Tag / Research

by brandsa2018

Chief scientist Caroline McMillen taking SA research to the world

Six months into her three-year tenure as South Australia’s Chief Scientist and Professor Caroline McMillen is working towards her aim of taking the state’s health and science capabilities to the world.

Lured back to SA in 2018 after spending seven years in NSW, biomedical expert Prof McMillen is confident SA’s health research outcomes and infrastructure are “well above world-class” and our transforming industries capable of attracting international interest.

“I know from the work I do and access to detailed analyses that exist, that SA’s research is well above world standard,” she says. “The translation of that research delivers value to the state, it’s what brings people into SA, it builds new opportunities for business and industry and it’s what builds a global footprint to put SA on the map.”

“World-class, high-quality research, when it includes collaboration and engagement with industry and government, drives and delivers real impact for our economy, our health and our environment.”

Prof McMillen draws attention to the work required to attract over $100 million in funding for a co-operative research centre focused on SA satellites, an example of how great research, collaboration and investment can build a new space industry sector right here in the state.

Succeeding former Chief Scientist Leanna Read, Prof McMillen gives independent advice to the State Government, education institutions and industry on matters of science, research, technology and innovation.

SA’s chief scientist Caroline McMillen returned to SA after seven years as vice chancellor at the University of Newcastle. She is pictured at SAHMRI. Photo by JKTP.

Prof McMillen’s own research is internationally recognised, in particular, her research into the impact of the nutritional environment in early development on cardiovascular health and metabolic disease later in life.

Born in Northern Ireland and growing up in England, Prof McMillen went on to attend Oxford University, where she completed a BA (Honours) and a Doctor of Philosophy. She also completed her medical training, graduating with a MB, BChir from the University of Cambridge.

Moving to Australia in the early 1990s, Prof McMillen launched a career at Victoria’s Monash University in academic leadership roles before a call came for her to head to SA to lead the University of Adelaide’s Department of Physiology.

Prof McMillen’s family has been based in SA ever since, with her three children raised here and her husband still working as a doctor in a busy general practice at Christie’s Beach.

In 2011, she left SA to become the University of Newcastle’s vice chancellor and was instrumental in driving collaboration between industry, researchers, start-ups and investors, leading the institution towards its ranking in the top 1% of universities worldwide.

During her time in Newcastle, Prof McMillen travelled regularly back to SA to be with family. However, it wasn’t until she made the move back permanently last year that she was able to appreciate the full extent of Adelaide’s rejuvenation, both from a lifestyle perspective – small bars, laneways, and affordable living – and from an industry and economic perspective.

“There is a literature on ‘magnet cities’, cities that have gone through a period of decline and then transition to blossom,” Prof McMillen says.

“At the heart of that transition are creative, young professionals. Whether it’s Pittsburg or Barcelona, across the world you can chart journeys of these cities from decline to success. I think the creative industries in Adelaide and the strong STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) base provides the city with a real buzz and sets Adelaide on a clear upward trajectory.”

Settling into her role as Chief Scientist, Prof McMillen is engaging with businesses, government departments and key industry stakeholders in a range of STEM fields and is currently working on The State of Science Plan with government agencies to determine future priorities and strategies to build SA as ‘The State of Science’.

She also meets with start-ups, university students and faculty members, as well as school students to discuss pathways into STEM careers and engage with the next generation of researchers.

SA chief scientist Professor Caroline McMillen is a champion for science education and gender equality in STEM. Photo by JKTP.

Prof McMillen is a champion for gender equality in STEM and highlighting issues that are still prevalent in the sector, including the gender pay gap.

A study conducted by Australia’s Chief Scientist Dr Alan Finkel showed in 2011 that only 16% of people with a STEM qualification were female.

“When I became a scientist many years ago at Oxford I was pretty sure that we’d have any gender issues sorted in a few years, but it turns out I was wrong,” Prof McMillen says. “I’ll be more than 100 years old before 50% of our professors in science are women and frankly I don’t think we should have to wait that long!”

As part of her role, she continues to champion women at all stages of their careers in STEM and is determined that SA can lead the change towards gender equity in science careers.

“I’m keen to be able to do that and make sure we’re having the outcomes that will set the stage for success for girls and women in STEM,” Prof McMillen says.

“SA has reached many gender equality milestones, we were the first in the world to run for parliament, so if there’s any state that can do it, it’s us.”

Prof Caroline McMillen is Brand South Australia’s latest I Choose SA ambassador for the health industry.

Industry in focus: Health

Throughout the month of April, the state’s health industry will be explored as part of I Choose SA.

South Australia’s health sector is among the best in the world, renowned for developing new and advanced technologies and research outcomes. Our health industry infrastructure is world-class, providing new pathways and job opportunities, as well as a growing potential for health tourism.

Read more health stories here.

Visit I Choose SA to meet the people building business and industry in SA, and to find out how your choices make a difference to our state.

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by brandsa2018

Adelaide a hub of life-changing health research and investment

South Australia’s health research sector is among the best in the world, with its renowned infrastructure and applications of new and advanced technologies having a global impact.

The $3.8 billion Adelaide BioMed City in the heart of the CBD is one of the largest health and life science clusters in the southern hemisphere, combining significant infrastructure including the new Royal Adelaide Hospital, the SA Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), and facilities for all three of the state’s universities.

This multidisciplinary precinct located on North Terrace combines collaborative medical, research and education infrastructure that is establishing SA as a centre of excellence for healthcare research, services and products.

For the month of April, Brand South Australia is delving into the state’s health industry as part of the successful I Choose SA campaign. We’ll explore the world-leading research and technological revolutions being practiced here, as well as the life-changing achievements of our scientists and researchers.

Here at Brand SA News we’ll bring you a collection of stories outlining  leading health professionals, how Adelaide is positioning itself as an international research hub, and how the state’s health industry as a whole is impacting our economy, our future career pathways and the growing sector of health tourism.

First up, we’ll introduce you to Dutch couple Johan Verjans and Yvette van Eenennaam, two influential figures in the Adelaide BioMed City. The couple chose SA over other countries and states to raise their family, further their careers and share their expertise. Johan is a cardiologist with a key interest in the fascinating field of machine learning, while Yvette has taken up the position of Adelaide BioMed City’s inaugural general manager.

We’ll also bring you an article on I Choose SA ambassador and SA’s chief scientist Professor Caroline McMillen who will share her story on being lured back to the state after seven years in NSW and how she’s having a crucial say in matters of science, research, technology and innovation.

Professor McMillen has a distinguished career as a medical and health researcher and once stated that “SA is home to some of the world’s best scientists” whose passion for discovery and commitment to innovation is “creating new futures for communities across the globe”.

The second I Choose SA ambassador is Johan Verjans who will elaborate on why SA is the best place to pursue his career, and how Adelaide’s health research is growing in the artificial intelligence space.

Many of our highlighted professors, doctors and health professionals will carry out their daily lives in one of the most anticipated developments within the health sector is SAHMRI’s second instalment, SAHMRI 2, located within the Adelaide BioMed City and next to the original institute.

SAHMRI 2 will house the southern hemisphere’s first proton therapy unit, making a world of difference for hundreds of cancer patients and people with inoperable tumours every year.

The SAHMRI 2 design, right, next to the original SAHMRI building on North Terrace.

Housed over three floors, the cutting-edge treatment will deliver precise radiation to tumours with less risk of damaging surrounding tissue and organs. The unit will attract not only local patients, but those travelling from interstate and overseas.

Of course, our health industry developments will add to a long line of medical achievements throughout our state’s history. Over time, SA has developed world-first outcomes including the world’s first IVF triplets, born at Flinders Medical Centre in 1983.

The invention of penicillin also connects back to SA, with Adelaide born Howard Florey creating the first antibiotic that has since gone on to save an estimated 200 million lives. Florey started his medical journey at the University of Adelaide in 1916. In a small but ground-breaking achievement, Adelaide was also home to the world’s first plastic disposable hypodermic syringe, developed in 1949 by Charles Rothauser.

SA’s health industry no doubt has many more life-changing milestones on the way. Keen to learn more? Brand South Australia is hosting a health industry briefing on Tuesday, April 9, at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

Guests will hear from Health and Wellbeing Minister Stephen Wade, SAHMRI executive director Steve Wesselingh and Adelaide BioMed City general manager Yvette van Eenennaam. For more information and to book tickets click here.

Industry in focus: Health

Throughout the month of April, the state’s health industry will be explored as part of I Choose SA.

South Australia’s health sector is among the best in the world, renowned for developing new and advanced technologies and research outcomes. Our health industry infrastructure is world-class, providing new pathways and job opportunities, as well as a growing potential for health tourism.

Read more health stories here.

Visit I Choose SA to meet the people building business and industry in SA, and to find out how your choices make a difference to our state.

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by brandsa2018

Agribusiness the backbone of SA economy

They help put food on our tables, contribute enormously to the state’s economy and uphold the livelihood of our regions.

South Australian farmers are the lifeblood of our country communities and are big players in the state’s overall economic welfare, with agriculture contributing to 25% of our economy.

Our agricultural researchers and biosecurity workers are equally important to our state’s reputation for being clean, green, pest free and one of the most sustainable food and wine growing regions on the planet.

Throughout October, Brand SA News will bring you success stories and the latest innovations from the state’s agribusiness industry, as part of Brand South Australia’s successful I Choose SA campaign.

We’ll take you inside the dairy industry and why you should be hunting down local dairy labels on your weekly shop, how multi-generational farming businesses have diversified, and how women are leading the way.

Food producers at B.-d Farm Paris Creek in the Adelaide Hills, makers of dairy products including yoghurt, cheese, butter and milk. Photo: PIRSA.

First up, we will deliver an article on Thornby Premium Lamb, a longstanding family-owned farming business with a presence at Sanderston on the outskirts of the Murray Mallee, as well as on Kangaroo Island.

We’ll also hear from Grain Producers SA’s first female boss, Caroline Rhodes, who will talk to the state’s grain industry, one that last year produced an 11 million tonne harvest worth a total farm gate value of $2.2 billion*.

Wheat is our primary grain, with 4500 farms across the state contributing to the grain industry, helping keep us and our livestock fed, and assisting in the manufacturing of a range of everyday products.

We’ll also bring you something a little weird – the world of potato waste.

Potatoes SA plans to tackle food waste by using discarded potato peel and pulp to make premium vodka (which we’re happy to taste test).

Brand South Australia’s I Choose SA for agribusiness ambassadors will also be revealed, and their experiences and industry predications shared.

Our coverage of agribusiness will take you inside some of our regions – our food bowls free from fruit fly and the vine-destroying phylloxera pest.

SA is the only Australian mainland state free from fruit fly and we spend about $5 million a year trying to keep it that way through prevention, detection and eradication measures.

Aside from knowing where our food grows, we’ll also find out where it goes, with China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand among others being some of our largest export markets.

And the wine, let’s not forget the wine. SA’s 3400 grape growers produce yearly crops valued at $658 million.

 

Eighty per cent of Australia’s premium wine comes from SA, proving we definitely know how to make a good drop.

To help kickstart the month of agribusiness exploration, Brand South Australia will host an Industry Briefing on October 9, where guests will learn about key innovations and the range of careers and available pathways.

Guests will hear from Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Tim Whetstone, Pork SA chairman Mark McLean and Grain Producers SA CEO Caroline Rhodes.

What: Brand South Australia I Choose SA for Agribusiness Industry Briefing
When: October 9, 4.30–6.30pm.
Where: Adelaide Showground, The Old Ram Shed.
Tickets: From $25–$49

Register for the event here.

*Statistics and industry figures sourced from PIRSA.

Visit I Choose SA to meet the people building business and industry in SA, and to find out how your choices make a difference to our state.

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by brandsa2018

South Aussies are butting out

By Melissa Keogh

South Australian youth are shunning cigarettes at never-seen-before rates, according to recent figures by the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI).

Institute data shows that more young people are choosing to not light up, with the number of South Australian smokers aged 15-29 dropping from 17% in 2015 to 12.3% in 2016.

SAHMRI says this rate, along with a 15% rate of ‘adult’ smokers aged 15 years and over, is the lowest “ever recorded” in South Australia.

Dr Caroline Miller, SAHMRI’s Population Health director, says the all time low is a result of anti-smoking media campaigns and tax hikes on cigarettes.

Heavy health warnings and smoke-free public areas have also caused the dip, she says.

“Tobacco is a deadly product which kills two in three long-term users,” Dr Miller says.

“By staying focused on driving down smoking rates, encouraging quitting and preventing young people from starting, we are reducing the enormous preventable burdens of heart disease and cancer, saving thousands of lives in South Australia.”

Blog770pxstop-smoking

Adelaide woman Sue Scott, 55, has been smoke-free for almost 12 months, after a 30-year affair with cigarettes.

Sue says she used to puff on an average of 25 smokes per day out of habit and boredom.

With help from her GP and a switch up of her daily routine, she has quit for good.

“I had a cup of coffee and did a crossword on my iPad in the morning instead of having a cigarette,” Sue says.

Her advice for teens and young adults?

“If you don’t smoke, don’t start,” Sue says.

Substance Abuse Minister Leesa Vlahos says more than 1100 South Australians die of smoking-related causes every year.

“This latest data show excellent progress and our efforts to reduce smoking are continuing to work, as more people heed the message to quit smoking for good,” she says.

“There is still more work we can do and we will do.”

Want to butt out? Call Quitline on 137 848 or head here.