DISCIPLINE OF ADOLESCENT & CHILD HEALTH HIGHER DEGREE BY RESEARCH STUDENT NEWSLETTER May 2016 Page 1 of 5

Higher Degree by Research Student Newsletter

The Children’s Hospital at Westmead Clinical School Discipline of Child & Adolescent Health

May 2016

Can you explain the importance of your thesis in three minutes with one powerpoint slide? Join the University’s 3 Minute Thesis competition. There will be a combined heat for HDR students at Westmead on 1 July, 2-5pm, WIMR’s conference rooms. We will put forward three winners to faculty (ie one from CHW, one Westmead and one CMRI). Save the date & time. The University’s 3MT website will be updated soon and students advised. http://sydney.edu.au/graduate_studies_office/students/3mt.shtml A student is allowed to participate at the faculty level AND the open heats. If they are successful at the faculty level they go straight through to the university final on open day (27 August). If they are not successful at the faculty level, they are allowed to participate in the open heats, and then (if successful) will go through to the open day final.

Westmead’s heat 1 July 2016; 2pm-5pm, Westmead Institute for Medical Research.

Sydney Medical School’s heat will be held around mid-July.

The open heats will be held around end of July/beginning of August at the city campus

DO YOU WANT TO BE A RESEARCH SUPERVISOR?

The Discipline of Child & Adolescent Health’s supervisor accreditation course at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead is being run this year. Participants must attend at least two of the three seminars (preferably the three seminars) and present at the final accreditation seminar:

Seminar 1 Friday 22 July 2016, 2-4pm, Tutorial room 3, level 4, Education Centre, CHW “Expectations of supervisors and students in postgraduate research candidature”. Presenter: A/Prof Jennifer Byrne. Facilitator: A/Prof Nick Wood Seminar 2 Friday 29 July 2016, 2-4pm, Doreen Dew Lecture Theatre, level 4, Education Centre, CHW “Monitoring Progress”. Presenter: Prof Russell Dale. Facilitator: A/Prof Nick Wood Seminar 3 Friday 26 August 2016, 2-4pm, Meeting Room 1, Kids Research Institute, CHW “Supporting writing in postgraduate research candidature”. Presenter: Dr Fabienne Brilot-Turville. Facilitator: A/Prof Nick Wood AND compulsory to complete the course Final presentations by participants Friday 2 September 2016, 2-4pm, Meeting Room 1, Kids Research Institute, CHW - attend and present

To register or if you have any questions, please contact

Denise schn-usydpaeds-postgraduate@health.nsw.gov.au

2016 DISCIPLINE’S POSTGRADUATE STUDENT CONFERENCE (12 AUGUST 2016) Students & supervisors please register for the Conference via the EventBrite registration form https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/2016-postgraduate-student-conference-registration-25021994459

It is compulsory for all students to attend all day and present whether full time, part time, just commencing or writing-up. Only if you have submitted your thesis before 12 August are you exempt. Program: Registration at the venue 8.15am-8.45am; Welcome 8.45am-9.00am; Session 1 presentations commence 9.00am; Conference concludes approximately 4.30pm. Catering: Morning & afternoon tea, and lunch are provided. Venue: Rydges Parramatta, 116-118 James Ruse Drive, Rosehill. Phone: 8863 7600. http://www.rydges.com/accommodation/sydney-nsw/parramatta/welcome/directions/ Parking: There is free on-site open air parking around the building, which can be accessed from both Prospect St (turn into here from James Ruse Drive) and Weston St. Guest speaker: Prof Steve Simpson, Academic Director of the Charles Perkins Centre.

DISCIPLINE OF ADOLESCENT & CHILD HEALTH HIGHER DEGREE BY RESEARCH STUDENT NEWSLETTER May 2016 Page 2 of 5

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS ...

The Neuroimmunology group was well represented at the recent 14th International Child Neurology Congress from 1 - 5 May 2016 in Amsterdam

Kavitha Kothur, PhD student was selected for a platform presentation: "Distinct CSF cytokine/chemokine profile in post-herpes anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis and chronic post-herpes encephalitis neurologic syndromes". See photograph. Kavitha's work is novel in this area and is currently under review for publication. Kavitha also presented a poster on role CSF cytokines and chemokines in MOG associated demyelination syndromes.

Michelle Lorentzos, PhD student was also selected for a platform presentation on the findings from her PhD work "Psychiatric comorbidities in children with Dystonia". This presentation comprises part of Michelle's larger body of work, which is the first study of psychiatric comorbidity in children with various movement disorders.

Sekhar C Pillai, who has recently submitted his PhD was selected to present a platform on his finding from a large encephalitis cohort at the Children's Hospital at Westmead. His presentation entitled "The predictors of long-term Morbidity and Postencephalitic Epilepsy (PE) in Infectious and Autoimmune Encephalitis" is already published in Epilepsia, the flagship journal of the International League against epilepsy.

Margherita Nosadini, paediatric neurologist from Padua, Italy, who had been working with the group at CHW over the last 2 years, presented her work on "Intravenous immunoglubulin in paediatric neurology: safety, efficacy, and adherence to guidelines”. Margherita has just returned to her parent institution in Italy - Best wishes !

Shekeeb Mohammad, PhD student, was a co-organiser for a symposium on disorders that lead to basal ganglia injury in children. Shekeeb presented a pattern recognition approach to immune-mediated basal ganglia disorders along with collaborators from Spain and the UK.

Professor Russell Dale, co-supervisor for all the HDR students with the Neuroimmunology group was invited speaker for three talks including a masterclass on approach to paediatric immune mediated disorders.

DIARY DATES

25 May & 1 June 2016 HDR Students’ Research Training Program at Westmead – “Progress Plan & Project Management Skills”

31 May 2016 HDR Students’ Research Training Program at Westmead – “Research Resources”

7 June 2016 HDR Students’ Research Training Program at Westmead – “Advanced EndNote”

1 July 2016 PRSS applications close.

1 July 2016 3 Minute Thesis Competition – heat for HDR students at Westmead 2-5pm, WIMR’s conference rooms

21 July 2016 HDR Students’ Research Training Program at Westmead – “Oral presentation skills”

22 & 29 July, 26 August, Discipline’s Supervisor Accreditation Course at CHW & 2 September 2016

30 June 2016 The Discipline’s competition for the best research paper by a higher research degree candidate. Applications close.

11 July 2016 Students’ abstracts due for Postgraduate Student Conference.

4 August 2016 Westmead Research Hub Student OPEN DAY, 1-5pm, WIMR building

8 August 2016 Students’ presentations (Microsoft PowerPoint file format) due for Postgraduate Student Conference.

12 August 2016 Postgraduate Student Conference; compulsory for all students to attend and present. 8.30am– 4.30pm, Rydges Parramatta, 116-118 James Ruse Drive Rosehill

18 August 2016 HDR Students’ Research Training Program at Westmead – “Social media skills in medical research”

29 August 2016 HDR Students’ Research Training Program at Westmead – “Understanding the peer review process – how to get your paper published”

15 September 2016 HDR Students’ Research Training Program at Westmead – “Poster presentations & making the most of conferences”

8 December 2016 Graduation, Great Hall, University of Sydney

(left to right) Sekhar Pillai, Chris Troedson,

Russell Dale & Shekeeb Mohammad at the 14th

International Child Neurology Congress

Lots of HDR activities and events at Westmead ...

DISCIPLINE OF ADOLESCENT & CHILD HEALTH HIGHER DEGREE BY RESEARCH STUDENT NEWSLETTER May 2016 Page 3 of 5

My undergraduate degree was … B.Med.Sci My Masters/PhD project will be researching …. (project, supervisors) The epidemiology of childhood encephalitis in Australia. Supervised by Prof Cheryl Jones and Prof Robert Booy If I had a spare 30 minutes every day, what skill or passion would you like to develop? Read more fiction and theology; play more of my guitar; ride my bike more… no wonder there is no spare 30 minutes. Apart from articles for my Literature Review, I like to read… See above. The best decision I ever made was… To ask my (now) wife for her hand in marriage In which film or TV show would you li ke to be a character? Survivor My favourite sport / hobby is … Cricket in Summer; Rugby in Winter

My biggest extravagance is… Wine The perfect holiday location… Trekking in the Himalayas, closely followed by a week at the beach on the NSW coast (we have the best beaches in the world!) If I could travel back in time, I would love to meet … Jesus of Nazareth At home I cook … Curry The one thing I would never throw out … A photo of myself at 3 years old The perfect job would be … Seeing patients, doing research, teaching, and advocating for the sustained, comprehensive public funding of healthcare, in Australia and the region… Three people I would invite to dinner … Albert Schweitzer, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, St Augustine of Hippo

I often wonder … Why I don’t listen more attentively… My first car… Alfa Romeo, Alfasud My pet(s) … Nil… thank goodness My favourite all time movie/video/tv show Shawshank Redemption, Jerry Maguire, Braveheart, The Rock (couldn’t choose between…)

THIS MONTH INTRODUCING … Philip Britton

Westmead Research Hub Student Open Day Thursday 4 August, 1 – 5 pm, Westmead Institute for Medical Research There will be tours of the three research institutes (KRI, WIMR, CMRI), as well as research presentations and information booths on the Westmead Research Hub floor of the WIMR building also. AThe program will be circulated soon. There will be opportunities to meet and attract eager and interested PhD, MPhil, Honours and Summer Research Scholarship students to your lab or research group. Supervisors – by mid July please send to Denise your research project summary which will be included in the brochures.

50 word project overview and title

scholarships available for your project

project supervisor contact details You are welcome to discuss the organisation of the Westmead Student Open Day with Nick, Fabienne, and Denise from the Discipline’s Postgraduate Team.

T +61 2 9845 3435 E schn-usydpaeds-postgraduate@health.nsw.gov.au More details to follow soon.

Higher Degree by Research Administration Centre (HDRAC) … online forms The HDRAC has responsibility for the administration (from enrolment to award) of the university’s PhD and MPhil students. Intention to submit forms, Progress Plans, PRSS, Candidature variation forms (including extension requests, change to PhD, changing part/full time, supervisory changes etc) are available through students’ MyUni - Sydney Student. For supervisors, the Appointment of examiners’ form and examiners’ Conflict of Interest form are issued by HDRAC. See the HDRAC website for information on thesis preparation, submission and examination. http://sydney.edu.au/research_support/students/index.shtml hdrac.4@sydney.edu.au

COMPETITIONS FOR BEST RESEARCH PAPER BY A HDR STUDENT The Discipline of Child & Adolescent Health’s competition for the best research paper by a higher research degree candidate of the Discipline which has been published in a peer-reviewed journal between 1 January 2015 – 30 June 2016 is open. The award will be a prize of $150 and will be presented in conjunction with the Discipline’s Postgraduate Student Conference in August 2016. Applications close on 30 June 2016, 5.00pm. Students have been emailed the guidelines and application form. Enquiries to schn-usydpaeds-postgraduate@health.nsw.gov.au The Dean’s Publication Prize The Dean of the Sydney Medical School awards a prize to the student who published the best research paper in a peer-reviewed journal the previous year. Applications close Friday 27 May 2016. Guidelines & application form http://sydney.edu.au/medicine/research/support/internal-funding.php

This month introducing … MOHAMED TASHANI My undergraduate degree was: MBBCH My PhD project will be researching: Conjugate vaccines interactions

If I had a spare 30 minutes every day, what skill or passion would you like to develop? Film criticism

Apart from articles for my Literature Review, I like to read: History Books….and articles for my Literature Review!

The best decision I ever made was: Choosing my wife….(and deciding to show her this answer)

In which film would you like to be a character? Omar Mukhtar in “The Lion of the Desert”, Hamza in “The

Message” and Mufasa in “The Lion King”

My favourite sport: Watching movies (Yes, according to my Encyclopaedia, that is a sport)

My biggest extravagance is: Purchasing ebay’s electronic devices

The perfect holiday location: The holly city of Mecca (and Medinah)

If I could travel back in time, I would love to meet: Avicenna (or the Editor, who rejected my paper, when he was 5-year-

old, I’m gonna have a private little chat with him )

At home I cook: Nuthin’ ! (Unless you consider opening a Tuna can to be cooking)

The one thing I would never throw out: My daughter (or my wife, whichever does not have a life insurance

The perfect job would be: …Librarian at the holly city of Mecca

Three people I would invite to dinner: …. Someone who is rich enough to pay for the dinner, someone who is poor

enough to enjoy the dinner, Quentin Tarantino, Guy Ritchie and Christopher Nolan (more than three? The 1st guy will take care of the bill)

I often wonder: ….Will this Thesis ever end ?

My first car:….Why do you assume I ever had a car ? This hurts my feelings you know

My pet(s) :……I stopped having pets since my dog ruined the interior of my first Lamborghini

You're on a deserted island. What 3 things would you take with you?.... A boat.

My favourite all time movie/video/tv show:…. Forrest Gump/ Monk

Most valuable advice you give to new students……. if you are good at something never do it for free

2016 HIGHER DEGREE BY RESEARCH STUDENTS RESEARCH TRAINING PROGRAM

WESTMEAD RESEARCH HUB PRECINCT Jointly organised by the Postgraduate Teams at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead Clinical School, Sydney Medical School – Westmead, & the Children’s Medical Research Institute

Research Skills Topic Date/Time Registration essential Presenter Venue

Statistics Basic medical stats course including demonstration of SPSS. Five seminars

2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 March,9am-10.30am Naomi.muir@sydney.edu.au Liz Barnes & Karen Byth

Westmead Hospital Education Block

Thesis, paper, and writing skills

How to write a literature review 31 March 2016, 2.30pm - 3.30pm (And repeated in July date TBC)

https://goo.gl/LeMRhq Prof Louise Baur, Associate Dean, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead Clinical School

Westmead Institute Conference Rooms 1 & 2, Level 2 (C.2.20 & C.2.22)

Thesis containing publications The workshop is repeated in the afternoon. Attend once only. Limit of 20 students in each workshop.

6 April 2016, 9am – 11am https://goo.gl/gk3Urg

Dr Marie McInnes, Academic Advisor, The Learning Centre, University of Sydney

Westmead Institute Conference Room 1, Level 2 (C.2.20)

6 April 2016, 1pm-3pm (this is a repeated session)

https://goo.gl/Aqshbt

Writing a scientific paper

7 April 2016, 10am – 11am https://goo.gl/zLZbhO Dr Cameron Webb, Deputy Postgraduate Coordinator, Westmead Clinical School

Westmead Institute Conference Rooms 1 & 2, Level 2 (C.2.20 & C.2.22)

Writing a traditional thesis The workshop is repeated in the afternoon. Attend once only. Limit of 20 students in each workshop.

4 May 2016, 9am - 11am https://goo.gl/DBi2O3 Dr Marie McInnes, Academic Advisor, The Learning Centre, University of Sydney

Westmead Institute Conference Room 1, Level 2 (C.2.20 & C.2.22) 4 May 2016, 1pm – 3pm (this is a

repeated session) https://goo.gl/X3hAp6

Writing skills for postgraduate students 17 May 2016, 11am – 12 noon (And repeated in July date TBC)

https://goo.gl/QaRIEU A/Prof Jennifer Byrne, Head, Children’s Cancer Research Unit, Kids Research Institute, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead

Westmead Institute Conference Rooms 1 & 2, Level 2 (C.2.20 & C.2.22)

Understanding the peer review process – how to get your paper published

29 August 2016, 12 noon - 1.00pm https://goo.gl/YSPcpa Prof Russell Dale, Sub Dean Research, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead Clinical School

Westmead Institute Conference Rooms 1 & 2, Level 2 (C.2.20 & C.2.22)

Qualitative Research Methods and practical tips To be confirmed To be confirmed

Presentation and communication skills

Oral presentation skills & getting ready for 3 Minute Thesis Competition

21 July 2016, 10am – 11am https://goo.gl/rs7SZJ Dr Cameron Webb, Deputy Postgraduate Coordinator, Westmead Clinical School

Westmead Institute Conference Rooms 1 & 2, Level 2 (C.2.20 & C.2.22)

Poster presentations & making the most of conferences

15 September 2016, 2pm – 3pm https://goo.gl/sQH2t8 Dr Cameron Webb, Deputy Postgraduate Coordinator, Westmead Clinical School

Westmead Institute Conference Rooms 1 & 2, Level 2 (C.2.20 & C.2.22)

Library

ENDNOTE

Introduction to EndNote Bring your laptop which MUST have Endnote X7 installed prior to session

26 April 2016, 10am – 11.30am https://goo.gl/JhfzWA

Ms Elaine Tam, Academic Liaison Librarian for the Children’s Hospital at Westmead Clinical School and Mr Lajos Bordas, Faculty Liaison Librarian for the Westmead Clinical School / Dentistry

Westmead Institute Conference Rooms 1 & 2, Level 2 (C.2.20 & C.2.22)

Literature searching Bring your laptop which MUST have Endnote X7 installed prior to

session

12 May 2016, 12.30pm – 2pm https://goo.gl/BhBoHI

Research resources Bring your laptop which MUST have Endnote X7 installed prior to session

31 May 2016, 10am – 11.30am https://goo.gl/JlHq8w

Advanced EndNote Bring your laptop which MUST have Endnote X7 installed prior to session

7 June 2016, 10am – 11.30am https://goo.gl/yHvSCN

Research data management 14 April 2016, 10am – 11am https://goo.gl/sr9LVu Jennifer McLean, Research Data Officer, University Library

Westmead Institute Conference Rooms 1 & 2, Level 2 (C.2.20 & C.2.22)

Social Media Social media skills in medical research 18 August 2016, 10am – 11am https://goo.gl/zAHRnw Dr Cameron Webb, Deputy Postgraduate Coordinator, Westmead Clinical School

Westmead Institute Conference Rooms 1 & 2, Level 2 (C.2.20 & C.2.22)

Candidature Progress Plan & Project Management Skills PART A 25 May 2016, 12.45pm – 2.15pm http://goo.gl/3vsD8I Dr Kerrie Wiley, Research Fellow, Sydney Medical

School

Doreen Dew Lecture Theatre, level 4, Education Centre, CHW Progress Plan & Project Management Skills PART B 1 June 2016, 2pm – 3pm http://goo.gl/6KwYNG

Students are expected to attend the training and will be asked at their Annual Progress Review to clarify any non-attendance. Also offered by the University Learning Centre Workshops Including: working with your supervisor; overview of a thesis; process of getting a journal article published; oral presentation skills; functional grammar for

academic writing; writing in an academic style; writing a critical review; writing a literature review plus workshops for non-English speaking background HDR students and more.

http://sydney.edu.au/stuserv/learning_centre/

Library’s interactive learning tools, video screencasts, elearning, tutorials etc

Topics include writing, citing and referencing; the WriteSite, plagiarism & academic integrity and more. http://www.library.usyd.edu.au/skills/

Individual sessions with the Academic Liaison Librarians

For CHW & CMRI students at CHW 22 March, 10am-2pm; 1 April, 9.30am-12.30pm, 19 April, 10am-2pm. Book a time directly with the Librarian Elaine.tam@sydney.edu.au

For SMS-Westmead students. Book a time directly with the Librarian lajos.bordas@sydney.edu.au

Statisticians For CHW Clinical School students. Book a time directly with Liz Barnes through an outlook invitation SCHN-ResearchStatistics@health.nsw.gov.au

For SMS-Westmead students. Book a time directly with Karen Byth karen.byth@sydney.edu.au

Counselling & Psychological Services workshops, videos and guides

Topics including building relationships; managing stress; mindfulness; perfectionism, time management; managing low mood; postgraduate success; winning attitudes; sidekicks; Monthly Psychological Challenges (each month we will provide you with a brief challenge to improve your well-being) and more.

http://sydney.edu.au/current_students/counselling/workshops/index.shtml

Careers Centre workshops, sessions, events & individual consultations

Specifically for HDR students including resumes, cover letters, interview skills, and more. http://sydney.edu.au/careers/