FHMRI manager announced, three Flinders winners in the Telstra Business Women’s Awards, student wellbeing centre recruits Spanish partner, bushfire grant to investigate workers’ wellbeing, and health sciences student aims for AFL.
FHMRI manager announced
Congratulations Dr Rebecca Keough, who has been appointed the inaugural Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI) Manager.
Dr Keough commenced in the position last week and will play a key role as FHMRI establishes itself as a leader in Australian health and medical research.
Dr Keough was recently the FHMRI Implementation Project Manager, prior to this she managed the Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer. She has been with the University for 10 years.
Scaling the heights of business success
Alongside the exciting news that Flinders University CIO Kerrie Campbell had been crowned the 2020 Telstra Business Woman of the Year for SA, the University also congratulates two alumni who won their state categories.
Dr Anne Walters (BTech(Aquacult)(Hons) ’01, PhD(Biol) ’05) is the
Chief Plant Health Officer for the Northern Territory Government. Dr Walters won the Northern Territory Public Sector & Academia Award, celebrating her national achievements driving reform and improvements to plant biosecurity systems.
Mellissa Larkin (BA, LLB/LP ’01) is the founder and managing director of Peripheral Blue. She was awarded the SA Small Business Award. Ms Larkin’s vision was to create a legal and consulting firm with a difference and was recognised for her success in embracing innovation and providing a dynamic new style of legal services. (Refer also interview with Flinders University earlier this year.)
Spain joins student wellbeing centre
The Flinders University Student Wellbeing and Prevention of Violence (SWAPv) research hub has signed up a Spanish network of universities to undertake collaborative research into student mental health and wellbeing.
Researchers from Flinders University and Cordoba and Seville universities in Spain will partner on initiatives including conferences, staff exchanges and publications.
This is the latest milestone in a new global research alliance comprising 11 countries, that is being led by researchers in SWAPv under the leadership of Flinders’ Dr Grace Skrzypiec.
Planning is also underway for SWAPv to examine a range of issues, such as on-line bullying and aggression, that may have been exacerbated through the COVID-19 pandemic. This international study will draw on data from its 11 partner countries.
Grant paves way for deeper fire worker support
Flinders University Behavioural Health researcher Professor Sharon Lawn is one of the Chief investigators on a successful $647,157 grant led by the University of Western Australia focused on supporting the wellbeing and resilience of Australia’s first responders following the 2019/20 bushfires.
The MRFF Bushfire Impact grant will fund a comprehensive study to understand the short and longer term effects of the fires on workers and volunteers, measuring engagement with the fires, wellbeing, resilience and the use of support services together with cultural and organisational factors that may affect wellbeing.
Investigating the impacts of both direct and indirect exposure to the fires, it will determine the best strategies to build resilience and protect the mental health of those involved in bushfire response. The national team will work closely with organisational partners including the Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre, fire and emergency services agencies across Australia, and Beyond Blue.
AFL in sight for health sciences student
Flinders University partner the South Adelaide Football Club has named Bachelor of Health Sciences student Zac Dumesney a top contender for the delayed AFL 2020 draft.
With the AFL draft anticipated to take place at some point in the near future, The Advertiser last week asked SANFL clubs to nominate their best teen contenders.
Neil Sharpe, Chief Executive Office of the Panthers praised the club’s talented halfback/wing player, commenting “Zac’s a really good, talented kid who has improved steadily throughout his journey. He’s an excellent kick, has good aerial ability and is a good decision maker. He’s your genuine utility in that he can play just about anywhere.’’
Mr Dumesney is in the first year of his degree at Flinders after completing year 12 last year. The talented footballer was also selected to play for Australia last year in the under-17s match against New Zealand.