UQ Update

UQ Update - 7 April, 2008  


The latest

Our staff at 2020 summit

The participants in the Australia 2020 Summit have been announced and UQ will be well represented More…

Frazer, Lu selected as Olympic torch bearers

Professor Ian Frazer (Diamantina Institute) and Professor Max Lu (AIBN) will be among torch bearers for the Canberra leg of the Beijing 2008 torch relay on April 24. Details…

Major prizewinner for Hamilton Island holiday announced

Congratulations to Dr Bruce D'Arcy, senior lecturer in food chemistry in the School of Land, Crop and Food Sciences, who has won the major prize of a Hamilton Island holiday for two by completing the OH&S online induction. The competition officially closed on March 28 and the holiday prize was drawn this morning. Dr D'Arcy will receive his prize from the Secretary and Registrar, Douglas Porter. More than 3000 staff have completed the online induction since it was launched in February. All new and existing UQ staff, including casuals, have until May this year to complete the compulsory, online safety induction program. Visit the my.UQ staff page to link to the survey.

Stem cell node opens at UQ

Senator the Hon. Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, has opened the Australian Stem Cell Centre's Brisbane laboratories. More…

NHMRC dementia grants to researchers

Three UQ research teams have won National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) funding for studies into dementia. Story…

Read the latest update on the INSIGHT project

The April edition of the INSIGHT project update is now online. INSIGHT is the University’s marketing research and strategic planning project. This edition gives details about the CRM project team, pilot initiatives, research activity, top line findings, staff brand development workshops and open staff presentations.

Final days of $1000 Diversity design contest

The $1000 Diversity Week design competition closes on Monday, April 14. Set your creative spirit free and submit an artwork linked to the theme of Diversity Week 2008, The Spirit of Diversity. Think of the things that unite people across boundaries of class, gender, ethnicity, language, culture and ability. Details: visit the Design Competition page.

Book for staff influenza (flu) vaccinations clinics

Bookings can be made online for clinics at St Lucia, the Medical School, the Dental School and the JKMRC site at Indooroopilly. Arrangements for flu vaccinations at Princess Alexandra Hospital can be made by phone or email. Bookings are available for clinics until May 23 at St Lucia. Details: the staff flu program website. This site has a consent form which you should print out and bring to your appointment. Please read the information links on flu vaccination before your appointment, especially if you have not had the vaccine previously.

International television historian to present seminar

Associate Professor Jason Jacobs will present a seminar for the Centre for Critical and Cultural Studies entitled: The Third Man and the BBC on Tuesday, April 8 at 2pm in the Social Sciences and Humanities Library conference room, Level 1, Duhig Building, St Lucia campus. Dr Jacobs is a Reader in Cultural History in the School of English, Media Studies and Art History at UQ. Details: Rebecca Ralph, tel ext. 67407.

Make Your Mark at Enterprize 2008

UQ Business School is calling on entrepreneurs with a great idea to get involved in Enterprize, our annual business plan competition. The winning team will receive $100,000 to help get their innovative idea off the ground. Get started by visiting our website and joining Enterprize Exchange, a great place to get in contact with fellow entrepreneurs wanting to put together a team. Details: www.enterprize.uq.edu.au or contact Jarna King, phone ext. 58561.

Enter for Qld Premier’s Awards for Health and Medical Research

The Queensland branch of the ASMR and Queensland Health seek entries for these prestigious awards, which include cash prizes recognising excellence in all areas of health-related research performed in Queensland in three categories:

Details: ASMR website. Closing date, April 24. Enquiries: contact Stuart Macgregor.

Upgrade your skills in office administration

The UQ Secretaries and Office Professionals Association (UQSOPA), in conjunction with TEDI, are offering a Basic Office Administration Skills course aimed at levels lower than HEW 5, this course will run on Wednesday, April 16 in the TEDI Seminar Room, Building 15 from 1.30pm. Details: visit www.tedi.uq.edu.au/sdh/.

Managing Outlook session offered at Gatton

Due to the success of the Managing Outlook — Tips and Tricks session presented by Wayne Brookes, Team Leader, Campus Technology Services, ITS at St Lucia in March, the UQSOPA in conjunction with the Gatton Campus Manager’s Office, is organising a second session at UQ Gatton on Wednesday, April 23 from 1pm – 3pm in the Council Room, N W Briton Building, Gatton campus. Register with Mary Honnery on extension 50512 or feonravs@uq.edu.au.

Mark diaries for Office Professionals Day in May

UQSOPA invites staff to take part in Office Professionals Day on Friday, May 2. The Association is taking a table at the Australian Institute of Office Professionals National Office Professionals’ breakfast. Register interest with: Karen Hendrickson or phone ext. 67754. The UQSOPA’s 2008 calendar of events and membership information can be accessed online.

Enrol in staff development courses

Places are still available in the following staff development courses:

For details of all Staff Development Program courses, visit www.tedi.uq.edu.au/sdh/.

Get ahead with UQ Business School’s executive education courses for 2008

Register your interest now for one of these Executive Leadership courses:

Details: contact the Executive Education Team on ext. 67105 or 67115, email execed@business.uq.edu.au or visit www.business.uq.edu.au/execed.

Autumn School’s Out program to run April 7 to 11.

Your child will be spoilt for choice this week at the UQKids School’s Out Autumn program. There are three sport and recreation clinic options including UQKids Multisport Clinic for learning about a diverse range of sport and recreational activities, the Morning Sport Specific Skill Development Clinics for enhancing skills in specific sports, and RAP, an activity based program for 6 to 12 year-olds. The UQKids School's Out Autumn program will run daily from April 7–11. Register online.

Learn to harness your anxiety at UQSPORT seminar on April 16

Anxiety is the most frequently reported problem in all levels of sports performance. Anxiety takes many forms, from feeling a few nerves to panic. In this talk, Jonah Oliver will outline the nature of anxiety, what it is; the common sources; how it makes us think, feel and behave, as well as how to overcome it. Jonah will also introduce the notion of how anxiety can help to achieve peak performance. The seminar will be on Wednesday, April 16 from 6-8pm. Cost: $55. Details online.

Educate your palate at wine and cheese night

The Staff Club’s next wine and cheese night will be at the Club at St Lucia on Wednesday, April 9 at 7.30pm. This month’s session features samplings from Constellation Wines (formerly  Hardy’s) and includes some great wines such as Kim Crawford, Barossa Valley Estate and Eileen Hardy. It will be complemented by a fantastic selection of cheeses. Tickets: $15 members; $17 guests; are available directly from the Club, phone ext. 53768. Details: online.

Special offer available to new members in April

Three months free membership is being offered to all UQ staff and graduates who join the Staff and Graduates Club at St Lucia as a full financial member in April, 2008. People joining this month will not have to renew their membership until July, 2009. This is a great opportunity to join a club with atmosphere, friendly staff, and to socialise with work colleagues. Application forms can be downloaded online or contact the club on ext. 53768.

Volunteers sought for brain functioning study

UQ researchers seek volunteers aged between 18 and 65 with no personal of mental illness and no family history of psychosis or bipolar 1 disorder to participate in a project investigating the brain functioning and genetic profile of schizophrenia. Volunteers will participate in a three-part process, including a psychological assessment, blood test, and MRI. All participants will be reimbursed. For more information, contact Kelly Mouat.

Participants needed for chronic back pain study

Volunteers with a history of low back pain for longer than three months are invited to participate in a study investigating motor control of the low back and pelvis. Participants will be required to attend one, two-hour session at the CCRE Spine, St Lucia campus. The tests involve four, simple, pain-free and non-invasive measures including the use of ultrasound and EMG. Details: Ryan Stafford or phone ext. 67751.

Volunteers sought for voice study

The Division of Speech Pathology invites volunteers, aged 18–65, to participate in a study investigating whether voice problems can be assessed via the internet using video-conferencing. Researchers seek participants who rely on their voice as a main tool in their jobs (lecturer, teacher, lawyer, etc.) and either report symptoms of vocal problems (such as fatigue, vocal strain, hoarseness) or who have been diagnosed with a voice disorder. Participation involves a free, one–hour assessment by two speech pathologists. Details: Deborah Theodoros, or phone ext. 52806.

Balance and falls prevention study: participants needed

The Division of Physiotherapy invites volunteers aged 40 and over to participate in a clinical intervention trial to improve balance and prevent falls in adults as they age. The study comprises an initial and post-program assessment involving balance and strength tests, both of 1.5 hrs duration (free), and 10, weekly one-hour small group exercise classes ($10 per session) at St Lucia campus. Assessments are available on Mondays/Wednesdays. Classes are on Wednesday/Friday afternoons. Details: Marissa Hegarty or phone ext. 69870, or Dr Jenny Nitz, phone ext. 52791.

Office workers needed for survey

Office workers are invited to participate in an online survey examining employees’ responses to environmental issues in organisations. Participation involves completing an online survey and viewing an online video. The study aims to provide insights and enable improvements in organisational responses to environmental issues. Details: online. Enquiries: Sally Russell phone ext. 69327.

Study needs young men

The Men’s Attitudes Study is currently being conducted at UQ and researchers are seeking men aged 18 to 25 who have not had a child and who are not living with a partner or married. Participation requires completing a brief anonymous online questionnaire about your opinions. If you meet the criteria, and are interested, please visit this website or contact Rachel Thompson, phone ext. 56830.

Males needed for meals and metabolism study

UQ Diamantina Institute and the Princess Alexandra Hospital Department of Endocrinology are researching the effects of a meal on white blood cells (inflammation) and blood vessel function. Volunteers are required to attend three appointments at the Princess Alexandra Hospital. Researchers seek male Caucasian non-smokers, aged 18-70 in the following three groups:

Details: Dr Liza Phillips on 0413 492 160.


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