A distinguished professor chairs international pharmaceutical board, ‘Gaslight’ a Flinders-fuelled triumph, psychology researcher wins national mentor award, a travel grant win for geoscientist, geographic leadership role for an emeritus professor, and Flinders graduates star in the Adelaide Marathon.
Distinguished professor chairs international pharmaceutical board
Professor Ross McKinnon is the new chair of the International Pharmaceutical Federation’s (FIP) Board of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
The FIP is the global body representing more than four million pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists. Its Board of Pharmaceutical Sciences has a critical role handling all scientific aspects of the federation’s activities. The board is also the global focal point for promoting pharmaceutical sciences in support of world health, especially through disease prevention and treatment.
Professor McKinnon is a Strategic Professor in Cancer Research and Matthew Flinders Distinguished Professor in the College of Medicine and Public Health.
Gaslight – a Flinders-fuelled masterpiece
Gaslight, which recently concluded its season in the restored Her Majesty’s Theatre, has earned rave reviews around the country. The re-imagined production of Patrick Hamilton’s Victorian psychological thriller gained additional attention for being the first production to be presented at the revamped theatre, and one of just a handful of plays around Australia inviting audiences back as theatres re-open after COVID-19 shutdowns.
The State Theatre Company of South Australia play was directed by Flinders University alumna Catherine Fitzgerald (Bachelor of Arts, honours) and its talented cast included Ksenja Logos (Bachelor of Arts Drama, honours) in the lead role of Bella Manningham, supported by fellow alumni Ellen Freeman and Katherine Sortini.
The Glam Adelaide review praised the captivating performance of Ms Logos, the perfectly drawn roles played by Ms Freeman and Ms Sortini that proved “there is no such thing as a small part”, and the “engaging, clever and subtly nuanced piece of work directed by Ms Fitzgerald”.
Outstanding psychology researcher also a brilliant mentor
Professor Mike Nicholls, Dean of Research for the College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, has been awarded the Australian Psychological Society’s (APS) Outstanding Academic Mentor Award for 2020.
The Award recognises outstanding individuals in the mid-to-late career stage who have mentored and guided a significant number of early career psychological scientists.
As part of the honour, Professor Nicholls is invited to deliver a webinar hosted by APS professional development.
Geoscientist wins travel grant
Dr Dylan Irvine has won an Australian Geoscience Council travel grant of $5,000 from the 2019 round of the 34th International Geological Congress Travel Grant Scheme.
One of three grant winners, he is able to use the funds to attend international conferences and conduct field and laboratory work in collaboration with researchers in the UK, US and Canada.
Dr Dylan Irvine’s research involves measuring water temperature to determine water flow, including flow in aquifers and the interaction between groundwater and surface water.
Global geographic role for emeritus professor
Professor Iain Hay has been named the First Vice-President of the International Geographical Union (IGU), which is dedicated to the development of geographical research and teaching. The IGU initiates and coordinates geographical research and teaching in all countries of the world. It has eight Vice-Presidents who are located around the world, including the senior role of First Vice-President.
Flinders graduates star in half marathon
Flinders University spin-off Prepd Hydration was the major sponsor of the 42nd Adelaide Marathon held on Sunday 20 September, with two Flinders University graduates fittingly coming first and second in the men’s half marathon event.
Riley Cocks won the race with a time of 1:06.25.00 while his brother Jacob Cocks came second at 1:07.19.00.
Riley now works as a physiotherapist after completing his Masters in Physiotherapy at Flinders last year, while continuing to focus on his running. His brother Jacob completed a Bachelor of Education (Middle and Secondary) in 2016.
The marathon was rescheduled to September from its original May date due to the pandemic.