Th i s y e a r ’s Fe d e r a l B u d g e t a f f i r m e d t h eCommonwealth Government’s recognition of the

exceptional value of investing in health and medicalresearch, allocating funds for research project,infrastructure and fellowship support, and raising theNHMRC funding base to over $700 million by 2010.ASMR can be justifiably proud of its tireless advocacy— it’s been at the forefront of a multi-layered campaign,both in and out of the public arena that paid off on May9. High level interactions were underpinned by aconcerted “grass roots” campaign in which you — asASMR members, friends and affiliate members — tookthe time to sit down with your local federal politicianand explained the case for increased funding of the“golden egg”,eye-to-eye.The Budget announcement willhelp health and medical researchers build upon previousgains, and turn both curiosity — and priority-drivenresearch into new medicines and treatments,with flow-on health, social and economic returns, nationally andabroad. It also complements the recent visionaryinjections of funding and critical infrastructure supportin states like Victoria (the “Healthy Futures” initiative)and Queensland (“Smart State”initiative).Investment inhealth and medical research is vital and should be aprioritised continuum for any government in thedeveloped world. The reality is that it costs money tomaintain excellence in research,and society unarguablybenefits from this “golden egg”.Even with this increasedinvestment,which kicks off in 2007,the National Health

and Medical Research Council has received close to3000 project grant applications this year,which may wellhave a serious impact on success outcome.Mechanismsof perpetually increased funding for health and medicalresearch therefore should be explored and debated.Aristotle summed it up nicely : “We are, what werepeatedly do.Excellence,then,is not an act,but a habit”.GRP deliberations under NHMRC’s new grants evaluationsystem are presently under way.

The NHMRC is currently in the process of restructuringand is now a statutory body, which strengthens itsindependence and facilitates clear lines of responsibilityfor governance and financial accountability. On yourbehalf, I again congratulate Professor Michael Good,director of the Queensland Institute of Medical Researchon his recent appointment as Chair of the NHMRC,andProfessor James Best from the University of Melbourneas Chair of NHMRC Research Committee. ProfessorsGood and Best are three of 19 members of Council forthe next three years,effective July 2006.Other membersof Council include Professor Colin Masters,who will chairthe National Health Committee, Professor Ron Trent,who will head the Human Genetics Advisory Committee,and Professor Jock Findlay,a former President of ASMR,who leads the Embryo Research Licensing Committee.It is also great to see that two ASMR Past Presidents,Bronwyn Kingwell and Matt Gillespie,will sit on the newNHMRC Research Committee which has amongst itsmembers 2006 Australian of the Year Professor Ian

August 2006

in this issue

President’s Report 1August 2006

Celebrating Health 2and Medical Researchin Australia

ASMR Medical 4Research Week® 2006

State Awards 6

The Australian 8Twin Registry

The 3rd Australian 9Health & MedicalResearch Congress

Commonwealth 10Health Minister’s Award

Prof. David de Kretser 10Appointed Governorof Victoria

Dr El-Osta — 10Winner of the2006 Amgen Award

Australian 11Biomedical ScientistWins Top UK Award

Clinician Researchers 11and ASMR

Professor Berkovic Receives 2005Curtin Medal

The AustralianSociety for

Medical Research145 Macquarie Street,

Sydney NSW 2000

ACN 000599235 · ABN 18000599235

Ph: 02 9256 5450Fax: 02 9252 0294

Email: asmr@world.net Web: www.asmr.org.au

Newsletter Editor-in-Chief,Dr Gilda Tachedjian

Print Post Approved

25500300067

ASMR

Past and Present

Presidents

Celebrate

Budget Result

at ASMR MRW®

Dinner in

Melbourne.

From left to right:

Levon Khachigian

(2006),

Bronwyn Kingwell

(2005),

Andrew Sinclair

(2004),

Moira Clay (2003).

President’s Report August 2006

William (Bill) R. Brinkley, Ph.D2006 ASMR MedalistSenior Vice Presidentfor Graduate Sciences.Dean, Graduate School ofBiomedical Sciences,Baylor College of Medicine, Houston

It is an honor and privilege to be selected by ASMRas the 2006 Medalist and to be invited to tour this

remarkable nation and speak on behalf of Health andMedical Research (HMR). I am especially grateful toProfessor Levon Khachigian, distinguished Presidentof ASMR,and his outstanding team,for their wonderfulhospitality during my visit. I would also like to honorand acknowledge all previous ASMR Medalists whohave come before me through the words of Sir IsaacNewton,“If I have seen further than others,it is by standingupon the shoulders of giants.”

In this presentation,I would like to address two importantissues:(1) The present and future role of HMR in Australia,

and (2) why countries like America and Australia need

to develop an effective “Science Policy” that would

stabilize research funding needed to attract and retain

our best and brightest young stars into science.

As one reviews recent advances in Australia,it is obvious

that the country ranks public health and medical care

among its highest priorities.ASMR,Research Australia

and AAMRI have played, and will continue to play, a

critical role by garnering support for basic and clinical

research programs needed to foster Australia’s rise to

prominence and world leadership in science.Recently,

the Australian government sent a clear message to this

effect by naming Professor Ian Frazer as the 2006

Australian of the Year for pioneering work in the

development of cervical cancer vaccines.Other medical

researchers have been so honored in previous years.

Australia has produced six Nobel Prize winners,

including your most recent, Professors Barry Marshall

and Robin Warren, who shared the 2005 Prize in

Medicine and Physiology.

Celebrating Health and Medical Research in Australia:A Renaissance for Discovery and Opportunity

august 2006 2

Frazer. Professor Warwick Anderson, who formallypresented Bill his ASMR Medal,commenced his positionas the new NHMRC CEO during ASMR Medical ResearchWeek®.Warwick has kindly agreed to write for us in thenext issue of the Newsletter. We wish Professors JohnShine and Judy Black,as outgoing Chairs of the NHMRCCouncil and Research Committee,respectively,the verybest as they pass on the batons.

ASMR in June held another highly successful MedicalResearch Week®, a week that brought the benefits ofhealth and medical research to all Australians throughvibrant public, political and scientific advocacy. ASMRMedallist Professor Bill Brinkley helped celebratethroughout the week the critically-needed increasein health and medical research funding announcedin the Federal Budget. To all members and friends ofASMR that par t icipated in the Week throughorganisational roles running dinners, expos andcommunity lectures, cinema events, scientific“showcase”meetings,careers sessions and professionaldevelopment programs, or by attending one or moreof these functions, I thank you for your support. I wantespecially to acknowledge the strong leadership of allour State Convenors (Mike McGuckin, BeverlyMuhlhausler, Melanie Bagg, Andrew Buckle, CraigFreeman,Jeff Craig,Steven Mutsaers,Sharyn Pope and

Alan Champion) as well as the remarkable talents ofAlison Butt (ASMR Medical Research Week® Convenor),Peter Eastwood (Co-ordinator State Committees),CathWest (Executive Office) and Maree Overall (ASN Events).

The second half of the year will see ASMR realise anumber of new initiatives, including an importantworkforce survey we’ve professionally commissioned.Information gained from this will be used in efforts tobetter understand and improve career structure andconditions of health and medical researchers.We havealso been working on an innovative FASEB-style web-based Member Directory,the establishment of a panelof ‘National Treasures’of health and medical researchers,and an equally-influential ‘Friends of ASMR’ groupdrawing on advocates from the wider community.

Finally, I’d encourage all researchers to attend the 3rdAustralian Health and Medical Research Congresswhich will be held in Melbourne in November,featuringthe latest outstanding research from 2–3 thousandscientists and clinicians,representing around 30 separatesocieties, providing a perfect opportunity for ‘beyondthe square’ ideas and conceptual cross-fertilisation.

With warmest wishes,Professor Levon Khachigian,ASMR President

Perhaps the most exciting development was thedecision made by the Australian government in Mayof 2006,to allocate an additional $905 million for HMR,an outstanding achievement that will again doublethe NHMRC funding base from its current level of $400million per year. Collectively, these accomplishmentsindicate that Australia’s political leaders regard HMRas a national asset.Moreover,a clear message has beensent to the rest of the world that Australia values thehealth of its citizens and understands the economicimportance of investment in HMR. Further, yourinvestment in medical research has already begun tob e a r s i g n i f i c a n t e c o n o m i c f r u i t . T h e A S M Rcommissioned Access Economics Report revealedthat for each Australian dollar invested in medicalresearch,there is 5–8 dollar return to the economy.Thisratio will continue to improve if future investments fromboth government and private industry are maintained.

Ironically, as we have learned in America, success inacquiring government funding for research also makes

one’s advocacy mission vulnerable. In 2003, the U.S.completed a successful five-year campaign to doubleNIH funding (see Figure 1).Although the “doubling”ofthe NIH budget was a great victory for the health ofour citizens and created optimism and remarkablepotential for our researchers,the lack of a rational planto stabilize the build-up in subsequent years hasresulted in precipitous drop in awards and essentially,a “de-doubling” of the NIH budget (see Figure 2). Iencourage all of our policy makers to seek and establisha more rational “science policy” that will secure ourcountries’ leadership, and the future for our best andbrightest scientists.

With a more stable investment in medical research,our countries can retain leadership and bring betterhealth and prosperity to our own citizens and to thepeople of the world. Our two nations have long beenallies in times of war and peace; may we remain alliesin the greatest war of all — the war on disease.Thankyou for this remarkable honor. ●●●asmr

3 august 2006

Prof. Brinkley addresses the National Press Club in Canberra during ASMR MRW®

FY 2007 budget for NIH would result in a 1% cut— the first in 30 years

Number ofnew and

competingresearch

projectgrants.

NIH funded640 fewer

grants in 2005

Year

Figure 1 Figure 2

Calender3rd Australian Health &Medical ResearchCongress26 Nov – 1 Dec, 2006Melbourne ConventionCentrewww.ahmrcongress.org.au

NSC 2007Tissue Remodelling11 – 14 November, 2007The Carrington Hotel,Blue Mountains, NSW

International DiabetesFederationDiabetes in IndigenousPeople Forum13 – 15 November , 2006Melbourne Exhibition Centre

2006 Society forReproductive BiologyAnnual ScientificConference20 – 23 August, 2006Gold Coast Convention Centrewww.srb.org.au/annual_meeting.htm

18th Annual Conferenceof the AustralasianSociety for HIV Medicine11 – 14 October, 2006Carlton Crest, Melbournewww.ashm.org.au/conference

19th Annual ScientificMeetings of theAustralasian SleepAssociation (ASA) &Australian SleepTechnologistsAssociation (ASTA)5 – 7 October, 2006 Burswood Resort, Perthwww.sleepaus.on.net

11th InternationalCongress of HumanGeneticsBrisbane Convention &Exhibition Centre6 – 10 August, 2006Brisbanewww.ichg2006.com

Huntington Diseasesatellite meetingRadisson Gold CoastAugust 4-5 2006www.huntingtons2006.com

Dr Alison Butt,National ASMR MRW® Convenor andAssociate Professor Peter Eastwood,Coordinator of State Committees

ASMR Medical Research Week® is the society’smajor public outreach event of the year,

promoting community understanding and supportfor health and medical research across Australia.Thisyear’s ASMR Medical Research Week® was a hugesuccess, with record numbers of researchers andmembers of the public joining together to celebrateAustralian health and medical research. A specialthanks to our State Convenors (South Australia:BeverlyMuhlhausler & Melanie Bagg; Queensland: MikeMcGuckin;New South Wales:Andrew Buckle;ACT:CraigFreeman; Victoria: Jeff Craig; Western Australia: StevenMutsaers & Sharyn Pope; Tasmania: Alan Champion)and their committees for all the hard work that wentinto organising the week’s events.

Public outreach events included‘bringing the lab to the public’with Medical Research Expos inRundle Mall and FederationSquare,public lectures in Adelaideand Launceston,and the ‘Sciencein the Cinema’ event in Sydney.There were also many initiativesfor school students with the verypopular rural schools program

continuing in South Australia,careers lecture tours andseminars in Victoria and NSW, and an online ASMRMedical Research Week® Quiz in Victoria and Queensland.

Those already engaged in medical research had anopportunity to showcase their work with successfulscientific meetings and symposia across the country.Highlights included the 2006 Australian of the Year,Professor Ian Frazer who delivered the Plenary Lecturein NSW,and the inaugural ACT Young Investigator Forumin Canberra held in the impressive surroundings of thenewly opened John Curtin School of Medical Research.ASMR has also continued and expanded its ProfessionalDevelopment days, which were held in Victoria andWestern Australia (both were sell-outs!),with NSW andSouth Australia planning their events for later in the year.

ASMR Medical Research Week® 2006

august 2006 4

Professor Levon Khachigian with Professor Bill Brinkleyand Dr Sarah Meachem at the MRW dinner in WA

Former ASMR President Prof Jock Findlay withRoss Bury from DHS at the ASMR MRW® dinner

Victorian ASMR convenor Dr Jeff Craigwith Professor Suzanne Cory and Professor Jerry Adamsat the ASMR MRW® dinner in Melbourne

NHMRC CEO Professor Warwick Anderson at the NationalPress Club in Canberra during ASMR MRW®

Professor Bill Brinkley at ASMR dinner with Queensland Premier Peter Beattie, Professor Michael Goodand Professor Levon Khachigian

A real highlight of the week is the national lecturetour by the ASMR Medallist, and this year was noexception.The ASMR Medallist 2006, Professor BillBrinkley, gave an insightful address describing thefuture of H&MR funding in Australia with lessonsto be learnt from his experiences within the USsystem. He spoke at dinners in Brisbane, Sydney,Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth, and also deliveredthe NAB address at the National Press Club inCanberra, when he was presented with the ASMRMedal 2006.

Thanks as always to Cath West and Priscilla Dimentin the Executive Office, ASMR Directors and all atASN for making ASMR Medical Research Week® 2006such a success! ●●●asmr

5 august 2006

Prof David de Kretser, Governor of Victoria andMrs Jan de Kretser at the ASMR MRW® dinner in Melbourne

Conga line at the MRW dinner in WA

Bill Brinkley with past and present ASMR Directors in front ofthe new John Curtin Medical Research Building (ANU)

The “Friends of ASMR”is a new initiative of ASMR, withthe aim of bringing together non-scientist public andpolitical advocates for Australian health and medicalresearch from within the wider community (eg.individuals with expertise in law, publicity, businessdevelopment, promotion and strategic endeavour aswell as holding strong networking ties of influence

throughout the economic, political and social

communities,as well as patient group representatives).

This group,whose membership will have been endorsed

by the ASMR Board,will support the goals and missions

of ASMR, by developing strategies in support of and at

the direction of the ASMR President and Board. ●●●asmr

Friends of ASMR

The Australian Society for Medical Research invitesapplications for the ASMR Research Award.This awardwill support a postgraduate student member of theASMR nearing completion of their studies or a recentlygraduated postdoctoral member to undertake a shortperiod of research in a laboratory outside of Australia($5,000) or in a distal laboratory ($2,000) within Australia.The award specifically excludes support for conferenceattendance and travel for an extended period ofpostdoctoral studies.

Applicants for “The ASMR Research Award”must havebeen members of the ASMR for at least 12 monthsimmediately preceding the year in which the Awardapplication is to be considered. Applicants must benot more than three years post their highest degree.The Award must be taken up during the first 6 monthso f t h e f o l l o w i n g y e a r . A p p l i c a t i o n s c l o s e29th September, 2006.

Application forms may be found at

http://www.asmr.org.au/ resfund/App06.pdf

ASMR Research Awards National Healthand MedicalResearchCouncilResearch CommitteeMembership 2006–09Triennium

Professor James Best (Chairman)Dr Jon CurrieProfessor Tim DavidA/Professor Jacinta ElstonProfessor Ian FrazerA/Professor Mathew GillespieProfessor Robert (Bob) GrahamMrs Elizabeth GrantProfessor D’Arcy HolmanA/Professor Bronwyn KingwellProfessor Margaret O’ConnorProfessor Kerin O’DeaProfessor Sally RedmanDr Nicholas SamarasProfessor Peter SilburnProfessor Ron Trent

Queensland

ASMR Queensland Premier’s Awards

Postgraduate Student AwardAlberto Pinzon-CharryQIMR

Postdoctoral AwardIan MackayRoyal Children’s Hospital

Senior Postdoctoral AwardChristopher SchmidtQIMR

ACT

ASMR Oral Presentation PrizeOwen SiggsJohn Curtin School of MedicalResearch, ANU

Tall Poppy Campaign OralPresentation PrizeSonja KowalczukAustralian National University

ANU CMHS Poster PrizeLydia MakaroffAustralian National University

ASBMB Poster PrizeElissa SutcliffeJohn Curtin School ofMedical Research, ANU

New South Wales

University of Sydney Medal for Excellence in Medical ResearchLowenna HoltGarvan Institute of Medical Research

Ministry for Science & Medical Research PostdoctoralAward for Excellence in Science

Michael TrenellWoolcock Institute of MedicalResearch

Eppendorf Technical PrizeCaroline RobertsGarvan Institute of MedicalResearch

ASMR Student Poster PrizeAnusha HettiaratchiUniversity of New South Wales

Eli Lilly Student PrizeEe-ling FockUniversity of New South Wales

South Australia

The Ross Wishart Memorial AwardLachlan MoldenhauerDepartment of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Universityof Adelaide

Clinical Research AwardAmy McLennanDepartment of Anatomy, University of Adelaide

Early Career Research AwardGrant TomkinsonSchool of Health Sciences, University of SouthAustralia

Most Outstanding Oral Presentation at MeetingNicole PendiniDepartment of Biochemistry, University of Adelaide

Most Outstanding Poster Presentation at MeetingBeverly MuhlhauslerSchool of Pharmacy & Medical Science, University ofSouth Australia

Honours Oral Presentation AwardAmy McLennanDepartment of Anatomy, University of Adelaide

Honours Poster AwardSarah WakefieldDepartment of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Universityof Adelaide

Healthy Aging Research AwardDegu AbebeDepartment of Human Physiology, FlindersUniversity

State Awards

august 2006 6

NSW scientific meeting convenor, Dr Claire Inman, PlenaryLecturer Professor Ian Frazer and NSW Branch Convenor,Andrew Buckle

Neale Fong, Director General Dept. of Health and Chair ofHealth Implementation Taskforce, awards Helen Currie withthe Department of Health Award

Taking medical research to the schools in South Australia,Amanda Aloia demonstrates DNA fingerprinting tofascinated students

Victoria

Premiers AwardMark ShackletonThe Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research

Premiers Award CommendationsNicholas HuntingtonThe Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical ResearchShalin NaikThe Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical ResearchKen PangLudwig Institute for Cancer Research, University ofMelbourne

Western Australia

The Department of Health AwardsHelen CurrieUniversity of Western AustraliaSherif BoulosAustralian Neuromuscular Research Institute

7 august 2006

Professor Bill Brinkley, Governor David de Kretzerand Professor Levon Khachigianat Government House in Melbourne

Victorian medical researchers listen to Doug Weller’sinteractive presentation on media communicationLive outside broadcast of 3RRR’s Einstein a Go Go at

Federation Square in MelbourneFrom left: Dr Shane, Ms Nicola Smith,Dr Jeff Craig (Victorian Convenor), Dr Fifiand Dr Andi (aka Dr Andrea Horvath).

Professor Bill Brinkley and Professor Levon Khachigian meetPast-President Professor Judith Whitworth andNHMRC CEO Professor Warwick Anderson during ASMR MRW®

Former ASMR President Professor Andrew Sinclairwith Mr Bob Sensholt, Parliamentary Secretary,Treasury and Finance (left) and the Hon Fran Bailey MP (right)at the ASMR MRW® dinner in Melbourne

Professor Bill Brinkley (left) with Professor Robert Graham(right) at an ASMR MRW® dinner

The University of Western

Australia Pro Vice Chancellor,

Research & Innovation Award

Jacqueline McGladeTelethon Institute for Child

Health Research

Invitrogen Student

Encouragement Awards

Jasmin DromeyThe Western Australian

Institute for Medical Research

Paul ElleryWestern Australia

Biomedical Research Institute,

Curtin University

Angela RateTelethon Institute for

Child Health Research

Matthew LeighUniversity of Western Australia

Christin DownThe Western Australian

Institute for Medical Research

The Murdoch University Award

Caitlin WyrwollUniversity of Western Australia

The Western Australian Institute

for Medical Research Award

Tulene KendrickThe Western Australian

Institute for Medical Research

Western Australian Biomedical

Research Institute Award

Brioni MooreCurtin University and Western

Australia Biomedical Research

Institute

Asthma and Allergy Research

Institute Award

Cathy WangUniversity of Western Australia

Esme HatchellThe Western Australian

Institute for Medical Research

University of Western Australia

School of Surgery & Pathology

Award

Demelza IrelandUniversity of Western Australia

Professor Barry Marshall Award

Jana VukovicUniversity of Western Australia

Kim Dorrell

The Australian Twin Registry (ATR) is a voluntaryregistry of twins who are willing to consider taking

part in medical and health related research, as well asstudies devoted to issues of particular concern to twins.

The Registry is a valuable resource for conducting:• studies of genetic and environmental causes of

variation in traits, and on susceptibility to disease;• co-twin control studies, using pairs discordant

for disease or for exposure, to study the effectsof environmental and epigenetic factors ondisease outcome and measures of morbidity;

• intervention studies matching for age, sex, andgenetic factors;

• longitudinal studies of the natural history ofmedical, physical, and behaviouralcharacteristics;

• studies related to twinning and to particularproblems of twins.

Conditions investigated in past studies conductedwith the participation of Registry twins include:alcoholand tobacco use, asthma, anxiety and depression,Alzheimer’s disease,breast cancer,cholesterol,diabetes,eating disorders, endometriosis, heart disease, maleinfertility,myopia,osteoporosis,premenstrual tensionand prostate size.

The Australian Twin Registry (ATR) is one of the largestvolunteer registers in the world. It was formed in 1981when the Victorian Twin Registry was combined withtwo smaller research registries based in Sydney and

Canberra. Over 33,000 pairs of twins have joined theRegistry since its inception. The Registry enrolsAustralian twins of any type, age, or state of health.

Of the currently active registered pairs:• 40% are monozygotic (genetically identical)• 42.5% are female/female twin pairs• 32.5% are male/male pairs • 25% are male/female pairs • two thirds of currently active registered twins

are over the age of 18

The ATR assists researchers with the recruitment of twinsfor health,medical and social science studies.The ATRreceives an average of 10 applications per year fromresearchers and to date has approved over 100applications from more than 50 research groupsthroughout Australia. These studies have in turngenerated over 450 peer-reviewed publications.

All proposals to utilise the ATR are subject to scientificand ethical review.Studies need to be independentlyreviewed and approved by both an appropriate HumanResearch Ethics Committee (HREC) established inaccordance with the guidelines set out by the NHMRC,and by the Registry. More information about theRegistry’s policies and procedures can be found at:http://www.twins.org.au/

The Registry is one of the Special Facilities fundedunder the new NHMRC Enabling Grants scheme.Moreinformation on Enabling Grant facilities can be founda t : h t t p : / / w w w . n h m r c . g o v . a u / f u n d i n g /funded/outcomes/enableactiv.htm ●●●asmr

august 2006 8

The Australian Twin Registry

The 3rd Australian Health & Medical Research

Congress (AH&MRC) will be held in Melbourne

this November and an exciting line-up of international

stars holds promise for an outstanding scientific

meeting.An ASMR initiative,this is the largest meeting

of its kind in Australia involving 30 different medical

research societies and groups with an expected

attendance of 2500 scientists, clinicians and allied

health professionals.The aim of the meeting is to bring

together a broad cross-section of scientists and

clinicians from different disciplines,highlighting recent

f ind ings and fos ter ing communicat ion and

collaboration.Together with COSA,APS,AMATA,ASCEPT,

ASCC, MEPSA and MBSANZ, ASMR will hold it’s 3-day

national scientific conference under the Congress

umbrella. This year the ASMR NSC is convened by

Robyn Starr from St Vincent’s Institute and is based on

the theme “Cytokines, Inflammation and Disease”.

Together with the programming committee,program

convenor Hamish Scott has assembled an exciting

program spanning emerging technologies, basic

science and translational research.Key plenary speakers

include: Professor Richard Flavell (ASMR Firkin Orator)

whose use of mouse reverse genetics has resulted in

seminal contributions to the field of T cell tolerance

and activation in immunity and autoimmunity,

apoptosis and regulation of T cell differentiation.Professor Rudolph Jaenisch (epigenetic gene regulationin development & disease) and Professors Joe Nevins(breast cancer genomics),John Bergeron (proteomicsof intracellular organelles) and Jean-Paul Thiery (cellularmorphogenesis and tumour progression). They arejoined by a great Australian line-up including JonathonSprent, Ian Fraser and Chris Goodnow.There are morethan 50 other international speakers and a host ofnational speakers, which add up to an exceptionalscientific program.The official “Congress Carnivale”onWednesday night offers a fun and relaxed way to getto know other researchers, with a host of satellite andsociety-specific activities. The meeting encouragesstudent participation with student travel awards andthere are a number of poster prizes and awards,including the Campion-Ma Playoust memorial award,The CASS Foundation award, the Cure CancerFoundation award and the Best of the Best posteraward (sponsored by Merck, Sharp & Dohme). So takethe time to browse through the full program, as I’msure you’ll find that this meeting is one you can’t affordto miss! ●●●asmr

Sandra Nicholson2006 AH&MRC Convenor,AHMRC@wehi.edu.au

Secretariat:Australian ScienceNetwork (ASN) Pty LtdPh: 03 5983 2400Fax: 03 5983 2223Email:congress@asnevents.net.au

www.ahmrcongress.org.au

Important DatesAbstract deadline fororal presentations:11th August 2006

Abstract deadline forposter presentations:8th September 2006

Early birdregistration deadline:11th August 2006

The 3rd Australian Health &Medical Research Congress26 November – 1 December 2006,Melbourne Convention Centre

9 august 2006

UNSW Faculty of Medicine

Research Strengths

During the years 2003–2004, the Faculty undertook a large-scale review of its research activities with a view toplanning more rationally to better support and grow these activities over the coming decade. A major outcomeof this activity was the identification of our areas of research strength as well as areas of emerging strength withinthe Faculty. The point of this exercise was not in any way to discourage research activity in areas beyond thoseidentified, but to recognise the fact that research is an expensive exercise both in terms of dollars and in terms ofpersonnel, and that sensible investment of these scarce resources requires knowledge of what we do well andcareful decision making about future strategies.

Postgraduate Research Programs

The postgraduate research programs offered by the Faculty involve a student undertaking an investigative project underthe supervision of an academic.The investigation will culminate in the submission of a thesis that amongst other things,records the student’s research methods, findings and results.

For more information, please refer to the following link:http://www.med.unsw.edu.au/medweb.nsf/page/Postgraduate+Research+Programs

Existing Strengths

Brain SciencesCardiovascular ResearchInfection/Immunity/Inflammation

Emerging Strengths

Health InformaticsPolicy and Practice Interface in Health PracticeCancer Research

NSC 2007TissueRemodelling11–14 Nov, 2007The Carrington HotelBlue Mountains, NSWConvenors:Alaina Ammit andAlastair Stewart

Associate Professor Tien Wong from the Centrefor Eye Research,Melbourne University has been

recognized for his outstanding research by winningthe Commonwealth Health Minister ’s Award forExcellence in Health and Medical Research. AssociateProfessor Wong has identified a novel method to assessthe risk for cardiovascular disease based on bloodvessel damage in the eyes using a simple and noninvasive examination.Changes in blood vessels in theeye may identify people at risk for heart disease,stroke,diabetes and hypertension. Wong and his team

conducted the research between 2000–2005 whichinvolved more than 20,000 patients. Wong’s researchis ongoing and is supported by a $2 million grant fromthe Victorian Government to conduct multidisciplinarycollaborative research involving 15 research institutesand hospitals in Australia and the US. ●●●asmr

Commonwealth Health Minister’s Award forExcellence in Health and Medical Research

august 2006 10

AS M R p a y s t r i b u t e t oProfessor David de Kretser

AO on his appointment asGovernor of Victoria.Announcedby the Premier Mr Steve Bracks,the f ive year appointmentcommenced on 7 April 2006.

Director of Andrology Australiasince its inception five years ago,David has been at the forefrontof men’s health education andresearch for the past 40 years.

With reproductive medicine a key focus, David’s mainresearch interest is in male infertility;specifically spermproduction and the role of hormones in this process.

In recent years, David has been passionate abouteducating the community and health professionalsabout male reproductive health. His collaborativework with countless organisations has made a strongcontribution to improving men’s health in Australia.David’s professional career,coupled with his extensivecommunity ties, will stand him in excellent stead forthe challenges of his new, exciting role as Governorof Victoria. ●●●asmr

Associate Professor Tien Wong is presented with the

Commonwealth Health Minister’s Award by

the Hon Fran Bailey MP at the ASMR MRW® dinner

in Melbourne

Professor David de KretserAppointed Governor of Victoria

Governor David de Kretser

Dr Assam El-Osta, from the Baker Heart ResearchInstitute in Melbourne, has been recognised

for his outstanding research in human epigeneticsby winning the prest ig ious Amgen Medica lResearcher Award. Dr El-Osta has identified thecontroller genes responsible for human leukemiasand a form of mental retardation called fragile Xsyndrome,which also play a role in some form of heartdisease.El-Osta’s research team is now working withlocal and international teams to engineer drugs thattarget these disease-causing genes.His research wasrecently published in Nature Genetics. ●●●asmr

Dr El-Osta — Winner ofthe 2006 Amgen Award

Kaylene O’Shea, Director of Scientific Affairs at Amgen

Australia, presents Dr Assam El-Osta with the Amgen

Award at the Windsor Hotel in Melbourne

Australian biomedical scientist Professor JockFindlay AM has been awarded the UK Society for

Reproduction and Fertility (SRF) Distinguished ScientistAward for 2006.This award honours Professor Findlay’soutstanding contribution to reproduction and fertilityresearch. He is the only Australian to have won thisprestigious award. Professor Findlay will present akeynote lecture at the Society's Annual conference inJuly 2006 in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.

Professor Findlay is a world renowned reproductivebiologist with more than 30 years of experience inreproductive health research.He has been a pioneer inunderstanding the ovary and its function including thehormone inhibin,regulating fertility and treating infertility

in women. He was one of the original collaborators on

the first paper on hormone replacement in women

receiving IVF. Professor Findlay’s research has had an

enduring impact on the field through highly and

consistently cited publications,and continuing invitations

to write chapters in authoritative texts and speak at

meetings of his peers. His achievements have been

recognised through numerous awards including the

2006 Dale Medal the UK Society for Endocrinology. In

2001 he was made a Member of the Order of Australia

for services to medical research, as a researcher in

reproductive biology and as a medical administrator.

Professor Findlay is currently the Deputy Director of

Prince Henry’s Institute of Medical Research. ●●●asmr

11 august 2006

Professor Jock Findlay AM

The 2005 Curtin Medal for Medical Researchhas been awarded to Professor Samuel

Berkovic, head of the Comprehensive EpilepsyProgram at the Austin Hospital and the EpilepsyResearch Centre of the University of Melbourne.Professor Berkovic is a neurologist and clinical

researcher who has strong collaborations with basicscientists in many Australian and internationallaboratories. He seeks to understand the basicneurobiology of human epilepsies, using variedapproaches to gain insights that can be used fordiagnosis and treatment of patients. ●●●asmr Professor Samuel Berkovic

Australian Biomedical Scientist Wins Top UK Award

Professor Berkovic Receives 2005 Curtin Medal

Associate Professor Martin Delatycki,ASMR Director, Clinical Issues Portfolio

The clinician researcher plays a central role inmedical research. Because of their experience

with direct patient contact they are well placed todirect translational research that results in improvedhealth care.We need look no further than the recentlyawarded Nobel Prize for the discovery of Helicobacterpylori as the cause of gastrointestinal ulceration toWestern Australian researchers Barry Marshall andRobin Warren to recognise the importance of thisgroup of medical researchers.

A steady stream of publications in the last 30 years hasraised concerns about a number of issues related toclinician researchers. There is evidence in the UnitedStates at least that the numbers of clinicians whoundertake research as a significant part of their workinglife is diminishing. Concerns are raised that it isbecoming increasingly difficult to make high impactresearch contributions, while at the same timemaintaining a high standard of clinical competence.

The NHMRC recognises the value of clinician researchersthrough its Fellowship schemes. In addition to careerdevelopment awards,it also funds Practitioner Fellowships,which are available only to researchers who maintain atleast a 30% clinical load or public health practice.

ASMR views clinician researchers as a very importantcomponent of the medical research workforce.Clinicianresearchers are under-represented in ASMR’s membershipand elected representatives.The ASMR Board has createda clinical issues portfolio with the specific goal ofrepresenting the needs of clinician researchers.ASMR isvery keen for clinician researchers to become moreinvolved in the work of ASMR and its leadership.Clinicianresearchers are encouraged to become members of theorganisation so that its needs can be represented in thechallenge of continuing the important contribution thatthis group makes to medical research overall.

I am keen to hear from clinician researchers about howthey feel that their needs can be better represented byASMR.Please email me at martin.delatycki@ghsv.org.auto let me know your views. ●●●asmr

Clinician Researchers and ASMR

ASMR: Call for Nominations forElection of Directorsinformation and nomination form available fromhttp://www.asmr.org.au/Nom06.pdf

ASMR Directors 2006Professor Levon Khachigian — PresidentAssoc. Prof. Maria Kavallaris — President Elect,

Treasurer and Business DevelopmentDr Alaina Ammit — Honorary SecretaryDr Mark Hulett— Careers Convenor, Membership Co-convenorDr Sandra Nicholson— 2006 AHMRC ConvenorAssoc. Prof. J Alejandro Lopez— Membership ConvenorDr Sarah Meachem— Public Relations Convenor, Careers Co-convenorDr Gilda Tachedjian— Newsletter EditorDr Alison Butt— ASMR MRW ConvenorAssoc. Prof Peter Eastwood— Coordinator State CommitteesAssoc. Prof Martin Delatycki— Clinical IssuesDr Steven Polyak — Board Liaison Representative for SA

ASMR State Branch Convenors ACT Dr Craig FreemanNSW Dr Andrew BuckleQld Assoc. Prof. Michael McGuckinSA Ms Beverly Muhlhausler / Ms Melanie BaggVic Dr Jeff CraigWA Dr Steven E. Mutsaers / Ms Sharyn PopeTas Dr Alan ChampionContact details from www.asmr.org.au/states/index.html

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Affiliate Members of ASMRAustralian and New Zealand Society for Cell & Developmental Biology IncAustralian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyA S S Hypertension in PregnancyAustralian College for Emergency MedicineAustralian and New Zealand College of AnaesthetistsAustralasian Faculty of Occupational MedicineAustralasian Society of Clinical Immunology and AllergyAustralian and New Zealand Society for Blood TransfusionAustralasian Gene Therapy Society Inc Australasian Society for HIV Med IncAustralasian Society for Infectious DiseasesAustralasian Society for Psychiatric ResearchAssociation of Australian Medical Research InstitutesAustralian and New Zealand Bone and Mineral SocietyAustralasian Society of Clinical and Experimental

Pharmacologists and ToxicologistsAustralian and New Zealand Society of NephrologyAustralian Atherosclerosis SocietyAustralian Physiology and Pharmacology SocietyAustralian Society for the Study of ObesityAustralasian Menopause SocietyAustralasian Society for ImmunologyAustralian Association of NeurologistsAustralian Diabetes SocietyAustralian Neuroscience Society IncAustralian Rheumatology AssociationAustralian Society for ParasitologyAustralian Vascular Biology SocietyCardiac Society of Australia and New ZealandClinical Oncological Society of AustraliaEndocrine Society of AustraliaFertility Society of AustraliaHaematology Society of Australia and New ZealandHigh Blood Pressure Research Council of AustraliaHuman Genetics Society of AustralasiaNational Association of Research FellowsPaediatric Research Society of Australia and New ZealandPerinatal Society of Australia and New ZealandSociety for Free Radical Research (Australasia)Royal Australasian College of PhysiciansRoyal College of Pathologists of AustralasiaRANZ College of Obstetricians and GynaecologistsThe Society for Reproductive BiologyThe Australian Medical Students Association Ltd.Thoracic Society of Australia and New ZealandTransplantation Society of Australia and New ZealandVictorian Public Health Research and Education CouncilWestern Australia Biomedical Research Institute

Associate Members of ASMRArthritis Foundation of AustraliaAustralian Kidney FoundationAustralian Red Cross Blood ServiceCommonwealth Health and Tuberculosis AustraliaCOTA National SeniorsCystic Fibrosis Australia IncEpilepsy AssociationFoundation for High Blood Pressure ResearchHaemophilia Foundation of AustraliaJuvenile Diabetes Research FoundationLupus Association of NSW IncMultiple Sclerosis AustraliaMuscular Dystrophy Association of SA IncNational Heart Foundation of AustraliaScleroderma Association of NSW IncThe Ophthalmic Research Institute of Australia

Supporting Members of ASMRBiota Holdings LimitedBlackwell Science Asia GlaxoSmithKlineJohnson & Johnson Research Pty LtdMerck, Sharp and Dohme (Australia)Research Australia Roche Products Pty LtdSapphire Bioscience Pty LtdServier Laboratories (Aust) Pty LtdZenyth Therapeutics Limited

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P.O. Box 1180 Canning Vale, Western Australia 6970.

Telephone: (08) 9332 5033 Fax (08) 9310 2839

Email: info@arc.wa.gov.au Web site: www.arc.wa.gov.au