Research aimed at helping acutely ill seniors, reducing infant mortality, determining links between vitamin D and melanoma, and combating cardiovascular disease will be among 20 projects presented at USC’s Research Showcase on Wednesday 12 July.

The University’s ‘Partnering for health’ showcase will be held from 9.30am to 6.45pm at USC Innovation Centre auditorium on campus at Sippy Downs.

Showcase Chair, Associate Professor Adam Polkinghorne said the event would outline a range of ways the University was working with other institutions and researchers to find solutions to priority health issues and promote healthy lifestyles on the Sunshine Coast.

“Health is high on this region’s agenda, especially since the opening of the new Sunshine Coast University Hospital, and this event will discuss issues relevant to our ageing population as well as those affecting younger people, such as sexual health and mental health,” he said.

Dr Polkinghorne said the day would feature sessions on USC research that aimed to directly improve health services and outcomes for patients; as well as ongoing USC laboratory research that would lead to new health solutions in the future.

Highlights will include presentations by academics such as:

• Professor Marianne Wallis on her team’s collaborative research (the CEDRiC Project) to improve outcomes for acutely ill older adults;
• Professor Jeanine Young on a multi-agency strategy to support parents and health professionals in reducing infant mortality rates;
• Professor Michael Kimlin on his team’s work to understand the role of Vitamin D status in melanoma tumour diagnosis and progression;
• Associate Professor Patrea Andersen and her team’s work to use simulations to improve health practitioner training and patient safety.

 There will also be presentations by Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service clinicians who are collaborating with USC, and a keynote speech by Professor Pua Yong Hao from Singapore on the use of technology to combat health problems.

Two popular annual USC research competitions – ‘Minute to Win It’ and ‘Three-Minute Thesis’ – will be held on stage the following day, Thursday 13 July, from 9am to 11.30am.

Both competitions promise bite-sized information and fun entertainment, as researchers present their years of work in either 60 seconds or three minutes.

— Julie Schomberg