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ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BACHELOR OF MEDICINE
Professor David Maddison
Introduced a radical approach to the traditional pedagogy of the discipline of medicine. First medical school in Australia to implement problem-based learning and to introduce interviews as part of the student selection process.
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S LONGITUDINAL STUDY
Emeritus Professor Annette Dobson and Professor Julie Byles
One of the most signifi cant ongoing health studies in the world. Initiated in 1996 when random samples of women selected from the Medicare database were invited to join the project. The study targeted three age groups in life stages considered critical to women’s health: 18-23; 45- 50, and 70-75. Continues today.
AUSTRALIA-NEW ZEALAND BREAST CANCER TRIALS GROUP
Professor John Forbes
Trail-blazing cancer prevention introduced novel protocols for the treatment of all stages of the disease and saved the lives of countless women. Professor Forbes was named one of the “hottest Top 10” researchers in the world in 2006 by Thomson Scientific, the international organisation governing oversees biomedical research publications. The Thomson Reuters list of The World’s Most Influential Scientifi c Minds: 2014 recognised his efforts again last year.
GOMEROI GAAYNGGAL – GOMEROI BABIES PROGRAM
Dr Kym Rae
Two-part program comprising scientific research and ArtsHealth. The scientifi c research focuses on understanding the causes in the Indigenous community of premature birth, the births of small babies, and babies with reduced renal function.
The ArtsHealth program provides a welcoming environment.
TRANS-TASMAN RADIATION ONCOLOGY GROUP
Conjoint Professor Jim Denham
Powerful prostate cancer treatment regime that can reduce the spread of aggressive but localised tumours by more than 40 per cent. Hormone therapy for men with inoperable prostate cancer a few months before radiotherapy helps stop the cancer returning after treatment.
RURAL ADVERSITY MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM
Professor Brian Kelly
Identified a raft of factors that can increase the risk of mental health problems in rural communities and introduced innovative strategies including liaising with frontline health workers such as GPs as well as other community members who could be the fi rst point of contact for people with depression.
CAVATAK AND WORK WITH VIRALYTICS
Professor Darren Shafren
Potentially among the most signifi cant immunotherapy drugs developed in the past decade for the treatment of melanoma. A Phase 2 trial is currently under way in the US while a separate trial is assessing CAVATAK in patients with tumours including prostate, lung or metastatic bladder cancers.
NEW MODELS OF CARE IN STROKE TREATMENT
Conjoint Professor Chris Levi and Professor Mark Parsons
Groundbreaking development involving combination of “clot-busting” drugs with CT imaging of the brain, which has transformed lives and medical practice.
FLUTRACKING
Dr Craig Dalton
Second-largest program of its kind in the world with 17,000 people recording their fl u symptoms online each week. Designed to alert health offi cials to epidemic outbreaks.
DISCOVERY OF ELECTRICAL SWITCH IN UTERINE
MUSCLES OF OVERWEIGHT PREGNANT WOMEN
Professor Roger Smith
Pioneering project by the University of Newcastle’s Mothers and Babies Research Centre led to the discovery.
An electrical “switch” in the uterine muscle that fails to engage in pregnant women who are overweight potentially causes labour complications.
IMPROVEMENTS IN TREATMENT OF ASTHMA
AND RESPIRATORY DISEASES
Professor Peter Gibson and Laureate Professor Paul Foster
Transformed the prescribing of inhaled corticosteroids and as such is expected to save millions of dollars annually for the federal government.
Led the consortium that developed the National Service Improvement Framework for Asthma. Respiratory physician Professor Gibson works at the clinical interface. Professor Foster investigates molecular and cellular mechanisms of disease in the laboratory.
RADIOPHARMACY LABORATORY
Purpose-built and the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, the lab is one of the best equipped in the country for teaching and research in nuclear medicine.
JAMESON CELL
Laureate Professor Graeme Jameson AO
Laureate Professor Jameson revolutionised a mineral separation process first invented in 1905.
The Jameson Cell, a froth flotation device, has netted Australia more than $25 billion in exports.
BIOINFORMATICS
Professor Pablo Moscato and Professor Rodney Scott
Professor Moscato, a computer scientist, and Professor Scott, a genetic researcher, lead highly specialised work that directly links bioinformatics with clinical research practice, and they are at the forefront of the field of developing patient-tailored treatments based on genetic analysis.
FAMILY ACTION CENTRE CARAVAN PROJECT
Professor Wendy Schiller
Addresses the social and educational needs of families and children living in temporary accommodation.
The Caravan Project, now known as The Hunter Outreach Project, continues to offer family support and child protection.