Wednesday 27 November, 2019, 4.00 pm

Beaven Lecture Theatre, 7th Floor, University of Otago, Christchurch

Dr Emma Spencer

(Postdoc UOC)

Dr Matt Hobbs

(Postdoc UC)

Dr Matt Hobbs

(Postdoc UC)

Dr Chris Haakart

(Postdoc UOC)

The judging panel

Colin McDougal (General Manager, CMRF)

presented the prizes

Cassie Stylianou

CMRF Prize for Best Postgraduate Presentation

Dr Matt Hobbs

CMRF Prize for Best Postdoctoral Presentation

Professor David Palmer

HRSC Lifetime Membership Award

Samantha Murray (Uni Lincoln)

HRSC People's Choice Award

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The inaugural HRSC Emerging Researcher Awards were presented on 27 November. The speakers were:

• Cassie Stylianou
• Alexandra Noble
• Rebekah Crake
• George Wiggins
• Samantha Murray
• Dr Emma Spencer
• Dr Matt Hobbs
• Dr Christopher Hakkaart

Tuesday 20 August, 2019, 6.00 - 8.00 pm

John Britten Building, University of Canterbury

Prof. Ian Wright

Assoc Prof Paul Docherty and Dr Kyla Horne

Dr Maria Vega Corredor

Assoc Prof Joe Boden and Dr Geri McLeod

The judges decide

First prize - Jake Campbell

Second prize - Rebekah Crake

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The HRSC Poster Evening is very informal and relaxed, and provides an opportunity for people to display recycled, recently presented or new research posters, and network with other Canterbury health researchers over pizza and light refreshments.

Friday 14 June, 2019, 12.15 - 1.15 pm

Beaven Lecture Theatre, 7th Floor, University of Otago, Christchurch

Prof John Horwood, Assoc Prof Joseph Boden and Dr Geraldine McLeod gave three short talks from the Christchurch Health and Development Study about cannabis, and what we need to know before the upcoming referendum.

Wednesday April 3rd, 2019, 4.30 pm - 6.00 pm

Beaven Lecture Theatre, 7th Floor, University of Otago, Christchurch

Colin McDougall (new General Manager of CMRF and Commercial Director of the NZ Brain Research Institute) gave a talk outlining his vision for CMRF and health research in Canterbury. The meeting concluded with drinks and finger food.

Wednesday 6th March 2019, 6.30 pm - 8.30 pm

Engineering Core, Creyke Rd, University of Canterbury

Thursday 21 Feburary 2019, 4.30 pm

Lincoln University

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The HRSC has held its first event of the year - a tour of the new CT imaging unit at the Johnstone Memorial Laboratory, Lincoln University. The tour of the new facilities started at 4.30 pm, and was followed by a shared BBQ.

Friday September 21st 2018, 12.15pm to 1.15pm

Rolleston Lecture Theatre, Ground Floor, University of Otago, Christchurch

Associate Professor Gabi Dachs

University of Otago, Christchurch

Dr Rachel Purcell

University of Otago, Christchurch

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Speakers

1. Associate Professor Gabi Dachs, University of Otago, Christchurch

   "Vitamin C: from bench to bedside"
   Many patients with cancer opt for high doses of vitamin C as treatment, despite a lack of clinical evidence for this practice. It’s known that vitamin C plays an important role in the basic functions of all cells, and recent research has highlighted several pathways by which vitamin C could influence tumour growth and progression. This presentation will describe our current scientific understanding of the role of vitamin C in cancer cells, tumour models and patients with cancer.

2. Dr Rachel Purcell, University of Otago, Christchurch.

   "The Gut Microbiome – Current and future clinical uses"
   The study of the gut microbiome is a very recent and rapidly moving field of research. Gut microbiota have an enormous impact on human health and disease, and harnessing our knowledge of the microbiome may lead to targeted interventions for health promotion, disease prevention and management.

Thursday 16 August 2018, 6:00 - 8:00 pm

John Britten Building, University of Canterbury

Best Overall Poster winner Jess Wise (UOC)

Presented by Prof Martin Kennedy & Assoc. Prof. Margaret Currie (HRSC Chair).

2nd prize winner Fernanda Zimmermann.

Fernanda is a PhD candidate and Research Assistant at the University of Otago.

Honourable mention: Sophie van Hamelsveld (UC).

Honourable mention: Dr Heather Parker (UOC).

Nooshin Ghodsian

Ben Wamamilli

Sophie van Hamelsveld

Prof Martin Kennedy & Assoc. Prof. Margaret Currie

Alibe Wasa

Kesava Kovanur-Sampath

David Palmer and Steven Gieseg

Prof Martin Kennedy & Assoc. Prof. Margaret Currie

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The Health Research Society of Canterbury's 2018 Poster Expo was a fantastic chance to network and display recently presented or new research posters, all while enjoying pizza and refreshments.

The "Rutherford Prize" for Best Overall Poster was awarded to Jessika Wise (PhD student, Mackenzie Cancer Research Group, UOC). The 2nd prize was awarded to Fernanda Zimmermann(PhD student, UOC), with honourable mentions to Sophie van Hamelsveld (UC) and Dr Heather Parker (UOC) for their posters.

Friday, 15 June 2018, 12.15 pm to 1.15 pm

Rolleston Lecture Theatre, Ground Floor, University of Otago, Christchurch

• Dr Nadia Mitchell, Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Radiology, University of Otago, Christchurch
  Let’s talk CT Scanning: Diagnostic imaging of the brain and body.
• Dr Aamir Raja, Research Fellow, Department of Radiology, University of Otago, Christchurch
  Clinical utility of MARS spectral CT.
• Dr Tracy Melzer, Senior Research Fellow, Department of Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch
  Clinical MRI research in Canterbury.

Wednesday 16th May 2018, 6:30 - 8:30 pm

K Block, Ara Institute of Canterbury

Thursday 26 April 2018, 4 pm - 5.30 pm

Beaven lecture theatre, Level 7, University of Otago, Christchurch

The Health Research Society of Canterbury’s Annual General Meeting for 2018 included a brief AGM and a short presentation by our guest speaker Amber Clark, Matapopore Representative on the Health Precinct advisory council/Ngai Tahu, which was followed by general discussion and light refreshments.

Thursday 10th August 2017, 6:00 - 8:00 pm

John Britten Building, University of Canterbury

Best Overall Poster winner Christina Wohlrab

Presented by Sue Rogers (Executive Officer Health Precinct Advisory Council) & Dr. Margaret Currie (HRSC Chair).

2nd prize winner Kyla Horne.

Kyla is a PhD student at the NZ Brain Research Institute.

3rd prize winner Prerna Singh.

Prerna (left) is a PhD Student in the Computer Graphics & Image Processing Group, UC.

Prof. Robin Fraser

Prof. Fraser received an honourable mention for his poster.

Professor Philip Schluter giving the opening address

Well fed attendees

PhD student Joe Healy and Assoc. Prof. Steven Gieseg

PhD student Ben Wamamili (Health Sciences) and Prof. Richard Jones.

Dr Paul Docherty

Professors Martin Kennedy, Stephen Brennan, & David Palmer.

Professors Jim Morton & Stephen Brennan.

Previous Next

The HRSC Poster Evening is very informal and relaxed, and provides an opportunity for people to display recycled, recently presented or new research posters, and network with other Canterbury health researchers over pizza and light refreshments.

The "Rutherford Prize" for Best Overall Poster was awarded to Christina Wohlrab (PhD student, Mackenzie Cancer Research Group, UOC). 2nd and 3rd prizes were awarded to Kyla Horne (PhD student, NZ Brain Research Institute) and Prerna Singh (PhD student, Computer Graphics and Image Processing Group, UC). Professor Robin Fraser received an honorable mention for his poster.

Friday 26th May, 12:15 - 1:15 pm.

Rolleston Lecture Theatre, University of Otago, Christchurch

Dr Kit Doudney

Collaborative opportunities at CHL - a tertiary-level diagnostics laboratory

Katharina Russell

Sheep to the rescue! A large animal model of childhood dementia.

Sophie Morton

Development of Virtual Patients to aid in Mechanical Ventilation Therapy.

Dr Khoon Lim

When a biologist meets a chemist: Transforming 2D cancer cultures to 3D.

Elisabeth Phillips

When a biologist meets a chemist: Transforming 2D cancer cultures to 3D.

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1. Dr Kit Doudney, Canterbury Health Laboratories, Christchurch

   Collaborative opportunities at CHL - a tertiary-level diagnostics laboratory.
   This talk described some of the specialist clinical investigations undertaken by CHL in collaboration with other institutes, and touched on some new horizons for the laboratories.

2. Katharina Russell, Department of Wine, Food and Molecular Biosciences, Lincoln University & New Zealand Brain Research Institute, Christchurch.

   Sheep to the rescue! A large animal model of childhood dementia.
   Sheep models are currently being used in treatment trials for Batten disease at Lincoln University in collaboration with the University of Otago, the NZBRI and the MARS group.

3. Sophie Morton, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Canterbury

   Development of Virtual Patients to aid in Mechanical Ventilation Therapy.
   This research is based around the use of physiological models to deliver patient specific treatment for respiratory failure.

4. Dr Khoon Lim & Dr Elisabeth Phillips, Christchurch Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering (CReATE) & Mackenzie Cancer Research Group (MCRG), University of Otago Christchurch

   When a biologist meets a chemist: Transforming 2D cancer cultures to 3D.
   Combining knowledge in cancer biology and polymer chemistry to engineer 3D tumour models, to better understand breast cancer and test novel anti-cancer therapies.

Friday 19th May, 12:15 - 1:15 pm.

Rolleston Lecture Theatre, University of Otago, Christchurch

Mayouri Sukhapure

Sex hormones, mood, cognitive function and emotion processing in women

Dr Pippa Scott

A vet's role in human health research

Sina Ghafoorpoor Yazd

In-silico modelling of aortic arch hemodynamics for surgical implant testing

Dr Isabel Jamieson and Dr Margaret Leonard

Research at work: The big Ara picture

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1. Mayouri Sukhapure, Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago Christchurch

   Sex hormones, mood, cognitive function and emotion processing in women.
   Investigating the direct effect of sex hormones (particularly testosterone) on women's brain function, especially in women with poly-cystic ovarian syndrome.

2. Dr Pippa Scott, Department of Pathology, University of Otago Christchurch

   A vet's role in human health research.
   Dr Pippa Scott is a vet who has been working in human health research for the last 12 years. She will talk about some of the projects she has been involved in, in New Zealand and overseas.

3. Sina Ghafoorpoor Yazdi, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Canterbury.

   In-silico modelling of aortic arch hemodynamics for surgical implant testing.
   This research project uses in-silico modelling of the aortic arch to further understand hemodynamics, and will be used to inform novel cardiovascular disease therapies.

4. Dr Isabel Jamieson and Dr Margaret Leonard, Ara Institute of Canterbury and University of Canterbury

   Research at work: The big Ara picture.
   Who is Ara you ask? Ara, formerly known as CPIT and Aoraki, is bustling with researchers across a variety of disciplines including: health, engineering, business, computing, Māori language and Performance Arts.

Thursday 6 April 2017, 4 pm - 5.30 pm

Beaven lecture theatre, Level 7, University of Otago, Christchurch

• Prof. Gail Gillon, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, College of Education, Health & Human Development, University of Canterbury - "The University of Canterbury and the Health Precinct".
• Prof. David Murdoch, Dean and Head of Campus, University of Otago, Christchurch - "The University of Otago, Christchurch, and the Health Precinct".

Thursday 25 August 2016, 6:00 - 8:30 pm

Ground Floor, University of Otago, Christchurch

You are invited to the Health Research Society of Canterbury's 2016 Poster Expo. This is your chance to network and display research posters (both old and new). This is open to all Health Researchers, members and non-members.

Pizza and refreshments provided.

If you would like to display a poster, please email paul.docherty@cantebury.ac.nz with the title, affiliation, and name of presenter.
For catering purposes, please also RSVP to paul.docherty@canterbury.ac.nz.

We hope to see you there!

Friday, 20th and 27th of May 2016, 12:15-13:15.

Rolleston Lecture Theatre, Ground Floor, University of Otago, Christchurch

• Georgina Blane: Preventing lung damage via automation and optimisation of mechanical ventilation for critically ill patients in the third world.
• Guneet Kaur: Amyloid imaging for cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease.
• Michelle Goodman: Homogenisation theory applied to coupled mammalian cells.
• Parya Rezaei: Reuse, disposal, and partial remanufacturing of medical devices.

• Ravinder Reddy Gaddam: The effect of hydrogen sulfide synthesized by cystathionine-gamma-lyase on inflammation and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells in polymicrobial sepsis in mice.
• Hannah Prebble: Activation of immune cells in live carotid plaque.
• Megan Stark: Cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease: a study of early-phase amyloid PET and arterial spin labeling perfusion MRI.
• Finbar J Argus: The effect of irreversibly electroporated cell dynamics on drug transport in electroporated tissue.

Wednesday 6th April, 2016, 4 pm.

The Staff Club, University of Canterbury

This meeting included a series of short presentations about health research at the University of Canterbury and opportunities for collaboration, a short and efficient AGM, and was followed by the annual AGM barbecue. Please see the Announcement for further details.

Wednesday 23 Sept 2015 5:30 - 7:30 pm

The Staff Club, University of Canterbury

Our annual Poster Expo is a very popular event because of the relaxed atmosphere, cash bar and free pizza! The posters that will be displayed describe findings from many areas of health research, whether clinical, laboratory, or community-focussed. This is your chance to network and display old research posters and new ones before your next conference. This is open to all Health Researchers, members and non-members.

Thursday 26 March 2015, 4 pm start

RFH Building, Lincoln University

Come join us for the Health Research Society of Canterbury's annual general meeting for 2014, to be held at Lincoln University. The format will be:
4:00-4:30 Presentations: "A snapshot of Health research at Lincoln and opportunities for collaboration."
4:30-5:00 AGM
5:00-6:30 Inaugural AGM Don Bevan Memorial wine appreciation and tasting. This will be hosted by Bernard Newman, WFMD, Lincoln University, as part of our "live well" mantra, followed by a Barbeque.

This function will be held in the Replacement for Hilgendorf (RFH) building at Lincoln University. Go straight through the Springs Rd/Ellesmere Junction Rd roundabout and continue about 400 metres to (South) Gate 3, turn right in to a carpark on the right and RFH is on the left. See this map (PDF, 2.7 MB) or Google Maps. The talks will be short and informative. RSVP for catering purposes (tracy.melzer@otago.ac.nz).

Thursday 2 October 2014, 5.30 - 7.30 pm

The Staff Club, University of Canterbury

This is a very popular event because of the relaxed atmosphere along with fizz, beer, wine, and pizza.  Posters are invited that describe findings from any area of health research, broadly defined (whether clinical, laboratory, or community-focussed). Senior and junior researchers from all institutions are welcome.

This is an opportunity to give those conference posters a second airing. If you want to display a poster please send an electronic copy of the poster as a pdf or ppt file in A4 size to tracy.melzer@otago.ac.nz by 29th September to register. NOTE: We would prefer posters as A0 portrait (840 mm wide x 1180 mm high) or smaller but we can accept a limited number in the landscape format. Poster hanging for accepted posters is from 4 pm Thursday October 2nd.

Friday, 30 May, 12:15-13:15.

Rolleston Lecture Theatre, Ground Floor, University of Otago, Christchurch

The oral presentations at the 30 May session (chaired by Steven Gieseg) are:

• "Rapid osseointegration of titanium scaffolds in a sheep model." – S. Tredinnick, NZi3 & Mechanical Engineering, University of Canterbury, and Orthopaedic Surgery & Musculoskeletal Med, University of Otago, Christchurch
• "Sequencing of pharyngeal pressure during wake and sleep swallowing." – K Lamvik, Communication Disorders, University of Canterbury, and NZ Brain Research Institute.
• "Skin Electroporation: Test Cell Re-Configuration." – S Becker, Engineering, University of Canterbury.
• "Trace amine-associated receptor 1 activation modulates methamphetamine's neurochemical and behavioural effects." – Yue Pei, Dept Psychology, University of Canterbury.

The oral presentations at the 16 May session (chaired by Geoff Shaw) were:

• "A Pressure Reconstruction Method to Estimate Respiratory Mechanics of Breathing Masked by Spontaneous Breathing Efforts." – V Major, Centre for Bio Engineering, University of Canterbury and Dept Intensive Care, Christchurch Hospital
• "Association between telomere length and life stress in two New Zealand cohorts." – S Jodczyk, Dept Pathology and Dept Psychology Med, University of Otago, Christchurch.
• "Deep brain stimulation of the nucleus accumbens attenuates relapse to cocaine seeking." – Jennifer Hamilton, Dept Psychology, University of Canterbury.
• "Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy: a potential marker for cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease." – M Almuqbel, Dept Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, and New Zealand Brain Research Institute

Monday 31 March 2014, 4.30 - 5.30 pm

Beaven lecture theatre, Level 7, University of Otago, Christchurch

The Health Research Society of Canterbury's belated annual general meeting for 2013 included a short presentation by Dr Ian Town about the future of the Health Precinct, which was followed by discussion, a brief AGM, nibbles and drinks.

Thursday 3 October 2013, 5 - 8.30 pm

The Staff Club, University of Canterbury

Two eminent Christchurch health researchers, Dr Erik Monasterio and Professor Richard Porter plus four student presentations from Universities of Otago, Canterbury and Lincoln talking about nurse movements, brain imaging, breathless sheep and errors in glucose measurement.

Be part of the Health Research Community and network over an expertly oxidised sausage. (This event does not have the Heart Foundation tick). Talks end around 7 followed by BBQ.

Dr Erik Monasterio is a forensic psychiatrist and senior clinical lecturer with the University of Otago, Christchurch School of Clinical Medicine. Before completing his specialist training Dr Monasterio spent many years mountaineering and mountain guiding in all the major mountain chains of the world (where he has established over 40 new routes over rock, ice and mixed terrain).

Professor Richard Porter’s interests and research are in the areas of affective disorders, psychopharmacology, the neurobiology of affective disorders and neurodegenerative disorders and particularly the neurobiology of cognitive impairment. He is a consultant psychiatrist specializing in psychiatric care of adults with intellectual disability.

Thursday July 4th 2013, 6 - 8 pm

NZi3 building, Creyke Road, University of Canterbury

This is a very popular event because of the relaxed atmosphere along with fizz, beer, wine, and pizza.  Posters were invited that described findings from any area of health research, broadly defined (whether clinical, laboratory, or community-focussed). Senior and junior researchers from all institutions were welcome.

Friday, 3 May AND 10 May, 12:30-13:30.

Rolleston Lecture Theatre, Ground Floor, University of Otago, Christchurch

The oral presentations at the 3 May session were:

• "Use of the DISST model to predict insulin pharmaco-kinetics during the oral glucose tolerance test and reduce the cost of deriving the Matsuda index." – Shaun Davidson, Centre for Bioengineering, University of Canterbury, Christchurch
• "Calcium role in oxLDL mediated cell death in human monocytes: Possible mechanism in the progression of atherosclerotic plaque." – Izani Othman, School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch
• "Are you managing your mechanical ventilator correctly? A model-based answer to an on-going question." – Daniel Redmond, Centre for Bioengineering, University of Canterbury, Christchurch
• "Simultaneous discrimination of multiple intrinsic bio-markers in excised atheroma with spectral molecular imaging." – Raj Panta, Department of Radiology, University of Otago, Christchurch

The oral presentations at the 10 May session were:

• "Can this cool new glycaemia metric tell me if my critical care patients are going to live or die?" – Felicity Thomas, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Canterbury, Christchurch
• "The impact of physiological levels of vitamin C on tumour growth and HIF-1 activation in the Gulo-/- mouse." – Elizabeth Campbell, Department of Pathology, University of Otago, Christchurch
• "Cost-effective hemodynamic monitoring of critically ill patients via model-based analysis of aortic pressure measurements." – Shun Kamoi, Centre for Bioengineering, University of Canterbury, Christchurch
• "Redirection of steroid biosynthetic flux from testosterone to cortisol in cultured Leydig cells exposed to dibutylphthalate." – A Ridden, Department of Chemistry, University of Canterbury, Christchurch
• "Evaluating BRCA1 and BRCA2 sequence variants that modulate isoform expression." – Vanessa Lattimore, Mackenzie Cancer Group, Department of Pathology, University of Otago, Christchurch

Friday 22 March 2013, 4 pm

Beaven lecture theatre, Level 7, University of Otago, Christchurch

• Prof Paul Fleming - Vice-Chancellor UC Futures, University of Canterbury
• Prof Tony Kettle - Coordinator, Centre for Free Radical Research, University of Otago

We heard two eminent scientists discuss the future of collaborative health research in Christchurch. This was followed by a brief AGM, nibbles and drinks. Please see the announcement PDF for further information.

Tuesday 24 July 2012, 5.30 - 8 pm

This is a very popular event because of the relaxed atmosphere along with fizz, beer, wine, and pizza.  Posters were invited that described findings from any area of health research, broadly defined (whether clinical, laboratory, or community-focussed). Senior and junior researchers from all institutions were welcome.

The prize for the best student poster was won by Eng Toh (MBChB/PhD Student, University of Otago Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences).

Friday 4 May and Friday 11 May 2012, 12:30 - 13:30 pm.

Christchurch Hospital Grand Rounds Series, Oncology Lecture Theatre, Christchurch Hospital

The oral presentations at the 4 May session were:

• Simon Feng – "ASL derived perfusion network shows correlation with saccadic eye movement measures in Parkinson's disease."
• Rachel Cotter – "The trace amine-associated receptor 1 partial agonist, RO5203648, prevents methamphetamine-induced stimulation and methamphetamine self-administration."
• James Revie – "Aortic flow energetics in a porcine study of septic shock."
• Nicole Coufal – "Identification of novel genetic variants as candidate risk factors in BRCAx hereditary breast cancer."

The oral presentations at the 11 May session were:

• Liam Fisk – "Glycaemic control through stochastic forecasting: Implementing STAR as the standard of care in Christchurch Hospital ICU."
• Hannah Burrowes– "Neopterin synthesis in macrophage derived multinucleated giant cells."
• Argene Montgomery-Honger– "Parental experiences in the neonatal intensive care unit."
• Gemma Moir-Meyer– "Identification of rare DNA copy number variants overlapping mismatch repair pathway genes in endometrial cancer patients and their potential contribution to disease risk."

Tuesday 15th November 2011, 5:30 – 8:30 pm.

Central Library Undercroft at the University of Canterbury

The HRSC Scientific Meeting and AGM was held on Tuesday 15th November 2011 from 5:30 – 8:30 pm. This session consisted of four oral presentations (see below) followed by a brief AGM of the Society, and drinks and nibbles during a poster expo. The HRSC Annual General Meeting was held at approximately 6:30 pm.

The AGM session is normally held in the Medical School, but because of earthquake problems the 2011 venue was the newly refurbished Undercroft at the base of the Central Library of the University of Canterbury (Central Library Map - Undercroft).

The oral presentations at this session were:

• Catherine Lizamore – "The effects of intermittent hypoxic exposure on heart rate variability in a sedentary population"
• Robert Lopez – "How testicular salvage data may influence future management of perinatal torsion of the testis"
• James Revie – "Model-based diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism and septic shock in porcine trials"
• Anastasia Shchepetkina – "Intracellular antioxidant activity of 7,8-dihydroneopterin protects macrophages from oxidised low-density lipoprotein"