Our $250 million - The University of Adelaide

20 Pages·2009·1.9 MB·English

September 2009 | Volume 18 | Number 7 | Free Publication
Our $250 million
research investment
Story on page 5
Life Impact | The University of Adelaide www.adelaide.edu.au
VICE-CHANCELLOR
Adelaidean is the offi cial newspaper
of the University of Adelaide.
It provides news and information about
Climate of change twhieth U an fiovecrussit yo nto L tihfee Igmepnaecrat.l public,
Circulation:
11,500 per month
The last fi ve years have seen the emergence of near-universal consensus (March to December)
Online readership:
that climate change is real, even if there is still some dispute as to its 140,000 hits per month (on average)
signifi cance and the extent to which climate change is human induced. www.adelaide.edu.au/adelaidean
Editor:
David Ellis
I could devote this column to persuading you that First, through education and research into the Design:
climate change is real, or to discussing the impacts nature, extent and causes of climate change, they Chris Tonkin
it will have on climate in terms of temperature, provide policy makers with the evidence required to Writers:
rainfall redistribution, sea levels and the probable institute meaningful mitigation policy and to provide CRoabndyny MGibllson
inundation of land (including cities), crop failure a basis for gauging available adaptation options. Contributors:
and the need to reassess cropping patterns, plant Universities, through their education and research Connie Dutton, Edward Joyner
breeding, species extinction, population migration into climate change, are making an impact on the Cover photo:
and a raft of social, economic and national world, especially in respect of energy production, Shutterstock
security issues. food production, and water security. Deadline for October issue:
However, the reality of climate change has Secondly, universities must increase their direct Friday 11 September 2009
been well described, and is detailed at length in community involvement in the promotion of societal Do you receive too many Adelaideans?
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in the main, moved to issues of magnitude, and the University, Dr Ann Rappaport and Sarah Editorial/Advertising enquiries:
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Contents
Adelaide researchers
4 dominate science awards
COVER STORY
Our $250 million
5 research investment
6 One choir just isn’t enough
Swine fl u efforts have
7 student support
Coorong’s future helped by
new science
8 New cancer study looks at
ROSEWORTHY impacts on families
How we’re listening for
9 the Big Bang
10 OPENDAY
SUNDAY 13 SEPTEMBER 11AM-3PM Hunt is on for proteins
that cause MS
WHAT’S HAPPENING AT ROSEWORTHY? WHAT ARE WE 12 Flute festival for all
generations
DOING THAT’S EXCITING AND NEW? HOW DO WE
MAKE AN IMPACT ON YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE?
Adelaide research among
The Roseworthy Campus Open Tours of the campus will include 13 nation’s best
Day is your opportunity to fi nd out the visits to the residential college,
answers to these questions, and more. library, computing facilities, farm,
Nationally renowned as Australia’s and lecture theatres.
fi rst agricultural college, Roseworthy There will also be a large number 14 Want a head start?
Campus is this month opening its of activities and displays, including:
doors to potential new students, their • a virtual tour of the new facilities
families, friends and other members of being built for the School of Celebrating our
the community. Veterinary Science; 15 graduates’ success
Open Day is the all-important annual • d emonstrations of learning tools,
event that provides information about such as Betsy, the (dummy) baby
Sstcuideny cine Vaentde rAingarricy uSltcuireanl cSec, ieAncime,a al s cstouwd,e wnhtsic inh pherelpgsn aton ctrya idni avgent osis 16 Alumni awards
well as life on campus. and staging;
The event puts you in touch with • h ow science can unlock the
current students and staff who secrets to what is happening in Strong response to
will answer your questions about an animal, and how research and 17 library appeal
studying at Roseworthy and the career teaching link to real production
opportunities those programs can solutions.
lead to. For more information about the
18 Quartet to inspire students
University staff will also be on hand Roseworthy Campus Open Day,
to discuss any academic program contact Judy Tucker on
offered by the University of Adelaide, [phone] or email:
not just those taught at Roseworthy.
RECOGNITION
Adelaide researchers
dominate science awards
University of Adelaide staff have dominated this year’s South
Australian Science Excellence Awards, winning the top award
of SA Scientist of the Year plus another four awards.
Professor Rob Norman, Director of the • P rofessor Alastair MacLennan, Head • P rofessor Holger Maier, Professor of
University’s Robinson Institute, is the 2009 of the University’s Discipline of Obstetrics Integrated Water Systems Engineering
SA Scientist of the Year. Professor Norman and Gynaecology and also a member of in the School of Civil, Environmental
is a leader in reproductive health and has the Robinson Institute, won the Excellence & Mining Engineering won the Tertiary
been involved in many of the pioneering in Research for Public Good Award. Science Educator of the Year. Professor
developments in IVF in Australia. His department is internationally known Maier teaches in the areas of water and
South Australia’s Science and Information as the largest and most productive environmental engineering and is the
Economy Minister, the Hon. Michael research unit into women’s and children’s co-developer of the multi-award winning
O’Brien, said Professor Norman was an health. Professor MacLennan’s research Mekong e-Sim – a computer-supported
outstanding South Australian and a world- has included safer births, causes of simulation project for environmental
class scientist who promoted internationally cerebral palsy, better contraception, and engineering students.
competitive research in reproduction. management of menopause.
“Professor Norman leads an elite group • D r Alice Rumbold, Senior Research
of over 350 researchers at the Robinson • H ealthy Development Adelaide (HDA), Fellow in the Discipline of Obstetrics
Institute at the University of Adelaide which won the Excellence in Research and Gynaecology and Robinson
in the areas of reproductive health and Collaboration Award. HDA addresses high Institute, was also announced as the
regenerative medicine,” Mr O’Brien said. priority research issues into the physical, South Australian Young Tall Poppy of
“Last year, he was named one of psychological and social health of Australian the Year. Dr Rumbold won the award for
Australia’s 10 great minds in research by infants, children and adolescents. HDA her research into women’s reproductive
the Australian National Health and Medical was established in 2004 as an initiative of health problems, particularly among
Research Council.” the University of Adelaide in collaboration Aboriginal women.
Mr O’Brien presented six other leading with the University of South Australia, the Mr O’Brien said these winners “are true
scientists and educators with Science Women’s and Children’s Health Research leaders in their fi eld and we commend
Excellence Awards, each receiving $10,000 Institute, Channel 7 Children’s Research them for their excellence in science”.
to advance their research and education Foundation and the Department of
initiatives. Education and Children’s Services and other
The other University of Adelaide supporting partners. Professor Norman is Above: Professor Rob Norman
winners were: one of the leaders of HDA. Photo by Kelly Barnes, courtesy of The Australian
4 Adelaidean Volume 18 | Number 7 | September 2009
RESEARCH
Our $250 million
research investment
The University of Adelaide’s investment in
research activities exceeded a quarter of a billion
dollars last year, according to a new review.
“This is a massive commitment and University’s total research commitment. “The RQF forced us to audit our research
it reaffi rms the University of Adelaide’s The review found that the component quality in more detail than we’d ever done
position as a major contributor to the of the University’s research income that is before. It enabled us to refi ne our internal
national research effort,” said Professor reportable to the Federal Government grew investment strategies and priorities and help
Mike Brooks, Deputy Vice-Chancellor by 25% to more than $145 million last year. in our decision-making.
(Research). As part of this, the University’s top tier “That scheme has been dead now for a
“Our research operations represent a competitive research income grew by 15% couple of years. Our positive results in 2008
major investment in work that is of great to just short of $70 million, while support are due in part to our response to RQF and
benefi t to society, government and industry from industry exceeded $17 million. partly also because of the new ERA.
in areas of key strategic need. The review also found that when the “If we’ve done well thanks to the infl uence
“The strong research performance for $145 million is added to other federal of RQF, we will be on an even better footing
2008 comes on top of the University’s government grants, infrastructure funding, with ERA. ERA is a metric-based system
$50 million commitment to new research research student scholarships and a that has generally been well received by
institutes over the next fi ve years,” he said. conservative estimate of staff time allocated universities. It’s a more objective system,
“We have already established iconic to research, total research spend exceeded and we believe it will be more cost-effective
research institutes in areas of excellence $250 million. for universities overall. If it continues to drive
spanning environment, reproductive health, In 2008 the University ranked second researchers towards quality research, that
mineral and energy resources, agriculture, in Australia in terms of competitive will be an excellent result.”
and photonics, with others soon to be research income per capita, which is a key
announced. measure of research productivity. Adding For more information about research
“Additionally, new research centres to this, the number of journal papers to at the University of Adelaide, visit:
are being funded in fi elds as diverse as which University researchers contributed www.adelaide.edu.au/research
defence, nutrition, visual technologies and increased by 13% last year.
economics.” Professor Brooks attributed much of the Below: Professor Mike Brooks, Deputy Vice-Chancellor
The University has conducted a review University’s research success to intensive v(Riseiosne aarncdh )s, uwrhveoisllae nocwen research interests are in computer
of its research expenditure for 2008, partly preparations for the former national
because of reporting requirements for the Research Quality Framework (RQF) Photo by James Knowler, courtesy of The Australian
Federal Government but more broadly scheme, and now the current Excellence in
to gain a better understanding of the Research for Australia (ERA) scheme.
Volume 18 | Number 7 | September 2009 Adelaidean 5
MUSIC
One choir
just isn’t
enough
An evening concert at
St Peter’s Cathedral this
month features all three
choirs from the University
of Adelaide’s Elder
Conservatorium of Music.
The Three Choirs at 6.30pm Saturday as well as modern compositions by three THE THREE CHOIRS
12 September is a joint production Elder Conservatorium students, David Lang,
between the Elder Conservatorium and Steven Tanoto and Ian Andrew. 6.30pm Saturday 12 September
St Peter’s Cathedral, and sees all three The concert is the second of two joint St Peter’s Cathedral, North Adelaide
choirs performing a program of largely performances between the Cathedral and
Tickets: adult: $25; concession:
sacred works. the Elder Conservatorium this year, following
$20; student: $15.
The concert features the Elder on from the Good Friday performance of
Conservatorium Chorale (conducted by Fauré’s Requiem in front of an estimated Please ring the Concert Manager for ticket
Carl Crossin), Adelaide Voices (conducted audience of more than 1000 people. bookings on [phone] or email:
by Christie Anderson) and Bella Voce “This concert features all three choirs
PUBLIC HEALTH
Swine fl u efforts have
student support
The University of Adelaide has “After completing my Masters I worked of illness changes over time. This gives us
in the public health fi eld in Afghanistan a better understanding of the pandemic,”
been commissioned to help for eight months before returning to Dr Theriault said.
Bangladesh to work for an international Mr Mnatzaganian, an Armenian Israeli, is
the SA Health Department in
research organisation, monitoring various a PhD candidate in the Discipline of Public
documenting the spread of outbreaks including the avian fl u,” Health under the supervision of Professor
Dr Rahman said. Jamrozik and Professor Philip Ryan.
swine fl u in South Australia. “This opportunity to learn more about For many years he has worked as a
the spread of swine fl u and also the South research coordinator, assessing data
Three postgraduate students in the Australian public health system has been among hospitalised patients.
Discipline of Public Health have spent one invaluable. Hopefully it will stand me in Mr Mnatzaganian said it was important to
day a week monitoring data supplied by good stead, job-wise, when I fi nish my learn more about the epidemiology of the
local medical practitioners about suspected PhD,” he said. H1N1 virus in vulnerable populations.
and confi rmed swine fl u patients. Dr Theriault is a public health physician “Policy makers and health professionals
Dr Muhammad Aziz Rahman, Dr from Quebec who secured a 12-month need to concentrate on pregnant women,
Nathanaelle Theriault and Mr George research position at the University of people with chronic respiratory illnesses
Mnatzaganian all have a background in Adelaide in October 2008, working on an and others with immune-defi ciencies.
public health and welcomed the opportunity HIV project supervised by Dr Peng Bi and These are the people who are more likely
to learn more about the spread of the H1N1 Professor Janet Hiller. to develop serious complications from the
infl uenza pandemic. “This kind of pandemic (swine fl u) does swine fl u,” he said.
The qualifi ed doctors are not involved in a not happen every day and for a public Dr Rahman said it was too early to
clinical sense, but provide assistance to SA health practitioner it presents a great predict the end of this pandemic. “It is
Health by cross checking data with doctors, learning opportunity,” Dr Theriault said. evolving on a daily basis but if we can be
patients, clinics and hospitals and tracking “When I return to Canada in November useful we are happy to keep helping out.”
the progress of individual cases. we will be going into our winter so my
Dr Rahman, a medical graduate from experience here should be invaluable. Story by Candy Gibson
Bangladesh who has a Masters degree “So far, this infection has not been
in Public Health, started his PhD at the too severe in South Australia, but the
University of Adelaide in February under surveillance is very important. We have AThbeorviaeu (lftr oanmd l eDfrt) M: Puuhbalmic mHaedal tAhz siztu Rdaehnmtsa Dnr a Nrea tahmanoanegll e
Professor Konrad Jamrozik, Head of to check with infected people to see those providing much-needed support by tracking the
the School of Population Health and whether they recover quickly or if they spread of swine fl u
Clinical Practice. develop complications, and if the pattern Photo by Candy Gibson
Volume 18 | Number 7 | September 2009 Adelaidean 7
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
New cancer study
looks at impacts
on families
Survivors of cancer and their family members Coorong’s future helped
are being sought for a new study into the
diffi cult decisions patients and their families
need to make in dealing with cancer.
by new science
The study, by the University of Adelaide, Cancer
Council Australia and Cancer Voices Australia,
hopes to provide information to enable better Planning the best possible future for the Coorong has
support of families and patients in the decision-
making process. been made easier following the completion of the most
“Following a diagnosis of cancer, both the comprehensive ecological study of the region by University
patient and their family experience considerable
stress,” said Dr Jaklin Eliott, Visiting of Adelaide and other Australian scientists.
Research Fellow at the University’s School of
Psychology and Social Scientist with Cancer Scientists have delivered a suite of • A fi eld program to study the ecology of
Council Australia. modelling tools and a framework to help key species of invertebrates, fi sh and
“There are signifi cant responsibilities and land and water managers make the most water birds and to study key ecological
burdens upon the family who are called on to of environmental fl ows and management processes, such as nutrient cycling; and
physically, fi nancially and emotionally care for interventions to help restore the ecology • T he development of ecological models
apthnaedr tp icaai ptriaeanntegt ,ei nt oo d fn eoectghisoeiotri anistses auwbeiosth.u ht torespatitmale sntta off patniodn s oMfo TSuhotehu trhe rgAeieuo-snyt.eraalira r’ess Ceoarocrho ncgo lalanbdo Mrautirorna yis
Ttaohn edps roeefd caicaltne t rhbneea tduiviseet redibc tuots ioeyxnsp toelomf rkese hys otsawpte esc.i es
i“atmhTlsehpo ebo raeretfsa faetn crcte tar otbrhelieg f oifdnare mmpcaialsitekieosin, gtsas nt thbodou bfsta eetmh mdeilesiaeecds ised ti aeoakcnbeiso .iau”ontn s torhefe ct ohfi egrs neti csceoodlmo grpeyrg eoiohf enthn. es ivinet erernsaetaiorcnha llpyr ogram cedhnisavtirnriobgnuemtsio einn sotaaf ll kidneriytivy ,Ce wrosao wtreoilrnl ligen vfls euplesen cacineeds t. hoeth er
Based on this knowledge, the $5.3 million
Dr Eliott said that confl ict can arise between the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth Cluster Leader, University of Adelaide
patient’s needs and the potential consequences (CLLAMMecology) Research Cluster has Associate Professor Justin Brookes, said
o
onf l itfhee airn fda motihlye’sr cfi nircaunmciaslt acnirceusm. stances, quality developed management tools to help athlleo wto olalsn dd eavnedl owpaetde rd murainga gtheers s ttou dmya wxiomuilsde
maximise environmental outcomes for the
“There have been many calls for healthcare Coorong and Murray Mouth. the environmental outcomes from available
teams to address the role of family in cancer The Cluster was supported through management levers, such as environmental
care but there has been little research to date fl ows and dredging the Murray Mouth.
which seeks to identify and explore the issues CSIRO’s Water for a Healthy Country “Our work provides a whole-of-system
and decisions families fi nd diffi cult,” she said. National Research Flagship. approach for planning environmental
It involved CSIRO, University of Adelaide,
“
aTnhde e axipmlo oref tthhios sinet edrevcieiswio sntsu didye ins ttifio e id eanst ibfye ing Flinders University, and SARDI Aquatic flB orowo ikneitsia stiavieds. for the region,” Professor
diffi cult. The focus of the interview will be upon Sciences. Geoscience Australia, Fisheries
what factors contributed to, or countered, the Research and Development Corporation, To view slidecasts and podcasts
diffi culties faced.” Land & Water Australia, and the SA from a technical briefi ng given by the
People who have successfully completed Murray-Darling Basin Natural Resources CLLAMMecology Research Cluster, visit:
treatment for cancer and their families interested Management Board were additional www.adelaide.edu.au/environment/wrc/
in participating in the study should contact research and funding partners. cllammecology
Dr Jaklin Eliott during offi ce hours on +618 The building blocks for the management Further information and the Cluster’s Final
8303 3855 or email
PHYSICS
How we’re
listening for
the Big Bang
University of Adelaide researchers are among a large international
team of physicists taking part in one of the most challenging
scientifi c endeavours ever undertaken: the attempt to directly
detect vibrations in space called gravitational waves.
The international team’s latest research Researchers from these six Australian three ultra-sensitive detectors in operation
fi ndings, published recently in the journal universities are working with a large for two years, from 2005 to 2007.
Nature, are considered to be a small but international team from more than 70 Australian physicists contributed to
signifi cant step forward in the quest to universities in the United States, Europe, the design of the instruments and were
better understand the nature of the universe Australia and Asia, using the huge among a number of teams who operated
after the Big Bang. detectors of the Laser Interferometer the supersensitive instruments around the
Gravitational waves, which previously Gravitational Observatory (LIGO) and the clock to gather the data.
have only indirectly been shown to exist, Italian-French VIRGO. “The measurements obtained over
are believed to be emitted whenever mass The detectors use powerful lasers, the two years pave the way for new
is accelerated. Physicists expect these and mirrors suspended at the ends of measurements with improved detectors
waves to provide a whole new method for multi-kilometre scale vacuum pipes, to over the next few years,” said David
observing and understanding the universe, sense the tiny vibrations of gravity waves. Hosken, Research Associate in the School
including gathering information about The LIGO observatories are located in of Chemistry & Physics, who was involved
the Big Bang. Washington State and Louisiana in the US in observation runs in Louisiana, and is
Current detectors operate in the audio and VIRGO close to Pisa in Italy. among those currently working on high-
frequency range, which in simple terms In its Nature paper, the international team power lasers for this purpose.
means that scientists are trying to detect announced its fi rst signifi cant observations “The improved detectors are almost
gravitational waves by “listening” to relating to waves from the Big Bang. certain to be able to detect gravitational
the universe. “Although the team reports that the waves from colliding stars and black
“One of the goals of the team’s research stochastic background has not yet holes,” he said.
is the direct detection of black holes – to been discovered, this result itself is Physicists from the University of
listen to their births and the ‘ring-tones’ signifi cant, because it sets new limits on Adelaide working on this project also
produced by their vibrations,” said the strength of the waves we’re trying to include Associate Professor Peter Veitch.
Professor Jesper Munch, Chairman of the detect,” said Dr David Ottaway, Lecturer Together with physicists from ANU, they
Australian Consortium for Gravitational in the University of Adelaide’s School of are in a partnership with LIGO and the
Astronomy (ACIGA) and Professor of Chemistry & Physics. international community to develop the
Experimental Physics at the University “The measurements taken so far rule next generation of detectors.
of Adelaide. out some possible theories for the early
“Another goal is to listen to the birth of universe. This result will help the team to
the universe itself, called the ‘stochastic fi ne tune what we’re looking for, which in
background’, which should sound a bit like turn will help us to pin down the details
wind in the treetops.” of the Big Bang in which the universe Above: Supernovas, such as the one which created
ACIGA includes research groups at the was born.” the Crab Nebula, are believed to send out bursts of
gravity waves
University of Adelaide, ANU, Melbourne, In trying to detect gravitational waves,
Monash, UWA and Charles Sturt University. the international team of physicists kept Image by NASA
Volume 18 | Number 7 | September 2009 Adelaidean 9
AN ESTIMATED 12,000 PEOPLE GOT A TASTE OF LIFE ON CAMPUS
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE’S OPEN DAY ON SUNDAY 16 AUGUST.
As well as providing information about the many study opportunities available at the University
and the careers they can lead to, Open Day had something for everyone, including tours, a short
fi lm festival, live music performances, public talks and more.
Here are just some of the images from Open Day 09.
10 Adelaidean Volume 18 | Number 7 | September 2009