Science, Technology and Engineering

13 July 2009
On Wednesday 24 June, the Biochemistry Society organised Next Step, a career event for the benefit of biochemistry and related disciplines students. The organisers aimed to prepare students for the challenges that they may encounter on the job market. Six speakers from several departments, including faculties, alumni and careers offices as well as guests from external businesses were invited to talk to students and provide career related advice... Read the article as featured in La Trobe University International News

July 2009
Congratulations to Dr Mat McKenzie who was awarded the top poster prize at the FASEB Summer research conference on “Mitochondrial assembly in health & disease” – Phoenix, USA

30 June 2009
Congratulations to Dr Benny Evison, 2009 recipient of the Nancy Millis PhD Excellence Prize for the most outstanding PhD thesis from the Faculty of Science Technology and Engineering. This prize will be formally awarded to Dr Evison at the Prize giving ceremony for the Faculty of Science Technology and Engineering to be held on 28 July 2009 at John Scott Meeting House.

30 June 2009
Congratulations to Dr Amanda Gillon (former PhD student of the Anderson lab and currently a postdoc at Columbia University, NY), 2009 recipient of the Research Thesis Merit Citation from the Faculty of Science Technology and Engineering.

18 June 2009
Hot off the Press
Dr Alex Maier was a co-author on a recent article published in Nature entitled: A newly discovered protein export machine in malaria parasites. Nature. 2009 Jun 18;459(7249):945-9.

13 May 2009
La Trobe University today welcomed the Federal Government's announcement that it will provide $123.7 million of funds to spearhead science and regional health efforts. The funds will go towards establishing the $97.9 million La Trobe Institute for Molecular Sciences (LIMS) in north Melbourne and the $88.9 million La Trobe Rural Health School (LRHS) in Bendigo. $64.1 million has been allocated by the Government in LIMS and $59.6 million allocated for LRHS.

'These two projects are groundbreaking in their approach, setting the mould for next generation of science and regional health in Australia. The funding is a clear vote of confidence in La Trobe University and its key research strength in biosciences and quality higher education. We will be able to expand our strong track record in scientific research and education, as well as our pioneering practice of bringing together many different disciplines to solve big problems, including cancer, malaria and autoimmune diseases,' said La Trobe Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Johnson.

At a glance
The La Trobe Institute for Molecular Sciences will be a world-class facility for molecular science, biotechnology and nanotechnology research and research training, creating:

• 220 extra research positions to address a critical shortage of bioscientists in Australia;
• Basic and commercial research outcomes and additional research income of $10m annually;
• An economically significant biotechnology research and development hub in northern Melbourne;
• An extended science outreach program for over 2,500 secondary school students across northern Melbourne; and
• Over 800 direct and indirect construction jobs.

Read more ...

This wonderful news is a credit to Professor Nick Hoogenraad and his team for their leadership and hard work, and is a strong endorsement of the quality of the research and teaching efforts in the School of Molecular Sciences.