Graduation - past ceremonies
Thursday, 22 October 2009 at 5pm
Costa Hall, Geelong Waterfront Campus, Deakin University
Faculty of Health, Medicine, Nursing and Behavioural Sciences
Faculty of Science and Technology
Stage Party
The Chancellor Mr David Morgan presided assisted by the Deputy Vice- Chancellor (Academic) Professor Philip Clarke.
The MC was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International & Development) Ms Robin Buckham.
The Mace-bearer was Mr Dale Warren.
The Faculty Representative was Mr Darren Taylor.
Presenters were:
Deputy Dean, Faculty of Health, Medicine, Nursing and Behavioural Sciences, Professor Joe Graffam.
Associate Dean ( Development/International, Faculty of Science and Technology, Professor Dineli Mather.
Chair of the Academic Board, Professor Philomena Leung.
The Student Response was delivered by Ms Kate Pascale
Doctoral Degree Recipients
Dr Ross McNicol Colquhoun - Thesis title: "The Treatment of Opiate Dependency: A Multimodal Model Using Naltrexone."
Summary
The portfolio examines use of opiate antagonists (naltrexone) as safe and effective treatments for opiate dependence. The program incorporates evidence-based assessment, treatment planning and after-care counselling.
Detoxification using naltrexone is highly effective. Use of naltrexone predicts long-term abstinence and better health and social outcomes. Naltrexone implants improve compliance and outcomes.
Dr Valerie Jean MacKinnon - Thesis title: "Health-related Beliefs, Experiences and Behaviour of Older Anglo-Celtic-Australians."
Summary
The thesis was an exploration of the health-related understandings and experiences of older Anglo-Celtic-Australians from a disadvantaged metropolitan locality. New insights were gained about the relationship between disadvantage and poor health outcomes; particularly the impact of limited self-care practices in combination with difficulties relating to the health care professionals.
Dr Janet Susan Owens - Thesis title: "Investigations of Access for People with Disability and Older People."
Summary
The phenomenon of access was investigated in regard to people with disability and older people. Access is described as a journey which involves navigation of numerous access opportunities and barriers and achievement of an access goal. While differences existed, numerous access issues and solutions are relevant to the two groups.
Dr Daryl Stanley Pedler - Thesis title: "Acute Farm Injury: Implications for Rurally-Based Health Services."
Summary
Using the 'integrative framework', based on the health promoting PRECEDE framework and Haddon's injury prevention strategies, as suggested by Gielen, a theoretical model for general practitioner involvement in the prevention of farm injury was developed. A listing of potential roles in farm injury prevention for general practitioners was produced.
Dr Christine Frances Paynter - Thesis title:"Supervision among Mental Health Workers in the ACT."
Summary
This thesis explored ACT mental health professionals' access to, and experience of, clinical supervision. Irrespective of discipline, professionals valued supervision yet only two-thirds currently received regular supervision. Comparisons between nurses and allied health workers indicated few differences in experience, training, access and barriers to supervision across both supervisees and supervisors.
Dr Christopher Samuel Coleiro - Thesis title:"Body Image, Media Influences, Sexual Risk, and Sexuality in Men."
Summary
This thesis examined the relationships between men's body image, different media influences, sexual orientation, and sexual risk taking. In comparison to heterosexuals, gay men were significantly less satisfied with their bodies. Media influences predicted men's body image, and gay men demonstrated greater internalisation of media messages compared to heterosexual men.
Dr Adam Daniel Partridge - Thesis title: "Evaluation of an Early Intervention Program for Childhood Conduct Problems."
Summary
Treatment outcomes of an early intervention program for childhood conduct problems were evaluated. Results provided support for the longitudinal effectiveness of the program in reducing conduct problems, social difficulties, and psychosocial impairment for young primary school aged children. Children's experience and expression of anger also reduced across the program's duration.
Dr Carrie Stanford - Thesis title:"Basic Symptoms in Young People at Ultra High-Risk of Psychosis."
Summary
Basic Symptoms are cognitive and emotional disturbances characteristic of the early stage of psychosis. This study established the utility of an instrument to identify Basic Symptoms amongst young people at high risk for developing psychosis, thereby facilitating the pathway to treatment for these individuals.
Dr Janelle Amy Elizabeth Armstrong - Thesis title:"Internet Child Pornography: An Examination of Attachment and Intimacy Deficits."
Summary
This study found that Internet child pornographers (ICP) reported significantly less optimal attachment than non-offenders, matched child and matched adult sexual offenders. ICP also reported a more negative view of self than non-offenders and the matched sexual offender groups. Finally, the ICP group reported more social avoidance and distress than non-offenders.
Dr Elise Brenton - Thesis title:"Community's Attitudes Towards Intimate Partner Homicide: Applicability of Legal Reform."
Summary
The studies aimed to explore the Victorian community's attitudes toward intimate partner homicide committed in the context of jealousy and domestic violence. Results revealed that the immediacy of the accused's actions, the gender of the accused, and the gender of the participant interacted to influence participants' verdict and blame responses.
Dr Jonathan Hugh Burt - Thesis title:"The Relationship Between Stress and the Symptomatology of Fibromyalgia."
Summary
Fibromyalgia is an unexplained but often debilitating syndrome, characterised primarily by widespread pain. This thesis provides direct evidence that physical and emotional stress exacerbates pain, fatigue and other symptoms of Fibromyalgia and supports the assertion that symptoms may be related to disordered stress-response mechanisms in the human brain.
Dr Sian Felicity Cole - Thesis title:"Adults with Arthritic Conditions and Care-Seeking in an Attachment Framework."
Summary
This research examined arthritic adults care-seeking and the coping strategies employed in dealing with arthritis in an attachment framework. Insecure attachment to primary attachment figures was found to influence poor psychological adjustment. The results highlight the importance of attachment processes in partially influencing care-seeking and coping strategies that shaped psychology adjustment.
Dr Megan De Souza - Thesis title:"The Relationship Between Primary and Secondary Control and Eating Behaviour."
Summary
Two studies were conducted investigating Australian women's management of their life goals. Although engagement with goals was generally positive for psychological well-being, the propensity to disengage from appearance-related goals was beneficial for body image and protective against disordered eating, suggesting strategies for promoting goal disengagement in women with eating disordered behaviour.
Dr Lisa Anne Engel - Thesis title:"Psychological Impact of Dose Adjustment for Normal Eating (DAFNE) Training in Adults with Type 1 Diabetes."
Summary
This thesis investigated the psychological impact of an education intervention, dose adjustment for normal eating, in adults with type 1 diabetes. The results demonstrated that the education programme improved participants' subjective wellbeing, self-efficacy and reduced diabetes-related distress compared to a comparison group that engaged in usual care.
Dr Katie Rosaleen Giles - Thesis title: "Female Sexual Dysfunction: Aetiology and a Model of Sexual Response."
Summary
Women with female sexual dysfunction (FSD) reported a higher incidence of negative aetiological factors. Relationship factors were the main predictors of sexual function for women with FSD. A revised circular model of sexual response represented both groups and relationships between sexual response variables were stronger for women with FSD.
Dr Alison Carver - Thesis title:"Associations Between Neighbourhood Safety and Physical Activity Among Youth."
Summary
This thesis examined how perceptions of neighbourhood safety and objective measures of the local road environment were related to physical activity among youth. Results demonstrated that neighbourhoods with walking tracks and traffic-calming measures promote active transport (walking/cycling) and may help stem age-related declines in physical activity among children and adolescents.
Dr Amy Elizabeth Larsen - Thesis title:"Evaluation of Novel Dairy Fatty Acids in Inflammatory Muscle-Wasting Conditions."
Summary
This work examined the effects of a novel dietary fatty acid called CLA, and its effects on muscle wasting in advanced cancer. Results showed a positive anti-inflammatory role of CLA on the suppression of tumour growth, and established a model for studying the action of CLA in human muscle-wasting conditions.
Dr Wendy Lawson - Thesis title:"Learning Styles: Single Attention and Associated Cognition in Autism (SAACA)."
Summary
This research explored autism spectrum (AS), current cognitive theory
and associated outcomes. It found autism spectrum is a different learning style not located in typical development and not accounted for by traditional theories. AS is related to an interest system imbedded in single attention and associated cognition in autism (SAACA).
Dr Anita Narelle Pryor - Thesis title: "Wild Adventures in Wellbeing."
Summary
This study examined the foundations, features and wellbeing impacts of Australian Outdoor Adventure Interventions (OAI). According to literature- and practice-based evidence, Australian OAI support positive impacts for individuals across physical, emotional, behavioural, social, cultural, spiritual, economic and environmental wellbeing domains. This form of practice models a socio-ecological approach to human wellbeing in the Australian context.
Dr Wei Chun Wang - Thesis title:"Social Ideological Influences on Food Consumption and Body Mass Index (BMI)."
Summary
Social ideologies appeared to influence dietary behaviour, physical activity and BMI. These influences varied through different pathways in younger and older baby boomers. Studies provide insight into the segmentation of baby boomer population in relation to concrete social ideologies that could be used for policy development and effective health promotion.
Dr Clifford Liongue - Thesis title:"Evolution of Class 1 Cytokine Receptor Signalling: Conservation of Granulocycle Colony-Stimulating Factor (GCSFR)."
Summary
Cytokines are proteins that provide essential signals to blood and immune cells. The evolution of this system was determined from primitive organisms to humans and zebrafish. Analysis of zebrafish granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF) signalling revealed broad conservation of function with mammals and a novel role in white blood cell migration.
Dr Sarah Louise Shigdar - Thesis title:"Haematology of Murray Cod: Molecular and Cellular Analysis."
Summary
Murray cod are Australia's largest freshwater fish: endangered in the wild, but supporting a boutique industry. This project studied the blood cells of Murray cod and those affected by the disfiguring chronic erosive dermatopathy. This has provided insight into the factors affecting Murray cod health.
Neil Archbold Memorial Travel Award and Medal
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Dr Alison Carver
The Neil Archbold Medal is presented at graduation to winners of the Neil Archbold Memorial Travel Award. Travel Awards are made each year to the two Deakin University higher degree by research candidates who have produced the best peer-reviewed journal articles. The awards are for research-related travel.
Occasional Address
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The Occasional Address was delivered by Professor Warwick Anderson (AM), Chief Executive Officer, National Health and Medical Research Council.
Warwick Anderson is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Health and Medical Research Council ( NHMRC ). He has bought to the position extensive experience in health research leadership and management. He was appointed to the role by the Minister for Health and Ageing in April 2006, and his five year appointment commenced in June 2006.
Professor Anderson obtained a Bachelor of Science (Honours) from the University of New England in 1968 and his PhD from the University of Adelaide in 1972. He then spent three postdoctoral years at the Harvard Medical School in the United States, before returning to the University of Sydney.
Later he was appointed Deputy Director of the Baker Medical Research Institute and from 2001-2006 was Head of School of Biomedical Sciences at Monash University.
He has published more than 150 scientific papers, primarily in integrative cardiovascular and renal physiology and high blood pressure, and has made significant contributions over many years to the community, research societies and numerous boards and committees. He was Chair of NHMRC 's Research Committee between 1997-2003.
In 2005 Professor Anderson was made a Member of the Order of Australia for his service to health and medical research through leadership roles with NHMRC , to the development of medical science at Monash University, and to hypertension and renal physiology research.
