Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences MeDeFacts www.meddent.uwa.edu.au Volume 22 | Number 2 | June 2016

Are you listening? Giving mental health patients a voice

A novel tool for eliciting information from mental health patients about side effects of psychotropic medications has proven so successful that it is to be made into an app.

The My Medicines and Me Questionnaire (M3Q) has also been taken up by various clinics, is the basis of a research project by Monash The Faculty’s prize winners of 2015 celebrate after the May prize ceremony, together with (back row) University and Alfred Health in Victoria, a donor, Mr Ray Tauss and his guest, Professor Jennifer Searcy. For the list of winners, see page 13. and is being used in Turkey, having been translated into Turkish.

The tool was developed by Assistant Game changer for Professor Deena Ashoorian of Pharmacy Practice in the School social work of Medicine and Pharmacology as part of her recently completed PhD “If you meet the criteria –a The number of international students under the supervision of Director Bachelor’s degree and having a has also risen and the future of Social of Pharmacy, Professor Rhonda good reason to join us - we’d love Work is now secure. Clifford, Dr Rowan Davidson, former to have you.” State Chief Psychiatrist, and Adjunct “Over that year, we have been able to Professor Danny Rock, of the School of Applying principles used in good make the largest increase ever in Social Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences. business, the new Head of Social Work Work,” Associate Professor Esmond The next phase of research will be and Social Policy has powered the said. The discipline is based in the trialling in Perth pharmacies under the discipline from increasing slowly to School of Population Health, which has direction of the Centre for Optimisation racing ahead. been very supportive. of Medicines. When Associate Professor Judy Early on, the new Head set to and Assistant Professor Ashoorian said Esmond took on the role just over made some immediate changes, medications were often first line a year ago, student numbers for the including taking over responsibility for therapy for mental health patients, Master of Social Work were low and its admissions and broadening the focus. including those with depression, severe future was not assured. “The thing I focused on was that we anxiety, schizophrenia and bipolar were willing to look at students who disorder. This year, overall intake almost had done any Bachelor’s degree, not doubled, rising to 110 students and traditionally just social sciences or rivalling that of the WA institution that psychology,” she said. Continued on page 7 has traditionally had the biggest intake. Continued on page 10

IN THIS ISSUE Excellence in teaching awards P2 | Editorial P3 | Raine continuing PP4-5 | Alumni now P9 Punching above their weight

Individuals who go the extra mile to impart knowledge or contribute to student learning in other ways have been recognised in the Postgraduate Coursework Teaching nominees (from left), Professor Rhonda Clifford, Faculty’s 2016 Excellence in Professor Lee Yong Lim, Professor Barbara Singer and Dr Matthew Linden with Faculty Teaching Awards. Dean Professor Wendy Erber and winner Dr Ian Li.

The awards are a way of “recognising and rewarding outstanding teaching, research supervision, programs and Individual Teaching Award Small Group Teaching (Non-UWA Staff) service delivery and support within the (Non-UWA Staff) Winner: Dr Lindsay Flaherty, clinical tutor Faculty”. Winner: Ms Amanda Bryce, sessional (General Practice), SPARHC lecturer (Pharmacy), School of Medicine and Nominees: Dr Lindsay Flaherty * Nominations are made by Faculty staff Pharmacology (SMP) Dr Siddhartha Baxi, clinical tutor and students enrolled in units taught Commendation: Dr Katrina Calvert, clinical (Oncology), RCS (Bunbury) * Dr Monique within the Faculty. tutor, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School Gliozzi, clinical senior lecturer (Psychiatry), of Women’s and Infants’ Health School of Psychiatry and Clinical The awards were presented at a Nominees: Ms Amanda Bryce * Dr Katrina Neurosciences * Dr Michael Levitt, clinical ceremony on May 27. Calvert * Mrs Elizabeth Byrnes, unit tutor (Surgery), School of Surgery. * coordinator (Clinical Biochemistry), PaLM 2016 EXCELLENCE IN * Dr Sarah McEwan, clinical tutor, Rural Postgraduate Coursework Teaching Clinical School (RCS) (Port Hedland) * Winner: Dr Ian Li, SPH TEACHING AWARDS Nominees: Dr Ian Li * Professor Rhonda Small Group Teaching (UWA Staff) Clifford, Pharmacy and Anaesthesiology Individual Teaching Award (UWA Staff) Winner: Associate Professor Robert Unit, SMP * Professor Lee Yong Lim, Winner: Winthrop Professor Paul Abbott, Whitehead, RCS (Port Hedland), School of Pharmacy and Anaesthesiology Unit, SMP Primary, Aboriginal and Rural Health Care * Dr Matthew Linden, PaLM * Professor School of Dentistry (SPARHC) Barbara Singer, Centre for Musculoskeletal Nominees: Winthrop Professor Paul Commendation: Assistant Professor Karen Studies, School of Surgery * Abbott * Dr Laura Dalton-Ecker, School Upton-Davis, Social Work and Social Policy, of Dentistry * Associate Professor School of Population Health (SPH) Research Supervision Winner: Professor Jiake Xu, PaLM * Charlene Kahler, School of Pathology and Nominees: Associate Professor Robert Whitehead * Assistant Professor Karen Nominees: Professor Jiake Xu * Associate Laboratory Medicine (PaLM) * Associate Upton-Davis * Mr Timo Ernst, PaLM * Professor Agnieszka Frydrych, School of Professor Thelma Koppi, PaLM * Mr Shakeel Dr Neli Slavova-Azmanova, Cancer and Dentistry * Mowlaboccus, PaLM * Associate Professor Palliative Care Research and Evaluation Unit Service Award for Outstanding Kimberley Roehrig, PaLM * (CaPCREU), School of Surgery * Contribution to Student Learning (Professional Staff) Winner: Ms Carleen Ellis, School of Surgery Nominees: Ms Carleen Ellis * Ms Sarah Guiton, IT Unit * Ms Sarah Power, PaLM * Ms Susan Pretl, Pharmacy and Anaesthesiology Unit, SMP * Ms Vanessa Tysoe, Education Centre *

Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning Category (Academic Staff) Winner: Associate Professor Denese Playford, SPARHC Commendation: Dr Ian Li, SPH Nominees: Associate Professor Denese Playford * Dr Ian Li * Associate Professor (from left) Small Group Teaching (Non-UWA Staff) winner, Dr Lindsay Flaherty, with nominees Zarrin Siddiqui, Education Centre * Dr Michael Levitt and Dr Monique Gliozzi, and Faculty Dean Professor Wendy Erber.

2 | MeDeFacts | Volume 22 Number 2 | June 2016 The Dean’s Diary

By Professor Wendy Erber, Dean.

Vision for the Faculty

The Faculty has a vision to be one of A major focus of our academics is to the top medical, dental and health be outstanding in health research science centres in education and and innovation. Funding for research medical research in the country. Our is increasingly competitive and 2016 Faculty Strategic Plan outlined academics nationwide are finding how we would begin to address the times challenging. We wait to learn gaps between where we are currently about the approach to be used in and what we aspire to achieve. delivering funds through the new Medical Research Future Fund. We Professor Wendy Erber, Dean. Attracting the top students to our have many scientists and clinicians educational programs is a priority. We who, by working together, are already As you can imagine, this is an extremely have developed “pathways” of study to being more innovative. We encourage stressful time for all in the Faculty. I am guide students through the university’s greater collaboration within the Faculty pleased to report that, despite these programs en route to becoming a and university, and beyond. Together difficulties, our students have not been health professional. We have increased we are more likely to make discoveries affected as our teaching and research the number of advanced offer places and translate outcomes to improve are proceeding unchanged. into medicine and dentistry. These are patient care than if working alone. now called “Direct Pathway” places Many of our academics are engaged Over the past six months I have met and will be offered to the highest with the WA Health Translation many Faculty staff and external achieving school leavers from diverse Network, a consortium of hospitals stakeholders. These meetings have backgrounds, guaranteeing a place and universities in WA. We are also given me an opportunity to learn a in the MD or DMD after satisfactory encouraging our highest calibre great deal about the complexities completion of an undergraduate students to embrace research from of the Faculty and its involvement degree. We are introducing a new early in their studies. in the health system, as well as to course in “Medical Sciences”. This make personal links. The range of three-year undergraduate major will Renewal discussions has been broad and I give students a broad introduction to Over recent months we have been continue to learn about opportunities, normal body structure and function, heavily involved in the UWA “Renewal desires and potential directions we mechanisms of disease and drugs, Project”. This major task for the entire could take. There is much work to health and society. We believe that this university is taking place over 2016 be done. However, we continue as a will be very popular and a launching and entails rationalising the UWA vibrant community of scholars and pad into health and biomedical structures, moving from eight to four students, contributing to the university research or postgraduate professional larger Faculties. The makeup of each and the State. As I wish to bring us all degrees. It is not “pre-med” and not a is currently being debated. Whatever together, I am launching the Dean’s prerequisite for medicine or dentistry. these end up being, I have no doubt Distinguished Lecture series. This However, students who take this that “medicine, dentistry and health series, which will commence in July, course, and then progress into the MD sciences” will continue under some will be an opportunity for students, or DMD (and potentially other health name. Staff, both academic and academics and alumni to hear from our programs), will be able to claim credits professional, still face uncertainty most distinguished academics. I look and reduce the length of study for the as the university looks to reduce its forward to seeing you there. postgraduate course. We believe these manpower and increase efficiencies three changes will be very attractive through this process. Compounding I thank you for your continuing support to students and put us on the path to this are the financial difficulties facing in achieving our vision of “advancing achieve our strategic goals in health WA Health and the effects these are health through education and and biomedical education. having on our clinical academic staff. innovation”.

MeDeFacts | Volume 22 Number 2 | June 2016 | 3 Raine for three generations

The WA Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study is a unique longitudinal study of more than 2,000 individuals followed over the last 26 years with comprehensive assessments starting before they were born and Above: All wired up for sleep: Raine Study Mum, Frances, gets ready for overnight sleep continuing throughout childhood, monitoring as part of the study of parents. adolescence and into early adulthood. Now their parents are everyday living, medical, psychiatric and on the prevalence, characteristics in the hot seat. And the babies of sleep disorders history, family history, and genetic basis of sleep disorders, the original participants are also medication use, menopause, use of particularly the three most common being recruited to a separate study, addictive substances (smoking, alcohol, variants - obstructive sleep apnoea, making a triple generation study. caffeine and illegitimate drug use), food insomnia, and restless legs syndrome/ frequency, and much more! periodic leg movement syndrome.” After almost 30 years of being stalwart supporters as their children took part in During the overnight sleep study and Determining disease prevalence will help the famous Raine Study (Generation 2), for a week afterwards, they have worn understand the scale of the health and hundreds of parents have now stepped activity monitors on their wrist and hip to economic impact of sleep disorders, onto the field to make possible the Raine measure rest-activity patterns. including work absenteeism and Study of Parents, or Generation 1. presenteeism. Characterising the disease All the same measurements were types will help determine the genetic Already more than 400 parents aged taken in their children, 1,200 of whom basis of any family predispositions. between 45 and 70 years have undergone participated at 22 years of age in a a battery of tests and completed follow-up of the original study. Ms Jenny Raine Study Co-ordinator Ms Diane Wood numerous questionnaires in a bid to help Mountain, Program Manager of the said they kept the participants busy with answer questions about the prevalence Raine Study which is based in the School tests and activities. Everyone was given and genetic basis of various medical of Population Health, said they hoped summaries of results from their various conditions, including sleep disorders. to recruit more than 1,000 biological tests. parents. One of the study’s principal They have been wired up for overnight investigators, Professor Eric Moses, Ms Mountain said that the Raine Study polysomnography (sleep study) - with who is Director of the Centre for Genetic was organising the next follow up of some having snored, sleep talked and Origins of Health and Disease in the the Raine cohort participants at age 27, had restless legs syndrome. They have Faculty, said, “We are hoping to identify with an emphasis on understanding the had blood samples taken for DNA and genes associated with sleep problems.” relationship between internal fat stores other analyses, been weighed, tape and cardiovascular function. measured, monitored for blood pressure, Professor Peter Eastwood, Raine Study photographed with a 3D camera for Scientific Director and a principal study She said the Raine Study was always craniofacial anatomical data, undergone investigator, said, “An estimated 1.5 very grateful for any funding received, five eye tests, a body composition scan, million Australians, or about 9% of the including philanthropic donations. She lung function testing, pressure and cold population, have one of the common can be contacted at: perception, and sun damage assessment. sleep disorders, which are associated [email protected]. They have completed questionnaires with significant morbidity and mortality. on cognitive function, sleep quality, However, most of these go undiagnosed. - By Cathy Saunders daytime sleepiness and its impact on The study aims to provide information

4 | MeDeFacts | Volume 22 Number 2 | June 2016 Student WACRH Director Professor Sandra Thompson said the partnership with opportunities PHN presented many opportunities for education, community partnerships and with Super research in the Pilbara. Clinic The first students would arrive in Karratha in mid-June to start placements. “We know they will have Medical, allied health and great learning opportunities and hope nursing students will have that they add value both within and access to a wider range of outside the clinic,” she said. health scenarios in the Pilbara region, thanks to the opening “As we build our infrastructure as well of a new Super Clinic with an as academic and clinical placement Ms Jenny Mountain, innovative hub. support, WACRH aims to extend from Raine Study Program Manager our Karratha base into other parts of the Formally known as the Karratha Central Pilbara region.” Healthcare GP Super Clinic, it cements Baby Raine the WA Centre for Rural Health (WACRH) Student placements will include nursing, partnership agreement with the Pilbara dietetics, podiatry, social work, public Planning for offspring of the original Raine Health Network (PHN) as its research health and pharmacy. WACRH eventually cohort to be participants in the Raine Study of Babies, or Generation 3, is underway. and training partner. It features a Social hopes to support speech pathology, and Wellbeing Learning Hub, which is a occupational therapy and physiotherapy The research study will assess the babies, WACRH initiative. students undertaking placements. now aged 2 to 10 years, for the next two years. They will be assessed for weight, Officially opened in April, the Super Particular research interests of WACRH height, and cognitive and physical Clinic will serve as a central agency for staff are health services research, developmental milestones, such as talking, general practitioners, allied health, improving chronic disease management, object recognition and so on. Some biological samples - blood, urine, stool and mental health and ancillary health health promotion, population health, hair - will also be collected. services for the Karratha region and Aboriginal health, health workforce and provide educational programs and exploring innovations in technology. All Program Manager Ms Jenny Mountain said clinical training in regional health. of these areas are deemed important for the aim was not only to bring the babies reducing health disparities. into the Raine Study but also to provide It features four areas - clinical, allied a control group for the Australian Autism Biobank run by the Autism CRC (Cooperative health, social and emotional wellbeing The hub was created with funds from the Research Centre for Living with Autism). A key and corporate, plus specific areas for Federal Government’s Innovative Clinical researcher is Professor Andrew Whitehouse, Aboriginal health and chronic disease. Teaching and Training grants. head of the Autism and Related Disorders research team at the Telethon Kids Institute. The Karratha node of the Rural Clinical School of WA will be co-located there. “They will be able to establish a phenotypic and genetic resource to compare the children with and without autism to try and identify genes associated with autism,” Ms Mountain said. “They are collecting stool samples to examine the microbiome, which affects many areas of health and is a developing area of research.”

She said the study group was in contact with about 250 Raine Study participants who were currently pregnant or had babies and children who ranged in age from a few months to 10 years. “Over the next two years we hope to recruit up to 300 children for a (From left) Woodside Chief Operations Officer Mr Mike Utsler, Federal Health Department short, enjoyable assessment with the Raine representative Ms Amanda Harriott, WA Centre for Rural Health Director Professor Sandra Study,” she said. Thompson, Mayor of the City of Karratha Cr Peter Long, and Pilbara Health Network CEO Mrs Jocelyne Halpin at the launch of the Karratha Central Health GP Super Clinic in April.

MeDeFacts | Volume 22 Number 2 | June 2016 | 5 implantology, said the program was Dental research day recently established. “The program is committed to undertake research in the broad fields of oral implantology proves a drawcard and periodontics, so we are focused on the study of etiopathogenesis, Wide-ranging research being healthcare. The future of biomaterials immunopathology, diagnosis and undertaken by the School of included emulating nature for new treatment of both peri-implant and Dentistry was showcased at its materials with unique functions, reflecting periodontal diseases,” he said. Annual Research Day in April the concepts of mimicry. and it packed the McCusker In the afternoon, there were 23 DMD and auditorium at the Harry Associate Professor Robert Anthonappa, Doctor of Clinical Dentistry (DClinDent) Perkins Institute to the rafters. lead in paediatric oral health, said student presentations. their research was aimed at providing The occasion was a fitting way to mark the accessible, affordable and appropriate Students and staff from the School and start of the School’s 70th anniversary. solutions to clinical problems they saw in OHCWA were in the audience, along the clinic. These included dental caries, with members of the dental profession, Hailing from the University of Chieti- oral health-related quality of life changes, and special guests including Pro Vice- Pescara in Italy, Professor Adriano Piattelli and developmental defects of dental hard Chancellor (Research), Professor Peter was the invited guest speaker and spoke tissues. Davies. about biomaterials in oral grafting. Professor Linda Slack-Smith, lead in oral Professor Farah told MeDeFacts the day Reflecting the importance placed by Head health inequalities, said their work was had been a resounding success with 216 of School and Director of the Oral Health driven by social justice and the goal was attendees. He thanked all involved in Centre of WA (OHCWA), Professor Camile to provide qualitative and quantitative making the arrangements, particularly Farah, on publishing good research, evidence to reduce inequalities in oral Research Support OfficerMrs Khui Hung Faculty Research Development and health. Their streams of work included Lee and Dr Shearston, and also the dental Training Coordinator, Dr Susan Yates, gave analysing data and using research and research industry partners who what she described as the “marathon” evidence to change policy and practice. joined the School for the important event, presentation because of the extended particularly the major sponsor Henry time allotted to it. She outlined the why Dr Estabelle Ang spoke on behalf Schein. and the how of publishing and peer review of Associate Professor Mithran and gave the audience helpful tips. Goonewardene, lead in craniofacial “It is encouraging for me to see a major biology, explaining the overall goal of the shift in the School’s focus on research Professor Linda Slack-Smith, School group was to understand the cellular and come to fruition over the last 15 months Research Coordinator, told the audience molecular mechanisms of oral biology in since joining the School,” he said. “Our that research would become more order to aid oral tissue regeneration and new strategic plan, re-alignment of important in the future, that the School bone healing. research priorities, new staff profile, and offered a supportive environment and that local support and infrastructure should all year 3 and 4 Doctor of Dental Medicine Associate Professor Alessandro position the School as a leader in dental, (DMD) students were undertaking Quaranta, lead in periodontology and oral and craniofacial research.” projects. Dr Kate Shearston, Research Laboratory Manager, gave an update on the impressive new laboratory facilities.

The School’s program leads all gave presentations. Professor Farah, lead in oral oncology, spoke about the focus on clinical and translational oral oncology, including novel approaches to the early detection, diagnosis and management of oral cancers and pre-cancerous lesions.

Professor Paul Ichim, lead in biomaterials and biomechanics, said the aims of his group were to develop new dental The team from Henry Schein including (centre left) Ms Merle Levin, National Government Manager, who travelled from Sydney specifically for the occasion. materials and technologies for oral

6 | MeDeFacts | Volume 22 Number 2 | June 2016 Are you listening? First aid with Giving mental a difference health patients a Training in first aid to help people with a mental health problem has been embedded voice. into the curriculum for Master of Pharmacy students in a first for WA. Continued from page 1

“A lot of these medications Assistant Professor Deena Ashoorian is an unfortunately lead to side effects, accredited Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) instructor and provides the 12 hours of some of which can be intolerable training. and sometimes even worse than the symptoms of the illness itself,” she Mental health first aid is the help provided to said. As a result, up to 90% of patients a person who is developing a mental health discontinued their medication. “Failure problem, or who is in a mental health crisis, to adhere to treatment is the most until appropriate professional treatment is Assistant Professor Deena Ashoorian received or the crisis resolves. common cause of disease relapse,” she said. “Because pharmacists are at the front line elaborate. “We are looking at patients and are the most accessible health care But most patients did not report their becoming more adherent to prescribed professional, they often get to know their side effects, which was why the tool treatments. But the bigger picture is patients quite well and would be able to pick was important. that we want an improved patient- up if a patient is not travelling well,” Assistant HCP relationship through improved Professor Ashoorian said. “This program gives them the confidence and the skills to “It will basically give a voice to communication because that always help someone get the help they need.” the patients,” Assistant Professor seems to help in the recovery process,” Ashoorian said. “It is really meant to get she said. The program covers developing mental the conversation going so that health health problems, including depression, care professionals can identify the red The tool was tested with 205 patients, anxiety problems, psychosis, and substance flags or identify a patient who may be aged 43 years on average, from five use problems. The crisis situations covered include suicidal thoughts and behaviours, likely to become non-adherent.” Perth public mental health clinics and non-suicidal self-injury (deliberate self-harm), one hospital. It took about 15 minutes panic attacks, traumatic events, severe The tool was novel because it asked to complete the questionnaire. psychotic states, severe effects of drug or patients to identify their three most alcohol use, and aggressive behaviours. bothersome side effects, which could The most commonly reported side be different from what health care effect in the study was sedation (77%) Director of Pharmacy, Professor Rhonda professionals (HCPs) might think. and weight gain was ranked as the Clifford, said, “We think we are the first health sciences course in WA to embed it most bothersome (23%). into our curriculum. It is a skill that health For example, HCPs might consider care professionals use when they interact profuse sweating a minor issue but one WA Health had agreed to co-badge with a mental health patient to assess their patient did not attend job interviews the tool and distribute it to clinics, level of risk. Sometimes the worst level of or have a social life because she was so Assistant Professor Ashoorian said. It is risk is that they might be suicidal in which case they need immediate referral and help, embarrassed by her sweating. Another already being used in research and will and sometimes they just need help talking patient had a visible drool, which HCPs be assessed in specific populations, through their issues.” might consider a bothersome side such as pregnant women and diverse effect, but he did not list it as such in his cultural groups. Along with the UWA Health Promotion Unit, questionnaire. Assistant Professor Ashoorian also trains A local team will develop an app which students from other disciplines and staff Identifying the problematic side effects can be completed electronically and across the UWA campus. It is provided free to them. would help HCPs decide on a course of the results sent directly to the treating action, such as changing a medication clinician ahead of the next patient visit. She said staff and students were likely to or the dose or its timing, Assistant come across some of the scenarios in their Professor Ashoorian said. The tool can be used by psychiatrists, personal as well as professional lives because GPs, hospital clinicians and one in five Australians had a mental health The tool was also new in that it pharmacists. problem in any one year and almost half would do so in their lifetime. included open as well as closed questions, allowing the patients to - By Cathy Saunders

MeDeFacts | Volume 22 Number 2 | June 2016 | 7 Clinical academics Getting on with the job of medicine

Professor Gerald F Watts has never submitted his profile to a journal. He simply prefers to “get on Professor Gerald Watts with the job”.

He fits in a tremendous workload as a clinical academic, juggling his hours as “We studied and confirmed the multi-disciplinary based and integrated clinician, researcher, teacher, author, beneficial effects on lipid metabolism between specialist and primary care,” editor, and expert advisor to healthcare and vascular health of new treatments he explains. sectors, international societies and that are now employed in the clinic,” industry groups, not to mention he says. “These include nutritional He has initiated the development of supporting a large family and travelling supplements, such as fish oils and co- an Australian FH web-based registry globally to present lectures and enzyme Q, the statin and fibrate group which can be used for health service research papers in his discipline. of drugs, and monoclonal antibodies research and clinical trials. “It is now against a protein called PCSK9 that applicable worldwide and we are just He is a senior consultant physician controls blood cholesterol levels.” about to initiate the registry in the Asia- at Royal Perth Hospital (RPH), having Pacific region.” been Head of Internal Medicine for But he is perhaps best known six years, and is Winthrop Professor more recently for his tireless FH affects about one in every 250 in cardiometabolic medicine in the work in familial disorders of lipid Australians, yet about 60% of cases School of Medicine and Pharmacology metabolism, particularly familial remain undiagnosed and therefore at The University of WA (UWA). hypercholesterolaemia (FH), an their family members have not been inherited condition that elevates blood screened for this high-risk condition. “I’ve tried as much as possible cholesterol and causes early heart throughout the years to translate my disease in families. “These disorders The professor has developed telehealth research into clinical practice and have been overlooked but we now have and outreach services, an FH family conversely gaps in clinical care into greater precision in making a diagnosis support group and international researchable questions,” he says. through genetic testing and can collaborations. He has more than 500 apply newer treatments that can very published works to his credit. He came to Perth in 1994 from St effectively lower high cholesterol levels Thomas’s Hospital (King’s College with significant reduction in coronary His work at UWA encompasses London) to take up an appointment risk,” Professor Watts says. teaching medical students and the at RPH and UWA. “I brought over a supervision of research students number of new technologies that Thanks to his efforts supported by his and he established the first Master in allowed new clinical investigations colleagues, there is a model of care Clinical Research. concerning arterial function and lipid for FH, which received a distinguished metabolism,” he says. award for excellence from the WA Professor Watts graduated in medicine Health Department, has been adopted and biochemistry (Honours) from the His research has included examining throughout Australia, has informed University of London, has doctorates the role of obesity, diabetes and international guidelines and serves as in medicine and philosophy, and disturbed lipid metabolism in heart a template for other high-risk forms of was particularly honoured by being disease and the application of stable inherited heart disease. “The template awarded a Doctor of Science from the isotope tracers to investigating the of this model of care encapsulates University of London (Imperial College) mechanisms of action of new therapies services for screening, diagnosis, in 2003. for lipid disorders. risk assessment and therapy that are

8 | MeDeFacts | Volume 22 Number 2 | June 2016 Alumni Dr Pestell graduated with an MBBS from UWA in 1981 and completed his now MD in 1991 and PhD in 1997 from the University of Melbourne, having been a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at two US medical institutions from 1991 to 1993.

“Of particular importance to my career in the USA was the opportunity to complete a PhD at the Howard Florey Institute and Melbourne University under the direction of Drs John Coghlan and Richard Larkins,” he says. He headed to the US on the advice of these mentors. Dr Richard Pestell His career trajectory took him via various roles - including working at the Albert Einstein Medical College in New York in cancer metastasis (CCR5) that functions the department of Professor E. Richard Pinpointing much like the GPS for cancer. “We then Stanley, son of Professor Neville Stanley identified drugs that are non toxic who was the UWA Foundation Professor cancer in humans which block metastasis. of Microbiology - eventually to the Sidney Because the receptor is expressed on Kimmel Cancer Centre. Finding the “GPS” for cancer many different types of cancer, this is the highlight of the stellar finding provides a potential to improve His most important accomplishment career of a medical graduate the quality of life for patient with diverse as Director, he says, was creating an of the Faculty who has types of cancer. organisation in which honesty, respect risen to the top of his field and trust were built, enabling everyone internationally and won “Secondly, we identified a molecular test to focus on the importance and meaning numerous accolades on the to help with patient care. Prostate cancer of what they were involved with each day way. is quite common in men as they age. But and thereby improving the experience of prostate cancer with a bad outcome or patients. Dr Richard Pestell is a renowned good outcome looks the same under the oncologist and endocrinologist who is microscope. We identified a molecular Dr Pestell is grateful to UWA for its currently the number one cited expert in genetic test that distinguishes bad and exceptional medical education. “The the world by Google Scholar in the areas good outcome prostate cancer to help UWA and other Australian universities of prostate cancer and the cell cycle. He both patients and clinicians.” Clinical are the cornerstones of Australia and its is Director Emeritus and Professor at trials are being conducted. future prosperity,” he adds. the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Centre at the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital Dr Pestell has also conducted studies - By Cathy Saunders in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he which suggest a way to reduce the toxic served as the Centre’s Director from 2005 side effects of most chemotherapy and until January last year. which would potentially improve the quality of life for most patients. His most recent of a host of awards and accolades is the Eric Susman Prize for He was attracted to the fields of oncology 2015, awarded by The Royal Australasian and endocrinology because both of College of Physicians to a Fellow for the his parents and several close friends best contribution to knowledge of any had died of cancer. “I was struck by the branch of internal medicine. His work disproportionate systemic features of has contributed to the understanding of their disease compared with the small the molecular mechanisms governing size of the tumour,” he says. “It seemed hormone responsive cancer. likely therefore that these two fields together would provide insights into a He says his most important finding has deeper understanding and thereby better Dr Richard Pestell won the WA state 5,000m titles both in running and walking in 1984, been the identification of a target for care for patients with cancer.” competing for The University of WA. Thirty years on, he still runs, walks, cycles and swims.

MeDeFacts | Volume 22 Number 2 | June 2016 | 9 Distinguished lecturers A new forum for taking some of the brilliant research being undertaken in the Faculty to a wide audience has been introduced by the Dean, Professor Wendy Erber.

The Dean’s Distinguished Lecture Series will feature University of WA professors who are outstanding in their field of medicine, dentistry or health sciences and who will present the evolution of their research and how it has changed the face of patient care. It is “an initiative designed to take a broad audience of students, academics, researchers, clinicians, professionals and Professor Judy Esmond UWA Alumni on a journey from a medical problem through research to application to clinical care”. Game changer for social work Starting in the second semester, there will be a monthly one-hour lecture held on Continued from page 1 She had applied the rules of customer the third Tuesday of each month during “Now some of our best students service - learnt from a decade of semester from 12.30 pm in the McCusker have come from a range of degrees running her own Australian research Lecture Theatre at the Harry Perkins Institute, North Building, Queen Elizabeth - accounting, law and business. It is and consulting company - to dealing II Medical Centre. a very big step to change your career with applicants. “The sooner we can The inaugural Dean’s Distinguished path and we should encourage that, get back to a potential customer, the Lecture will be held on July 19 and will not make it difficult.” better,” she said. She believes a quick be launched officially by UWA’s Senior turn-around for approvals could be Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Dawn Freshwater. She will present Professor Associate Professor Esmond applied across many other Schools Erber, a haematologist, who will talk introduced another big, overall in the university with staff who really about translating discoveries to improved change. “We really personalised and understand the course. diagnosis and hence better management for patients with malignant disease. The customised the recruitment process. topic is “Cancer is no longer a death The truth is that you apply to a number To deal with teaching bigger student sentence.” of universities and often it’s who gets numbers, assessments now are tighter Each lecture will be advertised before the back to you the quickest.” and not excessive and classes are larger event and email invitations will be sent without loss of teaching quality. She to staff, students and alumni. Everyone is Previously, the lag between applying has also introduced new types of field welcome and RSVPs are not required. for acceptance into The University of placements. Please go to www.meddent.uwa.edu.au/ WA course and being informed of the news/deans-lecture-series for updated details. outcome could be several weeks. As many students are post-graduates, 2106 program: working and with families, other rules • Tuesday July 19 - Professor Wendy Erber, To make the offering more competitive, of customer service are being initiated. haematology. “Cancer is no longer a death Associate Professor Esmond personally Some units of the two-year course sentence.” • Tuesday August 16 - Professor Osvaldo read all the applications and emailed will be available online, whereas Almeida, Professor of Geriatric Psychiatry and the applicants within 24-48 hours. before there was none and, in a big Director of Research, WA Centre for Health and Ageing. “What causes depression and how can Apart from a Bachelor’s degree, the departure from the norm, the plan is we prevent it?” other main criterion for entry is a to organise the timetables so that first • Tuesday September 20 - Professor John written explanation of good reasons for year students can do all their units on Newnham, Obstetrician (maternal-fetal medicine specialist). “How to stop babies wanting to study social work. Mondays and Tuesdays, and second being born too early.” years on Thursdays and Fridays, leaving • Tuesday October 18 - Professor Martyn French, Clinical immunologist and HIV She took no holidays over the long the rest of the week available for part- researcher. “Winning the battle against HIV summer break in order to be able to time work. infection.” assess all the applications in her self- • Please note food and drinks are not permitted in the McCusker Lecture Theatre. imposed short time frame. - By Cathy Saunders

10 | MeDeFacts | Volume 22 Number 2 | June 2016 A new advocate sciences sphere is something that we Dr Ulgiati has a BSc in pharmacology excel at.” and physiology and a PhD in for undergraduate immunology and biochemistry from majors She wants the students to feel well UWA and undertook a four-year supported and that they have a sense Fellowship in Denver, Colorado to of belonging within the Faculty. further her research. The development of a new Medical Science major Undergraduate students who complete “I am still actively involved in has been the key focus of majors through the Faculty emerge research,” she said. “We are interested recently-appointed Sub-Dean with a Bachelor of Science - which in understanding the genetics of (Undergraduate Majors), Dr enables them to apply for the post- autoimmunity, in particular Lupus.” Daniela Ulgiati, who took up graduate degrees such as medicine, She also teaches second and third year the role in February. dentistry, pharmacy, social work as science students within the genetics well as other postgraduate pathways or and pathology majors. She has been involved in the research. The majors include Aboriginal establishment of a working party for the health and wellbeing, biomedical Professor Jane Heyworth has new major, curriculum development sciences, genetics, microbiology and stepped down after several years as and the co-ordination of appropriate immunology, pathology and laboratory the inaugural appointee as Sub-Dean discipline leads. medicine, pharmacology, and (Undergraduate Majors) and a long- population health. standing prior role as Sub-Dean (Health It was her experience in teaching and Science) dating back to 2005. research since 2007 and her great “There are about 1100 students in interest in teaching undergraduate undergraduate majors within the Faculty Dean Professor Wendy students that prompted her to apply Faculty so it is a huge array of students,” Erber thanked Professor Heyworth for the Sub-Dean position. “I thought it Dr Ulgiati said. “This number represents for her significant contributions and would be really interesting to advocate students who have specified one of commitment. “Professor Heyworth for undergraduate majors within the those areas as their first major so there provided student support and advice Faculty,” she said. “The undergraduate might actually be more if you count across multiple majors and greatly majors are an important aspect of those who have one of those disciplines assisted the Faculty during the teaching and learning within the Faculty as a second major as well.” transition to New Courses through her and so I think we need to make sure role coordinating the many groups that training students in the health Dr Daniela Ulgiati associated with the different majors and liaison with the Faculty of Science,” she said. “Over the time…, the number of students has increased significantly, thereby showing the importance of this role.”

Professor Heyworth has returned to her School-based teaching and research position.

WITS ABOUT YOU Our medical quiz is kindly supplied by Emeritus Professor Bernard Catchpole, the second Professor of Surgery appointed to the Faculty.

1. The stainless steel and chrome-plated apparatus of hospitals may slowly change to the dull gleam of copper objects. Why? 2. Why is the lithotomy position so-called? 3. Baron Dupuytren gave his name to the contraction of the palmar fascia. What else carries his name? 4. What is a baculum? Does man have one? 5. Why is 4. so named? (Answers page 15)

MeDeFacts | Volume 22 Number 2 | June 2016 | 11 Would you like cream with that? An artery health trial.

Wanted: middle-aged men who common, being present in half to two- individualised exercise prescription at are carrying a tad too much thirds of the population. The findings the end of the trial so they don’t leave weight and would like to be were published in the March issue of the empty-handed. fitter and healthier. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. The trial has received a $75,000 grant- They can apply to join a new trial in-aid from the Heart Foundation looking at whether testosterone, with “The telomere finding is very but most of the trial researchers are or without exercise, can improve the important,” Dr Yeap said. It opens donating their time and expertise for health of their arteries. The testosterone up the question - if they manipulate free. Dr Yeap said the trial will answer is given as a cream applied to the torso. hormone levels, could they slow the question of whether testosterone biological ageing. is a beneficial treatment. “At the The trial is being headed by Dr Bu moment, we only treat men who are Yeap, of the School of Medicine and “Ageing is a powerful driver for clearly androgen deficient, who have Pharmacology and the Harry Perkins diabetes, cardiovascular disease, a pituitary problem or a testicular Institute of Medical Research. It dementia, frailty,” he said. “If you can problem and can’t make testosterone,” was prompted by his team’s recent slow biological ageing, you are going to he said. findings of a link between testosterone prevent a heap of disease.” and telomere length in men. The His previous research has shown shortening of telomeres - structures at His team is now conducting a that men in the 25th percentile of the the end of chromosomes that protect randomised controlled trial to see testosterone range have worse health the chromosomes - is a marker for whether testosterone, either alone or outcomes, including a greater risk of biological ageing. in combination with exercise training, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and will improve the health of arteries in hospitalisation or death from stroke. The team’s study of 980 men aged 54 middle-aged older men with a waist “But at the moment, we don’t treat years on average from the WA Busselton circumference of 95cm (37.4 inches) or those men,” Dr Yeap said. “We need to Health Survey found that higher more. They are hoping to recruit up to do some proper scientific studies to levels of the bioactive metabolites of 80 men aged 50-70 years who would find out whether treating those men testosterone, dihydrotestosterone and like to be fitter and healthier. They can with a low-normal level can improve estradiol, are independently associated apply directly to be part of the trial or their health or not.” with longer leucocyte telomere length be referred by their GP. in men. They showed that genetic Men aged 50-70 years interested in polymorphisms which reduce estradiol The participants’ fitness and arterial entering the trial, and doctors who levels are predictive of shorter telomere health will be measured before and would like to refer patients, can contact length, suggesting a causal link. after the trial. They will be randomised research nurse Ms Helen Daniels at to testosterone or placebo. Those [email protected] or on (08) “So we postulate that maybe exposure randomised also to exercise will receive 6151 1138. three months of a personalised training to a higher circulating level of estradiol Above: (from left) Exercise physiologists actually slows biological ageing in men,” program, involving one hour of exercise Ms Lauren McKeown and Dr Louise Naylor, Dr Yeap said. His team found three three times a week. Those randomised and study researchers Dr Bu Yeap and polymorphisms and they were relatively to their usual activities will be given an Dr Yi Xian Chan, try out some of the equipment in the gym used in the study.

12 | MeDeFacts | Volume 22 Number 2 | June 2016 Convocation of UWA Graduates Prize in Mary Fauriel Lockett Prize in Pharmacology Recognising Medicine (Level 5) - Ms Melanie Ann Still - Mr Saiuj Bhat Coral Haughie Memorial Prize - Max Kamien Prize in General Practice - brilliance Ms Emma Roffey Ms Emma Roffey D. P. Clement Prize - Ms Lauren Lloyd Navaretnam Memorial Prize in Medical Microbiology - Ms Elly Harris Dean’s Prize in Podiatric Medicine - – and hard Ms Heidi Schlesniak Peter Anderton Memorial Prize in General Practice - Dr Margaret Donaldson Elsie Louise Simpson Prize in Biochemistry work - Ms Lauren Lloyd Podiatrists Registration Board of WA Prize - Joint Winner Mr Chun Lian Julian Boo Emele Bradshaw Vance Prize in the Doctor of Medicine - Miss Catherine Nguyen Podiatrists Registration Board of WA Prize - Dozens of students who have Joint Winner Ms Heidi Schlesniak excelled in their disciplines Faith Stewart Book Prize - Joint Winner Mr James Nolan Podiatry WA Prize - were awarded an array of Joint Winner Mr Jason Chung Ern Lim prizes at the Faculty’s Prize Faith Stewart Book Prize - Joint Winner Ms Shi Rui Tan Podiatry WA Prize - Ceremony for 2015, held at Joint Winner Mr Tsepo Marcus Llewellyn Faith Stewart Book Prize in Health the University Club on May 11. Sciences - Ms Chelsea Leo Podiatry WA Prize - The winners are listed below. Joint Winner Mr David Majewski Florence Alexander Dumble and John Dr Margaret Donaldson was and Louisa Cowcher Memorial Prize in Podiatry WA Prize - the winner of the Australian Anatomy - Mr Julius Varano della Vergiliana Joint Winner Ms Heidi Schlesniak Medical Association (WA) gold Fred Johnston Memorial Prize - Prize in Paediatric Ophthalmology - medal for scoring the highest Joint Winner Dr Sharanya Miss April Stock Shanmugakumar aggregate mark for all core Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Gift Fund Fred Johnston Memorial Prize - Trust Prize in Obstetrics - Miss Sarah Cooper units over the six years of the Joint Winner Dr Georgia Walker MBBS course. Royal Australian and New Zealand College Geoffrey Ashburton Thompson Memorial of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Prize - Miss Mengchen Suo Women’s Health Prize - Mr Albert Yi He Alan Charters Elective Prize 1st prize - Dr Binu Jayawardena Gwendoline Hewitt Prize in Paediatrics - Royal Australian and New Zealand College Joint Winner Mr Benjamin Devey of Ophthalmologists (WA Branch) Prize - Alan Charters Elective Prize: runner up - Mr Chi Seong Andrew Yip Dr Kieran Robinson Gwendoline Hewitt Prize in Paediatrics - Joint Winner Ms Danielle Malatzky Royal Perth Hospital Clinical Association Alan Charters Elective Prize: runner up - Prize in Medicine - Ms Katharine Leiter Dr Benjamin Roestenburg Hamish Macmillan Prize in Dermatology - Dr Brittany Lewin Royal Perth Hospital Clinical Association Alan Charters Elective Prize: runner up - Prize in Surgery - Ms Samantha White Dr Devaki Wallooppillai Helen Jane Lamard Prize in Medicine - Dr Mistral Watson Rural Doctors’ Association of WA Prize – Alfred Nailer Jacobs Memorial Prize - Mr Reece Jefferies Dr Margaret Donaldson Helen Jane Lamard Prize in Surgery - Dr Catherine Miles SCGH Excellence in Nursing Practice Prize - Anne Thomsett Memorial Prize in Social Ms Kirsten Bird Work - Mrs Maija Medenis Hing Hang Leung Prize in Palliative Care - Dr Josué Rohan du Heaume School of Population Health Prize for ANZCA/ASA Gilbert Troup Prize - Excellence in the Master of Nursing Science Dr Ciselle Meier Hlavacek Prize - Miss Catherine Nguyen Course - Ms Kirsten Bird Arch Ellis Memorial Prize in Psychiatry - Jack Bercov Memorial Prize - School of Population Health Prize for Dr Sharanya Shanmugakumar Mr James Nolan Excellence in Public Health - Australian Medical Association Prize - James W. Paterson Medal - Ms Clare Ms Bethany Fielder Dr Margaret Donaldson Bradley School of Population Health Prize for Australian Medical Association Prize Jan Watt Memorial Prize for Excellence in Excellence in Public Health - Ms Amy Kidner (Level 2) - Ms Emma Roffey Public Health Field Research - WA Department of Health Prize for Honours Mr Craig Cumming Australian Medical Association Prize Dissertation in Public Health - (Level 5) - Mr James Nolan Jean Teasdale Prize in Social Work - Ms Jade Newton Miss Olivia Kendell Australian Society for Microbiology Walter Tauss Memorial Prize in Indigenous (WA Branch) Prize - Ms Lauren Savage Jeanette Pedlow Memorial Prize in Issues - Miss Yi Ling Lau Psychiatry - Mr Drew McCarthy C. B. Kidd Memorial Prize in Psychiatry - Walter Tauss Memorial Prize in Social Work Dr Georgia Walker Konrad Jamrozik Prize for Excellence in Practice - Ms Shan Sai the Master of Public Health by Coursework WA Faculty of the Australasian College for C. D. J. Holman Prize for Excellence in or Coursework and Dissertation - Public Health - Ms Sharnae Zanotti Emergency Medicine Prize - Dr Gabriela Willis Dr Amali Samarasinghe Campbell and Annie Murdoch Prize in Margaret Stockbridge Memorial Prize in William T. Woodhead Prize in Podiatric Rural and Remote Medicine - Mr Reece Social Work - Miss Olivia Kendell Jefferies Biomechanics - Mr Christopher Si Marion Margaret Bergin Memorial, Harry Central City Medical Centre Prize in D. Fitch Memorial and Eileen Haberfeld General Practice - Mr Brent Evans Memorial Prize in Pathology - Central City Medical Centre Prize in Miss Catherine Nguyen General Practice - Mr James Nolan

MeDeFacts | Volume 22 Number 2 | June 2016 | 13 A new treatment for osteoporosis Health. She said it was not sugar What’s may be a step closer with the findings alone that was important in obesity in of an international study led by children and teenagers. Sugar and fat Professor Jiake Xu, of the School of made foods such as cakes, doughnuts going on? Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. and chocolate hard to resist, The study found a new way that cells undermining an individual’s ability to in the involved in bone structure were able control their cravings and their overall to talk to each other. Professor Xu said energy intake. The study examined the researchers focused on two types food diaries of 6722 children in the UK. Faculty of cells, bone-resorbing osteoclasts which break down bone and bone- Awards Research forming osteoblasts that regularly Watching Aboriginal children kicking A “medical research game changer” cross-talk within the body. “Bone a tin around an oval inspired a Faculty that involves a deeper understanding remodelling is regulated by these two graduate to found a charitable of how type 1 diabetes disrupts the types of cells,” he said. The research organisation which, in turn, has led body’s immune system has been found that osteoclasts could produce to awards. Dr John van Bockxmeer unearthed by a team at the Centre for small, sac-like structures containing founded “Fair Game”, a not-for-profit Diabetes Research at the Harry Perkins microRNAs, or information, that could innovative health promotion and Institute of Medical Research. Head of communicate with other cells. “We’ve community development charity with the Centre, Professor Grant Morahan, discovered the osteoclasts can send the vision of allowing all Australians said their finding revealed that, unlike a message to osteoblasts about access to the benefits of fitness, health many other genetic diseases, the genes inhibiting bone growth, so if we could and wellness in underserviced and that caused type 1 diabetes did so find a way to manipulate this to instead often remote communities, through by regulating the expression levels of promote bone growth it could lead to the donation of recycled sports other genes, rather than by making new treatments for osteoporosis,” he equipment. To date, 20,000 items have changes in proteins. “Our finding said. been donated. In this year’s 40under40 suggests the cure for this condition Awards, Dr van Bockxmeer received will most likely lie in treatments that A high intake of both sugar and fat an ‘Inspiring Possibilities’ award for his regulate the whole of the immune increases the risk of child obesity, work in developing the organisation response, not just particular parts of probably through what has been that delivers training, mentoring and it,” he said. “This is a medical research dubbed “hedonic synergy”, or sensory youth leadership to reinforce healthy game changer in that it alters our pleasure from eating certain foods, communities. And this month he understanding not only of how type 1 according to a study by researchers was named winner of the Western diabetes impacts the body but likely including Associate Professor Gina Australian of the Year Community also other complex genetic diseases Ambrosini, of the School of Population Award. He graduated from UWA in 2009 such as cancer, type 2 diabetes and and went to Port Hedland as a remote heart disease.” Professor Ruth Ganss (right) with senior emergency doctor, which inspired him members of her laboratory team, to establish Fair Game in 2010. Researcher Professor Ruth Ganss Dr Anna Johansson (left) and Dr Jacky Li. and her team at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research have developed a drug that could enable anti-cancer drugs to reach the core of tumours more effectively by repairing blood vessel defects in the tumours. They found that smooth muscle cells that line blood vessels often break down in tumours, making the blood vessels leaky, reducing blood flow and preventing chemotherapy and immunotherapy from entering the tumour. The new drug works by repairing the smooth muscle cells and returning normal blood flow to the vessels, allowing other anti-cancer drugs to reach the tumour’s core.

14 | MeDeFacts | Volume 22 Number 2 | June 2016 The highest accolade that can be awarded to an individual pharmacist in the state has gone to Professor Rhonda Clifford, Director of Pharmacy in the School of Medicine and Pharmacology. She received the Eric Kirk Memorial Award for excellence in education and outstanding contribution to pharmacy. Professor Clifford dedicates numerous hours to teaching, mentoring, supervision of Master of Pharmacy research students and PhD students, and curriculum development.

One of Professor Clifford’s former Master of Pharmacy research students, Ms Dr Juliana Hamzah (far right) with her team. Teresa Di Franco, recently was named WA Young Pharmacist of the Year by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (WA Inglis, of the School of Pathology and “Softening up” tumours with a novel branch). She “combined her pharmacy Laboratory Medicine, said resistant drug to make them more vulnerable experience, particularly in medication bacteria were chipping away at the to immune cells and other anti-cancer management and patient care, with her 20 years that antibiotics added to our treatments is the goal of Research Fellow experience as a credentialled diabetes life expectancy. “Faster methods of Dr Juliana Hamzah and her team at educator to become a passionate detecting resistance are urgently needed the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical advocate for patient care and leader for so that we can reserve antibiotics for Research. They have received UWA her profession,” the PSA said. Professor infections where they have proven Pathfinder funding, which is proof- Clifford said Ms Di Franco was involved benefit.” of-concept funding for developing at UWA as a lecturer and a researcher in technologies created at UWA and diabetes as well as a mentor to current A collaborative School of Medicine will support the team as it aims to students. and Pharmacology project to improve demonstrate the effectiveness of the the lives of people with dementia has drug in pre-clinical cancer models. Dr And a PhD student of Professor Clifford, attracted a grant of almost $50,000 from Hamzah said solid tumours were known Ms Julie Adams, was highly commended the Dementia Collaborative Research to be firm and rigid, which could present joint winner in The Australian Women’s Centres (DCRCs). The project of chief a significant barrier for drug delivery. “In Weekly/CPA Australia 2016 Women investigator and PhD student Mrs Amy the case of breast cancer, for example, in Business Awards for her chemo@ Page, Professor Rhonda Clifford, diseased tissue can be 10 times stiffer home business, which administers Associate Professor Christopher than normal breast, this makes it difficult chemotherapy and other infusions Etherton-Beer and Dr Kathleen Potter, to give an effective dose precisely where it to patients in their own homes. Ms together with three other researchers, is needed,” she said. Adams is enrolled in the Doctor of is “Supporting better medicines use Philosophy program at UWA where among people living with dementia Associate Professor Kevin Pfleger, also of she is undertaking research into using national consensus Support - the Perkins Institute, has been honoured the clinical and health economic MEDe Support.” The DCRCs said they by the British Pharmacological Society outcomes of cancer patients taking oral were very impressed with the standard with a prestigious award, the Novartis Prize, in recognition of his published work chemotherapy medications. and novelty of applications. which focuses on receptors throughout the body that are the target of many Grants commonly used medicines. Tackling the vexed question of when to prescribe antibiotics is the goal of medical microbiologist Professor Answers to the quiz on page 11 Tim Inglis, who has been awarded 1. 60% copper alloys are rapidly bacteriolytic while stainless steel is not. US$100,000 (A$138,160) by the Bill & 2. Patients were held in this position for lithotomists to remove bladder Melinda Gates Foundation to develop a stones through a perineal incision. screening test that will detect antibiotic 3. A classification of burns. resistance and ensure the right 4. A bone in the penis found in many mammals but not in man. antibiotics can be prescribed. Professor 5. The word baculum is Latin for staff or stick.

MeDeFacts | Volume 22 Number 2 | June 2016 | 15 Pharmacy

Mr Patrick Nay had a government one of my favourite things is being a placement for pharmacy part of such an incredible and diverse community of like-minded people who to complement recently revised are also from rural backgrounds. There legislation, a task very different to is an excellent support network and a anything you would experience in healthy balance between studies and a community pharmacy setting. It social life. challenged my ability to research and collate ethico-legal information into a I will also use some of the scholarship comprehensible format. The second money towards completing a rural project allowed me to apply legislative placement over summer, as well as and regulatory frameworks to a doing research as a part of my studies real-world issue, aimed at improving overseas in Europe in 2018. the process by which compounded Master of Pharmacy student Kazia Reid dexamphetamine is documented and I know my scholarship will help me reported by compounding pharmacies. Bush achieve a lot more. I believe I will have I was delighted to receive positive and more to give back to the community constructive feedback from the PSB background and as a result can make a bigger team. difference within healthcare. inspires career PSB offered amazing experiences such There is a link to the Guild webpage via as attending multi-disciplinary meetings By Kazia Reid the Master of Pharmacy website. to discuss rescheduling of medicines, audits of community pharmacies, My rural background is one of many things that inspired me to study meetings with pharmacy wholesalers Pharmacy. Living all my life in The and discussion of the evolving world of Kalgoorlie has shown me just how pharmacy with experienced experts in disadvantaged some are when it comes to healthcare, particularly in governmental the pharmacy world. terms of resources and education. side of The experience was truly enlightening. Last year, after I was accepted into the I would now consider a career in Master of Pharmacy at The University pharmacy governmental pharmacy and the of Western Australia, the staff told new skills and networks that I have me about a Pharmacy Guild Rural By Patrick Nay developed in my time at PSB will greatly Scholarship. I applied and this year influence my future career path. Having worked in community found out I was a recipient. pharmacy for several years, I was given the opportunity to experience Contact us This exciting news took a lot of financial the governmental side of pharmacy at the Pharmaceutical Services stress away. The scholarship will provide Branch (PSB) of the WA Department Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry me with incredible once-in-a-lifetime of Health. and Health Sciences opportunities during my studies. The University of Western Australia M500, 35 Stirling Highway This placement for my Master of Crawley WA 6009 Australia Living more than 600 kms away Pharmacy degree exposed me to Tel: +61 8 6488 8551 from home means I need to pay for law and legislation for scheduled Email: [email protected] accommodation as well as transport poisons, the community program Dean: Professor Wendy Erber so I can go home and spend time with for opioid pharmacotherapy, the Deputy Dean: Professor John Newnham my family. I get very homesick so living stimulant regulatory scheme, the drugs Faculty Manager: Dr Jan Dunphy Editor/Writer: Cathy Saunders on campus at Trinity, one of the five of dependence unit, and pharmacy residential colleges at university, is the auditing. We welcome contributions, photos, best option for me, despite costing feedback and anecdotes. Please email the editor at: more than it would to live off-campus. During my placement, my first [email protected] This is my fifth year living at Trinity and project was mapping new regulations or call 0403 813 830

16 | MeDeFacts | Volume 22 Number 2 | June 2016 CRICOS Provider Code: 00126G