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August 2006 in this issue President’s Report 1 August 2006 Celebrating Health 2 and Medical Research President’s Report in Australia ASMR Medical 4 August 2006 Research Week® 2006 and Medical Research Council has received close to State Awards 6 his year’s Federal Budget affirmed the 3000 project grant applications this year,which may well Commonwealth Government’s recognition of the The Australian 8 T have a serious impact on success outcome.Mechanisms exceptional value of investing in health and medical Twin Registry of perpetually increased funding for health and medical research, allocating funds for research project, research therefore should be explored and debated. The 3rd Australian 9 infrastructure and fellowship support, and raising the Aristotle summed it up nicely: “We are, what we Health & Medical NHMRC funding base to over $700 million by 2010. repeatedly do.Excellence,then,is not an act,but a habit”. Research Congress ASMR can be justifiably proud of its tireless advocacy GRP deliberations under NHMRC’s new grants evaluation — it’s been at the forefront of a multi-layered campaign, Commonwealth 10 system are presently under way. both in and out of the public arena that paid off on May Health Minister’s Award 9. High level interactions were underpinned by a The NHMRC is currently in the process of restructuring Prof. David de Kretser 10 concerted “grass roots” campaign in which you — as and is now a statutory body, which strengthens its Appointed Governor ASMR members,friends and affiliate members — took independence and facilitates clear lines of responsibility of Victoria the time to sit down with your local federal politician for governance and financial accountability. On your and explained the case for increased funding of the behalf, I again congratulate Professor Michael Good, Dr El-Osta — 10 “golden egg”,eye-to-eye.The Budget announcement will director of the Queensland Institute of Medical Research Winner of the help health and medical researchers build upon previous on his recent appointment as Chair of the NHMRC,and 2006 Amgen Award gains, and turn both curiosity — and priority-driven Professor James Best from the University of Melbourne Australian 11 research into new medicines and treatments,with flow- as Chair of NHMRC Research Committee. Professors Biomedical Scientist on health, social and economic returns, nationally and Good and Best are three of 19 members of Council for Wins Top UK Award abroad. It also complements the recent visionary the next three years,effective July 2006.Other members injections of funding and critical infrastructure support of Council include Professor Colin Masters,who will chair Clinician Researchers 11 in states like Victoria (the “Healthy Futures” initiative) the National Health Committee, Professor Ron Trent, and ASMR and Queensland (“Smart State”initiative).Investment in who will head the Human Genetics Advisory Committee, Professor Berkovic health and medical research is vital and should be a and Professor Jock Findlay,a former President of ASMR, Receives 2005 prioritised continuum for any government in the who leads the Embryo Research Licensing Committee. Curtin Medal developed world. The reality is that it costs money to It is also great to see that two ASMR Past Presidents, maintain excellence in research,and society unarguably Bronwyn Kingwell and Matt Gillespie,will sit on the new benefits from this “golden egg”.Even with this increased NHMRC Research Committee which has amongst its investment,which kicks off in 2007,the National Health members 2006 Australian of the Year Professor Ian ASMR Past and Present Presidents The Australian Celebrate Society for Budget Result Medical Research at ASMR MRW® 145 Macquarie Street, Dinner in Sydney NSW 2000 Melbourne. ACN 000599235 · ABN 18000599235 From left to right: Ph: 02 9256 5450 Levon Khachigian Fax: 02 9252 0294 (2006), Email: [email protected] Web: www.asmr.org.au Bronwyn Kingwell (2005), Newsletter Editor-in-Chief, Andrew Sinclair Dr Gilda Tachedjian (2004), Print Post Approved Moira Clay (2003). 25500300067 august 2006 2 Frazer. Professor Warwick Anderson, who formally Alan Champion) as well as the remarkable talents of presented Bill his ASMR Medal,commenced his position Alison Butt (ASMR Medical Research Week® Convenor), as the new NHMRC CEO during ASMR Medical Research Peter Eastwood (Co-ordinator State Committees),Cath Week®.Warwick has kindly agreed to write for us in the West (Executive Office) and Maree Overall (ASN Events). next issue of the Newsletter.We wish Professors John The second half of the year will see ASMR realise a Shine and Judy Black,as outgoing Chairs of the NHMRC number of new initiatives, including an important Council and Research Committee,respectively,the very workforce survey we’ve professionally commissioned. best as they pass on the batons. Information gained from this will be used in efforts to ASMR in June held another highly successful Medical better understand and improve career structure and Research Week®, a week that brought the benefits of conditions of health and medical researchers.We have health and medical research to all Australians through also been working on an innovative FASEB-style web- vibrant public,political and scientific advocacy.ASMR based Member Directory,the establishment of a panel Medallist Professor Bill Brinkley helped celebrate of ‘National Treasures’of health and medical researchers, throughout the week the critically-needed increase and an equally-influential ‘Friends of ASMR’ group in health and medical research funding announced drawing on advocates from the wider community. in the Federal Budget.To all members and friends of Finally, I’d encourage all researchers to attend the 3rd ASMR that participated in the Week through Australian Health and Medical Research Congress organisational roles running dinners, expos and which will be held in Melbourne in November,featuring community lectures, cinema events, scientific the latest outstanding research from 2–3 thousand “showcase”meetings,careers sessions and professional scientists and clinicians,representing around 30 separate development programs,or by attending one or more societies,providing a perfect opportunity for ‘beyond of these functions,I thank you for your support.I want the square’ideas and conceptual cross-fertilisation. especially to acknowledge the strong leadership of all our State Convenors (Mike McGuckin, Beverly With warmest wishes, Muhlhausler, Melanie Bagg, Andrew Buckle, Craig Professor Levon Khachigian, Freeman,Jeff Craig,Steven Mutsaers,Sharyn Pope and ASMR President Celebrating Health and Medical Research in Australia: A Renaissance for Discovery and Opportunity William (Bill) R. Brinkley, Ph.D and (2) why countries like America and Australia need 2006 ASMR Medalist to develop an effective “Science Policy” that would Senior Vice President stabilize research funding needed to attract and retain for Graduate Sciences. our best and brightest young stars into science. Dean, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, As one reviews recent advances in Australia,it is obvious Baylor College of Medicine, Houston that the country ranks public health and medical care among its highest priorities.ASMR,Research Australia t is an honor and privilege to be selected by ASMR and AAMRI have played, and will continue to play, a Ias the 2006 Medalist and to be invited to tour this critical role by garnering support for basic and clinical remarkable nation and speak on behalf of Health and research programs needed to foster Australia’s rise to Medical Research (HMR). I am especially grateful to prominence and world leadership in science.Recently, Professor Levon Khachigian, distinguished President the Australian government sent a clear message to this of ASMR,and his outstanding team,for their wonderful effect by naming Professor Ian Frazer as the 2006 hospitality during my visit. I would also like to honor Australian of the Year for pioneering work in the and acknowledge all previous ASMR Medalists who development of cervical cancer vaccines.Other medical have come before me through the words of Sir Isaac researchers have been so honored in previous years. Newton,“If I have seen further than others,it is by standing Australia has produced six Nobel Prize winners, upon the shoulders of giants.” including your most recent, Professors Barry Marshall In this presentation,I would like to address two important and Robin Warren, who shared the 2005 Prize in issues:(1) The present and future role of HMR in Australia, Medicine and Physiology. 3 august 2006 Calender 3rd Australian Health & Medical Research Congress 26 Nov – 1 Dec,2006 Melbourne Convention Centre www.ahmrcongress.org.au NSC 2007 Tissue Remodelling 11 – 14 November,2007 The Carrington Hotel, Blue Mountains, NSW Prof. Brinkley addresses the National Press Club in Canberra during ASMR MRW® International Diabetes Perhaps the most exciting development was the one’s advocacy mission vulnerable. In 2003, the U.S. Federation Diabetes in Indigenous decision made by the Australian government in May completed a successful five-year campaign to double People Forum of 2006,to allocate an additional $905 million for HMR, NIH funding (see Figure 1).Although the “doubling”of 13 – 15 November ,2006 an outstanding achievement that will again double the NIH budget was a great victory for the health of Melbourne Exhibition Centre the NHMRC funding base from its current level of $400 our citizens and created optimism and remarkable 2006 Society for million per year. Collectively, these accomplishments potential for our researchers,the lack of a rational plan Reproductive Biology indicate that Australia’s political leaders regard HMR to stabilize the build-up in subsequent years has Annual Scientific Conference as a national asset.Moreover,a clear message has been resulted in precipitous drop in awards and essentially, 20 – 23 August,2006 sent to the rest of the world that Australia values the a “de-doubling” of the NIH budget (see Figure 2). I Gold Coast Convention Centre health of its citizens and understands the economic encourage all of our policy makers to seek and establish www.srb.org.au/ annual_meeting.htm importance of investment in HMR.