BRF Update - June 2019
We are nearly halfway through a very busy year, please read on for a number of important updates:
Welcome to Matthew Adams
Matthew is a new member of the BRF team and his role will be based within our experimental team in providing technical services. Matt has several years of experience as a research assistant and has worked at QIMR previously as well as the Garvan. We’re very excited to have Matt on board and look forward to improving our support for research projects even further over the coming months.
Carol Lee and Matthew Williams – higher duties
We are continuing to cross-train throughout our team - Carol and Matt in particular are on higher duties with a focus on provision of technical services so please ensure your BRF staff list for animals ethics is up to date. The list of qualification and training for the BRF staff has been updated and can be found here:
https://www.tri.edu.au/intranet/animal-ethics
Welcome back – Rodrick Rupan
Rodrick is back from his secondment to another UQ animal facility – and just in time as I will be away at a conference for the next week and a half.
Rona overseas 5th to 16th June
I will be away at a conference in Europe – for urgent enquiries in my absence Rodrick Rupan and Karen Knox will be providing support.
Upcoming events/activities
The future of animal research at UQ - Researcher Feedback session for TRI/PACE – 28th June 11-12.30pm – RSVP required!
WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF ANIMAL RESEARCH AT UQ? OPINIONS AND FEEDBACK WANTED!
UQ has engaged OmniAdvisory consulting to evaluate the current and future needs of animal research at UQ. These sessions are an opportunity to have your say at a series of workshops. This will position the university to provide cutting edge animal services support while ensuring the provision of the highest level of animal welfare. Omni advisory want to know what you think about:
* What animal research will look like in the future?
* What are the strengths of the current animal services now?
* Where are the opportunities?
* What would you like to see?
Friday 28th June – 11-12.30pm, TRI Seminar Room 2003 Researchers feedback session for TRI/PACE – a calendar invite is attached to this email.
To RSVP, or if you are unable to attend the above session (others available upon enquiry) and/or would like to give individual feedback then please email either of;
Dr Tim Dyke [email protected]
Dr Gordon McGurk [email protected]
Duo talk – Forbes and UQBR: The Search to prevent diabetic kidney disease – Thursday 20th June TRI Seminar Room 2004
Professor Josephine Forbes and UQBR Animal Technical Officer Jason Zahra will be giving a combined presentation on Professor Forbes’ work on kidney disease, highlighting the role that the TRI BRF team played in performing the animal work for a recent project. A calendar invite is attached to this email.
Paul Flecknell webinars – further details TBA
Monday 8/7/2019- Webinar 2: Harm- Benefit and Refinements
Monday 16/9/2019-Webinar 3: Animal Monitoring
Both Webinars will be from 3.45- 5.15 pm
BRF Online Induction
60% of people assigned to the online induction course have now completed it and extensions have been granted to those who have requested more time as needed. The next stage will involve us going through the records and removing BRF card access for those who have not completed the course/advised us that they need an extension. Please ensure you have let us know if you need an extension for the training or are having any difficulties as we do not wish to cause any inconvenience.
Finally, I wanted to thank the BRF team for being so supportive and flexible over the last two months whilst we have had a large number of people simultaneously away either for secondment, leave or unexpected extended illnesses. As things settle down we will continue to progress our ongoing projects/improvements and welcome your continued feedback.
