e-Newsletter
July 2014: Issue 2
Without change there is no innovation creativity, or iUPPORTER ncentive for improvement.
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A news bulletin for the supporters of the University’s Research Trust
Students for Research 10 students from the Faculties of Engineering, ICT and Sciences have launched the UoM Caution Money Scheme by donating their laboratory deposits for research.
In a bid to continue fostering student interest and involvement in research, RIDT in collaboration with KSU, set up a scheme which will be facilitating the voluntary donation of student laboratory deposits for research within their respective faculties.The idea underlying Research, Innovation & Development Trust
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this initiative is pretty simple; students are starting to realise the critical importance of funding research, and through this scheme we are creating a channel whereby interested students can do so easily. This scheme is targeted towards final year students from the Faculties of Engineering, ICT and Sciences. Kickingoff this initiative, 10 students from these three faculties pledged to donate their caution money towards research in order to set an example for their peers to follow.This symbolic gesture was done during the annual KSU event, Kokka Night, during which various awards are given to exemplary students and organisations at University. Malcolm Zammit, one of the students who started the scheme, told us how he
feels indebted towards the University for the high quality education he got, and that this donation is only a small gesture which will hopefully be taken up by many others like him. “All throughout the past years at University I have personally gained a lot.We have absorbed invaluable academia, forged new friendships and learnt dozens of life lessons.The University gave us so much, and I feel that donating a really small amount of money towards further research in my Faculty is only a small step in securing a better future for the next generations. More information on how every final year student from these faculties can participate in the UoM Caution Money Scheme will be published very shortly through the RIDT Facebook page, website and University news. 1
Fighting Cancer
Message from with the
CEO
We started June with a successful fund raising concert in aid of the breast cancer research programme and breast cancer awareness, at the Manoel Theatre with the participation of soprano Lydia Caruana and pianists Dominic Galea, Yvette Galea and with a guest appearance of well-known heart surgeon Alex Manche, also on the piano. The concert was a success thanks to the talented performers, and thanks to all the RIDT supporters who packed the theatre on the 7th of June. During the same time, we were saddened by the passing away of Mr Uwe Malezki, CEO of the Malta Freeport Terminals Ltd, and a supporter of the RIDT. Mr Malezki was instrumental in the 5-year collaboration agreement reached between the University and the Freeport, through the RIDT. Our sincere condolences go to his family and his loved ones. Our drive will continue throughout the summer, while we will be launching new donation schemes and fund raising initiatives by autumn. In the meantime we have continued to receive donations from individuals and organisations including Europa Donna who have donated €1,000 towards breast cancer research, for which we profoundly thank them. You too can make your donation of whatever amount you can afford towards our cause by making use of our online donation facility found on our website (www.ridt.eu). You can also send a cheque to RIDT, Valletta Campus, St. Paul’s Street, Valletta VLT1216. Thank you for your continuing support. Wilfred Kenely
Chief Executive Officer 2
Music
Renowned soprano Lydia Caruana entertained a jam-packed theatre, in aid of breast cancer research and awareness.The sell-out event was organised by RIDT and the Action for Breast Cancer Foundation on Saturday 7th June at the Manoel Theatre in Valletta. Those present enjoyed a varied repertoire by one of Malta’s finest sopranos Lydia Caruana. Her voice echoed throughout the Theatre, as much as Helen Muscat’s memory echoed through the crowd’s minds as they all gathered to celebrate ‘A Night for Life’. The concert was in fact organised in memory of the late Helen Muscat, a champion in breast cancer awareness and promotion. One of her last feats was last year’s €55,000 donation towards breast cancer research through the ALIVE Foundation, which was the first instance of community funding for research in Malta.
RIDT Annual Report 2013 The RIDT has just published its Annual Report for the calendar year 2013. The report showcases the University Research Trust’s work and achievements from the past twelve months, while also highlighting the direction in which RIDT shall be going in the upcoming months and years. Click here to flip through the RIDT Annual Report.
FM ame Lab 201 4 ’ N F S alta s
ew
ace of
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Maria Stella Portelli was this year’s winner of the 2014 FameLab competition. Organised by the British Council, the national finals of the competition were held on Thursday 16th May 2014, at the University of Malta Valletta Campus, where 9 finalists competed to become the face of local science communication.The RIDT was, for the second consecutive year, a supporter of this initiative. Ms. Portelli presented her take on how society needs to change the perception surrounding research professions and how we need to become better communicators in the field of science and technology. She represented Malta in the 2014 International FameLab finals held during the Cheltenham Science Festival in the UK. Research, Innovation & Development Trust
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Riding Through Europe with a Cause
The ALIVE Foundation has been closely collaborating with RIDT for the past months in order to raise funds and awareness of breast cancer research at the Unveristy of Malta.This is following the successful collaboration initiated last year, whereby ALIVE, through the Action for Breast Cancer Foundation, donated €55,000 to the University Research Trust (RIDT).
Last year’s breakthrough donation went on to fund a specialised PhD programme in breast cancer. Mr. Shawn Baldacchino is the student that has been selected to follow this three-year programme, which will help to unravel further unknowns in the field of breast cancer. This year’s edition of the ALIVE Challenge will see the cyclists travel through Europe, starting from Prague and making their way down to Belgrade, through various other cities such as Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest.The cyclists are currently going through intensive training, and recently, during one of their routine Sunday sessions, they visited the University laboratories to meet up with the researchers whom they are funding through their challenge.
Several personal experiences with cancer accompanied by the excitement of being at the forefront of discovering new methods to alleviate people’s pains drove me to pursue my career in research. Advances in technologies, have given the research community the opportunity to further the understanding of the causative defects associated with cancer types. I have been awarded a PhD Studentship through RIDT and the Action for Breast Cancer Foundation (ABCF), part of a sum raised by ALIVE Charity Foundation.This studentship will be crucial to support my full time studies aiming to utilize Breast Cancer patients in the Maltese cohort, and to strengthen an international collaboration with the University of Leeds. It will allow me to attend conferences and present our work and learn about Mr. Shawn new research possibilities. Baldacchino The PhD project is part of a research program PhD Scholarship Beneficiary under the principle investigation of Dr Godfrey Grech (Department of Pathology) and Professor Christian Scerri (Department of Physiology and Biochemistry) focusing on unraveling knowledge that will define measurable molecules that allow Research, Innovation & Development Trust
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A fundraising send-off dinner is also being organised just before the cyclists embark on their journey through Europe.This event, will be held on Sunday 6th July 2014 at 8.30pm at the Hilton Hotel, St. Julians.Tickets are at €30 and can be obtained from the ALIVE Foundation. Needless to say, all proceeds from this event will be devolved towards breast cancer research. Please visit www.alivecharity.com to donate online and for more details on the ALIVE Challenge 2014.
Testimonial
In less than a month, over 40 cyclists will head off to Prague in a bid to ride over 1000km in aid of breast cancer research.The ALIVE Challenge 2014 kicks off on July 9, and is once again aiming to raise tens of thousands for University research.
classification of breast cancer patients. Research using cellular models shall assess the efficacy of a novel therapy that is directed specifically to the malignant cells.The funds for my project are provided by the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery. In addition, the facilities available at the Pathology Laboratories of Mater Day, the laboratories at the Department of Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics, and the Department of Anatomy at the University of Malta, are indispensable to perform experiments. More importantly, the professional experience and technical assistance of the Consultants, Professors and scientists at these laboratories, is invaluable. Research would be unattainable without the patients who give their consent despite their hardships and hospital doctors and staff that provide their support.
As I am honoured to be awarded this scholarship, I look forward to working hard and doing my best to succeed in one of our battles against cancer.This is really encouraging for the future of Medical field research and I hope that someday we will exploit our full potential in research through adequate financial support and multidisciplinary teamwork.
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Science
in the
coming again to
C ity V alletta
Science and art will transform Valletta’s streets for another two years after the successful winning of a Horizon 2020 EU bid by a University consortium led by the University Research Trust (RIDT) and the Malta Chamber of Scientists. As part of “European Researchers’ Night” on Friday the 26th September dances, comedy, shows, debates, and experiments run by researchers and students will educate and entertain the public at large. Last year, at least 100 University of Malta personnel dedicated countless hours to showcase the best talent our University has to offer.This year promises an even better festival with many local researchers and a team of professional consultants to aid in the run-up to the festival. All are efforts to engage the public with Malta’s best science while inspiring a future generation of scientists.
Dr. Edward Duca is the Project Manager for Science in the City. He also develops and edits University research magazine ‘Think’ and is involved in various science and research communication projects.
Upcoming EVENTS
ALIVE Challenge for Cancer 2014
Wednesday 9 July – Friday 18 July 2014
University of Malta Racing 2014 The Formula Student (FS) 2014 Motorsport Competition
Wednesday 9 July – Sunday 13 July 2014, Silverstone, UK
Lifecycle Challenge 2014
Monday 8 September – Monday 22 September 2014
Science in the City: European Researchers’ Night 2014
The organizing team is planning various innovative projects (some with the support of the Malta Arts Fund) that will bring old medical travelling shows alongside innovative projects that fuse dance with the latest research and much more.The researchers at the Centre for Biomedical Cybernetics are also working with some of Malta’s best dancers to bring a world first concept to Malta. Make sure to pen down the date in your diaries as we promise you a memorable night.
Latest NEWS Europa Donna Malta contribute towards breast cancer research Another local NGO donates funds to the RIDT
ALIVE 2014 cyclists meet researchers at the University of Malta 1,000km challenge takes place in July
The University just published its latest edition of research magazine Think Issue 9 of THINK Magazine is out For more information visit www.ridt.org.mt
Friday 26 September 2014
Research on the Waves
Weekly radio slot on local research; every Monday at 1.30pm on Radio Malta 2 (105.9FM). Hosted by Susan Mulvaney. 4
For more information on the Research, Innovation and Development Trust, please contact us Tel: +356 2340 8201 Email: info@ridt.org.mt
Research, Innovation & Development Trust
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