Congratulations to student scholarship awardees

The Centre congratulates the following students on being awarded scholarships in the second half of 2021, and wish them all the best for their research and training programs.

Higher Degree by Research Students

Samuel Rollin BSc (Hons)

PhD candidate: Flinders University

Project: How high-dose androgen therapy and the epigenetics and regulation of immune pathways in prostate cancer.
Supervisors: A/Professor Luke Selth, Professor Michael Michael

Ralph Ernst Scholarship (prostate cancer research)

Joshua Hodgson BSc, BHMSc

PhD candidate: The University of Adelaide

Project: Predicting response to cyclin-dependent kinase inhibition in prostate cancer.

Supervisors: Professor Lisa Butler,
Dr Margaret Centenera

Commonwealth Government Research Training Program Award, FCMHW supplementary scholarship

Georgia Goddard BPsych (Hons)

PhD candidate: The University of Adelaide

Project: Men’s misuse of insulin
Supervisors University: Dr Melissa Opozda,
Prof Deborah Turnbull

Commonwealth Government Research Training Program Award, FCMHW supplementary scholarship

Jacob Brain BSc, MAppSc

PhD candidate: The University of Nottingham, UK and the University of Adelaide

Project: Development of dementia risk prediction models in the context of cardiovascular disease.

Supervisors: Dr Phillip Tully, Professor Deborah Turnbull (University of Adelaide) and nd Dr Matthew Smoutit (Uni of Nottingham)

Combined University of Nottingham/University of Adelaide PhD Scholarship

Honours Student

Joshua Deluao

Current degree: Bachelor Health & Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide

Project: Understanding the optimal reactive oxygen species concentrations in sperm required for the generation of a healthy embryo.
Supervisors: Dr Nicole McPherson,
Macarena Gonzales

FCMHW Honours scholarship

Summer Vacation Students

Mitchell Nicmanis

Current degree: Bachelor Psychology
The University of Adelaide

Project: Cultural adaptation of a men’s health and wellbeing for a health services use monitoring app.

Supervisors: Professor Gary Wittert, Professor Deborah Turnbull, A/Professor Niranjan Bidargaddi

Adelaide Summer Research Scholarship

Jack Lear

Current degree: Bachelor of Psychological Science (Advanced), The University of Adelaide

Project: How coping flexibility relates to mental health outcomes for Australian men.
Supervisors: Dr Ian Zajac, Dr Melissa Opozda

Adelaide Summer Research Scholarship

An Dieu Nguyen

Bachelor of Science
The University of Adelaide

Project: Targeting fatty acid oxidation in advanced prostate cancer.

Supervisors: Professor Lisa Butler
Dr Zeyad Nassar

FCMHW Summer Research Scholarship

Samuel Ziesing

Bachelor of Psychology (Hons)
University of Adelaide

Project: Men’s uptake of telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Supervisors: Dr Melissa Opozda
Professor Deborah Turnbull

FCMHW Summer Research Scholarship

Closing out 2021 with grant funding to progress research across the Centre

Centre members have been awarded grant funding for projects across the three themes. Congratulations to the following researchers.

Dr Zeyad Nassar

Targeting fatty acid oxidation, a novel approach for prostate cancer treatment. Cancer Australia and Cure Cancer Foundation 2022-2023 $200,000

Prof Chun Zia-Zhao, Prof Lisa Butler

Accelerate project: Fighting cancer with space biology.
development in prostate cancer. DIGI+ and FAME Strategy Uni of Adelaide Grant. 2022 $100,000

Dr Nicole McPherson, Dr Melissa Oxlad, Prof Deborah Turnbull

Men's unmet psychosocial needs when diagnosed with male infertility.

Ferring Australia 2021-2022 $50,000

Mr Jason Bonson, Mr Vigona, Prof James Smith

Pathways into the social and emotional wellbeing workforce for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males, AMSANT. $35,000

Prof James Smith, Dr Kootsy Canuto, Dr Daile Rung, Dr Himanshu Gupta, Mr Jahdai Vigona, Mr Jason Bonson, Mr Aanundsen, Mr Sam Moore

Developing a Northern Australia Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander male health and wellbeing research strategy. HOT North. $20,000

Workshop on health career pathways for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Men

In partnership with the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance, the FCMHW NT Division co-facilitated a workshop for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males on the 22 October 2021 to encourage them to think about pursuing career pathways into the community health sector. Men are currently under-represented in the NT health workforce, including nursing and allied health.

FCMHW Trainee Jahdai Vigona co-lead the workshop and shared his own story of becoming a health researcher to showcase how the young men could play a part in helping people to heal and keep their communities healthy and socially and emotionally well.

Link to news article

Report on higher education for Australian Indigenous Males - by FCMHW NT Division

https://www.ncsehe.edu.au/culturally-responsive-gender-sensitive-university-participation-indigenous-males/

The FCMHW NT Division is pleased to present the findings from the National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education funded project, Higher education aspirations, participation, and achievement of Australian Indigenous males to inform policy and practice to improve Indigenous men’s participation in higher education.

The project was undertaken by Professor James Smith, Dr Himanshu Gupta, Pfrom the FCMHW-NT Division and Professor Braden Hill, Dr Garth Stahl, Professor Peter Radoll, Associate Professor Andrew Harvey, Dr Rebecca Bennett and Dr Bep Uink.

Men, and specifically Indigenous males, are under-represented in higher education across all equity groups. The project examined the intersection between cultural identity and gender among Indigenous males to better understand the critical success factors and influences that have supported Indigenous males of any age to thrive and achieve in higher education.

The project was undertaken in partnership with Edith Cowan University; University of Queensland; Charles Darwin University; La Trobe University; University of Canberra; University of Queensland, and Murdoch University.

NT and SA Divisions participate in International Men's Day event 19 November 2021

The NT Division participation in the International Men’s Day Forum, held in Darwin, 19th November. This included the facilitation of a workshop about the development of a Northern Australia Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander male health and wellbeing research strategy by Professor James Smith and Mr David Aanundsen.

Gawler event (from left) Community Connections Worker, John Goodger, Professor Gary Wittert, Ms Kim Wright,  Community Development Coordinator at the Gawler & Districts College Children’s Centre, and Tony Piccolo MP.

News Release from the Office of Tony Piccolo MP, State Member for Light, Labor Duty Member for Schubert 

GAWLER INTERNATIONAL MEN’S DAY 2021 EVENTS A HUGE SUCCESS 

A total of around 100 local men and women, including Mayor Karen Redman attended the two inaugural International Men’s Day events held in Gawler on Thursday night and Friday morning. Event facilitator, local Member of Parliament, Mr Tony Piccolo said the two events were very successful, with the two guest speakers, Professor Gary Wittert from the University of Adelaide and Bob Clifford from Mates in Construction (MIC) both extremely well received.

 Professor Wittert who was the guest speaker at the Thursday night event, where the Gawler Men’s Wellbeing Network was re-launched, spoke about the research undertaken by the Freemason’s Foundation Centre for Male Health & Wellbeing at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute and the University of Adelaide. As Director of the Centre, Professor Wittert talked about how the research was assisting with developing policies and practices which improve communication between men and their health practitioners.

Professor Wittert said the problem is not that men do not go to the doctor, but rather the conversations with them are limited so their health needs are not met. “The research shows that men will speak with their doctors, male or female, if they are asked the right questions,” said Professor Wittert. “Men may lack medical literacy, so we are developing apps and checklist to help men with their conversations with their doctors.” Mr Piccolo said Professor Wittert also dispelled a range of myths in society about men’s health.

“The links between mental and physical health are often not explored in their visit to the doctors, so often men only get half the answer whereas women are more proactive in their conversations with their doctors,” said Mr Piccolo.

Professor Wittert fielded a number of questions including advice on safe levels of alcohol consumption, diabetes, prostate and bladder issues, supporting younger men, mental health, and relationships.

At the Friday morning breakfast, Bob Clifford the Operations Manager at Mates in Construction provided some sobering and shocking statistics about male suicide in Australia, and in particular, the construction industries.

Mr Piccolo said that three times more people die from suicide than from road crashes, but mental health services continue to be underfunded. “Research has shown that the biggest cause of death among males between the age of 15 and 25 is suicide,” said Mr Piccolo.

Mates in construction provide a range of free training and services in workplaces for people (mainly men) in the construction industries.  “In addition to training, the MIC program also offers support services when men are facing a crisis, which may lead to thoughts about suicide.”

 At both events a number of people nominated to become members of the re-convened Gawler Men’s Wellbeing Network. Mr Piccolo said he welcome further nominations to the network from people who are in some way involved in providing services and support to men and boys in our community. “I also intend to invite some people to join in the network to ensure it reflects the diversity of men in our community and the different issues and challenges they face,” said Mr Piccolo.

Mr Piccolo said the two events could not have been possible without the great support provided by the speakers, the two venue hosts, The Gawler Salvation Army Riverside Centre, Willo’s Men’s Shed and financial assistance from the Gawler Freemasons.  It is planned to make the breakfast an annual event in partnership with Willos Men’s Shed and other community organisations.

Anyone interested in becoming involved in the Gawler Men’s Wellbeing Network should contact Tony Piccolo on 8522 2878 or email light@parliament.sa.gov.au

Professor Petrina Coventry - Director of Industry Partnerships and Research Impact

The Freemasons Centre for Male Health & Wellbeing is pleased to formally announce the secondment of Professor Petrina Coventry BEd, Dip HRM, MEthics, MBA, Fellow AICD, from GPEx to the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) in the role of Director of Industry Partnership and Research Impact.

GPEx is an established health, education and technology organisation with strong links to primary care in South Australia. Professor Coventry is Director, Aboriginal Health & Research at GPEx. GPEx is funded to deliver the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Strategic Plan in SA as part of the Commonwealth funded Australian General Practice Training Program.

FCMHW and SAHMRI are honoured to be partnering with GPEx to strengthen alliances with business, industry and government to ensure relevance, sustainability and pathways to translation for its research, including commercialisation of research content into community, health care and industry programs for impact. 

Petrina has worked with networks, companies and industries locally and globally to transform them into more contemporary, innovative and sustainable models. Her expertise includes human resources, governance and ethics, community relations and communications, change management, quality systems, sustainability, innovation and commercialisation of research, and leading education and program delivery in the domain areas of healthcare, education, first nations people, gender representation and inclusion.

Professor Coventry will Deputy Chair the Business and Industry Advisory Board for the Centre. The Chairperson is Dr Roger Sexton AM. Dr Sexton has been associated with the Centre since 2012 when he became the Principal Patron and Chairman of the Board of Patrons for the former Freemasons Foundation Centre for Men’s Health.

A formal announcement by GPEx and SAHMRI will be made early in 2022.

Contact:

Professor Petrina Coventry

Director of Industry Partnerships & Research Impact

Freemasons Centre for Male Health & Wellbeing, SAHMRI

Director, Aboriginal Health and Research, GPEx
petrina.coventry@sahmri.com