In this edition:
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News From the Dean |
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Further Fluorotechnics Growth! |
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Opportunities |
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Events |
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Snippets | |
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Science News Archive | |
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News from the Dean |
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Dear Colleagues, It was great to see so many people at the BBQ on Friday. Just looking around the courtyard and seeing the array of talent we have across our various discipline areas makes me feel privileged to be part of such a group. I think we are taking a tremendous body of academic and social capital into the new Faculty and that the coming years will see the environmental and life sciences sections of the Faculty star spectacularly. I thank everyone for their support over first semester and look forward to working with you all over the second part of the year. On a more serious note, all of you (hopefully) will have seen and read the email I circulated last Friday about OH&S matters. As I explained in the email, a number of potentially seriously dangerous incidents involving microwave ovens in the Division's labs left me with no alternative than for the moment to stop use of that equipment. I appreciate the frustration that has given rise to in many staff, but the liability we carry for ensuring staff and student safety left no alternative. We are working with ICS colleagues on resolving the issue satisfactorily and as quickly as possible. Beyond the incident last week, we are looking at all aspects of OH&S across the Division. A few weeks ago Russell Field gave the Divisional Executive an overview of the situation as he saw it from his position as Chair of the ELS OH&S Committee and each department has been requested to review its own OH&S policies and procedures and report back to the Executive. OH&S will necessarily be an area given close attention in the new Faculty as ICS and ELS are the University's two 'high risk' areas. Stephen Thurgate has already begun reviewing the current scene. Finally, all the best to those of you on the exam marking circuit. I'm about to join you. Till next week. Kevin
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_________________________________________________________ Ex GE Healthcare president new Fluorotechnics non-executive director
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Two weeks ago, Science News reported that Fluorotechnics Limited, a spin off company from Macquarie University and now a global leader in the supply of fluorescence technologies for protein detection and quantification, had appointed Dr Reiner Westermeier as the group's Scientific Marketing Director. This week we report yet another addition to the Fluorotechnics team. The company has strengthened its board with the appointment of ex GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences president David Weber as non-executive director. David brings over 30 years experience in leading successful sales and marketing teams in the international life sciences industry. Most recently David was the chief executive officer and president of Eksigent Technologies, an early stage microscale fluid delivery company focused on HPLC and medical devices. Under David's leadership the company expanded its direct sales and global distribution network and achieved significant growth. Prior to Ekisigent Technologies, he was the vice-president of global marketing and business development for Stratagene, a US$95 million per annum molecular biology tools business. From 2001 to 2004 David was president of GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences, Region Americas, where he was responsible for a several hundred million dollar business. He has also held senior executive roles with Chemdex Corporation, Amersham Biosciences and Pharmacia Biotech. David is based in California and will particularly assist with American sales and distribution strategy. Commenting on David's appointment, Duncan Veal (CEO) of Fluorotechnics says, "David has proven himself to be a savvy and hands-on leader. He has an impressive track record of growing major biotech tools companies and he understands their customer segments and commercial implementation." "He is an invaluable resource and we are confident that his counsel and international business experience will help Fluorotechnics with global expansion,' said Dr Veal. "Fluorotechnics has products with strong points of difference that are commercially compelling. I am eager to use my experience in the supply of research tools to contribute to Fluorotechnics' global sales expansion," said Mr. Weber. David Weber holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Rutgers University and is a Henry Rutgers Scholar. Fluorotechnics was incorporated in December 2001 and established with the support of Macquarie University to finalise the development of and to commercialise a core discovery made by the Research Team at the University. The Fluorotechnics Research Team is one of the world's leading research teams in the area of fluorescent labelling and detection.
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Opportunities |
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________________________________________________________ The British Council is pleased to announce a new award for eco-visionary young Australians tackling the problems of climate change. Developing Climate Solutions: Emerging Leaders Award offers two awards comprising of $20,000 and the opportunity to attend specialist project management training in Indonesia. This programme is an initiative of Award recipients will attend a 5-day British Council conference in Indonesia from 24 August - 29 August 2008, Developing Climate Solutions: project management for emerging leaders. Building on the Asian Emerging Leaders Climate Forum (AELCF) held in Bogor in December 2007, the event will bring together climate leaders from across East Asia. Additionally, recipients will be granted a conditional Project Grant of $20,000 to deliver a successful project on their return in partnership with the British Council, provided they can match these funds by raising additional industry support. For full details and how to apply please visit http://www.britishcouncil.org/au-scholarships-awards-professional-emergingclimateleaders.htm. APPLICATIONS CLOSE 4 JULY 2008 _________________________________________________________ Comment on Australian innovation: wiki open now It’s not too late to join in the discussion on the Review of Australia’s National Innovation System. An innovative website, using technology similar to the successful online encyclopaedia, Wikipedia, is providing an opportunity for people to contribute directly to discussing issues raised by the Review. Some of the issues being discussed online include: · Is ‘innovation in the public sector’ important to Australia’s future? · How can national innovation priorities recognise and encompass regional and rural priorities? · What level of resources should be devoted to communication and knowledge transfer? · Can government increase innovation by being a demanding customer? Join the debate at http://australianinnovationreview2008.pbwiki.com. The site has been established by the Australian Information Industry Association and will be moderated by Australian Science Communicators. Anyone can access the website, create an account, and contribute to the debate on issues related to the Review. The topics include: funding models; government procurement; workplace innovation; information policy and markets; innovation in the tropics; rural innovation; measuring innovation; public sector innovation; and communication. The wiki website has been opened with the support of the Review Panel as an innovative way of canvassing as wide a range of views on Australia’s innovation system as possible. Until 30 June and maybe later, the Panel will be observing the collective wisdom of contributors. “Using new technologies to do this in an such an open fashion is very valuable—and innovative,” says head of the independent Review, Dr Terry Cutler. “I look forward to the product of such a great example of mass collaboration. I am delighted that the Australian Information Industry Association and the Australian Science Communicators have united to host this virtual workshop, and encourage all Australians to contribute to the discussions on this wiki as important forum for input into the future our National Innovation System.” The Wiki Front Page will lead you to all the information you need to take part. Wiki beginners can link to pages which explain how it all works. Experienced hands can just get started by creating an account which will allow them to write their contributions. The pages will be moderated by members of Australian Science Communicators. This is a new approach to discussing a Government-inspired review or inquiry in Australia. The experience and results will be viewed with interest by many administrators who are keen to assess the value of wiki technology in such deliberations. For further information, contact Tim Thwaites of Australian Science Communicators on 0422 817 372, thwaites@optusnet.com.au or Kali Madden on 0403 013 880 or kali@ics.mq.edu.au
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Events |
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_________________________________________________________ICS August Technology Trends Seminar Topic: Megacity Challenges Speaker: John Chapman, NSW General Manager, Siemens Australia Abstract: Megacities have been described as the urban phenomenon of the 21st century. Their unprecedented size, complexity and critical role as gateways in the global economy, pose huge challenges for sustainable urban development. Infrastructure that contributes to economic prosperity and to improving the quality of life in many cities lags behind the needs of the population. Urban residents the world over want and deserve a good quality of life. They need fresh air to breathe, clean water to drink and reliable electricity to power their lives as well as healthcare and efficient Biography: John Chapman is Regional General Manager of Siemens Ltd, New South Wales. John has more than 30 years experience in major infrastructure projects throughout Australia and South East Asia and more recently general management activities at a corporate level. John is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers Australia, an active member and office bearer in a number of industry and community associations such as AISC, AEEMA, AICC and now the Rotary Club of Macquarie Park. The activities undertaken by Siemens span the areas of water, energy, environment, healthcare, productivity, mobility, safety and security. When: Thursday 7 August, 5.30pm - 6.30pm
_________________________________________________________ Update on Photovoltaics - Australian & New Zealand Solar Energy Society Talk
_________________________________________________________ Too Close for Comfort- St James Institute Talk
_________________________________________________________ New Prospects for Nation Building - Social Policy Research Centre talk _________________________________________________________ ELS Seminar Series Departments in ELS host seminars covering a wide range of topics associated with ongoing research projects and other areas of interest. The seminars are delivered by academics, research staff, and students from within the Division, as well as guest speakers from other institutions and industry. Details of times, dates, locations and topics of seminars to be held over the next few weeks are listed here. _________________________________________________________
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SnippetsUnknown underwater volcanoes found Pitfalls of dating a problem gambler Oceans warming faster than thought Mystery solved: arsenic killed Phar Lap 3d vision camera developed Depression in elderly linked to falls Earlier Alzheimer's diagnosis possible Men less worried about crashes
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