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ASMR and HDA hold Scientific Networking Evening

• On 4 June 2013, the Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) and HDA held the annual Scientific Networking Evening as part of the ASMR Medical Research week to an audience of ~70 students and early career researchers. Three senior researchers presented on career development strategies followed by a fun networking bingo session. The event was chaired by Dr Steven Polyak, ASMR SA Director and the bingo session facilitated by Jen Clark, Career Development Manager from the University of Adelaide.

  The presenters and their topics included A/Professor Pat Buckley (UniSA) on What makes a successful researcher; Dr Dani-Louise Dixon (Flinders University) on Women in science: career highlights and networking tips; and Professor Corey Bradshaw (University of Adelaide) on Social and other media for scientists.

HDA holds 'Preconception Care' event

• On 30 May 2013, HDA held its second Thematic Evening for the year on 'Preconception care: planning is paramount' to an audience of 115 people. The event was chaired by Professor Claire Roberts, HDA Co-Convenor, the Robinson Institute, University of Adelaide.

  The presenters and their topics included Professor Helena Teede (Monash University) on Preconception health: a need for collaborative, integrated, cross sector initiative to improved health outcomes; Dr Michael McEvoy (Flinders Fertility) on Equity and access to preconception care; Dr Michelle Lane (Repromed) on It takes two to tango: the male's contribution to preconception care; and Dr Louise Hull (Fertility SA) on Planning for pregnancy - can we improve early pregnancy outcomes.

HDA holds 'Family Connections' event

• On 24 April 2013, HDA held its first Thematic Evening for the year on 'Family Connections: making the bonds stronger' to an audience of 160 people. The event was chaired by Professor Claire Roberts, HDA Co-Convenor, the Robinson Institute, University of Adelaide.

  The presenters and their topics included Mr David Waterford (Department for Education and Child Development) on Supporting families to protect their children; Dr Anne Sved-Williams (Helen Mayo House) on Why babies need parents; Professor Phillip Slee (Flinders University) on KidsMatter: the family connection; and Ms Carolyn Curtis (Australian Centre for Social Innovation) on Family by Family: designed with and delivered by families.

HDA holds 'Tackling men's health and fertility' event

• On 6 September 2012, HDA held its fourth and final Thematic Evening for the year on 'Tackling men's health and fertility' to an audience of 50 people. The event was chaired by Professor Ray Rodgers, Deputy Director of the Robinson Institute, University of Adelaide.

  The presenters and their topics included Professor Robert McLachlan (Prince Henry's Institute / Andrology Australia) on Evaluation and management of the male partner; Professor Sarah Robertson (Robinson Institute, University of Adelaide) on The male's contribution to embryo implantation; and Dr Hassan Bakos (Repromed) on What is a good sperm count?.

HDA holds 8th annual Oration

• On 21 August 2012, HDA held its 8th annual Oration presented by Professor Vivienne Moore from the Discipline of Public Health at the University of Adelaide on Women, empowerment and health for all to an audience of ~90 people. HDA Co-Convenor, Professor Robert Norman, Director of The Robinson Institute at the University of Adelaide chaired the event and presented Professor Vivienne Moore with the Healthy Development Adelaide Award for 2012. Professor Moore's presentation covered an exciting and profound overview of improving women's health through empowerment, women's reproductive choices, lifestyle issues, their children's health and wellbeing, and finally but not least men's roles within all of this.

pic l to r: 1. HDA Convenors Professors' Rob Norman and Michael Sawyer with Professor Vivienne Moore holding the HDA Award. 2. Audience.

HDA and NSA host 'Babies and Bugs' event

• On 23 July 2012, HDA and the Nutrition Society of Australia (NSA - SA branch) hosted a seminar by Professor Sharon Donovan from the University of Illinois and President of the American Society of Nutrition on ‘Babies and ‘Bugs’: what’s going on in baby’s gut?' to an audience of 60 health professionals and students in the area of nutrition. Professor Donovan also provided insight into the current activities of the American Society of Nutrition. The talk was followed by a special ‘Meet the Professor’ session that included 15 undergraduate and postgraduate students. The event was chaired by Professor Gordon Howarth, University of Adelaide.

pic l to r: 1. Audience. 2. Professor Sharon Donovan and Professor Gordon Howarth. 3. Student 'meet the professor' session.

HDA holds 'Are they keeping you up?' event

• On 19 July 2012, HDA held its third Thematic Evening for the year on 'Are they keeping you up? Sleep: from infancy to adolescence' to an audience of 130 people. The event was chaired by Professor Claire Roberts, NHMRC Senior Research Fellow within the Robinson Institute, University of Adelaide.

  The presenters and their topics included Professor Kurt Lushington (UniSA) on Babies, sleep and cognitive development; Dr Yvonne Pamula (Women's and Children's Hospital) on A tale of two culprits - obesity and sleep apnoea in children; Ms Lisa Matricciani (UniSA) on Early to bed, early to rise: examining the relationship between children's sleep habits, activity patterns and weight status; and Dr Hayley Dohnt (Somnia) on Sleep deprived teens - a growing trend.

pic l to r: 1. Prof Kurt Lushington, Dr Hayley Dohnt, Ms Lisa Matricciani, Dr Yvonne Pamula. 2. Attendees networking.

HDA & Robinson Institute Celebrate 30 Years of IVF in South Australia

• On 21 June 2012, A free public event Celebrating 30 years of IVF in South Australia was held at Elder Hall and co-hosted by Healthy Development Adelaide (HDA) and The Robinson Institute, University of Adelaide. This event was supported by Fertility SA and Flinders Reproductive Medicine; with food and refreshments kindly sponsored by MSD and Merck Serono Australia. MC for this special event was Leigh McClusky: Host of SA Life, Channel 7 and Principal at McClusky & Co.

  Some of Australia's leading experts presented at the event including:
  Professor Robert Norman, Director of The Robinson Institute, University of Adelaide on Adelaide's contribution to modern IVF.
  A/Professor Jane Halliday, Murdoch Children's Research Institute on What happens to IVF children?
  Professor Andrew Dutney, School of Theology, Flinders University / Principal, Uniting College for Leadership and Theology on the Ethical challenges in IVF.
  Professor William Ledger, IVF Australia on What's the future going to look like in IVF?
  Leading SA IVF pioneer, Dr Christine Kirby (Repromed) joined the speakers during a panel discussion with the audience.
  

pic l to r: 1. Prof Bill Ledger, Prof Rob Norman, Leigh McClusky, Dr Christine Kirby, Prof Andrew Dutney and A/Prof Jane Halliday. 2-4. Panel and Audience.

HDA & ASMR hold 'Science in the Cinema' event

• On 8 June 2012, HDA in conjunction with the Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) held a Science in the Cinema event with a free public screening of In Time, as part of the ASMR medical research week. The event included discussion following the movie around 'how to maximise longevity or health if you could only live to 25' with expert research scientist in genome health, Dr Nathan O'Callaghan from CSIRO Food and Nutritional Sciences and attracted 180 people.

HDA & ASMR hold 'Scientific Networking' event

• On 5 June 2012, HDA in conjunction with the Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) held a scientific networking event, as part of the ASMR medical research week. The event attracted 80 students and early career researchers, and was chaired by Dr Steven Polyak from the University of Adelaide and Director at ASMR.

  Networking strategies and tips on career development were presented by three experienced senior researchers Professor Ross McKinnon (Flinders University), Professor Claire Roberts (University of Adelaide) and Dr Natalie Parletta (UniSA) followed by a speed networking session run by experienced facilitator and networker, Jen Clark (University of Adelaide).

HDA holds 'Connecting with children in need' event

• On 15 May 2012, HDA held its second Thematic Evening for the year on 'Connecting with children in need' to an audience of 120 people. The event was chaired by Professor Claire Roberts, NHMRC Senior Research Fellow within the Robinson Institute, University of Adelaide.

  The presenters and their topics included Janine Phillips (Centre for Health Promotion, Women's & Children's Health Network) on Headroom: building positive mental health in children and young people; Danielle Whitaker (Little Heroes Foundation) on ChildFamilyCare - an initiative to support life after diagnosis; Kate Strohm (Siblings Australia) on Siblings: a lifelong relationship; and Susan Clark (Guide Dogs SA.NT) on Canine intervention for children with autism.

HDA holds 'Social media for kids' event

• On 27 March 2012, HDA held its first Thematic Evening for the year on 'Social media for kids: to tweet or not to tweet?' to an audience of 100 people. The event was chaired by Professor Claire Roberts, NHMRC Senior Research Fellow within the Robinson Institute, University of Adelaide.

  The presenters and their topics included Dr Barbara Spears (School of Education, University of South Australia) on What goes online, stays online: cybersafety issues for schools and parents; Dr Amy Slater (School of Psychology, Flinders University) on NetGirls: internet use and body image in adolescent girls; Dr Carol Maher (School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia) on Sedentary behaviour in children and adolescents - can it be harnessed for good?; and Dr Pammi Raghavendra (Disability and Community Inclusion, Flinders University) on I even use Facebook in the taxi: strategies to support internet use to facilitate the social participation of young people with disabilities.
  

HDA co-hosts Developmental Overnutrition seminar

• On 24 January 2012, HDA along with the School of Population Health and Clinical Practice (University of Adelaide), and the Robinson Institute (University of Adelaide) co-hosted a seminar on Developmental Overnutrition: an old hypothesis with new relevance? to an audience of ~100 people. The seminar was presented by visiting UK epidemiologist, Professor Debbie Lawlor who provided current evidence into the complexities of the underlying mechanisms associated between pregnancy diabetes and having a heavier and fatter baby. The talk can be found here.

HDA holds 'Brain, Behaviour and Development' event

• On 20 October 2011, HDA hosted it’s fourth Thematic Evening for the year on 'Brain, Behaviour and Development: the future looks bright!' to an audience of 250 people. The event was sponsored by The Robinson Institute situated within the University of Adelaide. The event was chaired by Professor Claire Roberts, Senior Research Fellow within the Robinson Institute.

  Speakers included Professor Jozef Gecz (SA Pathology) on Genetic causes of epilepsy in children: latest developments and future research; Dr Debbie James on Let's talk about children's communication, speech and language needs; Dr Manya Angley (UniSA) on Autism research: progress and future directions; and Ms Donna Nitschke (DECS) on Building the best brains: child brain development and action in schools.

HDA co-hosts Eating for Two: Nutrition in Pregnancy community forum

• On 27 September 2011, HDA along with the Foodplus Research Centre (University of Adelaide), Robinson Institute (University of Adelaide), and Women’s & Children’s Health Research Institute co-hosted the Eating for Two: Nutrition in Pregnancy community forum at Elder Hall to an audience of ~300 people. The forum provided a unique opportunity to hear from some of Australia’s finest practitioners and researchers with the latest evidence in pregnancy nutrition questions answered during a panel discussion with the audience. The event MC was Amanda Blair from 5AA radio, with welcome and closing remarks by Prof Bob Gibson (Director, Foodplus Research Centre) and Prof Rob Norman (Director, Robinson Institute). Speakers included Dr Rosemary Stanton OAM on dietary guidelines and recommendation in pregnancy; Prof Maria Makrides (WCHRI) on use or abuse of supplements in pregnancy; Prof Jodie Dodd (Robinson Institute) on impact of obesity on pregnancy; with additional panellists Prof Claire Roberts and Ms Philippa Middleton (Robinson Institute).

pic l to r: 1. Prof Dodd, Prof Makrides, Ms Middleton, Prof Roberts & Rosemary Stanton. 2. Prof Norman, Amanda Blair & Prof Gibson. 3-4. Audience & Panel.

The podcast to the forum can be found at the Foodplus Research Centre website.

 

HDA co-hosts Food Industry Forum for Nutrition Research

• On 29-30 August 2011, the Nutritional Physiology Research Centre at UniSA and HDA co-hosted the 2nd annual Food Industry Forum for Nutrition Research: Sustainable Nutrition - Sustainable Lifestyles at The Sebel Playford, Adelaide. The forum was officially opened by the Hon. John Hill, Minister for Health followed by Prof Tony McMichael presenting the Paul Nestel lecture. Major sponsors of the forum were the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) and Nestle. Supporting sponsors of the forum were Go Grains Health & Nutriton, Heart Foundation, Unilever, Nutrition Society of Australia (SA branch), Mars Australia, Dairy Health & Nutrition Consortium, Meat and Livestock Australia, Sanitarium, and Simplot Australia.

pictured l to r: 1. Dr Basil Hetzel AC with Prof Tony McMichael AO who presented the Paul Nestel Lecture. 2. The AFGC Dinner. 3. The Food Forum. 4. The speakers (not all present).

Speakers inlcuded:

Prof Tony McMichael sustainable nutrition - sustainable paths, and challenges, for the food industry	Dr Lisa Wood cool nutrients - counteracting inflammation	Prof Peter Clifton saturated fat - how low do we need to go?	Prof Peter Howe omega-3 requirements - length matters!
Dr Karen Campbell nutritional programming - setting sustainable patterns	Dr Nathan O'Callaghan dining out with your DNA? tailoring nutrition to fit your genes	Prof Nick Costa red meat - hard to beat?	Dr Peter Nichols long-chain omega-3 sources in a resources constrained world
Dr Alison Hill eating for everyday active lives	Prof Andrew Scholey foods for moods and minds	Prof Jonathan Hodgson legumes - good for the pulse?	Prof Robert Scragg sustainable nutrition - do supplements do it better?
A/Prof Vicki Flood seeing is believing - the case for carotenoids	Dr Rosemary Stanton sustainable foods and good nutrition - a new union	A/Prof Jon Buckley fast food - dairy shows the whey?	Prof Tony Worsley consumers and food - sustainable what?

 

HDA holds 7th annual Oration

• On 25 August 2011, HDA held our 7th annual Oration presented by Professor John Lynch, Discipline of Public Health, University of Adelaide on Why are economists interested in early childhood health and development? to a large audience of ~200 people. Professor Michael Sawyer, HDA Co-Convenor chaired the event and presented Professor Lynch with the Healthy Development Adelaide Award for 2011. Professor Lynch's presentation brought together research themes from several disciplines that have been foundational in focussing attention on the importance of supporting early childhood development for individuals, communities and societies. These include the fetal origins hypothesis, lifecourse epidemiology, early life nutrition, evidence from pre-and post natal, early childhood and pre-school intervention trials, cognitive neuroscience, personality psychology, and the econometrics of investing in early childhood programs. Australia and in particular South Australia has robust policy frameworks, innovative programs and world class research capacity to make important contributions to advancing the science and practice of early childhood health and development.

To download, click on slides (6 MB) or video (458 MB).

pictured l to r: 1. Prof Robert Norman (HDA Co-Convenor), Prof John Lynch with his award, Prof Michael Sawyer (HDA Co-Convenor). 2. Attendees; Dr John Pockett, Anne Bosio, Dr Basil Hetzel AC, and Prof Peter Howe. 3. Attendees.

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