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October 2012

leadership notes...ihbi success ... NHMRC grants and awards

ihbi news ... cells & tissue domain

ihbi action items...wellness ambassador

moving towards the tri-line ... news you can use ...lab services, new resources research support services ... ..what’s happening at research committee ... ihbi update ... Nobel Prize, AusHSI Launch, Informed Fridays and more ...

save the date ... MCME, Chlamydia Conference, and more..

one minute with ... Professor Andrew Wilson...

The month of October has been full of news, including the outcome of NHMRC Project Grants where we received 1.1% of the funding nationally, identical to our share last year. We are currently looking at trends in feedback to see if there are continuous issues we need to address in the next round. We know that their review process is imperfect and that luck clearly plays a role in success. However, we need to start working on these grants now. While this is difficult, we need to ensure that the grants submitted are as fully developed as they can be by the time our External Reviewers see them. We have recently contributed to QUT’s response to the McKeon Consultation Paper regarding the future of the NHMRC and much of the paper adheres well with our approach and bodes well for future success. There are multiple award winners this month to acknowledge, particularly in our Cells & Tissue Domain and a piece on the biggest award in chemistry, the Noble Prize. There is also ample opportunity to be involved in upcoming conferences sponsored and hosted by IHBI in areas ranging from road safety to infectious disease. We also have a minute with Professor Andrew Wilson, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health who shares some insights into his career and a recipe. Andrew will be commencing a new role at the University of Sydney in early 2013 and although he will be here for a while longer and will continue a research presence at QUT let me get in early regarding my sincere thanks for the considerable contribution that Andrew has made to QUT and his abiding and substantial support of IHBI. In the interim I will be heading an IHBI delegation to China to develop stronger links in Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Wuhan while you will be back here celebrating the Melbourne Cup. I don’t recommend this as a research income strategy but all the best next Tuesday in any case. Professor Ross YoungIHBI Executive Director

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NHMRC Grant successIn another highly competitive funding round, IHBI researchers have been awarded a total of $6,176,801 in 10 successful grants which in dollar terms is similar to our 2011 result. Congratulations to all and details of each grant are listed below.

We also congratulate Dr Kathleen Finlayson for being successful with her NHMRC Early Career Fellowship application.

Successful grants were:

TEAM PROJECT BUDGETProf Pamela RussellProf Andrew WhittakerDr Kristofer J Thurecht,Prof Colleen NelsonDr Gary CowinDr Mark EmbertonProf Warren (Skip) Heston

Simultaneous Imaging and Drug Delivery for Prostate Cancer

Theranostics.

$545,362.35

Prof Gavin TurrellDr Nicola BurtonProf Wendy BrownA/Prof Billie Giles-CortiA/Prof Adrian BarnettDr Nancy PachanaMrs Lee-Ann Wilson

A longitudinal multilevel study of physical activity,

sedentary behaviour and physical function in mid-to-late adulthood.

$1,269,867.30

Prof Zee UptonDr Michael DoranA/Prof Kiarash Khos-rotehrani

Innovations in Diabetic Foot Ulcer (DFU)

Wound Care.$387,711.68

Prof Graham KerrProf Keith DavidsDr Sandra BraueDr Anna HattonProf Ewald HenningDr Heather NetscheDr Helen Johnson

Improving postural stability and reducing

falls risk in people with Parkinson’s disease

using textured insoles: a randomised.

$968,537.70

A/Prof Damien HarkinProf Traian Chirila,Prof Lawrence HirstProf Dietmar HutmacheProf Kerry AtkinsonProf Ivan Schwab

A novel mesenchy-mal stromal cell and

biomaterial for corneal reconstruction.

$489,980.40

Jyotsna Batra is a Mid-Career Researcher and CI-A of a successful NHMRC project grant.

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Prof Selena Bartlett received $513,860.10 in a rare success as a sole investigator on an NHMRC project grant

Prof Selena Bartlett

The Role of Neuronal Nicotinic Receptor

Subunits in the Self-Administration and Relapse to Alcohol

Seeking:Treatments for Alcohol.

$513,860.10

Prof Kenneth BeagleyProf Peter TimmsProf Richard Steven BlumbergDr Danica K HickeyDr Matt SweetDr Willa Huston

pH-dependent, antibody-mediated

enhancement of genital chlamydial infection:

implications for vaccine design?

$360,431.18

Dr Jyotsna BatraProf Judith ClementsDr Amanda SpurdieProf Colleen NelsonMs Felicity LoseMr Grant BuchananMs Melanie LehmanDr Rodney WebbProf Rosalind A Eeles

Identification and characterisation of a

novel genetic signature at the 5p15 region

associated with risk of prostate cancer.

$590,222.10

Dr Kathleen Finlayson, Prof Helen Edwards (Mentor)

Preventing recurrence of leg ulcers in older adults with peripheral vascular disease: identifying predictors and evaluating strategies.

$299,564

Dr Leanne Hides, Prof David Kavanagh, A/Prof Jason Connor, Dr Mark Daglish, A/Prof Susan Cotton, A/Prof Jan Barendregt, A/Prof Katie Witkiewitz, Prof Ross Young, Dr Angela White

Brief telephone interventions for

reducing future alcohol use and related harm

in young people accessing emergency

departments.

$702,461

We also congratulate the IHBI members with their NHMRC funded Project grants led by CI-A's outside of QUT.

Professor Patsy Yates, Associate Professor Sandie McCarthy, Mr Raymond Chan, Professor Joanne Wood, Professor Michael Kimlin, Dr Kate Halton, Dr Rachael Murray, Dr Christine Knox, Associate Professor Jonathan Harris, Professor Elizabeth Beattie and Dr Simon Smith

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Professor Dietmar W. Hutmacher recognised as a distinguished leader in his fieldCongratulations are in order to our colleague Professor Hutmacher, who has been awarded a Founding Fellowship (FTERM) by the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Society. The award was presented at the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative International Society World conference in Vienna, in the presence of more than 2500 delegates.

The Founding Fellowship award recognises Professor Hutmacher as a distinguished global leader within the tissue engineering and regenerative medicine field.

Over the last years, Professor Hutmacher has developed an international track record in adult stem cell research related to regenerative medicine. With his multidisciplinary group at QUT, Professor Hutmacher started a new research field and he is currently developing complex 3D cancer models to enable other researchers more realistic testing for example, drug efficacy, to achieve much more realistic results.We wish him the best of success with his research.

Professor Dietmar W. Hutmacher was awarded a Founding Fellowship

Connor O'Meara is the winner of the $7000 AusBio-GSK Student Excellence Award

Professor Andrew Wilson awarded for his contribution to health servicesCongratulations must go to our Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health, Professor Andrew Wilson, in being awarded the prestigious 2012 Sidney Sax Medal.

This award is presented by the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association to an individual who is active in the health service, policy decisions, organisation, delivery and research.

As an outstanding leader in the healthcare system in Australia, Andrew is a worthy recipient of this award and we wish him all the very best for his return to Sydney, where he will take up the appointment as the new Director of the Sydney Node of the Menzies Centre for Health Policy.

ihbicells and tissue domain newsStudent ExcellenceWell done to Connor O’Meara, who was just announced the winner of the AusBio Student Excellence National Award, having been the Queensland winner earlier this month. Connor, who has recently submitted his PhD, is developing a novel vaccine design for chlamydia that disarms the “bad” properties of the disease transforming it into common bacteria.As the winner, announced at AusBio, he will receive a $7000 International travel grant. Read news article here

Professor Andrew Wilson is the 2012 Sidney Sax medal winner

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Poster AwardJessica Lisle won the best poster award at the recent 13th Australasian Prostate Cancer Conference in Melbourne: “KLK4-initiated protease cleavage of the receptor tyrosine kinase EphB4 at the surface of prostate cancer cells – a possible mechanism for regulation of EphB4 signalling”

2012 QLD New Media Art ScholarshipSvenja Kratz has jsut been announced as the recipient of the 2012 Queensland New Media Scholarship. This is a very prestigious award issued through GOMA and will provide funds for her continued work across art and science next year. Svenja has said this would not have been possible without the amazing support from IHBI and particularly the TRR group. She has also generously offered to have some of her work as a permanenet display at IHBI so look out for a new enriched Q Block in 2013.Click here to read more about Svenja’s award

Funding success Stressed for successEliza Whiteside was successful in gaining $28k in funding through the HHWB Collaborative Grant Scheme. Eliza’s ongoing collaboration investigating the effects of life stressors on health biomarkers will build on the success of IHBI members across our two largest domains. International collaboration on impact of life stressors on quality of life and telometric DNA length in midlife and older women. Team (IHBI): Dr Eliza Whiteside (CI, CT), Dr Charrlotte Seib (CI, HHWB), Prof Deb Anderson [mentor, HHWB], A/Prof Lisa Chopin [mentor, CT], Team (External): Professor Kathryn Lee & Prof Janice Humphreys, UCSF and USA.

Model studyDaniela Loessner, Ferry Melchels, Dietmar Hutmacher had recent grant success under the IHBI Collaborative Grant Scheme: “A novel bioengineered 3D model to study ovarian cancer progression in vivo.”

PublicationsHangar, J., Loader, J., Wan, C., Beagley, K., Timms, P. and Polkinghorne, A. (2012) Comparison of antigen detection and quantitative PCR in the detection of chlamydial infections in koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). The Veterinary Journal

Felicity Lose, Srilakshmi Srinivasan, Tracy O’Mara, Louise Marquart, Suzanne Chambers, Robert A. Gardiner, Joanne F. Aitken, the Australian Prostate Cancer BioResource, Amanda B. Spurdle, Jyotsna Batra, and Judith A. Clements (2012) Genetic association of the KLK4 Locus with Risk of Prostate Cancer. PLoS One

Batra J, O’Mara T, Patanala R, Lose F, Clements J (2012) Genetic polymorphisms in the human tissue kallikrein (KLK) locus and their implication in various malignant and non-malignant diseases. Biological Chemistry.

Welcome Mette Aamand Sorensen: New TRR member and visiting PhD student from Denmark

Baby News...

The newest member of the C&T domain, Samson Edward was born on 9 October at 11.22pm weighing 2950g

Willa Huston with her husband Paul and their baby boy Samson Edward

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Publications (cont)

Mertens-Walker I, Baxter RC, Marsh DJ. Gonadotropin signalling in epithelial ovarian cancer. Cancer Lett. 2012 Nov 28;324(2):152-9.

Herington AC, PE Lobie. Signal transduction mechanisms underlying growth hormone receptor action. The Open Journal Endocrinol 6 (Suppl 1:M3): 13-21, 2012

Conference update22nd Annual Conference of the Australasian Society for Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering together with the 5th Indo-Australian Conference on Biomaterials, Implants and Tissue Engineering

Call for abstracts: Click here for details

Registration opens 1 November 2012

Where: Barossa Valley at the Weintal Barossa Hotel/Motel.When: April 2-5, 2013 Barossa Valley at the Weintal Barossa Hotel/Motel.

Conference website here

Wellness Ambassador OpportunityAs we spend much of our time at work, our wellness in the workplace matters. QUT provides a great number of resources and services as part of the Wellness Program (go to http://www.wellness.qut.edu.au/ for more information).

As this is an issue close to our heart, the IHBI WHS Committee is seeking an individual that is passionate about Wellness to represent IHBI as a Wellness Ambassador. Attached is some information about this role. ). If anyone is interested in nominating themselves for this please forward your name to Lorrelle Allen (lorelle.allen@qut.edu.au telephone 3138 6040) by Friday 9 November.For information on the roles and duties click here

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Dr Jodie Robinson appointed TRI Floor Manager Congratulations to Dr Jodie Robinson on her recent appointment as a Floor Manager at TRI. Jodie commenced with IHBI in April 2012, and since that time has been invaluable in assisting with the transition of QUT staff relocating to TRI. We are very fortunate that Jodie will continue to work with QUT during the relocation phase, and she is also our allocated floor manager which is terrific. We are delighted that Jodie will remain our key laboratory contact at TRI.

Keep in touch with what’s happening at TRIIt’s been an action packed month at TRI as we prepare for administration and research staff to start moving in from 26 November 2012. New images of the building are available here.

Now that we have reached the final stage of TRI’s main building construction, we are gearing up to roll-out the staff Induction Program next month, which will be a prerequisite to moving in. More details are on TRI Introspective link This month we held a series of focus groups to determine the content on the TRI ‘digital wall’, comprising of 8 continuous LCD screens located at the main entrance on level 2. The wall will provide a source of information for TRI staff, their research partners, and the general public. Displaying real-time and recorded content that provides insight into our research focus, core capabilities and collaborations, the digital wall is a ‘window’ into TRI. Please contribute to a short online survey and provide your insights and ideas for future content.

Please click here to complete the questionnaire

Professor Ian Frazer ACCEO and Director of Research

What are you looking forward to at TRI?

With IHBI such a strong partner institute of TRI and with the focus now well and truly on moving in, we would like to hear what you are most looking forward to.

I would love to hear one or two thoughts, so email me at: ihbi.communications@qut.edu.au

Is it the state of the art laboratories, equipment or is the BBQ area a major attraction?

Dr Jodie Robinson is the new TRI floor manager

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Laboratory Services NewsReview of Chemical Management Practices and Procedures across QUT

One area of focus is identifying what current practices are utilised in various faculties/institutes/divisions for complete chemical management. All chemical purchasers or end users are requested to complete the survey, which will provide valuable feedback to assist the future development of Chemical Management in QUT.The survey can be completed anonymously or you can include your name and location if you choose. It should take approximately 10 minutes to complete.

Closing Date of survey is 5:00pm Wednesday 7th November 2012.Click here to complete the surveyIf you have any trouble accessing the survey or have any general queries regarding the review please contact Nick Ryan (Health and Safety Manager – Science and Engineering Faculty) ext 82326.

Research Methods GroupIHBIs Research Methods group is a unique consultation service that provides support for researchers and their projects. There have been several requests of the Research Methods Group the current location of our self help material.

Add the below link to your bookmarks for quick access to material you can use: Research Methods Group

Welcome new team membersWith the main grant-writing season quickly approaching we would like to take the opportunity to introduce our new team members and to draw your attention to a range of services available to help you to make this process easier. Dr Sara Gollschewski is our new Senior Research Services Officer. With background in pre-hospital services and public health research, Sara brings a wealth of experience in research administration and coordination of large projects. Sara will be responsible for coordination the pre-award support for the NHMRC Projects Scheme and the ARC Linkage Projects Scheme. Ms Kas Tesluk and Mr Dan Cole are our new Research Services Officers. Kas has joined our team from the Office of Research of the University of Newcastle. You may already know Dan as our Domain Support Admin Assistant, Dan is replacing Bree Loli while she is on maternity leave. Both Kas and Dan will be working closely with our researchers on their RGMS and RMS data entry and other support.Linda Bulloch is our new receptionist.

The team is located in the IHBI building on level 6. Contact details: ihbiresearch@qut.edu.au, phone 3138 6056.

Upcoming key event:NHMRC Strategic Panel Session – Tuesday, 27 November 2012, 9.30am – 11.30am followed by lunch (IHBI Seminar Room). Please RSVP to ihbiresearch@qut.edu.au by Friday, 16 November 2012.

Research and Admin Services Team: Radka, Julie, Kas, Linda, Sara and Dan

Two useful resources1. A pdf of a statistics book called “PDQ statistics” , is a very accessible book related to statistics. “Google” it, you will find it online. It covers most of the issues and in adequate depth. It does not cover everything (notably mixed models and Bland-Altman plots) but it is a very good book. 2. Sir Henry Stuart talks: http://hstalks.com/ A series of “live” talks on themes such as“Design and Analysis of Randomised clinical trials”. The talks cover a wide range of biology and health topics and great resource that you will find it useful.

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Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2012The Nobel Prize in Chemistry for 2012 has been awarded jointly to Robert J. Lefkowitz, Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA and Brian K. Kobilka,Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA

“for studies of G-protein–coupled receptors”

Their work will be familiar to many of us and includes detailed studies that have contributed to our understanding of signalling, regulation and structural properties of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Approximately 50% of currently prescribed drugs target GPCRs. Their work includes milestones such as • cloning of the b2-adrenoceptor (Kobilka et al 1987, J Biol Chem 262, 732-737; Nature 329, 75-79) and other GPCRs, • the elucidation of the crystal structure of the b2-adrenoceptor (Rasmussen et al 2007, Nature 450, 383-387) • the first structure of an active receptor interacting with the effector G protein (Rasmussen et al 2011; Nature 477: 549-555).

Their work is template for other members of the extensive GPCR family. Approximately 800 GPCR or GPCR like receptors have been identified and are listed in a concise and authoritative manner in the database guidetopharmacology.org.

Some researchers at IHBI work directly on GPCRs. For example b-adrenoceptors, Ghrelin receptors, Protease Activated Receptors (PARS) and others. If not directly, indirectly by studying the clinical uses of drugs targeting GPCRs, for example b-blockers for cardiovascular and heart disease.Despite the high proportion of clinically available drugs targeting GPCRs, there is a potentially larger pool of GPCRs for which very little is known, and which could provide future therapeutic targets. The work of Robert Lefkowitz and Brian Kobilka will facilitate GPCR drug discovery.For further details of the Nobel Prize winners click here* This piece was kindly contributed by A/Prof. Peter Molenaar whose research links GPCRs with heart failure.

Ternary model of agonist (for example noradrenaline) yellow

– b-adrenoceptor (blue) - G-protein (red), left and crystal structure (right) developed from the laboratories of Lefkowitz and Kobilka (http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/chemistry/laureates/2012/advanced-chemistryprize2012.pdf)

2012 Development ReportDr Sheila Colwell provided an update on development activities. She presented the revenue and endowment funding received via Alumni & Development Office (ADO) since 2007, including an estimated $5.1M for 2012.Sheila stressed that maintaining links with sponsors of all types is central to the ongoing success of IHBI’s development. IHBI’s fundraising strategy will focus its communication on impact. Organisational donors and partners want to know that IHBI is effective in producing research of a high quality, but they are also concerned with impact of our research related to public need.

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AusHSI launchedThe Australian Centre for Health Services Innovation (AusHSI) was officially launched on 11th October at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital as part of the 21st Annual Healthcare Symposium, in a session chaired by Prof Ross Young.

Key AusHSI grant recipients and research leaders presented their research projects during the event including Prof Monika Janda, Prof Lindy Willmott, Dr Louise Cullen, Prof Glenn Gardner, Satyan Chari, Amy Spooner, Kathryn Plonka, Dr Alison Mudge, Meredith Harris and Prof Nick Graves.

During the launch Nick outlined six innovations that could save lives and billions of dollars including, coated catheters in intensive care, better prices for generic medicines, and the use of simpler products for blood transfusions are all innovations identified by health services research that could help free up billions .of dollars of precious health resources while helping Australians to live longer.

AusHSI launch was well attended by both clinicians, health service workers and researchers

Timely Theme for Friday QuestsWith the launch of AusHSI and the release of the McKeon Review Consultation Paper, the theme of Health Services at this month’s Informed Friday Quests was fortuitous.

Four panellists plus our expert moderator, Professor Barry Watson, led the session :Professor Ann Bonner (HHWB) presented us with the definition of Health Services and how the HHWB domain conducts health services research, citing specific examples in the area of palliative care, the introduction of Nurse Practitioners, and the formation of a cardiac care access index.

Dr Vincent Chang (C&T) discussed the research being conducted at the School of Biomedical Sciences on adherences to medicines and linking this to health services via interventions by health care professionals to try and improve adherence.

Dr Kirsten McKenzie (IP&R) gave an overview of the domains research in the health services area looking specifically at how to reduce the occurrence of injury.

Professor Ross Crawford (MD) outlined some of the difficulties he sees in patients accessing the public health system, due to government policy and the increasing patient numbers. He introduced the concept of Health Economics and how this will impact on future health services.

The floor was then opened for discussion. A/Proff Barnett explained how AusHSI provides a streamlined funding process for researchers with innovative ideas in improving health services. Many other audience members contributed to this active discussion.

Take home points• Have open dialogue between researchers and clinicians about how a disease impacts on health services and how to keep people healthy, well and out of the hospital system.

• Establish registry/databases so we can measure the outcomes of health services interventions.

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Professor Michael Schuetz becomes Honorary German Consul in Brisbane German Unity Day was held on October 10, 2012, which marked the celebration of the “passing of the baton” from the current Honorary German Consul Detlef Sulzer to Professor Michael Schuetz at a wonderful reception at Old Government House. More than 200 guests, representing politics, business, culture and science, celebrated the German National day.

We are all very proud of this achievement and are very happy for Prof Schuetz, it indicates what high esteem he is held in by the German community and his professional colleagues. On behalf of all IHBI members we would like to congratulate Prof Schuetz and we hope that his first Oktoberfest in the new role went smoothly.

Professor Michael Schuetz with the previous Honorary Consul Mr Detlef Sulzer at the German Unity Day

An IHBI Member leads to the writing of an ACN Position Statement on ‘Nursing Research’ On 1 July 2012, the two peak national professional bodies (the Royal College of Nursing Australia, and the College of Nursing) unified to become the Australian College of Nursing. The unification took place to give a new direction and create a single voice for the nursing profession. The Australian College of Nursing certainly has a key role in lobbying state and federal governments on issues of policy analysis, development and reform as they relate to the nursing profession.

Recently, the Australian College of Nursing recognised the need for a new Position Statement on Nursing Research. An IHBI PhD student and RBWH nurse, Raymond Chan, has been commissioned to lead a review group to prepare this statement, in the capacity as the Editor for the National Research Network of the Australian College of Nursing. This national statement is expected to give a voice to issues relevant to nursing research and the profession. Raymond will lead a team of a minimum of five esteemed nurse researchers and a research assistant to complete this important project. This work is expected to be completed in early 2013.

Nursing research at the RBWH has been at the forefront of guiding and advancing nursing practice at the local, national and international levels. This is one of the many great examples demonstrating the impacts of nurse researchers at QUT. Congratulations to Raymond Chan, Prof Patsy Yates - his mentor and IHBI HHW Domain Leader, Cancer Care Nursing Services (led by Adj A/Prof Alanna Geary), and Centre for Clinical Nursing (led by Professor Joan Webster).

Raymond Chan, Nurse Researcher is leading the review on a new Position Statement on Nursing Research

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qutbluebox Innovation Transfer and Commercialisation Seminar Following a brief introduction to QUT’s innovation transfer and commercialisation activities, the bluebox team will outline opportunities to work with them and briefly present some QUT projects which they are collaboratively progressing.

Kelvin Grove Campus When: Thursday 1st November at 2:30-4:00pmWhere: KG-SYN109, 88 Musk Ave, KG

MCME Conference and Workshop Explore the possibilities mathematical modelling and computation hold for the solution of complex Biomedical problems.When: 12 -15 November 2012Where: IHBI Seminar Room, KG Q430Details available soon at http://2012mcme.wordpress.com/

T2013: 20th International Council on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safely Conference 25-28 August 2013The Scientific Program Committee now invites submission for Abstracts for oral and poster presentations for the T2013 Conference.

The deadline for submission of Abstracts is Monday 12 November 2012.

For more details on the Call for Abstracts process, please click here.

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2012 Australian Chlamydia ConferenceGet yourself up to date with the latest science in the area of this most common sexually transmmitted infection in Australia. The conference program is packed with interesting talks from international and national participants. When: 20 -21 November 2012Where: IHBI Seminar Room, KG Q430

IHBI Inspires 2012The IHBI Postgraduate Student Committee is pleased to advise that due to overwhelming interest, the IHBI Inspires Postgraduate Student Conference 2012 has attracted 200 registrants and is now fully subscribed. At this time we are closing the conference for new registrations.Thank you for your keen interest, we are looking forward to enjoying this year’s conference with those attending.

When: 22-23 November 2012Venue: Radisson Resort Gold Coast Palm Meadows Drive Carrara, QLD, 4211

IHBI Inspires 2012

Student hunger a real issue on campus

You may have seen a two dimensional figure loitering in the atrium.The QUT Food Bank Guild would greatly appreciate any donations of non-perishable items.

Student poverty is a real issue and many students are struggling to make ends meet. National research shows 1 in 8 students go without food or necessities because they cannot afford them.

Please add a couple of extra items to your shopping trolley this week and donate them to the Food Bank.

You can leave your donations with the hungry student cut-out at Q block level 4 near reception.

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ihbione minute with...

This is your newsletter so feedback and suggestions regarding content is welcomed at ihbi.communications@qut.edu.au

Tell us what you think

After his recent success at the Sidney Sax Medal awards let’s get to know Professor Andrew Wilson a little better...

What made you choose your career? (And what is your academic background?)

I didn’t really choose my career, it happened because I got involved in things I was interested in, like a desire to do something useful, to help others, to discover things, to work with people, and not to be bored. I did medicine because it seemed to combine all of those things, and then public health because I could do it on a bigger scale. I started research on the epidemiology of coronary heart disease because I couldn’t understand how the mortality rates had fallen so fast from the late 1960s. I got involved in management of the health system because I wanted to better understand how decisions were made about funding health, and in policy because it should underpin those decisions. And along the way I have been fortunate enough to work with some great people who have been prepared to accept an outsider coming into their domain which has made it possible.

What are you working on at the moment?

I am writing the second stage proposal for the NHMRC Partnership Centre for Systems Perspectives on Preventing Lifestyle-Related Chronic Conditions. Phew what a mouthful! I am leading a team of investigators from 5 universities including QUT, 8 centres and several industry collaborators that has been selected to prepare this 5 year multi-million dollar endeavour. Its one of the most exciting ventures I have been every been involved. It brings together my long standing interests in chronic disease prevention and management and health policy. Assuming it goes ahead in the current funding environment, it is also an exciting opportunity to work with a range of people whose work I admire.

What does it mean to you to win the Sidney Sax Medal?

I was blown away! I was not expecting it and it is always special to be recognised publicly by your peers. I could have done without the childhood and uni photos the family provided for the presentation, although the picture of my first grade class at Kuranda State School, is special. The majority of my classmates were indigenous, and every time I look at it and contemplate who is still alive, it is a personal reminder of the biggest health inequality in Australia.

What is your favourite meal?

I love food and cooking so dont get me started. One of my simple favourites is Baghdad eggs for weekend breakfast. You simmer garlic and sumac in butter, then fry your eggs in that and sprinkle with mint just before removing from pan. Serve on toast.

What was your happiest moments?

The births of my daughter and son. I went through my early career without much thought of having children as both Karen and I had busy professional lives. Then in our thirties we decided to have children, and afterwards, I just can’t imagine what life would have been without this experience. Not even the best red has come close!

Is there something that you dream of doing one day?

I aspire to be able to draw and paint more than competently. When I am stuck on trying to work something out, I splash paint on canvas and I think it activates a different part of my mind and I seem to see different approaches. But it would be great to actually produce something that others might recognise as art!