New Chancellor Visits SOBS

December 04, 2007

Dr Finkel meets Dr Helen Abud in the Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology

Incoming Chancellor Dr Alan Finkel met with prominent School of Biomedical Sciences researchers during a bustling two-hour visit in November.

Visiting six departments, Dr Finkel discussed topics as far-reaching as ultrasound studies of cartilage injuries in the foot, the impacts of external factors on lung development, and the leaps and bounds taking place in amnion cell technology.

"The School of Biomedical Sciences at Monash was already well known to me as a research powerhouse, so I very much looked forward to my first visit there," said the Chancellor Designate.

"In a two-hour whirlwind tour masterminded by the Head of School, Professor Christina Mitchell, I met scientists who introduced me to the real-life impacts arising from their research on prominent biomedical puzzles such as obesity, insulin-resistance in Type 2 Diabetes and the development of the brain cortex."

Around 20 researchers presented their work to Dr Finkel throughout the visit. An eminent neuroscientist, publisher of science magazine Cosmos, and founder of electronic and robotic devices company Axon, he talked in great depth with each researcher about the progress and outcomes of their work, as well as the technologies that these projects harness.

"It was very clear to me that the success of the School of Biomedical Sciences stems from its ability to uphold the intellectual and methodological rigour of classic science, while integrating exciting new technologies and ideas to target high-impact needs.  It is efforts such as these that put Monash on the map as a leader in research," he said.

Prof Mitchell also presented the School's state-of-the-art facilities, including the Protein Production unit, the Stem Cell Laboratories and MicroMon - a complex within the school that provides support in cutting-edge DNA technologies to internal researchers and commercial clients.

"The research within biomedical science is dynamic and extremely successful. That will be further enhanced by our move into the STRIP 2 and 3 buildings - an exciting new phase reflecting our growing confidence in topical cross-disciplinary research," Prof Mitchell said.

Mr Paul Lombardo shows Dr Finkel the School's ultrasound facilities	Dr Finkel visits the Protein Production team. From left: Professor James Whisstock, Associate Professor Robert Pike, Associate Professor Steve Bottomley and Associate Professor Matthew Wilce	Biochemistry students Lauren Binge and Clare Fedele discuss their research with Dr Finkel