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Home > News > News archive 2009
Monday 21 December 2009
Abstract submissions close on 1 February 2010
Queensland Health Healthcare Improvement Symposium and Awards (formerly the Queensland Health Excellence Awards) will be held on 11 May 2010 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Staff from Queensland Health or partnerships involving Queensland Health are invited to submit abstracts against the Symposium themes, particularly ‘Research informing healthcare improvement: From benchtop to bedside’.
Themes include:
Tuesday 8 December 2009
Would you like to make a difference today and contribute to improving health care practices and quality of life for your patients through medical research? Is there, as part of your clinical duties, something that has always puzzled you; or is there some procedure that you believe should be improved? The Wesley Research Institute (WRI) can help you.
WRI is a not-for-profit organisation designed to promote and assist medical research. Collaborative research is presently being undertaken with 23 partner organisations, bringing together medical professionals, experienced scientific researchers, patients and the community to work toward a common goal.
WRI is currently looking for individuals or groups of individuals to join our team of researchers. The current round of funding opportunities is now open. If you have a research idea please contact:
Phone : 3721 1503 – Annette Ganter, Research Liaison Administrator
Email: research@wesleyresearch.com.au to obtain application guidelines
Monday 7 December 2009
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General Manager, Pharmaceuticals, Health Industries and Enabling Technologies Branch |
The Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator the Hon Kim Carr, and the Minister for Health and Ageing, the Hon Nicola Roxon MP, announced the creation of an Action Group for Clinical Trials on 27 October 2009.
The Action Group is calling for public submissions to help inform their work to improve the Australian clinical trials operating environment. Submissions to the Action Group may be posted or forwarded by email by close of business 15 January 2010. The focus is on five key areas:developing a clinical trials roadmap; developing key performance measures for clinical trials; ensuring the rapid uptake of streamlined
ethics, scientific and governance review processes; strategies to improve patient recruitment; and developing an ICT strategic plan for clinical trials.
Friday 4 December 2009
The head of the Indigenous Research Program at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Associate Professor Gail Garvey has won an award for her work promoting science careers for Indigenous women.
Associate Professor Garvey won the Our Women, Our State Award for Promoting Indigenous Women. These awards recognise the achievements of women who work towards enabling other women to enter into careers in science, engineering and technology.
QIMR Indigenous Health Research Program
Thursday 3 December 2009
The Minister for Indigenous Health, Rural and Regional Health and Regional Services Delivery, Warren Snowdon, has welcomed the establishment of the new Institute for Urban Indigenous Health in Brisbane.
The Australian Government has provided funding totalling $312,618 toward the establishment and implementation of the initial phase of the Institute.
The Minister said the Institute would integrate health planning and servicing within Brisbane and the surrounding regions to meet the health needs of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population.
Click here for more information.
Tuesday 1 December 2009
Opening and closing dates for NHMRC funding schemes for 2010 is now available on the NHMRC website.
Click here for more information.
Monday 30 November 2009
The Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) has received its largest-ever number of project grants from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
“We are delighted with the results”, exclaimed QIMR’s Director Professor Michael Good. “QIMR achieved a 41% success rate with 26 successful applications. Although the national figures have not been released for this year, the data over the last 10 years has averaged 24% nationally. This ranks QIMR significantly higher than the national average, which reinforces QIMR’s position as one of the Australia’s leading medical research institutes”.
Click here for more information.
Friday 27 November 2009
Medical Devices Financial Incentive Pilot Program recipient Qlicksmart has appeared on the ABC program “the new inventors” and won the People’s Choice award for the CheckCLIP in November 2009.
The Medical Devices Financial Incentive Program is a joint initiative between Queensland Health and the Department of Employment, Economic Development & Innovation to provide support to Queensland Medical Device companies by allocating up to $50,000 for cost associated with manufacturing, clinical trials and assessments, and to assist with a greater use of these products by the health system.
Wednesday 25 November 2009
We received a total of 113 applications for the first round of the Health Reserach Fellowships with all applications being assessed by a review panel made up of a number of members external to Queensland.
Due to the high number of applications the review panel will require more time than initially allocated to reviewing each application. Preliminary comments from the review panel have spoken of the very high quality of applications received.
At the beginning of the application process we had indicated that interviews were likely to take place in December 2009. It now appears more than likely that the review panel will complete its short-listing in December and look to conduct interviews in early February 2010.
Should you have any further queries on the fellowships please feel free to contact the Office of Health and Medical Research at any time on 3405 6121 or OHMR@health.qld.gov.au
Monday 23 November 2009
The Senior Clinical Research Fellowships (SCRF) are to provide funding of up to AUD 850,000 pa for five years to attract and retain researchers to Queensland who are international leaders in their field. Successful applicants will be at the forefront of research, development and innovation, and will be expected to bring new clinical and intellectual resources that will further stimulate Queensland’s research potential. Please be aware that the SCRF are advertised both nationally and internationally.
The application process for the Senior Clinical Research Fellowship is a two stage process.
Click here for more information.
Monday 19 October 2009
Queensland Health (QH) researchers have developed a new, highly accurate Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) diagnostic test for the detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in clinical samples.
More information available on the Intellectual Property Commercialisation Opportunities page.
Wednesday 7 October 2009
The Office of Health and Medical Research invites applications for the first round of Clinical Academic Fellowships. These fellowships provide salary support of up to $75,000 per annum for five years for newly created positions between Queensland publicly funded health facilities and Queensland universities.
The application process requires the collaboration of Queensland publicly funded health care facilities and Queensland universities to design new positions that will increase research activity and provide a focus on clinical excellence.
More information available on the Clinical Academic Fellowships page.
Tuesday 29 September 2009
The objective of the Queensland International Fellowships is to strengthen the State's global knowledge alliances. The program enables Queenslanders to undertake collaborative scientific research or policy development projects at leading international institutions, government agencies and/or private sector research organisations.
The program gives at least 12 researchers the opportunity to travel overseas and undertake a high quality, technically feasible and strategically valuable project with a leading international knowledge partner.
Any Queensland-based government or industry professional involved in an eligible area of research can apply.
In this round, priority will be given to projects that target China, India, Japan, Korea, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Canada, and are relevant to the following areas:
More information available on the Queensland Government Science and Technology Website
Friday 18 September 2009
The Smart Futures Fund is an $80 million Queensland Government investment to support collaborative projects, skills development and innovative research throughout the State. The Smart Futures Fund is a shift away from infrastructure investment and a shift towards projects and people. This will further the results already gained by the Smart State Innovation Funds. The Smart Futures Fund will stimulate cutting-edge research projects and attract top-quality scientists to Queensland to utilise Queensland's world-class research facilities.
The Smart Futures Fund is comprised of two sub-funds:
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Voting has now opened for the inaugural Queensland Life Sciences Industry Excellence Award, to be presented at the Globally Engaging Networking Event on 23 October, 2009. This award will recognise an individual who has made significant contributions to the performance and success of the Queensland Life Sciences Industry, with nominees coming from a range of backgrounds and research areas.
To view the list of nominees and to vote, visit the QCTN website – www.qctn.com.au and click on the ‘VOTE NOW’ link on the homepage.
Monday 14 September 2009
Valid only until Friday 25 September 2009
TRX09 - Translational Research Excellence Symposium, Friday 23 October 2009, Brisbane
The TRX Symposium will stimulate trans-disciplinary interaction and collaborations across all areas of human disease research, drug and diagnostic discovery and development, and bioinformatics - across academia, biopharmaceutical industry and government.
Among the topics that will be addressed:
Confirmed speakers include:
This event will be followed by the Queensland Life Sciences Globally Engaging Networking Event. Registration for the Queensland Life Sciences Globally Engaging Networking Event is included in the registration fee for TRX09.'
TRX09 Special Offer Registration Form (PDF)
TRX09 Program (PDF)
Tuesday 8 September 2009
Closing 2 November 2009
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is now accepting grant proposals for Round 4 of Grand Challenges Explorations, a US$100 million initiative to encourage unconventional global health solutions. Anyone can apply, regardless of education or experience level.
Grant proposals are being accepted online at http://www.grandchallenges.org/explorations until 2 November 2009, on the following topics:
Initial grants will be $100,000 each, and projects showing promise will have the opportunity to receive additional funding of $1 million or more. Full descriptions of the new topics and application instructions are available at http://www.grandchallenges.org/explorations.
These scholarships are for Queensland Health employees only.
Mental Health Scholarships provide financial reimbursement for approved advanced (postgraduate level) studies relevant to mental health clinical practice.
For more information on eligibility or to obtain an application form please contact the Mental Health Scholarship Coordinator on (07) 3271 8838 or email MHScholarships@health.qld.gov.au
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Under section 183 the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth), Queensland Health staff are free to photocopy material in which an external organisation holds copyright for the purposes of carrying out their normal duties as government employees. However, there are some situations in which this freedom to copy may be limited, where contractual arrangements prevent such copying. This is highlighted by legal advice received in relation to Pearson (formerly Harcourt) clinical assessment tools for allied health professionals. We have been advised that Pearson's clinical assessment tools should be continued to be purchased and not photocopied to avoid a breach of contract.
For further information contact the Intellectual Property Officer at IP_Officer@health.qld.gov.au.
Tuesday 1 September 2009
The 12th annual Women in Technology Awards were held at Brisbane's Tivoli on Saturday 29th August. These awards recognise the achievements of women working in the information technology and biotechnology industries. In its lifetime, 88 awards have been made with the winners sharing in over $570,000 in cash and prizes, and achieving recognition for excellence in their field.
The Office of Health and Medical Research congratulates the following recipients of the awards in the biotechnology category:
Hannah Cullup, Mater Medical Research Institute
Marie Curie Fellowship recipient, Dr Hannah Cullup arrived in Brisbane in August last year to undertake a post-doctoral role within MMRI's Dendritic Cell Antigen Team, where she is pursuing research into graft versus host disease.
Yvonne Buckley, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland
Yvonne works jointly in the School of Integrative Biology at UQ and CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems and is interested in various aspects of applied theoretical ecology. In particular she works on the population dynamics, species interactions and management of invasive plants.
Zee Upton, QUT Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation
Professor Zee Upton is a biochemist, inventor, tissue engineer and dedicated developer of new Intellectual Property opportunities. Her research outcomes have resulted in traditional scientific/academic outputs and commercialisation outcomes.
Therese Seldon, Mater Medical Research Institute
Currently Therese is PhD student at the Mater Medical Research Institute in the field of Biotechnology and a part-time business student completing a Graduate Certificate in Technology and Innovation Management. Ms Seldon is hoping to develop therapeutic DC antibodies to treat or prevent GVHD as well as develop antibodies for DC vaccination of patients against leukaemia and other cancers.
10 of the Best Research Projects 2009 describes ten Australian health and medical research projects chosen from among the 8,000 vital medical research projects underway in Australia today. These projects include research into how to smart bomb cancer, beat diabetes, and give children a healthier start in life.
The book and accompanying series of podcasts was developed to encourage the next generation of health and medical researchers, and was launched as part of CSIRO’s National Science Week activities.
The Office of Health and Medical Research congratulates the researchers and collaborators who have made this prestigious list.
Derived from NHMRC Publications
Thursday 27 August 2009
A $1 million funding boost for the Queensland Centre for Health Data Services will assist development of ‘report cards' on health service delivery.
The new University of Queensland research centre is part of a national network that is building capacity in health data linkages and analysis to enable public health research.
Centre director, Professor Steve Kisely, said this work would give health providers like Queensland Health the ability to assess how well they were delivering services.
“Improved data services will enable a better understanding of health issues and how health systems are responding to these. It will help provide a ‘report card' on service delivery and whether innovations are producing better outcomes for Queenslanders. The ultimate purpose is to improve health and wellbeing and enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of health services. This will be of particular value for examining the health of marginalised groups, such as rural and remote, and Indigenous communities.”
Wednesday 26 August 2009
UniQuest Pty Limited, The University of Queensland's main commercialisation company, will celebrate 25 years of taking Australian research innovations and expertise to the world, at gala cocktail event tomorrow August 26.
Incorporated as a UQ company in 1984, UniQuest is widely recognised as one of Australia's largest and most successful university commercialisation groups. The company's charter is to identify, package and commercialise research-based technologies, expertise and facilities for the benefit of the community, industry, business and government.
Tuesday 25 August 2009
FEDERAL Communications Minister Stephen Conroy is offering $60 million in funding for new remote and rural health, emergency response and education projects that will be rolled out on the back of the national broadband network.
Senator Conroy has invited e-health "innovators" to provide expressions of interest for projects due to begin in early 2010 as part of the government's Digital Regions Initiative.
"The program aims for strong collaboration between the private sector and all levels of government, and I look forward to seeing the proposals," he told the Health Informatics Conference 2009 in Canberra.
Thursday 20 August 2009
On Saturday 26 September at 2:40pm thousands of rubber ducks will flock to the Brisbane River to battle it out in a race to fight cancer and to WIN one lucky owner a brand new car - a Sci-Fleet Toyota Yaris!
Join Channel 9's Melissa Downes and B105's Camilla to support the Great Brisbane Duck Race and cancer research at the PA.
How it works: The Great Brisbane Duck Race will be run over a 100m course on the Brisbane River in front of South Bank where the new Brisbane Big Wheel is located. The first numbered duck to cross the finish line will WIN their owner a brand new Sci-Fleet Toyota Yaris. All proceeds from the purchase of ducks will go to cancer research at the PA Hospital.
Wednesday 19 August 2009
Professor Michael Good, Director of the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) has been awarded the 2009 CSIRO Eureka Prize for Leadership in Science.
The Eureka Prize for Leadership in Science is awarded to an Australian individual who has demonstrated an outstanding role and impact in science and was presented to Professor Good on Tuesday night in Sydney.
“It is an honour to have been recognised with such a prestigious award and I am humbled to join the list of distinguished winners – leaders who have helped shape and inspire medical research in Australia. I would like to thank CSIRO and the Australian Museum for supporting these annual awards and congratulate the other prize winners,” said Professor Good.
Friday 14 August 2009
Deputy Premier and Minister for Health Paul Lucas today announced that Queensland is a step closer to a swine flu vaccine for children with clinical trials beginning at the Royal Children’s Hospital today.
The first adult study commenced in Adelaide on 22 July 2009, and an independent data safety monitoring board reviewed the data and recommended the commencement of a nationwide paediatric study.
“The Royal Children’s Hospital is the only site in Queensland conducting the study and one of only five in Australia participating in the trial of a vaccine for children,” Mr Lucas said.
Trials are being conducted concurrently in Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth.
Thursday 13 August 2009
The Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator the Hon Kim Carr, today announced funding of $243 million for world-class collaborative research and innovation under the Australian Government’s Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Program.
Ten CRCs have been successful in the 11th selection round. This round follows the release of Powering Ideas which outlines the Government’s Innovation Agenda for the next 10 years.
Monday 10 August 2009
A pharmaceutical company offers to fund your biomedical research project, but may have a vested interest in your findings. What should you do? Refuse the offer on principle? Take the money? But then, how do you manage your situation?
At NHMRC’s recent Transparency and Conflict of Interest Workshop in Canberra, experts from all sides of the debate expressed their views. One of those present was Professor James Best, Head of School of Medicine at the University of Melbourne and Chair of NHMRC’s previous Research Committee. Prof Best has been involved with conflict-of-interest debates for more than 30 years.
Thursday 6 August 2009
Applications close 30 September 2009
Funds have been allocated to support allied health scholarships through the Action Plan “Building a Better Health Service for Queensland.” The purpose of this scholarship is to retain and develop a skilled and knowledgeable allied health workforce for Queensland Health. As of 2008, the focus of the Queensland Health Allied Health Post Graduate Scholarship scheme will be on targeted courses. These targeted courses will be based on District Health Service needs. Other Post Graduate courses will only be considered where they provide skills that address a specific gap in service delivery as identified by Line Managers in your district.
Monday 3 August 2009
Derived from The Australian Higher Education Supplement
The capacity of Brisbane-based universities and research institutes to conduct advanced medical research would be doubled by the record $102.5 million donation by billionaire philanthropist Chuck Feeney, leading immunologist Ian Frazer said this week.
In a surprise move, Queensland Premier Anna Bligh and federal Treasurer Wayne Swan announced that Mr Feeney's largesse would leverage another $402m in funding to complete three key medical and sustainability projects in Brisbane.
Professor Frazer, co-inventor of the anti-cervical cancer drug Gardasil, told the HES the funding was a significant step forward in Brisbane's efforts to recruit the best researchers.
"Realistically, with all this extra capacity we will be nearly doubling the capacity to do research in southeast Queensland, and that means doubling the number of scientists," Professor Frazer said.
Friday 31 July 2009
The first round of the Health Research Fellowships are now open for applications. The Health Research Fellowships provide a suite of health and medical research fellowships for early to mid and late career medical, nursing, allied health and other health researchers wishing to base themselves in Queensland. Level one experienced researchers receive up to $150,000 pa for salary support and Level two early to mid career researchers receive up to $125,000 pa for salary support.
The Office of Health and Medical Research would like to congratulate the above Queensland health and medical researchers for being announced as finalists in the 2009 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes. The prizes are presented annually by the Australian Museum and reward excellence in the fields of scientific research & innovation, science leadership, school science and science journalism & communication.
The winners will be announced at the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes 2009 Award Dinner in Sydney on Tuesday 18 August 2009.
Funds have been allocated to support allied health scholarships through the Action Plan “Building a Better Health Service for Queensland.” The purpose of this scholarship is to retain and develop a skilled and knowledgeable allied health workforce for Queensland Health.
Tuesday 28 July 2009
Senior Clinical Research Fellowships – Round One Recipients Announced
Queensland’s Office of Health and Medical Research will fund $8.5 million worth of research into improved management of a range of diseases.
The first recipients of the state’s Senior Clinical Research Fellowships that have attracted the funding are:
Their five-year research projects will encompass respectively heart disease; infectious diseases such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; and chronic lung diseases in children such as asthma and cystic fibrosis.
Dr Maarten Kamp, Acting Chief Executive of the Centre for Healthcare Improvement, said the awarding of the fellowships represented a significant funding boost for Queensland Health’s research sector.
Tuesday 28 July 2009
American philanthropist Chuck Feeney has given $102 million to three Queensland medical projects.
Queensland Institute of Medical Research $27.5 million
The Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) has received its largest-ever philanthropic gift, AUD $27.5 million from The Atlantic Philanthropies for its $179 million, new state of the art 13 floor research facility at the QIMR site at Herston, Brisbane.
QUT's new Science and Technology Precinct $25 million
Plans for a new, internationally significant science and technology precinct at Queensland University of Technology have been unveiled today with the announcement of a $25 million gift.
The gift was a Founding Chairman's grant from The Atlantic Philanthropies, and completes QUT's campaign to raise $200 million for the project, which includes $35 million in funding from the Queensland Government's Innovation Building Fund, a $75 million infrastructure grant awarded by the Commonwealth, and $65 million committed by QUT.
Translational Research Institute $50 million
Australia will have a stronger role in global efforts to address major diseases like cancer and diabetes following a $50 million gift, the biggest donation of its kind in the nation's history.
The gift, announced today by Queensland Premier Anna Bligh and Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan, is a Founding Chairman's grant from The Atlantic Philanthropies to the $354 million Translational Research Institute Queensland, in Brisbane. The institute will enhance and accelerate the translation of medical research breakthroughs into better patient care.
Monday 27 July 2009
Avoiding pitfalls in a medical research career - Professor Ian Frazer Vodcast
What are the pitfalls in pursuing a career in health and medical research? How can they be avoided?
Towards the end of a televised National Press Club address, a high school student asked former Australian of the Year, Professor Ian Frazer, for advice about entering the field of medical research.
The questions caught the esteemed cervical cancer vaccine developer off guard and raised a nervous laugh, not only from Prof Frazer but also the audience, most of whom were seasoned journalists.
Rising to the occasion, Prof Frazer answered the questions with the aplomb of a person who had been there, done that, in the process providing some valuable personal insights into the world of a medical researcher.
Monday 20 July 2009
H1N1 medical research projects fast-tracked NHMRC Media release
Today approval and funding was given to 41 Australian medical research projects that will help ensure the Australian Government’s response to the evolving threat of H1N1 is based on the most up-to-date information available. The research will help the Government tailor its response to the spread and nature of the disease, and better equip the Government to help those most at risk from the disease.
$7 million has been provided for these projects from the Government’s peak health and medical research agency, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
The Office of Health and Medical Research would like to congratulate the successful H1N1 grant applications from Queensland:
Monday 20 July 2009
Office of Health and Medical Research E-Newsletter Issue 2 | July 2009
The second issue of the Office of Health and Medical Research E-Newsletter has been released and contains information on:
If you would like to join our mailing list please fill in the feedback and mailing list form.
Monday 6 April 2009
The Queensland branch of the ASMR are proud to announce:
The Queensland Premier's Awards for Health and Medical Research 2009 - in partnership with the Office of Health and Medical Research, Queensland Health.
These prestigious Awards which include cash prizes (a total of $15,000) recognise excellence in all areas of health-related research performed in Queensland. Awards are being offered in three categories:
Presentation of Awards will take place at the ASMR Medical Research Week® Dinner on Friday 29th May 2009. The winner and two runners-up in each category will receive cash prizes. Application deadline is Friday 24th April 2009 - for details on eligibility and lodgement of applications see http://www.asmr.org.au/MRWQld.html
The ASMR Queensland Postgraduate Student Conference - Tuesday 26th May 2009 - Princess Alexandra Hospital. Abstract deadline Friday 24th April 2009. For details, registration and abstract submission see http://www.asmr.org.au/MRWQld.html
Launch of the: Research for a Healthier Future: 2020 Health and Medical Research and Development Strategy (the Strategy)
Held at the University of QLD Centre for Clinical Research (UQCCR) 3 February 2009 by the Minister, Hon. Stephen Robertson MP.
The Strategy sets the 2020 Vision by providing clear direction for Queensland’s health and medical research and development by building the foundation for a knowledge-based society which assists in translating Queensland’s success in basic biomedical research into real patient outcomes.
A copy of the Strategy is available for download here (PDF, 2.5mb).
For more information or to receive a hard copy of the Strategy please contact OHMR.
Expressions of interest closed 20 March 2009 - Medical Devices Financial Incentive Program
The Queensland Medical Devices Financial Incentive Program aims to provide support to the Queensland medical devices industry to assist with clinical assessments and trials of innovative Queensland designed and/or manufactured medical devices, and to assist with a greater uptake of these products by the health system.
Expressions of interest for Round One closed 20 March 2009.
