Issue: Spring 2009
Research
Robots for health and child care of the future?
To help them interact with their charges and patients, they are 'evolving' their 'emotional' faculties in a new joint research venture.
Crucial protein boosts infection risk in mitochondrial disease
In a world first, Melbourne scientists have discovered that a certain protein is responsible for stimulating infection in mitochondrially diseased cells.
Teen sexual health – the real story
La Trobe University's 'Survey of Australian Secondary School Students and Sexual Health' provides a periodic reality check for the nation.
Fire and stone – casting new light on our use of oldest tools
Two La Trobe researchers provide their perspective on the significance of a major new discovery.
News
La Trobe shares knowledge with the world on iTunes U
Stimulating lectures and guest speakers, ground-breaking research, thought-provoking interviews and vodcasts are now available through La Trobe on iTunes U.
International prize highlights new efforts for better hearing
One of the world's major scientific prizes – the Otto Schmitt Award for exceptional contributions to advancements in medical and biological engineering – has been awarded to La Trobe University's Distinguished Professor Graeme Clark.
Islamic banking takes the stage
Islamic banking and finance offers lessons the conventional financial system "would do well to learn".
Guilt and free speech – discussion on big ideas
The University was the major sponsor of the opening session of the recent Melbourne Writers Festival.
Paramedics focus on primary health care
Regional Victoria will lead Australia with a ground-breaking pramedic course being introduced by La Trobe University next year.
Last Warhorse wins world tour
An animation produced by La Trobe University Bendigo visual arts PhD student has been selected to tour Europe.
Climate, Sustainability and Society
A series of cross-campus events highlight issues surrounding climate change and sustainability.
People
Quest for a new Somalia
Two Australian Somali men – both La Trobe graduates – are determined to make a difference in their homeland.
New Deputy Vice-Chancellor
Professor John Rosenberg has taken up the post of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International and Future Students).
Expatriate takes up key role in biosciences
A new and rare posting at La Trobe that links laboratory and computational-based research in the quest for answers to human and animal diseases has brought Professor Liam O'Connor back to Melbourne.
Leading human rights lawyer returns
International human rights specialist Penny Andrews has taken up a Chair in the Law School at La Trobe.
New head of Bendigo Campus
Andrew Skewes has been appointed Director of the University's Bendigo Campus.
Vale: George Singer
Foundation Professor of Psychology died in July after a long illness, aged 87.
Books
The Lamb enters the Dreaming
Dr Robert Kenny received the Prime Minister's prize for Australian History for his book on the conversion to Christianity of the first tribal Aborigine in Victoria.
Top book prize for ideas about race and nation-building
An award for the 'most distinguished contribution to the history of Australia, New Zealand or colonisation' has been won by Professor Marilyn Lake.