“It is such an honour to be part of so many different people’s journeys to better hearing,” said Catherine.

The announcement of Catherine’s success speaks volumes about the importance of the cochlear implantation procedure in Australia – a country that harbours a historic perspective that cochlear implants are only for children, and not so much for adults.

“The cochlear implant is a modern miracle, allowing profoundly deaf children to learn to hear and speak. It is not only for children however, the cochlear implant helps adults throughout their lives to regain hearing and stay actively involved in work and their favourite activities. For the elderly, the implant can also return hearing, helping to minimise social isolation, depression and it may even reduce dementia.”

This milestone is another addition to Catherine’s many achievements, some of which include being the first female ear, nose and throat surgeon in Australia awarded the title of Clinical Associate Professor, for performing a cochlear implantation on the youngest patient in Australia, a three month old child, and for her expertise in many forms of implantable hearing devices.

In the future, Catherine would like to see an even greater enhancement of treatment strategies.

“I hope to see greater improvements in cochlear implant technology in the future, with even better outcomes and more people with hearing loss willing to embrace these wonderful medical inventions,” she concluded.

Learn more about Catherine’s clinical work and research.

The study originated from an idea proposed by the NSW Cancer Council scientist Dr Visalini Nair-Shalliker, and then was shaped by a team of Macquarie urologists and scientists, with Professor Howard Gurney in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences as principal investigator.

“Some forms of prostate cancer are very slow growing and rarely spread to other parts of the body and ideally should not be treated with aggressive surgery. Such patients are watched carefully on an ‘active surveillance’ program but 30 to 50 per cent progress and require a prostatectomy or radiotherapy,” said Howard.

“Preliminary evidence shows that the use of high dose vitamin D might slow cancer growth, and this study will test whether the use of high dose vitamin D in such patients will slow cancer growth and reduce the need for aggressive therapy,” he concluded.

The study will be coordinated by Macquarie University and will be undertaken in more than 10 centres throughout Australia with 120 patients.

Preliminary results are expected in about three years and, if positive, will trigger a larger international randomised study to prove the effectiveness of Vitamin D in this setting.

Dr Sonia Allan is Head of the Department of Health Systems and Populations in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Sonia was recently appointed by the Minister for Health in South Australia to review the changes to the Assisted Reproductive Treatment Act 1988 (SA).

We asked Sonia a number of questions about her professional background and expertise, and the opportunities and challenges for health that lie ahead.

What would be an ‘elevator pitch’ for your professional background and expertise?
I have a multi-disciplinary background in psychology, law and public health. I have worked in public and private health and legal sectors, as well as having been an academic for some years now. Broadly my expertise is in health law with a focus on how the law can affect health in positive and negative ways. I am also interested in when and how we should regulate new health and bio-technologies that raise ethical, social and/or human rights issues.

In this regard I have done much work in the area of assisted reproduction, including having conducted research into the legal feasibility of retrospective release of information to all donor conceived people about their donors, and advocating for the contact veto/preference system which has just been adopted in Victoria – a world first. I am currently leading the review of the South Australian Assisted Reproductive Treatment Act, having been appointed by the Minister of Health as an independent consultant.

Alongside all of this, I also have qualifications in education, and higher education teaching.

What lead you to your chosen career path?
Having worked in a variety of settings, I became a health law academic because it was challenging, intellectually stimulating, and placed me in a position that I felt I could effect positive change. I have done this through independent research, consultation, advocacy, public speaking, advising and making submissions to government, education, and more.

My career path has thus enabled me to bring together many of my interests, and reflects my desire to help others. It also reflects my belief that with good health and good education we can do so many things, and allows me to contribute to this in some way. Moving into the role I now have was really exciting as I saw the opportunity to bring my multi-disciplinary work and study together, to continue my research related to health law, and also to build something new educationally that can reach people from a variety of disciplines, and train them in public health. It’s exciting to think that they then may also impact upon health in a positive way, in whatever field they ultimately work in.

What attracted you to Macquarie?
I came to Macquarie initially having moved to Sydney for family reasons. I was immediately attracted to the presence of the hospital on campus, and made links with the then Australian School of Advanced Medicine, teaching into their professional practice and ethics program. When the opportunity arose to lead the new Department of Health Systems and Populations, I was really excited. I felt like I could be part of something innovative and new, and that the role would bring together all of my years of study, as well as my skills and experience. I was really attracted to the vision for the Macquarie University Health Sciences Centre, and what is being built in terms of a major health enterprise.

What do you see as the opportunities and challenges for health in the next five to 10 years?
We live in an age of technology and innovation. With this brings exciting discoveries, and new challenges. We will continue to have to consider the ethical, legal and social issues that arise alongside new health technologies and in collaboration with people from a variety of disciplines and the community. There is also opportunity to think and act more broadly, in a multi-disciplinary way, on how to prevent disease, improve quality of life, and achieve the best possible physical and mental health and well-being for all people throughout their life. The challenge in this regard is to find the right balance between focusing upon treating illness or disease, and preventing it in the first place.

We talk a lot about ‘patient-centred care’; perhaps we should also be talking more about ‘healthy people centred practices and societies’. Following on from this, we must continue to find ways to address the social determinants of health that exist locally, nationally, and globally.

A significant challenge to health and well-being of all people continues to be the conditions in which they are born, grow, work, live, and age, and the wider set of forces and systems shaping the conditions of their daily life.

The opportunity is therefore to implement broader social, environmental, economic, political, legal, and systems solutions that may create better living conditions for all people, and in turn better health. The above is and will continue to be particularly important in the age of ‘lifestyle diseases’, ageing populations, and globalisation.

Staff who have recently used the service would have noted the clinic service model has changed in 2016. The clinic is no longer bulk-billing all clients, but will provide a fee structure with the associated rapid Medicare rebate processes that represents excellent value to University clients.

While there has been some understandable disappointment about the changes, most clients have recognised the clinic must be financially sustainable in order to provide first-class medical care. Discounted services are still available to those with financial disadvantage, as well as for students, children and health concession card holders.

“Our vision is for the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and associated facilities, including the Hospital and associated clinics, to be integrated with, and responsive to, the needs of our communities,” says Clinical Director of Primary Care at Macquarie University, Professor Simon Willcock.

“While we will continue to provide the highest quality of care to patients who are unwell, current best-practice in health care recognises the need for effective primary care services that work with patients to maintain good health and prevent illness. We are proud to be able to offer a range of specialist and generalist practitioners and services to the members of the University and local communities.”

“I believe the location of the integrated clinic is a real advantage for staff, students and the broader local business and residential community,” continues Simon. “Our affiliation with the University through the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences encourages synergy between education, research and service delivery and we encourage new patients and feedback from existing patients as we continue to build a sustainable health centre that models world’s best practice health care.”

Find out more about the GP services on offer.

What’s involved
Volunteers will meet with physiotherapy students regularly to discuss their (volunteers) condition, how it affects them and how they interact with the health care system.

Although no direct treatment is provided, students over time will perform assessments of mobility and balance which may provide valuable information to the volunteer, their family and caregivers.

Students may also use assessment findings to suggest exercise and physical activity programs which will be tailored to the volunteer’s health goals and needs.

Volunteer now.

Academic promotions are an opportunity to recognise and reward the staff who have demonstrated and sustained excellence in the three elements of academic endeavour – teaching, research and community engagement.

To be considered for academic promotion, candidates must demonstrate that they meet the criteria of the level they seek promotion to and demonstrate that their all-round performance exceeds the expectations and criteria of their current level.

Congratulations to the following staff, in no particular order:

Lecturer

• Milena Gandy
• Vince Polito
• Wei Deng
• Robert Pfeifer
• Stephanie Russo
• Bingyang Shi
• Murray Taylor
• Daniel Ghezelbash

Senior Lecturer

• Michael Proctor
• Leanne Carter
• Lurion De Mello
• Meiting Lu
• Ying (Candy) Lu
• Sophia Su
• Dalbir Ahlawat
• Paul Formosa
• Saskia Kohnen
• Helen Little
• Justine Lloyd
• Lee Spitler
• Dale Tweedie
• Gregory Walkerden

Associate Professor

• Michael Batanin
• Ross Gordon
• Ayse Bilgin
• Matthew Bower
• Trevor Evans
• Diane Hughes
• Annabelle Lukin
• Kristian Ruming
• Paul Sheehan

Professor

• Dorrit Jacob
• Genevieve McArthur
• Nickolai Titov
• Shawkat Alam
• Brian Atwell
• Gillian Heller
• Phillip Taylor

Learn more about academic promotions.

Getting the student experience right is the biggest challenge that faces any university. The biggest part of this challenge is offering a learning and teaching program that is engaging and interesting, challenging, meaningful in the context of individual aspirations, and well matched to expectations.

And now, following endorsement from the Vice-Chancellor, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) are proud to release the Learning and Teaching Strategic Framework 2015-2020.

“Learning for the future sets a bold course for our learning and teaching, capturing the full potential of new technologies and changing landscapes but always keeping the capabilities of our graduates at the heart of all that we do,” says Professor Dowton, Vice-Chancellor “Our students remain our constant purpose, and this framework will help us provide each of them the greatest possibility for success in their studies.”

Developed in collaboration with the University community, Professor John Simons, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) says that “the Strategy presents an opportunity for Macquarie to build its reputation around excellent student experiences and outcomes.”

Presented in short-form, three key objectives capture a range of goals that, when combined, forms a connected learning community dedicated to the service of its students.

1. Provide connected, creative and innovative learning experiences.
2. Ensure deep, broad graduate capabilities through a connected curriculum.
3. Foster a culture that supports excellence.

“The strength of this strategy is assured by our dedicated staff, committed to achieving objectives across our community of faculties, departments, disciplines and partnerships,” says Professor Sherman Young, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching). “It highlights unique and valuable ways for every office, portfolio, department, and engages with the University’s educational mission.”

The long-form version of the strategy is anticipated for release in early 2016, detailing an implementation framework to further guide strategic planning.

Confident about this strategic approach to learning and teaching, John says: “The future is already here, and this is how we will distribute it. Macquarie will actively embrace and prepare to respond to the uncertainty that comes with life on the cutting-edge in the service of innovation and a more valuable experience for every student.”

Access a copy of the short-form Learning and Teaching Strategic Framework

• download a short-form PDF copy of the White Paper
• download a screen reader compatible version

A limited number of hard-copies are available. Request a copy by emailing pvclt@mq.edu.au

For Professor John Cartmill, Associate Dean, Clinical at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, it’s the integrated way of working at Macquarie University Health Sciences Centre (MUHSC) that will make all the difference to patients, students and staff. Here he shares his views on why our MUHSC is unique and what makes it a great place to work.

What makes MUHSC unique?
We offer a triad of excellence. We see that clinical excellence, research and learning all go hand in hand. And our centre is the only one of its kind in Australia.

We stand out because we have some of the nation’s best researchers, clinicians and academics working together to translate discoveries into best practice. That’s what will improve care. And we are absolutely committed to passing this on to the next generation of medical practitioners.

I believe you can’t provide excellent clinical care without research and teaching. We do a better job when there’s a student with us as well as when we are working closely with peers. Your performance is better when it is under a microscope.

What makes MUHSC’s clinical care world class?
We really do care. We seek to understand the patient’s experience and we do this by listening carefully and developing a relationship of trust.

And we always look for ways to do things better, bringing new ideas and evidence-based knowledge to the table. That’s what will guarantee our patients world class, innovative treatment.

What do you enjoy about working at MUHSC?
Your best practice can become my best practice. There’s a real collegiately. And having colleagues to share the experience with gives you the ability to bounce back the next day.

For example, I operate every Thursday with another colorectal surgeon, and many other Macquarie University Hospital’s surgeons also operate (cooperate) in pairs. When we are doing challenging cases, we are backing one another up, modeling this collegiality to our students and bringing out the best in one another.

This group practice model was one of the things that informed our approach for the clinic. We literally designed it into the clinic to the extent that we don’t have singleton offices. We have suites with a range of specialists.

In my clinic, we have colorectal surgeons, upper gastrointestinal surgeons, gastroenterologists and dieticians so that we can ask advice readily, cross refer and provide the best blend of treatment for patients from the most routine through to the most complex. Our specialists come together from across the city’s public institutions to work together at Macquarie and it is an absolute pleasure to be part of it. To practise together.

It’s this collaborative way of working that will give our patients the best outcomes.

The 2015 Research Australia Awards celebrate leaders who have made significant contributions to health and medical research in Australia.

“I am humbled and honoured that Research Australia has made this award. I would like to thank senior staff at Macquarie, who place their faith in me and my work, particularly Professor Patrick McNeil, the Executive Dean of Medicine, Professor Sakkie Pretorius, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor S Bruce Dowton,” says Professor Braithwaite.

“Awards such as this are not really about the efforts of one person. Modern research is about collaborations. I am proud of my team of dedicated researchers at the Centre for Healthcare Resilience and Implementation Science who contribute fantastic research to improve health systems here and around the world, and the creative force of researchers in our larger research grouping, the Australian Institute of Health Innovation,” he concluded.

The Research Australia Awards are presented across the categories of discovery, advocacy, philanthropy and lifetime achievement, and this is only the second year that health services research has been recognised.

Professor Sakkie Pretorius, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) says the funding would contribute to advancements in managing some of the globe’s most pressing health matters.

“These grants accelerate our ongoing research contribution to the treatment and management of dementia, anxiety, depression, motor neurone disease, melanoma and aged care. These grants will continue our commitment to conducting research with world-changing impact.”

The successful projects include:

• Nano-shuttles to deliver drug cargos across the blood-brain barrier

Title: New nanoparticle strategies for efficient delivery and controlled release into the brain
Chief Investigator: Dr Bingyang Shi; Medicine and Health Sciences
Funding Scheme: NHMRC Peter Doherty Early Career Fellowship ($314,644)

A key challenge for treating neurodegenerative diseases is delivery of drugs across the blood–brain barrier (BBB). This project will develop advanced “nanoshuttles” to systematically investigate the BBB penetration mechanisms and near-infrared drug controlled release strategy. These delivery systems may facilitate diagnosis of brain diseases and on-demand release of drug cargos to diseased cells in the brain, offering the potential of a brand new localised therapy for brain diseases.

“The NHMRC Peter Doherty fellowship is prestigious with other top scientists previously supported by this fellowship, such as Professor Roger Chung and Professor Ian Blair. This fellowship encourages me to be a top researcher and make important contributions to medical and public health based on my unique knowledge and skills,” says Bingyang.

• A collaborative approach to improve patient safety

Title: Delivering safe and effective test result communication, management and follow-up
Chief Investigator: Associate Professor Andrew Georgiou; Medicine and Health Sciences, Australian Institute of Health Innovation
Funding Scheme: Partnership Projects ($883,358)

The failure to follow up test results is a major area of patient safety concern. This proposal is based on a collaboration between Macquarie researchers, the South Eastern Area Laboratory Services and the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. The proposal aims to improve patient safety by establishing effective, safe test result management systems using evidence-based practice, sophisticated health IT, and through engagement with consumers.

“The NHMRC partnership grant will enable our research team at the Centre for Health Systems and Safety Research at the Australian Institute of Health Innovation, to address issues related to the failure to follow-up patient test results in hospitals, and build effective solutions to enhance the quality and safety of patient care,” says Andrew.

• Treating the severe impact of social anxiety on our youth

Title: Increasing the efficacy of treatment for socially anxious youth through theoretically derived improvements
Chief Investigator: Professor Ronald Rapee; Human Sciences, Centre for Emotional Health
Funding Scheme: Project Grant ($971,747)

Social anxiety has a severe impact on young people. Although we have good treatments for most forms of youth anxiety, those used to treat youth social anxiety, are least effective. Better targeted treatments for socially anxious young people are needed. This project will determine the critical factors of successful treatment that are required to develop more efficacious therapies for the management of social anxiety in youth.

• Unlocking paralysis in motor neuron disease

Title: The role of mutant cyclin F in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Chief Investigator: Associate Professor Ian Blair; Medicine and Health Sciences
Funding Scheme: Project Grant ($1,012,933)

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as motor neuron disease, MND) is characterised by rapid paralysis leading to death within two to five years of onset. There are no effective diagnostic tests or treatments. Confusion remains around the primary cause of paralysis. We recently discovered ALS gene mutations that disrupt normal nerve function, a process known as abnormal protostasis. This gives us a unique opportunity to unlock the primary cause of paralysis and develop animal models of ALS.

“This NHMRC project grant will support our study of a unique disease gene, which we hope will unlock the primary cause of paralysis that underlies motor neuron disease,” says Ian Blair.

• Increasing access to mental health treatment

Title: Increasing access to effective psychological treatment for Australians with chronic physical disease
Chief Investigator: Dr Blake Dear; Human Sciences
Funding Scheme: Project Grant ($605,627)

Chronic physical diseases have a profound impact on Australian lives. The rates of anxiety and depression among Australians with chronic physical diseases are very high. However, less than one in five access any mental health treatment and, of those, less than one in two receive an effective psychological treatment. This project combines two significant innovations with the goal of increasing access to effective mental health treatment for Australians with chronic physical disease.

“This important NHMRC grant will enable our team to continue our work trying to increase access to effective psychological treatment for Australians with chronic health conditions,” says Blake.

• Personalising melanoma treatment

Title: Manipulating oncogene addiction and immunity in the treatment of melanoma
Chief Investigator: Professor Helen Rizos; Medicine and Health Sciences
Funding Scheme: Research Fellowship ($687,975)

Melanoma is a major Australian health problem and a common cause of cancer death in young adults. Treatment of melanoma has been revolutionised in the last few years, but many patients fail to respond to new therapies or rapidly progress on treatment. This proposal examines the mechanisms that drive resistance to therapy and identifies markers predictive of clinical response. This approach will accelerate the development of new strategies and improve patient care by personalising treatment.

“This NHMRC fellowship is focused on a new multi-platform analysis of patient tissue collected before and during therapy and unique 3D cell models of melanoma. The aim is to identify targetable mutations and novel therapy combinations that will improve outcomes for patients with melanoma,” says Helen.

• Improving the safety of medicines used in Australian aged care homes

Title: Improving quality use of medicines in residential aged care
Chief Investigator: Dr Lisa Pont; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Australian Institute of Health Innovation
Funding Scheme: TRIP Fellowship ($175,303)

Traditionally, antipsychotic medicines have been used to manage challenging behaviours in dementia. Yet research has shown these medicines have limited usefulness and are associated with increases in falls, stroke and death. Despite this, they are still commonly used. In this TRIP fellowship, the research team aims to evaluate the sustainability and generalisability of a multicomponent model to reduce the use of antipsychotics for managing dementia-related behavioural issues in residential aged care facilities.

“This NHMRC fellowship will enable me to continue my work on improving the safety of how medicines are used in Australian aged care homes,” says Lisa.

Across Australia more than $600 million in NHRMC funding was awarded to support 836 new research grants. The Minister for Health The Hon. Sussan Ley said: “This $630 million investment will enable our world-class and internationally-recognised researchers to develop the new treatments of the 21st century and beyond.”

Congratulations go to each of our teams for this excellent outcome. For the full list of grants, see the NHMRC website.