. The internationally-respected authority on foetal and maternal processes has been involved in a range of research programs at the University’s Mothers and Babies Research Centre, particularly relating to the Indigenous community. One important aspect of her work has led to better understanding of the factors that impact in early life on the development of a healthy a kidney.
Neil Spratt in the News
Hypothermia Under Microscope for Stroke Treatment - January 4 2012
Dr Neil Spratt and his team, in the School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, have been awarded more than $422,000 from the National Health and Medical Research Council to determine the optimum amount of body cooling needed to reduce brain pressure, without inducing other side effects.
View School news archive
Seminar Series
Positions Available
Various Positions Available
Several positions (PhD student, graduate research assistant, post-doc) are available in Hubert Hondermarck’s group to work in the area of molecular and cellular biology of breast cancer, with a particular focus on the role of neurotrophins and their receptors in this pathology.
Preference will be given to individuals with qualification and experience in cell culture, methods in molecular biology such as RT-PCR and cell transfection, basic protein biochemistry such as Western-blot. A previous experience with, or exposure to proteomics or cancer cell biology or neuroscience would be an asset but not a requirement.
For further information please contact Hubert Hondermarck.
Casual Tutoring - School of Biomedical Sciences & Pharmacy
- Mail, addressed to: Tutoring Application, Teaching Support Unit, School of Biomedical Sciences & Pharmacy, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan NSW 2380, or
- Fax to 02 4921 7903, or
- Scan and return via email to Biomedsci-Admin@newcastle.edu.au
Current Clinical Trials & Health Studies
Volunteers needed for PULSE study
"Are you a bloke (or do you know a bloke) who needs to get fit and lose a few kilos?
The Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition is currently looking for men to volunteer for the PULSE study - a type 2 diabetes prevention program which aims to teach men the skills they need to lose weight, eat healthy and get fit.
To enquire please contact Elroy Aguiar on (02) 4985 4975 or PULSE-study@newcastle.edu.au"
Volunteers needed for Almond Study
We are searching for volunteers to take part in a study where I am looking into the health effects of consuming almonds. The study requires participation on 4 separate occasions where you will be consuming various forms of almond products. You will be reimbursed for your time on each occasion.
Please contact me Melinda Phang if you are interested or have any further questions (Melinda.Phang@newcastle.edu.au or 02 4921 5636).
Volunteers needed for study on exercise and depression
We are looking for young people with mild to moderate depression to participate in the Healthy Body Healthy Mind research trial of an exercise intervention for depressive illness. For further information and to find out if this study is for you please contact Ms Adriana Giles
Volunteers needed for study on diet and cardio-metabolic health
Are you aged 18 – 65 years with BMI>30 and would like to contribute to advances in nutrition & metabolism research? If so, then we would like to invite you to become a participant in our research study. The Nutraceuticals Research Group is looking into the effects of dietary fructose restriction on blood cholesterol, satiety hormones, insulin resistance and inflammation which are risk factors for developing diabetes and heart disease. For information on this study please contact Faizan Jameel.