Blog

  • AusBiotech 2017

    The Western Australia Health Translation Network attended the 2017 AusBiotech conference, held in Adelaide in October. The AusBiotech conference is the leading life sciences event in Australia attended by national and international delegates. Conference exhibitors included representatives from a variety of Australian biotechnology research organisations and commercial entities; including medical therapeutics and medical technology groups. The purpose of WAHTN’s attendance was to develop our networks, advertise our partners and propagate the narrative of WA-based medical research by promoting past achievements and future opportunities relating to biotechnology and medical research in WA.

    The ‘Team Perth’ pavilion took the form of a 6 x 6 metre space within the industry exhibition hall, open to all conference delegates from Wednesday 25th – Friday 27th October 2017. The pavilion consisted of nine Perth based organisations; WAHTN, the City of Perth, Linear, SUDA, Murdoch University, the Telethon Kids Institute, the University of WA, Proteomics and Epichem. Each were provided with a lockable cupboard and printed panel to showcase their own materials and brand. WAHTN provided delegates with several promotional flyers advertising WAHTN and the WAHTN Enabling Platforms including; the Clinical Trials Network, the Australian National Phenome Centre, the Research Education and Training Platform and the WA Cohorts Network. Additionally, we worked with Linear and the City of Perth to produce a short video, shot using drone footage to showcasing our partner institutions.

    Involvement in this event has resulted in WAHTN developing a stronger relationship with the peak body for biotechnology and medical technology, AusBiotech, which will provide exciting opportunities for the future. This is anticipated to lead to more events, support, and opportunities to network with national and international investors.

  • RETP Launches New Online Module – Health Economics: Application to Research

    Economic evaluation is a necessary inclusion in translation of health research to policy.

    An understanding of the resource implications enables budget allocation in a climate of constrained resources.

    This module is targeted to researchers, but the implications of resource use have relevance for everyone working in health care.

    On completion of this online training, participants will be able to:

    • Define health economics and understand its breadth and the context of economic evaluation
    • Identify the necessary components in calculating cost-effectiveness
    • Recognise the economic translation requirements in a research proposal

    This module will take approximately 3 hours to complete.

    For more information on this Health Economics Training Module, please see the video on our Health Economics application to research page.

  • Seeking experienced and motivated individual to undertake a comprehensive literature review as part of the development of a WA Aboriginal Youth Health Strategy.

    Project introduction
    The Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia (AHCWA) are currently seeking expressions of interest for an experienced and motivated individual to undertake a comprehensive literature review as part of the development of a WA Aboriginal Youth Health Strategy.

    The literature review is designed to provide a supportive framework for the strategy by:
    – Contextualising the findings of the strategy consultation;
    – Supporting and justifying the implementation of the strategy outcomes and recommendations;
    – Identifying gaps in research and programs for Aboriginal youth in WA and guiding future strategies.

    This opportunity will provide the successful applicant with a unique insight and experience to the WA Aboriginal Health sector.

    Background

    The Aboriginal Youth Health Strategy will inform and guide health-related services and stakeholders working with young Aboriginal people to deliver effective services that optimise the health and wellbeing of young Aboriginal people in WA. The primary target group for this strategy is stakeholders delivering health related services and programs to Aboriginal youth in WA. The secondary target group is Aboriginal youth aged 10-25 years living in WA.

    The development of this strategy is being guided by a state-wide consultation with Aboriginal youth aged 10-25 years of age, and the Aboriginal health sector. This consultation is currently underway and consists of face-to-face workshops and two online surveys.

    Project Overview

    Targeting the most relevant research and other literature, the literature review should include:
    – A brief overview of the demographics of Aboriginal youth in WA (ages, locations etc.)
    – Information on the health issues affecting Aboriginal youth in WA (in the last 5 years)
    – A description of the kinds of programs/strategies that have been successful in achieving better health outcomes for Aboriginal youth in WA. This should consider whether there are programs that are better suited for specific regions, genders or, age groups.
    – An overview of current policies, frameworks and strategies that relate to the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal youth in WA.

    Specifics:
    – The review should include high quality articles and information from other Australian states and territories as well as international studies (ensuring relevance to Aboriginal youth in WA).
    – Can include grey literature.
    – No specific reference style is preferred.
    – A minimum of 30 references and a maximum of 10,000 words.
    – No formal cover sheet or design is required.

    Timeframe:
    50 hours.

    Suggested approach:
    – 16-20 hours – research, review and analysis;
    – 18- 22 hours – evaluation and writing;
    – 4-8 hours – review and edits.

    Timeline:
    Commencement: 27 November 2017
    Preliminary summary: 15 December 2017
    Completion: 8 January 2018.

    Remuneration:
    $2,300 (based on a 50-hour project life cycle)

    Terms to consider for the Literature review
    – Aboriginal youth: For the purpose of this literature review the term “Aboriginal Youth” will be used throughout. Aboriginal youth is defined as being any person living in WA who identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and is between the ages of 10-25 years.
    – Health-related services: It is acknowledged that many services available to young people are not strictly types of primary health care, but will bring health benefits to those young people (e.g. housing and accommodation services). For the purpose of this literature review, health-related services include any service or program that has the potential to improve the health and well-being of Aboriginal youth.
    Selection criteria:
    – Completion or working towards completion of an undergraduate or post-graduate qualification in a relevant field (i.e. Public Health, Community Development, Social Science, Aboriginal Health and/or Youth health);
    – Demonstrable experience undertaking research, analysis and evaluation of literature;
    – Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to write concise, high quality and client focussed papers;
    – Ability to work proactively, independently and meet deadlines.

    Further Information
    For further information about this literature review, please contact Sarah Calder on (08) 9227 1631 during normal business hours.

    To Apply
    Formal expressions of interest can be forwarded to Sarah Calder via email: application@ahcwa.org
    Applicants must provide the following information in their application:
    1. Brief summary of credentials and experience relevant to this project
    2. Current copy of your resume

    Closing Date
    Applications close 5:00pm Thursday 16 November 2017.

    Job description AHCWA

  • MTPConnect opens call for EOI for $5m BioMedTech Horizons program supported by MRFF

    Australian innovators in 3D printing and precision medicine can now apply for finance after a call was put out for ­expressions of ­interest for a slice of $35 million in government funding.

    The first $5m will consist of $3m for ideas in precision medicine, a new approach for disease treatment and prevention, and $2m for ways to ­develop 3D anatomical printing for everyday medical use.

    The first $5m will be available through the Biotech Horizons program and will be managed by MTPConnect the medical technologies and pharmaceuticals industry growth centre.

    MTPConnect chief executive Sue MacLeman said 3D anatomical printing and precision medicine had been identified for the first share of funding because Australia punched above its weight in those areas.

    Important Dates:

    • Expressions of interest open: 1 November 2017
    • Closing date for EOI: 10 December 2017
    • Closing date for stage 2 applications: 15 January 2018
    • Announcement of successful applications: expected late February 2018

    For more information and EOI forms, visit  www.mtpconnect.org.au/biomedtechhorizons.

  • NHMRC’s consultations on peer review for the new grant program

    Following the 2016 Structural Review of NHMRC’s Grant Program (the Structural Review) and Minister Greg Hunt’s May 2017 announcement of our new grant program, the Office of NHMRC has been working closely with Research Committee to finalise technical details of, and transitional arrangements to the new program.

    NHMRC are inviting  submissions to its consultation paper on the peer review in the new grant program. WAHTN would welcome reviews from WAHTN partner members. If you wish to contribute to WAHTN’s submission, please forward comments to info@wahtn.org by 17 November.

    In addition, Prof. Anne Kelso will be conducting a series of public consultation events in most capital cities, outlining peer review parameters and processes and inviting the research sector’s perspectives on peer review for the new grant program. Registrations are currently being accepted through Eventbrite. Places are limited:  21 November 2017 – Perth, WA

    We encourage you to attend this forum and we would appreciate you highlighting both the consultation paper and the public event to your colleagues.

    Please contact grant.implementation@nhmrc.gov.au if you have any questions about the consultation events or the consultation paper.

  • WAHTN hosted year 10 student for work experience

    Electra Goodwin

    Last week, the WAHTN hosted Electra Goodwin, a year 10 student for a week of work experience, under the supervision of Dr Alexandra Heaton.

    Electra helped update the WAHTN database of medical researchers to include the names, affiliations and key research areas of medical researchers in Western Australia.

    Electra collated this information and uploaded it onto the new WAHTN smartphone app. The WAHTN app now contains a list of over 400 medical researchers based in WA.

    During her week of work experience, she was introduced to several enthusiastic scientists including Dr’s Aaron Muscat and Christian Pflueger.

    She toured the labs at the Harry Perkins Institute, learnt about exciting research currently underway and was able to see molecular techniques and microscopy in action.

    Her writing skills were put to use and she published the previous news article on the WAHTN website congratulating Andrew Whitehouse on his recent award (read it HERE).

    On her last day, Dr Heaton explained the process of journal article publication via peer review. Electra was invited to read a recently submitted manuscript regarding a large randomised control trial of fish oil supplementation in Perth children.

    Electra said that she had extremely enjoyed her time at Perkins, and was inspired by the research going on (particularly in epigenetics) and the amazing people working there.

    She is continuing her studies in Science at St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls and hopes to pursue a career in science and/or medicine in the future.

  • Professor Andrew Whitehouse awarded the 3M Eureka Prize for 2017

    Professor Andrew Whitehouse,

    Professor Andrew Whitehouse, head of the Autism Research Team at the Telethon Kids Institute was recently awarded the 3M Eureka Prize for 2017, one of the most prestigious awards for young Medical Researchers in Australia and New Zealand.

    The Prize is given to a researcher who has shown brilliance in their discipline, become a strong Scientific leader, and used their research to impact the wider community,  their institution, peers or discipline.

    Professor Whitehouse leads a team of 20 researchers, investigating the causes of Autism in children, and developing methods to identify Autism in children under the age of one. Professor Whitehouse and his team are also discovering and testing new therapies for infants affected by the condition.

    He said he was honoured to receive the Prize, and is still working with his team to develop therapies for children affected, allowing “every child to reach their full potential”.

  • Scientific Knowledge Translation Training workshop

    Congratulations to those who completed the two-day Scientific Knowledge Translation Training workshop presented by Dr Tamika Heiden.

    Feedback from those in attendance has confirmed that this was a very practice-oriented course covering:

    • The utility of Knowledge Translation, for researchers, educators, clinician-scientists and others
    • Knowledge Translation strategies and their evidence base
    • Developing a Knowledge Translation plan (practical, hands-on approach using tools)
    • Plain language communication
    • Communicating with different audiences
  • See here for 2017 NHMRC funding dates

    The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has announced indicative dates for their schemes.

    The dates for NHMRC funding are shown below:

    The internal guidelines can be found on the RGCO website: http://www.research.uwa.edu.au/nhmrc
    Funding Rules are published on the NHMRC website.
    Partnership Projects – Peer Review Cycle (PRC) No. 3 for 2017
    • Applications open: 3 August 2017
    • Internal close: 15 November 2017
    • Minimum Data due: 22 November 2017
    • External close: 6 December 2017
    Centres of Research Excellence
    • Applications open: October 2017date to be confirmed
    • Minimum Data due: October 2017date to be confirmed
    • Internal close: To be confirmed
    • External close: November 2017 – date to be confirmed 
    Development Grants
    • Applications open: 15 November 2017
    • Internal close: 17 January 2018
    • Minimum Data due: 24 January 2018
    • External close: 7 February 2018
    Practitioner Fellowships
    • Applications open: 6 December 2017
    • Internal close: 10 January 2018
    • External close: 31 January 2018

    Research Fellowships

    • Applications open: 6 December 2017
    • Internal close: 10 January 2018
    • External close: 31 January 2018

    Early Career Fellowships

    • Applications open: 10 January 2018
    • Internal close: 7 February 2018
    • External close: 28 February 2018
    Career Development Fellowships
    • Applications open: 17 January 2018
    • Internal close: 14 February 2018
    • External close: 7 March 2018
    Project Grants
    • Applications open: 10 January 2018
    • Minimum Data due: 14 February 2018
    • Internal close: 21 February 2018
    • External close: 14 March 2018
    TRIP Fellowships
    • Applications open: 4 April 2018
    • Internal close: 2 May 2018
    • External close: 23 May 2018

     

    Partnerships Projects for Better Health

    Partnership Projects 2018 can be submitted at any time during the year, up until 5 December 2018.

    Peer review of applications received in 2018 will occur in three distinct cycles.

    The deadline for each of the Peer Review Cycle (PRC) is listed below:

    (PRC) No. 1 for 2018

    • Applications open: 17 January 2018
    • Internal close: 21 March 2018
    • Minimum Data due: 28 March 2018
    • External close: 11 April 2018

    (PRC) No. 2 for 2018

    • Applications open: 29 March 2018
    • Minimum Data due: 1 August 2018
    • Internal close: 25 July 2018
    • External close: 15 August 2018

    (PRC) No. 3 for 2018

    • Applications open: 2 August 2018
    • Internal close: 14 November 2018
    • Minimum Data due: 21 November 2018
    • External close: 5 December 2018

    Please note applications for the following Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) are closing shortly:
    MRFF Antimicrobial Resistance Targeted Call for Research (AMR TCR)
    • Applications close:   5pm AEST on Wednesday, 4 October 2017

    MRFF Lifting Clinical Trials and Registries Capacity (LCTRC) Grant Opportunity

    • Applications close:   5pm, AEST on Wednesday, 4 October 2017

     

    Any queries in relation to these applications can be directed to: Ieuan Linck (ieuan.linck@uwa.edu.au)


    The Funding Rules are published on the NHMRC website.

    The internal guidelines can be found on the RGCO website: http://www.research.uwa.edu.au/nhmrc