April 2004

Monash medical alumni to front lecture series

Bio-terrorism, emerging infections and microbes are the themes of the first of a series of public lectures being hosted by Monash University’s Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

The lectures are a joint initiative of the faculty and its alumni and are designed to facilitate debate and explore contemporary issues affecting human health.

The lectures will also showcase the contribution of Monash medical alumni in medical endeavour.

Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Professor Ed Byrne acknowledged the value of strong links and regular contact with the alumni group.

‘Our alumni are a central part of the faculty community,’ he said.

‘We measure our successes as a faculty in considerable part by their achievements.’

The first lecture, named the Rod Andrew Oration in honour of the Medical School’s founding dean, will be given by one of Australia’s most eminent scientists and Monash alumnus Professor Frank Fenner.

Professor Fenner, among whose many achievements include a major contribution to the elimination of smallpox, will lecture on the lessons learnt from smallpox and bio-terrorism and emerging infections.

Following Professor Fenner’s lecture, a panel of respected Monash medical alumni will be convened and will consider the question Man, microbes and manipulation: Who’s controlling who?

• The first in the Dean’s-Alumni Lecture Series (the Rod Andrew Oration) will be held on April 22 at 6.30 p.m. at Clayton campus of Monash University and is open to the public as well as Monash alumni, students and staff. For further information call 9905 9329.