New Centre for Brain Research
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Fortnightly newsletter for University staff | Volume 39 | Issue 22 | 27 November 2009 New Centre for Brain Research Key events Universitas 21 The first in a series of sustainability workshops aimed at deciding how the University can best meet its teaching and research commitments under the U21 Statement on Sustainability takes place on Monday 30 November, between 1 and 5pm, in the Fale Pasifika. Dr Glen Lauder, of Commonground, will facilitate the workshops. Visit www.auckland.ac.nz/ environment (select teaching and research) Staff roadshow All general staff and academic managers of general staff are encouraged to attend one of the roving roadshow sessions on the General Staff Performance and Development (GSP&D) project and the new performance and development programme, EVOLVE, due for introduction in January 2010. The sessions will At the opening of the Centre for Brain Research, left to right: Professor Alan Barber, Deputy Director of the CBR; take place between Monday 30 November Professor Iain Martin, Dean of Medical and Health Sciences; Professor Richard Faull, Director of the CBR; the Hon and Friday 4 December at the City, Tamaki, Dr Wayne Mapp, Minister of Research, Science and Technology; Roger France, Chancellor; and Professor Stuart Grafton and Epsom campuses. Specific session McCutcheon, Vice-Chancellor. times and locations can be found on the staff “The dream becomes reality,” beamed one Brain disease of one kind or another will affect one in intranet homepage under Notices. very happy Professor Richard Faull at the official five New Zealanders during their lifetimes. opening of the Centre for Brain Research on Multi-disciplinary teams of clinicians and Len Lye exhibition 6 November. neuroscientists will work closely together, sharing their The new centre will harness the combined expertise ideas, expertise and study results in the quest to advance In 1964 revolutionary artist Len Lye famously of what Richard calls the three pillars of strength – the brain research. The greater the diversity of inputs into declared: “Kinetic art is the first new category University’s neuroscience researchers, Auckland brain research, the better the outcomes, said Richard. of art since pre-history.” Now Art That Moves is hospitals’ neurologists and neurosurgeons and, most Other countries have brain centres focused on both the title of a new exhibition of Lye’s work importantly, communities – to ensure that the research. “But I don’t believe there is another centre like and a new book by his friend and biographer, University’s brain research is of the highest this one, where the bonds between the community, the Roger Horrocks (see Books on page 7). The international standards. doctors and the scientists are so strong and built on such exhibition features a number of sculptures “Those three pillars are at the very heart of what strong foundations.” which haven’t been publicly displayed before. the centre is about,” enthused Richard, the centre’s The centre has effectively been operating since Art That Moves runs from 28 November to 6 Director. “That is the vision; that is the excitement; and August. It has already drawn together all the major that is the enormous challenge,” he told more than research groups studying the brain at the University February at the Gus Fisher Gallery. 250 invited guests, including the Minister of Research, – and not just those studying human cerebral matter. Visit www.gusfishergallery.auckland.ac.nz Science and Technology, the Hon Dr Wayne Mapp, Some groups are looking at fish and avian brains, for who opened the centre. example. Pacific conference Housed in the newly revamped $16 million fifth floor Two years ago, when the centre was still in its early of the Medical School at the Grafton Campus, the centre development, Richard’s team got quite a surprise when Pacific scholars, policy-makers and analysts draws together more than 200 researchers from various they discovered exactly how many University groups convene at the University for the two-day Pacific faculties across the University. The ultimate hope is they were researching brains. They identified 26 in all. “We Islands Political Studies Association (PIPSA) will identify and develop new treatments for brain thought that was pretty good. But as the interest and conference on 3-4 December. The theme, “Pacific diseases – not only new drug therapies but also the excitement about the centre have grown, we’ve democracy: What’s happening?”, will address rehabilitation techniques and evidence-based clinical attracted more groups. We now have 40 groups and issues ranging from human rights to care regimes – which will improve the quality of life for others in the wings.” constitutional change. For more information visit: people living with neurological conditions. story continues on page 2 http://tinyurl.com/ybmyuwb UNIVERSITY NEWS IS PUBLISHED BY Communications and Marketing, Fisher Building In this issue 18 Waterloo Quadrant, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142 email [email protected] www.auckland.ac.nz/universitynews 3 Newly elected Fellows EDITOR Caroline Courtney 4 New biotechnology building PHOTOGRAPHY Godfrey Boehnke, Kathryn Robinson 6 AUP staff discounts DESIGNER Vanda Tong From the Centre for Educational Leadership Vice-Chancellor Educational leaders gathered for the official opening of the University’s Centre for Earlier this year, I commented on the very Educational Leadership on 4 November. Based at damaging effect the recession was having on the Faculty of Education in Epsom, the CEL aims philanthropic support of universities in the to work closely with school and early childhood United States and elsewhere. However, while centre leaders around New Zealand to foster the rate of giving has certainly slowed, I am leadership excellence. pleased to say that this University continues to The latest in the series of Best Evidence attract strong support from a variety of donors. Synthesis (BES) research, conducted for the The annual Chancellor’s Dinner, held on 13 Ministry of Education by Viviane and her November, highlighted this fact with a large co-authors and colleagues, Dr Margie Hohepa and number of past donors and supporters present, Dr Claire Lloyd, was unveiled at the launch event. and a great deal of interest in the present state The Minister of Education, Anne Tolley, told and future plans of the University. Two of our guests that the team’s research had “produced a current music students, Christine Kim (flute) taonga for the New Zealand education system” and Alexandra Ioan (voice), featured on the which was to be treasured and used. Emeritus programme, and gave performances that Professor Michael Fullan (University of Toronto) Professor Viviane Robinson (Education) at the opening illustrate very well why the support of top of the new Centre for Educational Leadership praised the BES for its important contribution to students is so very important. education internationally. Featured speaker Professor Bill Denny of the “The closer educational leaders get to the core The centre is led by Viviane and David Eddy, Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre business of teaching and learning, the more both known internationally for their work on reminded guests of the importance of likely they are to have a positive impact on leadership. Vice-Chancellor Professor Stuart philanthropy. The centre owes its very existence students’ achievement and well-being.” McCutcheon said that in years to come the CEL to the fact that a 1955 public appeal to raise That’s “the big message” coming out of the Best would do much to improve the quality and impact funds for the purchase of New Zealand’s first Evidence Synthesis on educational leadership, says of leaders throughout our education system. radiotherapy machine was oversubscribed and Professor Viviane Robinson (Education). the Cancer Society decided to use some of the additional funding to set up a research laboratory with the then novel idea of searching Inspiring a hive of activity for drugs that could fight cancer. Today, the centre is one of the world’s top drug Artist Agnes Wood and her family have the figures and work going on in the head,” says development laboratories with a number of supported Professor Richard Faull’s brain Derek. “It’s such a wonderful memorial to my wife.” first-in-class discoveries to its credit and the research programme for over five years, Agnes describes the painting as a “hive of likely next blockbuster cancer drug currently throughout Agnes’ daughter Elizabeth’s battle activity”, and feels it has a special meaning for the completing phase three clinical trials. and subsequent loss to Alzheimer’s disease. On centre. Its message hits home for Richard. “Agnes’ Over the years, the Auckland Cancer Society the day the Centre for Brain Research was family have contributed to our research in very has supported research with sums that now launched, 88-year-old Agnes announced she special ways. Now our next step is to make sure the total tens of millions of dollars. This places it as would like to donate some art to the centre. centre lives up to their dream.” one of the most significant donors to the “Richard had come to see my paintings in the University, along with the Auckland Medical Remuera Gallery a few weeks ago, when I saw Research Foundation, which has also given tens him looking at another picture and his face just of millions to the University. That support has lit up,” says Agnes. “It was one of a head and a been critical in allowing our researchers the brain, of course, and I knew he had to have it!” flexibility to explore new and innovative areas in The painting, titled “Archaic Greek Head”, is by their research – what Professor Richard Faull, Paul Radford, an Elam School of Fine Arts graduate. Director of our newly opened Centre for Brain Worth more than $5000, it was hung in the CBR in a Research, aptly terms “dream money”.