Ascept

In this issue:

President's note
Travel Grant Applications to WorldPharma or IUTOX
ASCEPT Annual Scientific Meeting 2010
Mentoring
Clinical Special Interest Group news
The Prime Ministers Prizes for Science
News from other organisations
Forthcoming Conferences
 

March 2010 E-Newsletter

of the Australasian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists

Welcome to the March ASCEPT eNewsletter.

If any would like to contribute any items to the eNews, please send it along to Roselyn Rose'Meyer for consideration.

Roselyn Rose'Meyer
ASCEPT Newsletter Editor

President's Report

I wanted to share with members how gratified I have been since taking on this role as a range of requests have been made on members time to contribute in various ways to progressing the Society. Some tasks were particularly onerous, so it has been just great how regularly members have willingly volunteered to contribute, or responded with "a pleasure to help" or "no worries" etc.  That has been a particularly positive experience and I am extremely grateful to all these members who have taken on these tasks.

In this eNews you will see the call for applications for travel awards to WorldPharma and IUTOX, both congresses in July. Please check the eligibility criteria, deadlines and application process on the ASCEPT web-site and bring this to the attention of those around you.

Your elected Council met by teleconference on 16 Feb. Among the many issues discussed was the ASM in Melbourne at The Sebel, Albert Park, from 28 Nov to 1 Dec, so please get those dates in your diaries. Invitations have been sent to both the British Pharmacological Society (BPS) and British Toxicological Society (BTS) to nominate key-note speakers for this ASM.  Council will meet again on 31 March to focus on the implementation of the 5-year Strategic Plan approved at the AGM in Dec 2009.

A teleconference has also been held with the physiology society (AuPS) and High Blood Pressure Research Council (HBPRCA) and have agreed to hold a joint meeting next year, 4-7 Dec 2011, at the Perth Convention Centre. The AuPS program will be fully integrated with ASCEPT, and HBPRCA share a common day, with the remainder of their own program continuing after our conference. So this will provide opportunities for greater interaction between our respective bodies.

Following the recent general email to all members advising that Meetings First have resigned, I hope to be able to advise of a new ASCEPT secretariat services provider in coming weeks, and propose to make another general announcement by email to all members when this is available. So please watch out for this announcement and transition arrangements.

Our letter to the Pathology Associations Council has been accepted, making ASCEPT a key member with other associations and societies that influence pathology directions in Australia. We would hope to promote our pharmacology/toxicology skills through this vehicle to implement better clinical services and practices.

Fran Hagon, our public relations resource person who delivered such significant media contact at the ASM in Dec, has agreed to also take on a Partnerships Strategy that is aimed at securing greater stability in sponsorships for ASCEPT activities, esp. the ASM. Several members kindly offered their services to assist with sponsorship during the membership survey last year, THANK YOU. I am sure Fran would welcome more volunteers with this initiative (fhagon@gmail.com).

ASCEPT is sending 2 delegates to 'Science Meets Parliament' in Canberra, these being Dr Rebecca Haddock and Dr Justin Hamilton. I trust that you both get the most out of this experience.

I thought I would also share a Who's Who on Council and some of the responsibilities:

President: Ray Morris
Past-President: Kathie Knights
Secretary: Peter Molenaar
Treasurer: Sab Ventura
New Zealand Forum: Evan Begg

Membership Secretary: Greg Monteith

Career Development: Barbara Kemp-Harper        

Link ASM 2010/Finance Committee: Peter McIntyre

Scientific Advisory Committee: Carl Kirkpatrick

Clinical advice/support, etc: Matt Doogue

Website: Roselyn Rose'Meyer

eNews Editor: Roselyn Rose'Meyer

Finally, ASCEPT have recently been included in the Pathology Associations Council (PAC) [ http://www.pathology.med.pro/PAC.html]. We can nominate 2 members for PAC meetings. Exec considered that a scientist and a clinician would best reflect our interests in this field.

Hence nominations are invited for these positions from members. Please include:

• whether scientist or clinician
• relevant background in the pathology arena that you would bring to this role
• previous experience in such decision making bodies
• any other relevant information

Applications should be received by the secretariat by close of business on 19 March, 2010. 

Travel grant applications

WorldPharma or IUTOX

Applications are called for PhD's and post-doctoral members presenting at WorldPharma or IUTOX 2010.

Please see (http://www.ascept.org/Members/Awardsprizes/TravelGrant.aspx) for the application form and eligibility criteria. Please note that the application closing date this year has been set at 31 March, 2010. Applications received after that date will not be considered.

The amount of funding offered will be determined within the Budget approved at the 2009 AGM and the number of successful applicants. In the event that there is an ASCEPT Secretariat change before March 31, 2010, a general email will be distributed to all members to advise of the new submission address. So please look out for such advise. 

ASCEPT Scientific Meeting 2010

Mark this in your diaries now!

28 Nov - 1 Dec 2010
The Sebel & Citigate Albert Park, Melbourne

Further information coming soon!

Mentoring

A report on the ASCEPT Mentoring Program was recently submitted to council.  Council consider this program to be an important initiative for the development of Pharmacologists.  The program was well received by mentees and mentors who participated last year as indicated by the following quotes. 

Mentees:

• "I think the ASCEPT mentoring program was very worthwhile. After meeting with my mentor a few times, I was able to go away and really think about where I was with my research and plan ahead so my goals could be reached" 
• "This was the start of a very successful program. Every month my mentor and I caught up on the phone and will continue to do so after the program. It was terrific to have someone else outside my lab to talk to and get advice from. ...I really feel that my mentor has been fantastic and I am extremely grateful for the time, support and guidance which she has given me."
• "I got an experienced mentor. I got his advice on some of my experimental problems as well as future planning. He was very supportive and encouraging. This mentoring program provided a platform for a budding scientist like me to interact with an experienced scientist and get benefits from his experience."
• The benefits of this program are that you really have an informal meeting without the pressure of feeling judged by your superiors and speak frankly about your thoughts. In addition having a suitable mentor can really give you that extra support and drive needed to complete your aims."

Mentors:

• "The program ran well and early-mid career researchers/educators would also benefit enormously from mentorship via a similar system."
• "Both myself and my mentee have enjoyed the program. It has been quite rewarding having someone feel that my experiences are helpful."
• "The program is extremely valuable and has worked effectively. It provides students with the opporunity to discuss progress, career options, problems etc with someone who is not directly involved in their research studies and thus can provide an objective opinion."
• "The program is of benefit to both mentors and mentees. ...Mentors are provided with a feeling of satisfaction when watching the development and progress of their mentee and the process also helps mentors to recognise some of the issues their own students may be experiencing."
• "My mentee has gained more confidence and feels motivated to persevere when the odds felt like they were stacked against her. .. I am very proud of the progress my mentee has made this year."
• "I think the program is fine as it is flexible and accessible for all parties. It enables everyone to get from it what they want or need, no more no less."
• "It provided the mentee with the opportunity to access the thoughts and advice of an independent senior scientist without any embarrassment of having to negotiate awkward relationships around that of her supervisor."

If you have yet to be involved in this Mentoring Program as a Mentor or Mentee, stay tuned, there will be another opportunity to do so later this year. If you know anyone who might benefit from this scheme, encourage them to apply.

Clinical Special Interest news 

The ASCEPT Clinical Weekend

The inaugural ASCEPT clinical weekend will be held on the 8 & 9th May 2010. 

Venue: St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney. The sessions will run all day Saturday and Sunday morning to allow those who need to travel home to meet those commitments.

The Clinical Weekend is a professional development weekend for practitioners in Clinical Pharmacology pitched at physician specialist trainee level and open to all ASCEPT members.  The 2010 meeting will focus on pharmacokinetics with didactic and interactive sessions.   Discussion is encouraged.

Attendees are strongly encouraged to consider questions for a clinical Q & A session.

Further details of the program, exact times, and the location of the venue will be posted on the ASCEPT Clinical SIG forum and the ASCEPT web site. 

Cost for ASCEPT members will be $200.

TGA Expression of Interest in 2 new positions on Therapeutic Goods Committee

Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) are seeking expressions of interest for 2 new positions on their Therapeutic Goods Committee. These postions are best suited to members with a pharmacy background. Members interested in further information should contact Ray Morris (ray.morris@health.sa.gov.au).

Nomination for NPS Director

ASCEPT have been asked to nominate a senior medical member for a National Prescribing Service Directorship position. Applicants are currently under consideration and the successful person will be forwarded to NPS for further consideration. 

The Prime Minister's Prizes for Science

Nominations for 2010 now open. Closing date: May 21, 2010 AEST 5.00pm

The Australian Government awards five prizes annually for outstanding scientific achievements and excellence in science teaching. These awards are the most prestigious and significant of their kind in Australia. Each award comprises a solid embossed gold/silver engraved medallion, with matching lapel pins, and tax-exempt cash components totalling A$500,000. 

• The Prime Minister's Prize for Science;
• The Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year;
• The Science Minister's Prize for Life Scientist of the Year;
• The Prime Minister's Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools; and
• The Prime Minister's Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools

Nominations are now invited for these awards, which are offered to Australian citizens or those who hold permanent residence status in Australia.  Nominations must be made by nominators who are personally knowledgeable of the nominated achievements and who can offer expert opinions on its worth. Self nominations will not be considered.

Online Nominations: www.innovation.gov.au/scienceprizes

Enquiries or Expression of Interest: pmprize@innovation.gov.au 

News from other Organisations

NPS

Members update (March)

Risk Assessment Summer School (IUTOX) September 4-12, 2010

IUTOX has announced a Risk Assessment Summer School (RASS XIV) September 4-12, 2010 to be held in Germany. RASS is specialised training and educational activity which emphasizes learning rather than teaching. The objectives are to offer young toxicologists unique opportunites to broaden their knowledge and experience in the field of chemical risk assessment and to better understand the data evaluation process. For further information, please contact the secretariat at: malmfors.consulting@ebox.tninet.se

Forthcoming Conferences

20th Neuropharmacology Conference to be held in association with NC-IUPHAR

High Resolution Neuropharmacology

November 10-12, 2010, San Diego, USA
Call for abstracts - CLOSING DATE JUNE 9, 2010

For more details please click on the following link www.neuropharmacology-conference.elsevier.com   

Roselyn Rose'Meyer
ASCEPT Newsletter Editor