UQ Health Sciences Corporate Profile

Learn from the best, with the best, to be the best

health sciences

HSF088 CRICOS PROVIDER NUMBER 00025B

cOntactFaculty of Health SciencesPhone + 61 7 3365 5342Email [email protected] www.uq.edu.au/health School of DentistryPhone + 61 7 3365 8071Email [email protected] www.uq.edu.au/dentistry School of Health & Rehabilitation SciencesPhone + 61 7 33654753Email [email protected] www.shrs.uq.edu.au School of Human Movement StudiesPhone + 61 7 3365 6240Email [email protected] www.hms.uq.edu.au

School of MedicinePhone + 61 7 3346 4780Email [email protected] www.som.uq.edu.au School of Nursing and MidwiferyPhone + 61 7 3381 1165Email [email protected] www.nursing-midwifery.uq.edu.au School of PharmacyPhone + 61 7 3346 1900Email [email protected] www.uq.edu.au/pharmacy

School of Population HealthPhone + 61 7 3365 5345Email [email protected] www.sph.uq.edu.au

Health Sciences ResearchPhone + 61 7 3346 4857Email [email protected] www.uq.edu.au/health/research

Health AdvancementPhone + 61 7 3346 5311Email [email protected] Website www.uq.edu.au/health/donate-to-health

welcomeThese are exciting times in health care, as we adapt to an ageing and growing population, the rise in non-communicable and lifestyle diseases, the challenge of prevention, and an explosion in biomedical knowledge and innovation. In Australia, the proportion of Australians working in health care is set to double in coming decades as our health care spend rises from 9 to 19% of GDP. Above all we operate in an increasingly global context in training health professionals, and in the international reach of our research.

The Faculty of Health Sciences stands out in Australia for both its scale and breadth. We train nearly 7000 students in 42 degree courses spread across the major health professions. We take the brightest at entry and produce “clinic ready” professionals trained in an evidence-based environment of teamwork and inter-professional learning. There is a focus on fostering tomorrow’s leaders through PhDs and dual degree programs.

It has been recently estimated that nearly a quarter of mankind’s global productivity has taken place since 2000, and the figure for health and biomedical discovery must be higher. With knowledge and technological advance expected to increase exponentially over the coming decades, the potential for both cure and prevention is immense as we unravel disease processes, and evaluate cutting edge innovations.

Our research takes place in the stimulating environment of The University of Queensland, which has risen to number 2 in the national research rankings, and the Faculty leads the way with the largest grant income of UQ’s faculties and institutes. The challenge ahead will be in translating such discoveries to make real differences to quality of life in the community, both in Australia and beyond.

“The Faculty of Health Sciences

stands out in Australia for both its scale

and breadth.

“These are exciting

times in health care.”

Professor Nicholas fisk executive deaN

faculty Profile• Over 6,000 staff including 2,800 practicing clinicians with

academic appointments• Almost 8000 students (undergraduate and postgraduate)

studying across the widest range of educational offerings in Australia

• 7 schools, including Australia’s largest medical school, conducting education programs and vibrant research agendas in dentistry, health and rehabilitation sciences, human movement studies, medicine, nursing and midwifery, pharmacy and population health

• 7 stand alone research centres, focused on: clinical research, child and adolescent health, drug development, environmental toxicology, military and veterans health, healthy communities and youth substance abuse

• Top national and international accolades for teaching and research

• 10 specialised areas of UQ Medical and Health Science research ranked above world standard (2010 Excellence for Research in Australia (ERA) survey)

• Cardiovascular Medicine & Haematology and Neurosciences research rated well above world standard (2010 ERA survey)

• UQ ranks in the top 50 universities globally for clinical, pre-clinical and health (Times Higher Education QS)

• National Health & Medical Research Council-funded centres of research excellence in cardiovascular and metabolic disease, spinal pain, injury and health, asphasia rehabilitation, primary care and women’s health

• Research grant income – $72 million (2010)• Global engagement through major research and funding

partnerships• More than $300 million invested in new infrastructure

providing state-of-the-art facilities• Strong, long-term, partnerships with health care

providers, including Queensland Health and major public and private hospitals.

www.uq.edu.au/health

About UQIn 2011, UQ was ranked as one of the world’s top 50 leading universities for the seventh year in a row in the QS World University Rankings. UQ was ranked at 48 in the world and was one of seven Australian universities in the top 100. The 2010 Excellence for Research in Australia (ERA) survey ranked 21 fields of UQ research at above or well above world standard.

UQ is one of the three Australian members of the global Universitas 21 alliance. This group aims to enhance the quality of university outcomes through international benchmarking and a joint venture e-learning project with The Thomson Corporation.

UQ is a founding member of the national Group of Eight (Go8), a coalition of leading Australian universities, intensive in research and comprehensive in general and professional education.

Collectively, Group of Eight members account for 70 percent of all research income in Australia’s university system, enrol more than half of all higher degree by research students, hold over 90 percent of US patents for inventions and generate 80 percent of spin-off companies created by Australian universities.

UQ has produced almost 197,000 students since opening in 1911, including 9,000 PhD students. UQ currently has more than 33,000 undergraduate students and more than 12,000 postgraduate students, including over 11,000 international students from more than 134 countries.

www.uq.edu.au

faculty Profile

PromotiNgbetter healthMajor population studies are creating an accurate picture of the burden caused by disease and injury, and helping to plan for a healthier future.

Public HealthPublic health researchers are working with a range of collaborators, including Harvard University, the University of Washington Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, the Gates Foundation and the World Health Organisation, to provide governments and policy makers with the knowledge and tools to better prioritise public health activities.

Impact• leading development of health metrics for key global health

issues and challenges a more accurate global picture of maternal and child health

• a $4 million project aimed at reducing millions of maternal and child deaths that occur globally each year

• a world-first evaluation of the cost effectiveness of health prevention projects in Australia.

Womens HealthWith colleagues at the University of Newcastle, researchers are mapping the health of Australian women in the largest study of its kind ever conducted in Australia.

Impact• a 15-year ongoing study of 40,000 Australian women

continues to provide a valuable national resource on key women’s health issues across the lifespan

• funding of the Centre of Research Excellence in Women’s Health in the 21st century by the NHMRC.

Chronic DiseaseChronic disease researchers are focusing on disease in high risk populations, particularly Indigenous communities.

Impact• better understanding of chronic disease in Indigenous

populations• trialling of prevention and treatment options with the potential

for global application.

Social and Ethical Aspects of Health Social science research is examining cutting edge findings in genetics and neuroscience to provide a better understanding of drug dependence, addiction prevention and treatment strategies.

Impact• research focusing attention on the ethical implications of new

treatments for drug use and addiction• improved understanding of treatment implications.

Military & Veterans’ HealthWith the support of the Australian Departments of Defence (ADF) and Veteran’s Affairs, the Centre for Military and Veteran’s Health is conducting the largest ever national study into the health and wellbeing of serving and ex-serving personnel.

Impact• improved understanding of the health issues in this population to

help inform ADF health policy and improve long-term outcomes.

Cancer RisksBehavioural science and human movement science researchers are focused on the behavioural risk factors for major cancers and how to change behaviour.

Impact• improved measurement of cancer-risk behaviours and

of the environments in which they occur• improved knowledge of the most effective ways to promote

healthy behaviours such as physical activity• developing and trialling innovative ways to change these

behaviours• improved heart health and general well-being.

Healthy CommunitiesThe Healthy Communities Research Centre conducts scientific trials that test ways to improve health and prevent illness.

The Centre is conducting The Ipswich Study, which involves more than 10,000 families in a 10-year study to unravel the complexity between neighbourhoods, health and residents.

Impact• better ways to support healthy lives, especially for less

advantaged groups• improvements to health services and programs• improvements to the social and physical environment• assessment of public policy impacts on community health.

Environmental HealthThe National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology (Entox) is conducting health risk assessments for environmental pollutants and natural toxins. Entox research seeks to understand the source, fate and health effects of these toxins in the environment. Entox is a joint venture of UQ and the Queensland Department of Health.

Impact• knowledge on the sources, fate, exposure, and effects

of environmental contaminants and natural toxins• development and application of improved tools and

methodologies for assessing and minimising risk • influencing changes to government policy, regulations

and manufacturing processes.

Oral HealthDental researchers are focused on treatment and prevention of dental caries in childhood. Longitudinal studies of children from birth to over five years of age are underway to examine the effects of various preventive strategies.

Impact• more effective strategies for prevention of dental caries

in children• new treatment strategies• better oral health leading to improved general health across

the lifespan.

www.uq.edu.au/health/research-profile

An accurate picture of

disease and injury is helping

achieve a healthier

future.

PromotiNgbetter health

PrePariNg theNext geNeratioNTeaching excellence, modern facilities and an international perspective are preparing future clinicians and researchers to have an impact, locally and globally.

Strong partnerships with the health sector and the Faculty’s own new health care delivery initiatives enable essential clinical training for students across 14 disciplines.

A wide range of health education programs enable students to experience enriching interprofessional activities, helping prepare them to work in an effective health care team.

Students also benefit from a commitment to education research and a continuing focus on development of innovative, outcome-driven teaching methods.

International collaborations are offering additional learning experiences and helping prepare students for global careers.

An era of major development at UQ, has seen the creation of state-of-the-art learning and research facilities. While early career researchers are nurtured and rewarded with a range of internal awards, scholarships and grants.

To help meet the ongoing education needs of health professionals, the Faculty is developing continuing professional education products via a flexible online platform.

Outcomes• Faculty educators have received prestigious national teaching

awards for five consecutive years, contributing to UQ’s title as the most awarded university for teaching in Australia

• UQ introduced and continues to host a national teamwork challenge event for students

• All first year health students (around 1500) are introduced to the concept of interprofessional practice

• Education research projects focus on improving learning and developing more effective assessment tools

• More than 2,000 students studying 14 disciplines undertake clinical training at more than 1,000 sites throughout Queensland

• Hospital-based clinical teaching hubs have been established at key locations, including Greenslopes Private Hospital (Australia’s largest teaching facility in a private hospital), featuring teaching areas, such as mock wards and simulation units, modern library facilities, and specially designed student meeting areas

• UQ clinical schools established with partners in Brunei and New Orleans (USA) offer medical students the opportunity to do some of their training overseas.

• Major new developments include:

° Pharmacy Australia Centre of Excellence (PACE): a $120 million facility, where pharmacy students learn and conduct research in a purpose-built pharmaceutical precinct, co-located with health care and industry partners and adjacent to the Princess Alexandra Hospital

° Advanced Primary Care Clinical Research (UQCCR): located within the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital campus, UQCCR is enabling bench to bedside research lead by top researchers

° Two GP Super Clinics: are operating at Ipswich and Annerley, with plans for a third clinic at Logan. The clinics are operated by UQ Health Care, a not-for-profit entity created for the purpose. They will provide student clinical training, including interprofessional experience and opportunities to research new health care delivery models

° Oral Health Centre: located at UQ Herston and due for completion in 2012, this facility will feature state-of-the-art clinics and expanded learning and research opportunities for dental and oral health students

° Refurbishment of the Health Sciences Building: located in the heart of one of Australia’s largest tertiary hospitals. The building offers education facilities for students from a range of health disciplines and includes state-of-the-art teaching rooms, mock hospital wards and clinical bedside coaching rooms

° Integrated Pathology Learning Centre: a $1.5m learning facility featuring more than 2,500 human specimens.

www.uq.edu.au/health/research-profile

Strong partnerships

and an international perspective are nurturing high impact health

professionals.

discoveryGroundbreaking basic research is opening doors to medical breakthroughs, particularly in the battle against cancer.

Genetic DiseaseFetal medicine research is shedding light on the role of fetal mesenchymal stem cells in tissue repair. Researchers are examining the potential for stem cell transplantation to treat a range of hereditary, acquired and degenerative diseases, including debilitating early onset genetic diseases.

Impact• plugging a gap in our medical armour through the use of

stem cells to repair bone injury and disease, in both children and adults.

Breast CancerBreast Cancer researchers are part of a global push to better define molecularly distinct groups of breast cancers. Our researchers are combining cutting edge molecular technologies with traditional pathological assessment to deepen our understanding of breast cancer development.

Impact• to improve outcomes for breast cancer patients through

better prognostic and predictive markers• discovery of new therapies• better knowledge of tumours and their spread.

Researchers are working to identify new drug targets for the most life-threatening forms of breast cancer. With colleagues from Johns Hopkins University and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the USA, our researchers are focusing on cellular signalling in disease. They have found that the presence of a protein that moves calcium into a specific area of a cell is higher in many breast cancers. This and other protein transporters could hold the key to new treatments.

Impact• understanding how calcium transporters contribute to breast

cancer is bringing effective treatment for the most deadly breast cancers a step closer.

Prostate CancerProstate research has resulted in a non-invasive early cancer detection method using ejaculate.

Impact• less invasive prostate cancer detection• better quality of life after surgery.

Healing WoundsSkin biology research is improving understanding of disease processes, including exploring the potential of stem cells.

Impact• new prognostic, diagnostic or therapeutic tools that assist

wound healing.

Oral CancerOral cancer research is investigating a range of novel technologies, including optical fluorescence imaging, to enable diagnosis of oral cancer at its earliest stages.

Researchers are also working with cancer stem cells to identify a molecular signature for pre-cancerous conditions that can be used as a diagnostic test.

Impact• earlier detection and a better prognosis

for patients with oral cancer • reduced need for disfiguring surgery.

Chronic DiseaseResearchers are working to reduce the high burden of chronic disease through promotion of physical activity and restoration of energy balance in adult populations, including working adults and older people.

Impact• research showing that weight gain in young adult women is

attributable to factors that affect energy balance (physical activity, sitting time and energy intake) as well as social and behavioural factors

• development of innovative population-based strategies for promoting physical activity (eg 10,000 Steps)

• development of innovative strategies to prevent and manage chronic disease by moving more and sitting less

• demonstration of the individual, psychological and social determinants of physical activity across the lifespan

• demonstration of the links between physical activity and chronic disease in women across the lifespan.

Children’s HealthResearchers are investigating solutions to enhance the care of sick children and adolescents, find new treatments, promote health and prevent illness in areas including nutrition, growth and development, respiratory medicine, infectious diseases, vaccine trials, environmental health, cancer, burns and trauma, cerebral palsy, nursing and telehealth. Impact• improving knowledge on how common childhood diseases

such as ADHD, asthma and obesity could be linked to environmental factors

• development of new treatments and management of respiratory conditions such as Cystic Fibrosis

• provision of tumour tissues to research groups around the world through a Tumour Bank

• establishment of innovative models to study cancer tumours• development of new treatments for children with early and

acquired brain injury• development of novel wound healing treatments for better

burns care• revealing how early nutrition impacts on later health• establishing new links between nutrition and health in

gastroenterology and oncology• improving knowledge of the epidemiology and microbiology of

human pathogens using molecular and conventional laboratory techniques.

www.uq.edu.au/health/research-profile

Strong basic

research is helping plug gaps in our medical

armour.

discovery

High-impact clinical research is delivering earlier and more effective treatments.

Heart DiseaseCardiovascular researchers are working as part of a multidisciplinary team, including human movement studies researchers, to prevent the often deadly effects of metabolic diseases (such as Type 2 Diabetes) on the heart.

Impact• development of sensitive new imaging techniques to detect

preclinical abnormalities, new strategies for exercise and lifestyle intervention to prevent the complications that cause 70% of deaths in people with Type 2 diabetes.

Back PainPhysiotherapy researchers are providing a clearer picture of what treatments are most effective for back pain. These trials are also revealing exactly why the interventions work and helping practitioners choose the most effective option for each patient.

Impact• over the past 14 years, UQ spinal research discoveries have

shaped more effective treatment of spinal pain internationally.

Super BugsInfectious disease researchers are on the frontline of the battle against antibiotic-resistant superbugs resistant to all antibiotics and current treatments.

Impact• study of the molecular and clinical epidemiology of superbugs

is working towards effective treatment.

Mothers and BabiesPerinatal research is working to achieve the best possible health outcomes for mothers and babies. Studies focus on the links between pregnancy, the fetal and newborn period and lifelong health.

Impact• improved health outcomes for mothers and babies affected by

pregnancy disorders, fetal growth restriction and brain injury.

Brain DisordersNeurology research is pushing the boundaries of our knowledge of the brain, using deep brain stimulation to treat a growing range of neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, depression, Tourette’s syndrome, epilepsy, dystonia, phantom pain, gait disorders and Alzheimer’s disease.

Impact• deep brain stimulation is achieving life-changing outcomes

for patients with a range of neurological disorders, including treatment-resistant depression.

New diagNosis aNdtreatmeNt methods

Speech DisordersSpeech pathology researchers are boosting our knowledge of how the brain processes language. This work has major implications for the treatment of damage to these processing centres (aphasia) which is often caused by stroke or injury.

Impact• improving the quality of life for people with aphasia and their

families by delivering new treatments, leading to less social isolation and better quality of life.

Kidney diseaseResearch into kidney disease is being conducted to improve detection, reduce the incidence, and provide better treatments. Researchers work in close partnership with the renal community, public health agencies, and other professional associations to reduce the social and financial burden of kidney disease.

Impact• better patient care through early diagnosis of at-risk

populations, improved dialysis and patient management, better patient education, and discovery and trialling of new and improved treatments

• with industry, development of biomarkers for early detection of kidney disease

• among the first to demonstrate the benefit of recombinant human erythropoietin in repair and regeneration of the kidney.

Lung HealthResearchers in partnership with The Prince Charles Hospital are working to improve lung health, with a particular focus on chronic lung diseases, including lung cancer, airway diseases (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma), lung transplantation, pulmonary vascular disease, chronic suppurative lung disease, sleep medicine and pulmonary infection. Impact• understanding genomic alterations in lung cancer and how

these can affect treatment• new drug therapy for mesothelioma, an asbestos-related cancer• new treatments for asthma• preventing organ rejection in lung transplantation• improved treatment of chronic lung infections• better treatment approaches for obstructive sleep apnoea.

Injury & RehabilitationResearchers work closely with industry partners to improve the health, psychological, social, economic, and vocational outcomes for people with disabilities, with a particular focus on major trauma management, post-injury rehabilitation and disability management following road traffic crashes. Impact • improvements in trauma care by providing analysis of

statewide trauma management• improving early assessment and rehabilitation strategies• supports effective and cost efficient treatments, strategies and

systems through health economics and health systems analysis• improving understanding of the psychological aspects of

injury and rehabilitation.

www.uq.edu.au/health/research-profile

Taking research from the bench to the

bedside is delivering breakthrough

patient treatments.

New diagNosis aNdtreatmeNt methods

UQ is developing new, more effective models of health care delivery and leading changes to health policy.

Health Care Delivery UQ Health Care, a not-for-profit organisation operated by The University, has opened two advanced primary health care centres (GP Super Clinics) in South East Queensland, providing:• multidisciplinary health care• a team approach to patient care• patient-centred care• a focus on patients with complex and chronic health issues • research into new models of care.

Impact• better patient care• enhanced local management of complex diseases• student training• development of innovative, best practice models of care.

Online HealthThe Centre for Online Health is a world leader in telemedicine, delivering more than 11,000 telepaediatric consultations over the past 10 years. Through the delivery of consultations (including in adult and aged care) the Centre researches and develops new online models of health care, with an emphasis on clinical care and cost-effectiveness.

Impact• delivery of a useful and sustainable service for patients and

clinicians• development of best practice models in online health care

that are applicable internationally.

Dental CareDevelopment of a $120 million Oral Health Centre will help improve dental and general health, as well as boosting dental research.

Impact• better access to affordable dental services, with the Centre’s

clinic expected to treat 17,000 dental and oral cancer patients each year

• a boost to research, new treatment options and specialised patient services in areas, such as oral cancer

• education of more dentists to help with a national shortage.

Health WorkforceHealth services research and leadership is promoting innovation in health workforce and highlighting new ways of delivering health to an increasingly needy community.

Impact• improved understanding of health workforce issues• promotion of informed debate on health workforce planning

by provision of high quality research.

imProviNghealth care

The Nurses and Midwives e-Cohort Study, is the first study of its kind, is examining recruitment and retention issues, using innovative e-cohort techniques.

Impact• improved recruitment and retention of nurses and midwives• better understanding of work/life balance issues• better understanding of more effective injury prevention

strategies• insight into the use of e-cohort techniques for longitudinal

epidemiological studies• comprehensive database of current employment patterns

of nurses and midwives• data to be archived with the Australian Social Science Data

Archive http://assda.anu.edu.au/links.html

Addiction TreatmentSocial science researchers focus on the ethical implications of new treatments for drug use and addiction that are emerging from cutting edge genetics and neuroscience.

Impact• providing communities and policy makers with an

understanding of the implications of new treatments arising from these discoveries.

www.uq.edu.au/health/research-profile

New models of care and

delivery are being explored to

meet the needs of a changing health landscape.

imProviNghealth care

our global health Network & disciPliNesFaculty of Health Sciences researchers are working across a wide range of disciplines as part of powerful collaborations with partners around the globe.

occupational therapy

health services managementhealth sciences

pharmacy

indigenous health

physical education

medicine

public healthspeech pathology

nursingnutrition

sports development

oral health

population health

sports coaching

veterans healthsurgery

sports medicine

physiotherapy

midwiferymilitary health

mental health

dentistry

exercise physiology

clinical exercise physiology

epidemiology

health promotion

e-healthcare

audiology

dietetics

ergonomics

exercise science

drug development

“You don’t need to be a brilliant researcher

or wizard teacher to be a catalyst for change &

progress at UQ”PROFESSOR PAUL GREENFIELD,

AO, VICE-CHANCELLOR, THE UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND,

2008 - 2012.

Since humble beginnings in 1911 UQ has cultivated a philanthropic tradition based on the generosity and big hearts of countless people dedicated to fostering a legacy of learning and research, for future generations.

Health Sciences at UQ is proud to partner with philanthropists who share donations large and small that have a real impact on the health and wellbeing of our global community – one person at a time. Donors to health and medical research at UQ are integral to solving the big health issues that touch us all. These generous donations received from our supporters have been the catalyst for exciting cutting edge developments of global significance such as:

• The Leukaemia Foundation of Queensland supports leukaemia research that has resulted in a therapy now undergoing human clinical trials

• An anonymous corporate donor is supporting world-leading treatment for Parkinson’s Disease using deep brain stimulation

• The Graeme Wood Foundation is funding a research centre developing effective prevention programs and treatments for young people who suffer harm through alcohol and drug substance abuse

• An anonymous family foundation is supporting breakthrough cerebral palsy therapies

• An anonymous donor is supporting research to improve outcomes for patients with melanoma and other skin cancers in Queensland.

Without the support of donors – whether it be $10 or $10M – this critical research would not be possible. Please become a catalyst for change by supporting health and medical research at UQ.

Invest today to improve global health outcomes tomorrow.

Contact us at: Email [email protected] or +61 7 3346 5311

become a catalyst for chaNge

Learn from the best, with the best, to be the best

health sciences

HSF088 CRICOS PROVIDER NUMBER 00025B

cOntactFaculty of Health SciencesPhone + 61 7 3365 5342Email [email protected] www.uq.edu.au/health School of DentistryPhone + 61 7 3365 8071Email [email protected] www.uq.edu.au/dentistry School of Health & Rehabilitation SciencesPhone + 61 7 33654753Email [email protected] www.shrs.uq.edu.au School of Human Movement StudiesPhone + 61 7 3365 6240Email [email protected] www.hms.uq.edu.au

School of MedicinePhone + 61 7 3346 4780Email [email protected] www.som.uq.edu.au School of Nursing and MidwiferyPhone + 61 7 3381 1165Email [email protected] www.nursing-midwifery.uq.edu.au School of PharmacyPhone + 61 7 3346 1900Email [email protected] www.uq.edu.au/pharmacy

School of Population HealthPhone + 61 7 3365 5345Email [email protected] www.sph.uq.edu.au

Health Sciences ResearchPhone + 61 7 3346 4857Email [email protected] www.uq.edu.au/health/research

Health AdvancementPhone + 61 7 3346 5311Email [email protected] Website www.uq.edu.au/health/donate-to-health