October 2012.pdf - Health Sciences - Curtin University

12RESEARCHPhysiotherapy involved in projectlaunched by Minister for Health andAgeingNew Independent Researcher InfrastructureSupport (NIRIS) AwardsMinister Mark Butler, 4th year OccupationalTherapy student Simone Cuthbert, 4th yearPhysiotherapy Student Mirella Korver & ProfessorBarbara HornerThe Honourable Mark Butler, Minister forMental Health and Ageing, visited CurtinUniversity in September to launch aCommonwealth Government funded projectled by the University of Tasmania, andincluding Curtin University (team led byProfessor Barbara Horner) and the AustralianCatholic University.In the formal launch of the program, whichinvolves supporting residential aged carefacilities to become centres of teaching andresearch excellence in partnership withuniversities, the Minister met and discussedexperiences of Mirella Korver 4 th yearPhysiotherapy student with 4th yearOccupational Therapy student SimoneCuthbert who have been involved in this typeof program with Juniper (previouslyRowethorpe).Professor Keith Hill is a member of theadvisory committee for this project.Dr Jenny DownsResearch into Rett Syndrome, early onset scoliosisand the CDKL5 disorderDr Downs’ research aims to better understand thecourse and management of Rett syndrome, EarlyOnset Scoliosis and the CDKL5 disorder. The mainfocus has been on Rett syndrome, a geneticallycaused neurodevelopmental disorder mainlyaffecting girls and causing severe disability.Investigations have included early development,scoliosis, the measurement of gross motor andhand function abilities, and consensus processesfor clinical management.Dr Downs led the project developing guidelines forthe clinical management of scoliosis in Rettsyndrome, including dissemination of lay languagebooklets, and is currently leading similar processesfor gastro-intestinal problems and bone health. Sheis principal researcher on a new projectinvestigating the measurement of physical activity,funding by the International Rett SyndromeFoundation, and is developing a similar model ofresearch for children with Early Onset Scoliosis andCDKL5 disorder and their families.She has a strong trajectory in the writing of peerreviewedpublications and presentations (e.g. 15publications in print or press since 2010 and 6invited presentations since 2007) and currently cosupervisesfour PhDs, one Masters and two Honoursstudents. She represents the Institute on thePrincess Margaret Hospital Ethics Committee andtherefore advocates for the highest quality ofethical research in our State.Make tomorrow better.12Physiotherapy.curtin.edu.au© Curtin University, School of Physiotherapy Quarterly Newsletter October Edition 2012