Bulletin 14.03.08

1. Message from President
2. ASPR Committee Contacts
3. ASPR Matters
4. Conferences and Related
5. Scholarships
6. Positions Available

________________________________________

1. Message From President

I have been on leave for over 2 months but am now back in Melbourne. I now have a new personal assistant (.2EFT) Rachael Guy who has replaced Andrea Sumner.

She has already introduced herself to you and her email address can be found at the end of this Bulletin. Please contact her if you have concerns about any ASPR- related matter or you wish to post adverts in the Bulletin.

There are many activities under way. These include the updating of conference and organisational manuals, the wrap-up of the November 2007 WPA/ASPR Conference, and the straightening out of the ASPR membership records. Other issues include the reluctance of Big Pharma to sponsor conferences and prizes and awards.

2. ASPR Committee Contacts

Henry Jackson (President)                    henryjj@unimelb.edu.au
Trevor Norman (Secretary)                  trevorrn@unimelb.edu.au
Andrew Mackinnon (Treasurer)            Andrew.Mackinnon@anu.edu.au

ACT:  Dr Peter Butterworth                  Peter.Butterworth@anu.edu.au
NSW: Dr Helen Stain                           Helen.Stain@newcastle.edu.au
NZ:    Dr Caroline Bell                          caroline.bell@chmeds.ac.nz
QLD: Dr Geoff Waghorn                      geoff_waghorn@qcmhr.uq.edu.au
SA:    Prof Cherrie Galletly                   cherrie@drgalletly.com
VIC:   Prof Graham Burrows                gdb@unimelb.edu.au
WA:  Giulietta Valuri                             giulietta.valuri@uwa.edu.au
TAS:  NIL
Clair Kelly (coopted)                            ckel@unimelb.edu.au
Brian Dean (coopted)                           bdean_mhri@iprimus.com.au  
Elizabeth Scarr (coopted)                     elscarr@unimelb.edu.au
Eoin Killackey (coopted)                      eoin@unimelb.edu.au
Amanda Baker (2008 Conference Organiser)  amanda.baker@newcastle.edu.au

3. ASPR Matters

2007 ASPR Conference Award Winners

4. Conferences And Related

ASPR CONFERENCE
2- 5 December 2008
Newcastle, NSW, Australia

 The annual ASPR conference is being held in Newcastle, NSW, Australia from the 2 – 5 December planning is underway to bring you an exciting, varied and innovative program.

 IMPORTANT DATES:

Early April:           Call for Abstracts Open
                               Registration open

20 June:                Close of Abstract Submission

13 August:            Early Bird Deadline for Registration Closes.

For more information, log onto the conference website at:  www.willorganise.com.au/aspr2008

Or contact the conference secretariat for more information (details below).

ASPR Conference Secretariat
PO Box 180
Morisset  NSW  2264
Tel:  02 4973 6573
Fax:  02 4973 6609
Email:  aspr2008@willorganise.com.au

4th AH & MR Congress
16-21st November 2008
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre

Please visit the meeting website: www.ahmrcongress.org.au

The second Annual National Dementia Research Forum
will be held at the Wesley Conference Centre in Sydney 18-19 September 2008.   This year, we have been able to engage four international speakers and the program will include a  variety of sessions:  plenaries, workshops, poster sessions, a hypothetical, a breakfast with the experts and a working lunch for emerging researchers.

A program, registration form and call for poster abstracts is available from our website ttp://www.dementia.unsw.edu.au/DCRCweb.nsf/page/Forum.

If you'd like to know, what last year's delegates said about the Forum, please have a look at our October 2007 DCRC Newsletter at http://www.dementia.unsw.edu.au/DCRCweb.nsf/resources/News2006/$file/Newsletter+-+Dementia+CRC+-+Issue+4.pdf

Please note that the call for abstracts will close 13 June and early bird registrations close 16 June.

The 8th Annual Scientific Meeting of the International College of Geriatric Psychoneuropharmacology will be held at UNSW Scientia on 3rd to 6th September 2008.

This landmark meeting serves to foster cross-fertilisation of scientific knowledge among clinical and preclinical scientists from different related disciplines. The theme for the 2008 meeting is “Protecting and Repairing the Ageing Brain”. The program will include healthy brain ageing and the full range of neuropsychiatric disorders in the elderly, including dementias, MCI, late onset schizophrenia, mood and anxiety disorders of late life, sleep disorders, Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders, stroke and cerebrovascular disease.

For further information please email: icgp2008@unsw.edu.au
Lauren Norton: 02 9382 2094
Website: www.icgp.org

31st National Conference of the Australian Association for Cognitive and Behavioural Therapy
September 17-21, 2008
Adelaide, Australia
 
The next conference of the Australian Association for Cognitive and Behavioural Therapy (AACBT) will be held in Adelaide, Australia, on September 17-21, 2008.  The theme of the conference will be on "CBT for All?", with a focus on the latest research and clinical interventions.  We welcome both research and clinical workshop contributions on any topic related to cognitive-behaviour therapy.

For submission guidelines and further information visit www.aacbtsa.asn.au

Submission deadline: April 30, 2008

**AUTHOR TOUR IN SEPTEMBER 2008

THE BRAIN THAT CHANGES ITSELF
stories of personal triumph from the frontiers of brain science

by DR NORMAN DOIDGE

An astonishing new scientific discovery called neuroplasticity is overthrowing the centuries-old notion that the adult human brain is fixed and unchanging.

Psychiatrist and researcher Norman Doidge, M.D., travelled around the United States to meet the brilliant scientists championing neuroplasticity, and the people whose lives they’ve transformed.

Dr Doidge has written an immensely moving, inspiring book that will permanently alter the way we look at our brains, human nature, and human potential.

Sally Rosevear
Events & Marketing Coordinator
Scribe Publications

595 Drummond St
(PO Box 523)
North Carlton
VIC 3054

ph: 03 9349 5955
fax: 03 9348 2752
email: marketing@scribepub.com.au
website: www.scribepublications.com.au

Psychogenic Cardiovascular Disease Conference
3-5 September 2008
Prato, Tuscany

The Baker Heart Research Institute inaugural “Heart and Mind” conference will be held in the delightful Tuscan town of Prato, Italy, from 3-5 September, 2008. The Baker Heart Research Institute is Australia’s highest profile and most productive cardiovascular research institute.

The conference will have as its centrepoint the link between psychological medicine and cardiovascular disease, delineating the relationship between stress, mental illness, and the development and course of heart disease and hypertension. It will showcase the crucial epidemiology, mediating neural and other mechanisms, and social and psychological measures applicable to prevention and treatment. There will be invited addresses by international leaders in the field. The target audience will be general practitioners, cardiologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, epidemiologists and social scientists.

For program details, registration and abstract submission visit www.heartandmind.prato2008.com

National Dementia Research Forum
18 – 19 September 2008
Sydney Masonic Centre
http://www.dementia.unsw.edu.au
dementiacrc@unsw.edu.au

5. Scholarships

pfizer neuroscience research grants

Pfizer Neuroscience Research Grants are designed to encourage young researchers to enter or continue in the field of neuroscience.

Applications are invited from medical graduates who have obtained specialist qualifications within the last five years, are currently in advanced training, or have returned to research after an appropriate break. The applicant must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident and the majority of the research must be conducted within Australia.

The grants are open to basic and clinical research across the broad field of neuroscience including, but not necessarily confined to: Psychiatry Pain Medicine Neurology

The value of each grant will be up to $44,000 (including GST). Applications for the next round of grants will close 1st May 2008.

Find out how to apply today: www.nsrgrants.com.au

Have you heard about Alzheimer's Australia Research's 2008 Dementia Grants Program?

 AAR is happy to be offering a wide range of research grants in 2008, including travel grants, grants focusing on dementia care, and grants for new researchers, and is encouraging quality applications from all around Australia:

 Research Grants

•        4 x AAR Dementia Research Grants for new researchers of $20,000
•        Hazel Hawke Research Grant in Dementia Care of $20,000

Travel Grants

•        Rosemary Foundation Travel Project Grant of $10,000
•        Rosemary Foundation Travel Stipend Grant of $5,000

 Postgraduate Scholarships

•        Hunter Postgraduate Research Scholarship into the Causes of Alzheimer’s  Disease ($23,000 per year for 3 years)

Postdoctoral Fellowships

•        AAR Post-doctoral Fellowship ($90,000 per year for 2 years)
•        4 x Viertel Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowships in Dementia ($45,000 per year for 2 years with payments matched by applicants’ institution)

Applications for Research and Travel Grants will close on 25 April 2008. Applications for the Postdoctoral Fellowships are now open and close on 28 April 2008.  Postgraduate Scholarship applications open in September 2008 and will close on 31 October 2008.

Application forms and further information can be found at http://www.alzheimers.org.au/content.cfm?topicid=250 .

If you have any questions please contact: 

Dinusha Fernando
Email: aar@alzheimers.org.au
Phone: (02) 6254 4233
Alzheimer’s Australia Research
PO Box 4019
Hawker ACT 2614

The 9th Amgen Medical Researcher Award
An annual feature of ASMR Medical Research Week(R) is Amgen’s continuing support of Australian medical research through sponsorship of the Amgen Medical Researcher Award – the 9th time for national selection.  The award recognizes early career researchers with demonstrated independence, excellence, innovation and achievements in medical research, with evidence of translation from bench to potential for application, and with particular emphasis on research of the last 2 years. The winner will receive a plaque and up to $6,000 for travel / accommodation / registration expenses at an international meeting of their choice.

Criteria for selection:

•  Evidence of research excellence  -  publications, patents, clinical trial involvement;
• Ten years maximum since qualifying for a PhD or equivalent degree (with possible concession for career break interruptions);
•  Preparedness to communicate research achievements with the public and media;
•  Recognition by peers of his / her interest & achievements in translational research;
• Have spent the last two years working in an Australian medical research institute or department.

The application form is attached and also available at: http://www.asmr.org.au/Awards.html

Applications from researchers who consider that they fit these criteria should be lodged, as per the form, by Thursday April 24th 2008.  The award will be made at a media luncheon in Melbourne. (The presentation venue alternates with Sydney.)

6. Position Vacant

 **The Hon Nicola Roxon MP has called for nominations for the Commonwealth Health Minister's Award for Excellence in Health and Medical Research, 2008.

The Award is open to researchers who have been granted their first PhD or MD within the last twelve years. The annual Award, made in recognition of outstanding individual achievement in health and medical research in Australia, is now in its ninth year and consists of $50,000 and a presentation medal. This year’s winner will be announced in June 2008.

Nominations for the year 2008 Award close 5pm Friday, 28 March 2008.

Nominations are to come from the Head of Department, School, Division, Institute or equivalent level and must contain: Name, contact details and current curriculum vitae of nominated researcher. Applicants must have been granted their first PhD or MD within the last twelve (12) years and be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

A short paragraph (suitable for release to the media and general public) stating the major research achievements and why the researcher is being nominated, and

A separate statement of not more than two (2) pages, concisely addressing the following criteria:

• active in research based in Australia;
• able to demonstrate a strong record of achievement in health and medical research;
• able to demonstrate outstanding potential for future health and medical research (as judged by the advisory panel);
• an inspiring figure and a role model to young scientists and students; and
• involved in public communication/interaction.

An original plus one (1) hard copy and an electronic copy, are to be submitted to:

Kim Robb, Secretary to Advisory Panel
Secretariat Section, Program Management Branch 
National Health and Medical Research Council
GPO Box 1421
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Kim.Robb@nhmrc.gov.au

Please note that incomplete nominations will not proceed to the advisory panel for short listing and recommendation to the Minister.

LATE NOMINATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED

**Research Officer/Fellow, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales.

A full time Research Officer/Fellow position is required at UNSW (based at Cliffbrook Campus, Coogee, NSW) to provide leadership for the longitudinal Memory and Ageing study, along with other studies within the Brain and Ageing Program. The position would best suit a clinical neuropsychologist or someone with a doctorate in psychology with a research interest in brain ageing. It offers the opportunity for an academic career in brain ageing and multidisciplinary research within Brain sciences UNSW.  Level of appointment is negotiable.

For further details please email: Angie.russell@unsw.edu.au

**VICSERV Employment for People with Mental Illness

Psychiatric Disability Services of Victoria (VICSERV), the peak body for psychiatric rehabilitation and support services in Victoria, is conducting an employment campaign for people with mental illness. The VICSERV campaign focuses on the following issues:

• develop a national mental health employment strategy to adequately address employment issues for people with mental illness seeking work,
• review and overhaul the Job Capacity Assessment process, which currently acts as a disincentive and barrier to people with mental illness seeking work, and
• recognise the need for a system that is sufficiently flexible and supportive to meet the needs of people with mental health issues in accessing and retaining work.

Organisations can participate in this campaign by opting-in and ordering postcards from VICSERV, who will provide full-colour postcards (printed with the organisation’s logo) and a pdf kit (created with the organisations logo and contact details) outlining the issues and the actions to involve members/supporters. Individuals and organisations can also participate in the campaign by signing-up and receiving information including postcards and a kit.

Information on the campaign is available through the VICSERV website at http://www.vicserv.org.au/

This is a very worthwhile campaign being undertaken by VICSERV and MHCA members should contact or seek further information from VICSERV if they are interested in taking part.