Monash shines at nation’s most prestigious public science event
Monash University’sBiomedicine Discovery Institute(BDI) featured at the inaugural Biomedical Innovation Showcase, held as part of this year’s Graeme Clark Oration.
Australia’s most prestigious free public science event, the Oration was staged last week by the Convergence Science Network (CSN) at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Monash BDI is a CSN member and proud sponsor of the Oration.
Around 2000 people heard Nobel Laureate Dr Harold Varmus speak of his journey of discovery in cancer research and the evolution of the field over the decades. Dr Varmus shared a Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 1989 for his work exposing the genes that cause cancer, which originated in viruses.
The inaugural Biomedical Innovation Showcase preceded the Oration. The BDI stand, one of 17, provided a hands-on opportunity for secondary school students and the public to experience activities and ask questions about the Institute’s research programs. Natalie Seng (Student Engagement Manager) provided information about the BDI’s courses, and careers in biomedicine.
Monash BDI Research Program Facilitator, Dr Claudia Del Campo, coordinated the Institute’s display. Dr Del Campo said, “We are partnering with the Convergence Science Network to bring our research to the public, to inform the community about the health issues we are trying to solve and how our collaborations make our research stronger.”
“We want to open our doors to the community, the public funds most of our research so they should be involved and know what we’re doing and where we’re heading next,” she said.
The Institute’s interactive display included:
- A ‘Spirometer’- a device that measures how you breathe and simulates how it feels to have asthma
- Molecular video animations and holograms showing areas of research and the technologies scientists have access to
- Online neuroscience simulations that test how brain cells respond to various stimuli and how senses, such as hearing, change as you age.
CSN Director Luan Ismahil said the inaugural biomedical showcase was a great success and that attendees mentioned the Monash BDI stand as one of the most popular.
Also on the stand were Ms Bianca Chan (Research and Engagement Team), Dr Amanda Davies and Dr Kirsty Raymond (Biomedical Education Team), and Dr Mar Quiroga (Online Teaching Programs Officer).
This was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the Monash BDI at a public event off campus. Hopefully it will be the first of many more to come.