SPIRITUS: (02-15) A Monthly update from the Respiratory Technology team at the WIMR.
This is our February 2015 update of news from the RespiTech group at the WIMR. February has seen the arrival of a number of new personnel. Firstly, Roberto Paleco joins the group as a research assistant, supporting lab operations and running a number of projects within the group. We also have a number of new graduate students commencing. Michael Lau joins us to undertake a Mphil degree and Stewart Yeung to undertake a PhD. Both will be working on projects related to dry powder inhaler modelling and optimisation and both are be co-supervised by members of the Chiesi Chippenham, UK team and Prof David Fletcher at the Engineering department at Usyd. We also have Isabella Martignoni, a student from the University of Ferrara, Italy, visiting. Isabella is working on a joint project with Prof Scalia studying a novel molecule for nasal deposition.
We have also hosted members from the UK Chiesi group this month. David Lewis and Alan Tweedie joined us to develop a strategic plan for future projects and also to meet our two new higher degree researchers that they are co-supervising.
RespiTech February BBQ. Snags, Pizza and Century Egg challenge
Alan Tweedie (Chiesi UK) with new postgrad students Stewart and Mic
During the visit we had a February RespiTech BBQ to say goodbye (temporally) to Valentina, our Coutelle PhD student, who returns to Ferrara to continue aspects of her research program. Valentina also gave a presentation at the Woolcock Institute Friday seminars before leaving. You can follow the social aspect of our group on our RespiTech Facebook page.
Lastly, we would like to congratulate members of the team for their achievements. This month, the group were mentioned in Austrade for their international partnerships. Also, Judy Loo received seed funds from a kind donor for a new ECR project. Judy will develop in vitro models for rapid screening of inhaled drug delivery systems for the treatment of lung infections. Well done Judy!