Seeking information...
The Dean is seeking information on a pair of characters who entered our building intent on delighting staff by leaving Easter treats.
He says 'based on evidence left behind on posters and CCTV footage, the perpetrators fit the description of a chicken and rabbit and entered the main building just before 8pm last night (see below).
"Anyone with information leading to the identity of the perpetrators should thank them profusely for providing such joy."
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Building update
The team leading our campus redevelopment are busy detailing how our new Oxford Terrace building, and a refurbished Riccarton building, will work. This involves understanding how spaces within the building will be used and how, for example, research groups will interact with each other and specialist laboratory equipment.
The current stage, called 'preliminary design' is scheduled to finish in September. It involves getting feedback on the layout and design from representatives of the variety of staff and students who will ultimately use the facilities.
A key staff member in this consultation is Jo Wells-Folau. She is the new University-employed organisational delivery project manager. Her role is to ensure the buildings meet the specific health research and education needs of the campus. She will also manage a smooth transition into the new building when it is completed.
After September, the developed design stage will begin. Construction on the new Oxford Terrace building will begin with excavations on site from mid-2020.
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Physios offer free appointments for police and Muslim community
School of Physiotherapy, Christchurch, staff and students showed support for the Muslim community and emergency personnel by offering free massages and physiotherapy appointments.
In just over a fortnight following the 15th March attacks, the team provided 79 free sessions for police alone. Below are a couple of appreciative police officers, and their dog, from out of town who came to support local efforts.
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HRC grant for CReaTE researcher
Stem cell therapy has the potential to help treat cardiovascular disease. But risks such as severe immune rejection or the potential of mutation into cancer cells makes authorities cautious about approving clinical trials.
Dr Xiaolin (Steven) Cui, of our Christchurch Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering (CReaTE) research group was recently awarded an HRC Explorer Grant to investigate the possibilities of synthetic stem cells in therapy for heart disease. Read more about his research project.
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Mackenzie Marvels raise money for Cancer Society
The Mackenzie Marvels have been a feature of the annual Relay for Life - and valuable fundraising efforts for the Cancer Society - for many years. And this year was no different.
The team battled the elements this year with a remarkably good turnout despite what Marvel Gabi Dachs descries as 'lousy weather'. The event raised more than $50,000 for cancer research and patient support.
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Researchers singing for unity
Clinical researcher nurse Ruth Jardine and Dr Danielle Thompson of the Christchurch Heart Institute recently performed at a concert in America in honour of victims and families of the Christchurch mosque attacks.
The pair, who are part of Christchurch pop choir The Vocal Collective, joined choirs from the around the world for the 'Total Vocal' event held in the George Washington Memorial Hall in Washington, DC. Representatives of the local Muslim community attended the concert and New Zealand's Ambassador to the United States, Rosemary Banks, spoke of how the attacks had increased unity in New Zealand.
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Trainee Intern wins NZ mountain running champs
Congratulations to trainee intern Sabrina Grogan, now based in Timaru, who has won the New Zealand Mountain Running Championship for the third year in a row.
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Quake study gives insight into possible effect of mosque attacks
A University of Otago, Christchurch paper on the population mental health impact of the Christchurch quakes was recently featured in the media. This stuff.co.nz article on the paper, involving our Psychological Medicine department and its Christchurch Health and Development Study, related the study to the recent terror attacks.
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New member of Christchurch Heart Institute research team
Cardiologist Phil Adamson has joined the Christchurch Heart Institute (CHI) research team.
A career highlight for the New Zealand-educated researcher was being part of a study of more than 4000 United Kingdom patients with unstable angina.
The study found using a CT scanner was a better diagnostic tool for unstable angina than standard tests such as treadmill tests. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, changed guidelines for assessing chest pain and a CT scan is now the first diagnostic step.
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Free radicals take on City to Surf
Well done to the many members of the Centre for Free Radical Research group and their families and friends who completed this year's City to Surf, held at the end of March.
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Tech Week event on campus
Health professionals and researchers from the University of Otago, Christchurch and the Canterbury DHB will give short presentations on how they are advancing healthcare through technical applications. This is a Tech Week collaborative event between Canterbury Tech and UOC.
Free to UOC staff but you must register your intention to attend to campus events coordinator paula.deroeper@otago.ac.nz.
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Interprofessional Education webinars
You are welcome to watch an upcoming 45 minute webinar on Interprofessional Education. Presenters are Claire Dillon and John Dean from our Christchurch Simulation Centre.
Date: Wednesday 8th May, 1pm to 1.45pm.
Join by zoom web-conference https://otago.zoom.us/j/589469972
For more information contact marissa.oleary@otago.ac.nz
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Leaders in Medical Education conference
The University of Otago, Christchurch is hosting the international LIME conference in November this year. Check out the website if you want to know more or register.
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