Director’s Report Collaboration was crucial to a very successful 2019 year for CBNS as members continued to work on cutting-edge science related to the interfaces of nano-engineered materials and biological systems. With over 360 members undertaking innovative research on 10 projects, we showcased excellence with 226 publications; 14 outreach events; and 30 completed postgraduate studies.
We saw the successful implementation of the 2018 – 2020 Strategic Plan and our collaborating and partner universities worked collegially to translate their nano research into better methods, tools and technologies. CBNS continues to be a global leader in bio-nano science discovery research with 35 international lab visits, 46 visitors including the 2019 Visiting Professor Chunying Chen; a Professor at The National Center for Nanoscience and Technology in China. Professor Chen delivered a plenary talk at the 10th International Nanomedicine Conference in June and provided an overview of nanomedicine research in China at the CBNS Annual Research Workshop (ARW) in November. This engagement opened up a number of in-depth discussions and opportunities for future collaboration with CBNS research teams.
CBNS continues to be a global leader in bio-nano science discovery research with 35 international lab/other visits and 46 visitors. Excellence was evident through CBNS members receiving many awards, grants and prizes. A few particular prestigious awards include Chief Investigator (CI) Professor Maria Kavallaris AM being appointed* a Member of the Order of Australia Medal and receiving a Lemberg Medal from the Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Deputy Director Professor Frank Caruso gained international recognition with The Leverhulme Medal from The Royal Society. Postdoctoral Researcher
4 CBNS Annual Report 2019
Dr Marnie Winter and PhD candidate Ms Aria Ahmed-Cox were also recipients of international awards. Marnie received a considerable grant from The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Aria was selected to be part of a small cohort of women from across the world to develop leadership skills that will benefit the greater good. 2019 saw the development of a new Strategic Project, The Neuro-Nano interface – Using nanotechnology to provide a window into pain. The two-year project aims to bridge the gap between neuroscience and nanotechnology, and provide new insights and new outreach/education opportunities through visualisation of pain states and associated discussion about the potential for nanotechnology to change drug targeting and drug properties for pain. The Strategic Project highlights the research expertise across nodes (Monash, UQ and UNSW), and involves CBNS researchers; Dr Nicholas
UNSW Primary School Science Fete
Veldhuis, Dr Daniel Poole, Dr Paulina Ramírez García, Dr Michael Whittaker, Professor Kris Thurecht, Associate Professor Matthew Kearnes and Associate Professor John McGhee. Leveraging the success of the Centre’s Education and Training Program, in 2019 CBNS refined the program to create three distinct streams to assist members in their professional development. The Centre delivered workshops that were aligned with Science Training (technical skills related to scientific research); Career Development (soft skills designed to motivate and promote career growth); and Skills Development (promoting key skills such as communication, media engagement and time management). Engaging with the general public, National Science Week, held in August, was a huge success for CBNS with all node cities participating in outreach events. Collectively our reach was over 6500 people.
