Robinson Institute

122 Pages·2013·9.52 MB·English

Annual Report 2012
Robinson Institute
Vision
Contents By 2020 the Robinson Institute will be a
world leader in research for reproductive and
paediatric health.
Our discoveries will transform clinical care and
policy for the health of all children and families,
across generations and global communities.
Vision and mission ...........................................................................2
Message from the Deputy Vice-Chancellor
Research .................................................................................................3
Chairman’s report ............................................................................ 4
Director’s report ................................................................................ 5 Mission
The Robinson Institute at a glance ........................................6
About the Robinson Institute .....................................................8
Who we are ............................................................................................. 9
Robinson Institute structure .............................................................. 9
A new direction ................................................................. 10
To conduct world leading research that generates
Board of Governors ........................................................................... 12
Management Committee ................................................................. 13 major advances in human reproduction,
Transition Management Committee ............................................. 13 pregnancy, child and adolescent health.
2012 research highlights ............................................................ 14
Working collaboratively through common
Financials ............................................................................................ 16
themes and focusing on global research
Funding highlights ......................................................................... 17
challenges, our discoveries will be translated
Fellowships and awards ............................................................ 18
Impact ................................................................................................... 20 into health practice and social policy for the
Community ............................................................................................ 22 wellbeing of families across generations.
Australian Research Centre for Health
of Women and Babies ................................................................ 26 Our reputation will attract the best international
Early Origins of Health and Disease .................................. 34 investigators in health and medical research,
Childrens Research Centre ..................................................... 40 translation and commercialisation, and we
Research Centre for Reproductive Health .................... 48 will offer state of the art facilities, training and
Centre for Stem Cell Research ............................................. 62 infrastructure to support research excellence.
Translating our research ........................................................... 73
Commercial development ........................................................ 96
Robinson Foundation ............................................................... 102
Peter Couche Foundation ...................................................... 104
Research capacity building .................................................. 106
Donors 2012 .................................................................................... 110
Member list ..................................................................................... 112
Publications .................................................................................... 114
Message
from the Deputy
Vice-Chancellor
Research
Outstanding research universities provide soocciieettyy wwiitthh tthhee
fruits of their endeavours and bring about immpprroovveemmeennttss
in people’s lives. At the University of Adelaiddee wwee hhaavvee
established fi ve research institutes which haavvee bbeeeenn
tasked with addressing ‘grand challenges’ aaffffeeccttiinngg
our communities now and into the future. Onnee ooff tthheessee
challenges is securing a healthier future for oouurr cchhiillddrreenn..
The Robinson Institute aims to uncover the ffaaccttoorrss
that infl uence health across our lifetime andd bbeettwweeeenn
generations. With over 450 members, the Innssttiittuuttee iiss
making signifi cant improvements in reproduuccttiivvee aanndd
paediatric health. In 2012 alone researcherss eessttaabblliisshheedd
new guidelines around induction of labour too ssaavvee
babies lives; showed for the fi rst time that thhee bbrraaiinnss ooff
adolescents born preterm (even if only by a wweeeekk oorr ttwwoo))
may suffer learning and memory diffi culties; aanndd pprroovveedd
that overweight and obese fathers can not oonnllyy iimmppaaiirr
pregnancy outcomes, but also the adult heaalltthh ooff tthhee
next generation.
As you read through the stories within this RReeppoorrtt,, yyoouu wwiillll
appreciate the great breadth and depth of thhee rreesseeaarrcchh
being undertaken at the Robinson Institute. II wwoouulldd
personally like to commend members of thee IInnssttiittuuttee
for the enormous amount of work they havee iinnvveesstteedd
throughout 2012 in re-shaping the organisattiioonn.. TThhiiss hhaass
delivered a clearer vision and structure to heellpp ccaattaallyyssee
greater collaboration among its members.
With this strong future direction and excellenntt ttrraacckk rreeccoorrdd,,
the University decided to award the Institutee aa sseeccoonndd
5-year term to commence in August 2013. I eexxppeecctt tthhaatt,,
over this time, we will see the Robinson Insttiittuuttee ccoonnttiinnuuee
to bring to light new discoveries, transforminngg cclliinniiccaall ccaarree
and policy for the health of all children and ffaammiilliieess,, aaccrroossss
generations and global communities.
Professor Mike Brooks
Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President RReesseeaarrcchh
Annual Report 2012 3
Chairman’s report
‘Reshaping the
Robinson’ has
become a program of
integrated developmental
change within the
Institute
for the Robinson, agreeing to a second
5-year funding cycle, with increased levels of
fi nancial support. We are grateful for this – it
has provided a fi rm foundation upon which
to move to take the next important steps in
2013 toward developing the Institute as an
Advanced Health Science Centre, including
the critical element of securing a successor
The year 2012 was a transformational Those around the Robinson Board table as Director to founding Director, Professor
year for the Robinson Institute, in a – including Director Rob Norman and Rob Norman.
number of respects. General Manager Kate Irving – have brought The University has in turn been rewarded for
well-considered and insightful contributions, its support with outstanding results in the
Culture change has been the fundamental
worked in a collaborative way, and sought Excellence in Research (ERA) Initiative. In the
principle underpinning and guiding the
to collectively ‘fi nd a way’ through multi- research fi eld of paediatrics and reproductive
development of the Robinson Institute since
stakeholder and often complex and health, it was awarded the top rating of
its founding – moving to cross-Institute
sometimes contentious issues. 5 – well above world standard – the only
collaboration, thinking and funding, whilst
During the year we farewelled Professor University in Australia to do so in both 2012
enhancing excellence of existing approaches.
Tanya Monro, Professor Bik To, Professor and 2010.
‘Reshaping the Robinson’ has become a
Jonathon Morris, Ms Mary Patetsos and In light of the above, I am confi dent in the
program of integrated developmental change
Mr Phil Robinson. I thank each of them for Robinson’s future, although not complacent
within the Institute, under the guidance
their contributions to the work of the Board, – more remains to be done to embed past
of a Transition Management Committee.
and the Robinson generally. We welcomed innovations, and to respond to ongoing dynamic
We are moving to an integrated Institute
Professor Julie Owens (Head of the School environment in which the Robinson operates.
with a focus on Research Themes and
of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health) and
Challenges and shifting away from funding My thanks to Kate Irving, General Manager,
Ms Gail Mondy (Chief Executive Offi cer of
Centres. Signifi cant work has been done and her team for great work during the year.
the Women’s and Children’s Hospital) to the
in further developing relationships with key Finally, I pay tribute to Professor Rob
Board, and we look forward to their input.
external stakeholder organisations, and in Norman, founding Director of the Robinson
The ongoing Board members – Professor
streamlining the administrative arrangements Institute, acknowledge his wonderful
Mike Brooks, Professor Justin Beilby,
between the Institute and the School of leadership of the Institute, and thank him for
Professor Jock Findlay, Professor Marie
Paediatrics and Reproductive Health. his contribution, without which the Robinson
Dziadek, and Professor Paul Rolan – have
Now in their 5th year, I believe the would not have been launched, let alone be
been with the Robinson Board from the
governance arrangements for the Robinson at its current stage, poised for a successful
outset. To each of them I acknowledge their
have well-served the Institute and the future. 2013 will see Rob stepping down
commitment, considered guidance and
University of Adelaide. Board membership from the Director role, and also mark his 25
general ‘value-add’, and thank them for this.
has included those in senior roles within the years with the University of Adelaide.
As a result of the positive conclusion to the
University, and from outside the University Mark Coleman
external review of the Robinson undertaken
and interstate. These individuals have Chairman
during the previous year, the University of
brought diverse, positive and very helpful
Adelaide made clear its ongoing support
perspectives and inputs.
4 The Robinson Institute
Director’s report
Our vision for the Robinson Institute
started in 2006 when Professor Julie
Owens, Mr Michael Guerin and I saw the
opportunity to bring disparate groups
together with a common purpose to
improve the quality of research in
reproduction, paediatrics and stem cell
biology, with the aim of improving health
for all Australians.
It took nearly two and a half years before the
Robinson Institute started and we soon came
to the realisation that the Institute could not
be a ‘banker’ that simply handed out money,
but rather an ‘investor’ seeking to maximise
gain for all members involved in research in
these areas. 2012 was the year when it all
came together for the Institute. We moved to
de-emphasise the role of Centres in an effort
to maximise collaboration. A series of meetings There were many achievements in this year unproven substances and practices. Members
and workshops were held, which ultimately but I would like to highlight two in particular of the Institute were frequently cited in
transitioned into the development of Research that show our contribution to real health electronic and print media for their discoveries.
Themes and Research Challenges. This has outcomes. The fi rst is a publication by In addition, we played prominent roles in
made it much easier for us to focus on real Professor Michael Davies and colleagues the National Health and Medical Research
health outcomes and to encourage researchers in the New England Journal of Medicine Council, Australian Research Council and
to work together and not compete against in which they linked various databases to professional societies including the Society
each other. We now have four major Research investigate outcomes for children from IVF for Reproductive Biology, Perinatal Society
Themes and 10 Research Challenges; we procedures. Reproductive technology is of Australia and New Zealand, Fertility
consider our researchers work in communities one of our strongest areas and this paper Society of Australia, Asia Pacifi c Initiative on
and to support them we have to develop Core indicated that while there is some cause Reproduction and many others.
Facilities. The movement to a Theme based for reassurance about the outcome of IVF October 2013 marks my stepping down from
operating model is seeing an environment children, there is no room for complacency. Directorship of the Robinson Institute at a time
of cross collaboration emerge and these will This paper received the highest publicity of when we have established good governance,
replace the original centre based model. We any output from The University of Adelaide trust with the University administration, benefi t
need to support the Communities, Themes last year. The second is the enormous study for our members and an active pipeline of
and Challenges and a key element of this is conducted by Professor Jodie Dodd at the discovery from basic science through to health
the investment in developing Core Facilities. Women’s and Children’s Hospital, in which policy and practice. There is much to be proud
2012 was also the year in which, for the second she randomised more than 2,000 women of in what we have achieved over the last fi ve
time, our efforts were rewarded by the Australian who were overweight in pregnancy to a years but there are many challenges ahead
government’s Excellence in Research Australia lifestyle intervention or to standard care. with reducing government funding for research,
(ERA) score of 5 in paediatrics and reproductive The remarkable achievement in getting full a leadership transition and developing
health – and again the only group in Australia recruitment, coupled with the usual detailed relationships with the South Australian Health
to receive that score. While we will no doubt planning and analysis will make this study and Medical Research Institute and the
be joined by others in the country in the ground-breaking and will lead to many more Women’s and Children’s Health Research
next round, the quality and volume of work papers over the next few years. Alliance. I would like to thank Board Chair,
coming from our researchers indicates that Members of the Institute made major Mr Mark Coleman, and General Manager,
we are one of the leading centres in the contributions to community engagement Ms Kate Irving along with her staff, for the
world in our area of research. including the highly successful Healthy outstanding support they have given me.
Development Adelaide which continues Professor Robert Norman
...we are one of to engage with researchers, government Director
and the community on matters to do with
the leading centres paediatrics and reproductive health. Emeritus
Professor Alastair MacLennan co-founded
in the world in our area
the Friends of Science which seeks to put
of research objectivity back into the analysis of many claims
in popular culture regarding the effi cacy of
Annual Report 2012 5
Robinson Institute at a glance
More than More than 5
research centres
$23m 50
research

leaders and
450
in funding in 2012 members
RRM$iPM$iASaHPSaHAnnBBnnccff ee TToofifihhddffhhoo aa22eeuurr llooRR lliieeRRoonnttaaoobbbb iihhnnddtteettll33sshh oo eeppioinno nnddIIaaiirnrnffssmmnn ggnnoottiiPwPwttuudd ttaaeeiiuusstteehhccddoo tt titiiiaahhvvttnneeeerr iicc ssII nnRM4$fFM4R$fFoossooaarroouuii11 tt55ttrsrsnnhheeeeii55dd deedtttt00 aahh uuPPmm00ttaaeeiioonnoo ttttrreenn,r,r eeeerree00ss CCeett hhaaooaa00aarruuccnncctthh hh00 eeeeaarr ss gg5$fF5R$fFRooooaallrruuii55 aa ttss nnrhh
10 Raised more than Embedded in
Research
5
$150,000 SA hospitals
Challenges

for the Peter Couche
Foundation in 2012
6 The Robinson Institute
More than More than More than
30 110 350
Honours PhD publications

students students in 2012
eeoonniittnnuu aattrrllssssss M0M0MacMacoonnuooullddllrr00llaa tteeiibbiinn ppootttthhll eerr ee PsPsaaaarr ttnnnnnntthhuuiiaaaa ooDDddttttnnieeiii oooossnnnnnn ttssaaaallll 35M35Moo 55rr nfinfiee llee tt00eewwhhddaa ppnn ppaa ttuuAAeennbbnnnnuullaattiill RRccsseeaapp oorrtttt ii22oo001122nn PPssBB
Raised more than Multiple national 5
new patents
$50,000 and international
fi led

collaborations
for the Robinson
Foundation in 2012
Annual Report 2012 7
About the
Robinson Institute
The Robinson Institute brings
together more than 450 members in
reproductive and paediatric health,
who are dedicated to providing all
children with the healthiest start in life.
8 The Robinson Institute
Who we are
The Robinson Institute brings together the brain and body in early life and
more than 450 world-leading researchers advancing child and adolescent health to
and clinicians in reproductive and treat and prevent disease.
paediatric health, who are dedicated to To advance our research we are
providing all children with the healthiest committed to building national and global
start in life. partnerships which help us address
As part of the University of Adelaide, major research challenges. In addition,
we are internationally renowned for our we seek to engage with the community
ground-breaking research and translation to build awareness of the value of
into clinical care and health policy. investing in reproductive and paediatric
By focussing on the early stages of helath, to educate them on the vital
life we aim to improve the wellbeing of nature of our research, and to attract
families across generations. This includes ongoing support. This will ensure our
enabling a healthy start through fertility researchers continue to make remarkable
choices and conception, nurturing the discoveries that transform and improve
unborn during pregnancy, strengthening quality of life.
The Robinson Institute: Structure (2012)
Vice-Chancellor
& President
Deputy Vice-Chancellor
(Research)
Board of Governors
Robinson Foundation
Director
Committee
Peter Couche Foundation
Deputy Director
Steering Committee
Transition Management
Committee
Australian Research
Centre for Stem Cell Early Origins of Research Centre for
Centre for Health of Children’s Research Centre General Manager
Research Health and Disease Reproductive Health
Women & Babies
Marketing and Marketing and
Senior Research Program
Developmentment Fundraising Executive Assistant Financial Manager
Administration Offi cer Coordinator
Manager Coordinator
Annual Report 2012 9
A new direction
Throughout 2012, the Robinson Institute underwent
a signifi cant transformation to Reshape the Robinson
operating model for future sustainability.
The reshaping began in November 2011 Research Themes Research Challenges
when an external review recommended
that the Institute make a number of key The Research Themes are at the core of Accompanying the development of Themes
changes to achieve its goal of becoming a Reshaping the Robinson. They provide came the need to identify major Research
world-leading research organisation. This the necessary infrastructure and focus Challenges. These require diverse expertise
included the development of a bold 10 year to operate as a Research theme based and approaches to address signifi cant
vision and a review of the Institute’s structure organisation - enabling greater fl exibility health burdens nationally and internationally.
to facilitate greater internal collaboration. and cross collaboration. To drive theme They will enable the Robinson Institute
Key to this was the recommendation that development the Institute established the to demonstrate distinction and achieve
the Institute transition from a centre based ‘Theme Development Taskforce’. The research excellence.
operating model to a research theme Taskforce consulted widely and often with Defi ning the priority Research Challenges
based model. Institute members and staff, driving the upon which to focus and invest, the Institute
To progress these recommendations initiatives that would help defi ne the themes. will clearly demonstrate how its research is
the Reshaping the Robinson project was This included numerous workshops and aligned to national and global priorities and
launched, with the fi rst step being to open forum consultations, resulting in the how it can make a lasting impact. They will
develop Research Themes. establishment of four key Research Themes: also enable researchers from diverse fi elds
and groups to come together, encouraging
Reproductive Health
new ideas and perspectives.
Pregnancy Health The result of the Research Challenge
development process is the Institute’s top
Early Origins of Health
ten Research Challenges.
Child and Adolescent Health
The Research Themes cover the breadth
of the Institute’s research and align with
the reproductive lifecycle, ensuring that the
research improves health and wellbeing
across generations.
10 The Robinson Institute