Research Roundup:
October 2018
Welcome Message
Welcome to October – a busy month for awards as the first wave of awards close and the second wave of awards open. We are pleased to announce that the Boehringer Ingelheim COPD Research Award is now open, and the Boehringer Ingelheim Australia COPD Travel Award and Boehringer Ingelheim New Zealand COPD Travel Award have been added to the TSANZSRS2019 abstract submission portal.
Don’t forget that Abstract-linked awards are closing soon! (this Friday!) Apply now for some of the many abstract-linked awards and, for early career researchers, take the opportunity to present your work to our full membership by entering the Ann Woolcock New Investigator competition.
The full list of awards can be found in the Open Awards section in this newsletter and on the TSANZ Awards web page.
Lastly, please support the research of TSANZ members and supporters by contributing to the surveys at the end of this newsletter.
Enjoy the October edition of your research roundup.
Profs Phil Hansbro & Sandra Hodge
Co-Chairs, Research Sub-Committee
The following articles will take you to thelimbic.com
Use of ICS in COPD should be individualised say experts
OSA and asthma: sleep specialists say CPAP may have a role
Timing is crucial when measuring sputum eosinophils
Lung cancer patients taking many unnecessary meds: time to deprescribe
More stories from ERS
Peter Gibson’s ERS Gold Medal in Asthma: macrolides and macrophages
Thumbs down for sildenafil in IPF dual therapy
Air pollution is reaching the womb
Promising therapies & overlooked problems in CF management: Dr Ian Balfour-Lynn
Breathing retraining may have a role in dyspnoea, for asthma if not COPD
New IPF guideline emphasises role of HRCT
Malignant pleural effusions: the jury is still out on definitive management
Promise in targeting parasympathetic nerve in COPD
New treatments bring new lung toxicities in haematology patients
IPAF diagnosis requires combined effort
Swallowing disorders increase risk in COPD
Open Awards
Thoracic Society Awards
Abstract-linked awards
To apply for an abstract-linked award, you must complete the application coversheet using the upload functionality in the online abstract submission portal.
Ann Woolcock New Investigator Award
Boehringer Ingelheim COPD Travel Award (AU)
Boehringer Ingelheim COPD Travel Award (NZ)
Janet Elder International Travel Award
Japanese Respiratory Society (JRS) Early Career Development
TSANZ Travel Grants to 2019 ASM
For more information visit http://www.tsanzsrs2019.com/abstracts/tsanz-awards-criteria/
Abstracts close 12 October 2018 6pm AEST
Research and Career Development Awards
TSANZ Peter Phelan Research Award – closes 31 Oct 18
TSANZ Rob Pierce Grant-in-Aid for Indigenous Lung Health – closes 31 Oct 18
TSANZ Indigenous Respiratory Nursing Award – closes 31 Oct 18
Maurice Blackburn Grant-in-Aid for Occupational Lung Disease – closes 18 Nov 18
Maurice Blackburn ASM Travel Award – closes 18 Nov 18
Boehringer Ingelheim COPD Research Award – closes 3 Dec 18
Joint Awards
TSANZ / LFA / CSL Behring Research Award for Alpha-1 anti-trypsin deficiency – closes 31 Oct 18
TSANZ and National Asthma Council Australia Asthma and Airways Career Development Fellowship – closes 31 Oct 18
Cystic Fibrosis Australia Awards
Cystic Fibrosis Innovation Grant – closes 28 Jan 2019
Lung Foundation Australia Awards
The Lung Foundation Australia David Wilson PhD Scholarship in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis 2019 – closes 10 Oct 18
Lung Foundation Australia/ Cochrane Airways Australia Scholarship 2019 – closes 2 Nov 18
How to participate
Follow the links above to access each award application form and download the information sheet.
Please email the TSANZ Awards Coordinator with any questions, comments or enquires.
Watch this space for more award announcements…
Cystic Fibrosis Innovation Grant
Cystic Fibrosis Australia (CFA) is pleased to announce the 2019 Innovation Grant for post-doctoral researchers, currently working in cystic fibrosis (CF) research. This grant is awarded annually to one applicant for one year.
The Innovation Grant will allow a CF researcher to explore novel concepts at the initial feasibility stage. Innovative applications relating to any aspect in the field of CF are encouraged, even those lacking pilot data. The grant aims to allow the researcher to generate sufficient data within the one-year grant period to be in a position to apply for additional support from an appropriate funding body to continue the research.
The Innovation grant will be offered to post-doctoral researchers currently working in or proposing to work in CF research. The researcher will have completed a research higher degree in CF or a related area within the last ten years.
The recipient of the Innovation Grant is required to provide progress reports on their research to CFA every six months. In addition, and where appropriate, the recipient will be asked to make a presentation at a CFA conference (held every two years) in Australia.
The maximum amount awarded under the Innovation Grant will be $80,000. The actual amount provided will be subject to approval of the applicant’s budget.
Applications can be made through the website of The Thoracic Society of Australia & New Zealand (TSANZ) and must be received by TSANZ by late January 2019.
TSANZ Webinar Series
Thursday 11th October 2018, 1pm AEDT | 3pm NZDT
Research Techniques to Study Respiratory Diseases – Prof Phil Hansbro
The webinar will be discussing a range of techniques that are valuable for studying disease, identifying new therapeutic targets and testing novel treatments.
Professor Phil Hansbro Biography:
Professor Hansbro is a group leader and holds a personal chair in immunology and microbiology at the Hunter Medical Research Institute and University of Newcastle, Australia and is Associate Director of the Priority Research Centre for Asthma and Respiratory Diseases there. He is also an NHMRC Principal Research Fellow. He has established internationally recognised research programs in infections, COPD, asthma and recently lung cancer. His group has developed several novel mouse models of the important diseases (COPD, severe, steroid-insensitive asthma, early life infection & lung cancer). He has interrogated them (immune, histological, pathological, lung function & molecular analysis) to substantially further our understanding of pathogenesis and to develop novel therapies. He performs complimentary collaborative clinical and multi-disciplinary studies and collaborates widely. He publishes extensively in influential journals and he is regularly invited to present internationally including as plenary and to chair sessions. He has a substantial funding record of obtaining nationally competitive grants that support his group. He undertakes substantial mentoring and supervision activities of junior researchers, regularly sits on grant review panels and is on the editorial board of 4 journals. He is an active advocate for respiratory research in lobby groups and is regularly in the press promoting research and funding.
CLICK HERE to register!
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Missed out on a webinar?
The videos from our previous webinars with Professor Allan Glanville and Sally Powell are now available for on-demand viewing. For more information, please CLICK HERE!
Thoracic Society Medals and FThorSoc
Each year the TSANZ invites members to nominate their peers to be considered for a number of prestigious awards, namely: Research Medal, Society Medal and 50th Anniversary Medal for Education & Training. Nominations for these awards are now invited from members of all backgrounds and professions. Recipients of these awards will be presented with their medals at the TSANZSRS 2019 Gala Dinner and Awards Evening.
Members are also encouraged to consider applying to become a Fellow of TSANZ. Applications for Fellow status are reviewed by the Professional Standards Subcommittee and reviewed and endorsed by the Board. Fellow status is available to members from all professions who demonstrate an exceptional contribution to the field of respiratory health in Australia or New Zealand. If the Fellow status is approved, the member will be able to use the post nominal FThorSoc and will be able to continue to do so whilst a financial member of TSANZ. Recipients of the post nominal FThorSoc will be announced at the AGM 2019.
The Research Medal, Society Medal, 50th Anniversary Medal and Fellows of TSANZ are distinctive awards – a testament of the recipients’ exceptional contributions in the field of respiratory health in Australia or New Zealand.
Read below for more details & how to apply/nominate your peers. Closing date: Friday 2nd November 2018
TSANZ Fellowship
For more information please visit: https://www.thoracic.org.au/about-us/fellow-of-thoracic-society-australia-new-zealand
Background:
The TSANZ Board makes an annual call for nominations for members to be awarded Fellow status. The call is made to members from all professions who demonstrate exceptional contribution to the field of respiratory health in Australia or New Zealand. If the Fellow status is approved, the member will be able to use the post nominal FThorSoc and will be able to continue to do so whilst a financial member of TSANZ.
The main aims of the Fellow status are:
- To recognise expertise and experience in respiratory medicine and/or research and/or respiratory health service provision.
- To acknowledge a major contribution and commitment to advancing respiratory health in Australia and/ or New Zealand.
Requirements for Awarding of FThorSoc:
TSANZ members may apply to become a Fellow of the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (FThorSoc) if they demonstrate exceptional contribution to 5 of the 7 criteria listed below. For the remaining 2 criteria, the applicant must demonstrate a proven track record.
The criteria are:
- A continuous financial member of TSANZ for five consecutive years in Australia and/or New Zealand as well as a minimum of ten years post-specialist qualification
- Contribution to advocacy and/or policy development
- Service within the community
- Distinguished leadership
- Contribution to research
- Contribution to teaching or training
- International recognition in his or her discipline
List of Fellows of The Thoracic Society Australia and New Zealand:
The following individuals have been nominated by their peers, recommended to the Board by the Professional Standards Sub-Committee and formally recognised by the Board for their exceptional contributions to respiratory health in Australia and New Zealand.
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Awards By Nomination
The Research Medal, Society Medal and 50th Anniversary Medal are awards for distinguished service. Nominations for each of these awards are invited as outlined below.
The Research Medal
About
The Research Medal may be awarded each year in recognition of outstanding contributions to the advancement of knowledge in respiratory medicine or science carried out primarily in Australia or New Zealand. The award recognises an individual who has demonstrated sustained excellence in their field of research.
Candidates
The Research Medal is open to all financial members of TSANZ including Associate members. Candidates for this medal are put forward by nomination only.
Recipient
The successful candidate will be presented with an engraved Research Medal at the TSANZ Annual Scientific Meeting. An official notification letter from the President of TSANZ will be sent to the successful candidate.
The Society Medal
About
The Society Medal was conceived as an acknowledgement of excellence in fields other than research, i.e. for the advancement of the practice of thoracic medicine in its widest sense by outstanding teaching or advocacy. The inaugural Society Medal was presented at the annual dinner in Canberra in 1992 to Dr Maurice Joseph, who ably embodied the qualities envisaged by this senior prestigious award.
Candidates
The Society Medal is open to all financial members of TSANZ including Associate members. Candidates for this medal are put forward by nomination only.
Recipient
The successful candidate will be presented with an engraved Society Medal at the TSANZ Annual Scientific Meeting. An official notification letter from the President of TSANZ will be sent to the successful candidate.
The 50th Anniversary Medal for Education and Training
About
The 50th Anniversary Medal is an award introduced in 2011 to mark the Society’s 50th Anniversary. The 50th Anniversary Medal may be awarded each year in recognition of outstanding contributions to respiratory education and training in New Zealand or Australia. The award recognises an individual who has demonstrated sustained excellence in education and training. This might take the form of formal and informal teaching within a university, hospital or other health care setting; curriculum development at an undergraduate or postgraduate level; using research to enhance the efficacy of educational activities; career mentoring of junior members of the Society; integration of teaching into clinical practice; or advocacy on behalf of medical education as applied to respiratory medicine.
Candidates
The 50th Anniversary Medal is open to all financial members of TSANZ including Associate members. Candidates for this medal are put forward by nomination only.
Recipient
The successful candidate will be presented with an engraved 50th Anniversary Medal at the TSANZ Annual Scientific Meeting. An official notification letter from the President of TSANZ will be sent to the successful candidate.
Clinical Trials Workshop
The Centre of Excellence is pleased to be hosting a Clinical Trials Workshop on 24 October 2018 from 1 – 4PM at the Hunter Medical Research Institute, Caves Theatre. We believe this session will be of broad interest and would appreciate your support in distributing this invitation as broadly as possible.
We are pleased to confirm 4 experts in the field presenting on:
1:00 – 1:40: Clinical Trials Funding (Prof. Bruce Neal, The George Institute)
1:40 – 2:50: Integrating Public Involvement in Research and Clinical Trials (Prof. William Tarnow-Mordi, NHMRC CTC & Melinda Cruz, Miracle Babies Foundation)
3:20 – 4:00: Designing Implementation Trials (Prof. John Wiggers, University of Newcastle)
An event flyer can be downloaded at: https://www.severeasthma.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/24Oct2018-Clinical-Trials-Workshop.pdf
Lunch will be served before the event and refreshments during an intermission. Please RSVP your interest for catering purposes to severeasthma@newcastle.edu.au
Respirology – Editor’s Choice
Respirology Issue 23.10 (October 2018)
Chew R. Ming, Andrea Ban Yu‐Lin, Mohammad F. Abdul Hamid, Mohd T. Latif, Nurashikin Mohammad, Tidi Hassan
DOI: 10.1111/resp.13325
Satellite image of the 2015 SE-Asia haze
Qin Zhang, Qing Zhang, Bing‐qi Sun, Chang Liu, An‐na Su, Xiao‐han Wang, Na Liu, Juan Zhang, Jian Kang, Gang Hou
DOI: 10.1111/resp.13316
The research team from Shenyang, China, with the GeneXpert MTB/RIF system. From left to right: Xiao-han Wang, Chang Liu, Qin Zhang, Bing-qi Sun (front row); Qing Zhang, Gang Hou, An-na Su, Na Liu (Back row).
Research Project and Survey Requests
Implementation of Severe Asthma Management
About the Survey:
On behalf of the NHMRC Centre of Excellence in Severe Asthma (www.severeasthma.org.au), we request your assistance in completing a short survey regarding the implementation of management strategies for severe asthma. We are seeking feedback from multidisciplinary healthcare professionals in Australia.
The survey is available at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SevereAsthmaCRE
The results from this survey will inform expert forum discussions, ongoing research and development of resources to support translation and implementation of new findings into clinical practice. Our goal is to use this information to develop improved standards of care through the NHMRC Centre of Excellence in Severe Asthma.
This survey consists of 15 questions and we anticipate it will take less than 10 minutes to complete.
If respondents can submit their responses by Friday 02 November 2018 it will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you and kind regards,
Profs. Peter Gibson, Vanessa McDonald and John Upham, on behalf of the Centre of Excellence in Severe Asthma
This survey has been approved by the HNELHD HREC under authorisation number AU201809-09. All responses are completely anonymous and will be kept strictly confidential. If you experience any issues or have any questions, please contact: severeasthma@newcastle.edu.au
Management of complicated parapneumonic effusions and empyemas with the use of intrapleural fibrinolytics
Dear TSANZ Member,
You are invited to participate in a survey that is being conducted as part of a research study. The following survey asks a series of questions about your current practice, specifically with regards to the management of complicated parapneumonic effusions and empyemas with the use of intrapleural fibrinolytics. Insights gained will be considered for future presentation and publication. The estimated time to complete the survey is 10 minutes. Partial responses will not be saved if you exit out the survey early. Your participation is voluntary and anonymous. Responses will be kept confidential. Your contribution is greatly appreciated.
The survey can be completed here: https://hms.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8ddQsXRFwaqAtPD
If you have any questions about the survey, please contact the study team at: vholden@som.umaryland.edu
We thank you in advance for your participation.
Sincerely,
Van Holden, MD
Mihir Parikh, MD
Alex Chee, MD
Adnan Majid, MD
Division of Thoracic Surgery & Interventional Pulmonology
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Harvard Medical School
The attached survey has been approved by the Beth Israel Deaconess Institutional Review Board – The IRB Protocol # is 2018P000052.
Centre for Improving Palliative, Aged and Chronic Care through Clinical Research and Translation (IMPACCT)
ANZ health professionals who care for people with lung cancer are invited to take part in a survey about the clinical importance and management of cough.
Cough in lung cancer – a health professional survey
The survey link is: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/cough_in_lung_cancer
Survey results will be used to establish the need and direction for development of further pharmacological and non-pharmacological management strategies for cough in lung cancer.
We are interested in the views of health professionals from the full range of disciplines, specialties and settings involved in caring for people with lung cancer, regardless of their level of experience in managing cough.
Participation in the survey is voluntary and anonymous, and will take approximately 10-15 minutes.
This project is being conducted by a team of researchers from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) in collaboration with colleagues at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (HKPU).
For more information, please contact Dr Tim Luckett via tim.luckett@uts.edu.au or 02 9514 4861.