The Early Career Investigator Committee (ECIC)
Definition of an Early Career Investigator
Current higher degree or current researcher within 10 years from the award of a PhD/MD.
Mission
The mission of the Early Career Investigator Committee (ECIC), formed in February 2017, is to help shape the future of bone and mineral research in Australia and New Zealand by fostering active engagement of early career investigators within the Australia & New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society (ANZBMS), supporting professional development of early career investigators and facilitating interactions between junior and senior members of all disciplines.
Objectives
- To act in collaboration with the ANZBMS senior committee and foster active engagement of early career investigators within the ANZBMS.
- To promote activities that engage early career investigators and senior members in open dialogue and collaborative initiatives.
- To increase early career investigator awareness of research trends and application of new technologies in bone and mineral research.
- To increase engagement of clinical trainees and improve training in bone and mineral metabolism.
- Involvement in scientific and social programs at the ANZBMS Annual Scientific Meeting.
- To foster science communication and engagement with the public.
- To facilitate translation of scientific findings to industry and government.
Committee
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Co-Chairs |
Ayse Zengin and Melissa Cantley |
|
Career Development Representatives |
Laura Laslett, John Kemp, Sarah Hosking |
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Clinical Training Representatives |
Eleanor Thong, Alicia Jones |
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Communications Representatives |
Melissa Cantley, Victoria Leitch |
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Events Representatives |
Ayse Zengin, Marc Sim, Natalie Hyde |
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ECIC representative to ANZBMS POC |
Sabashini Ramchand |
Dr Ayse Zengin
Roles: ECIC Co-Chair, Events
Research Fellow, Bone and Muscle Health Research, Monash University
Researcher Profile: https://research.monash.edu/en/persons/ayse-zengin
Twitter: @DrAyseZ
Email: ayse.zengin@monash.edu
Dr Ayse Zengin is a Research Fellow investigating global musculoskeletal health and diseases – in particular osteoporosis, fracture risk and sarcopenia. Her studies are based in the ageing populations of low-middle income countries (The Gambia, West Africa and India) and Indigenous Australians. Using the latest bone imaging modalities in combination with novel muscle functional assessment (e.g. jumping mechanography) and assessing the effects of lifestyle factors (diet, physical activity, vitamin D), her findings will shed light on the prevalence of these diseases and formulate preventative strategies for the global ageing population.
Dr Melissa Cantley
Roles: ECIC Co-Chair, Communications
NHMRC Early Career Research Fellow, Myeloma Research Laboratory, Adelaide Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide
Researcher Profile: https://researchers.adelaide.edu.au/profile/melissa.cantley
Email: melissa.cantley@adelaide.edu.au
Dr Melissa Cantley is a NHMRC Early Career Fellow working in the Myeloma Research Laboratory at the University of Adelaide, located at SAHMRI. Her research interest focuses on targeting bone cells, osteoclasts and osteoblasts to suppress pathogenic bone loss in chronic inflammatory diseases and understanding the role these cells and abnormal bone remodelling processes play in the progression of pre-cancerous stages to the haematological malignancy multiple myeloma.
Dr John Kemp
Role: Career Development
NHMRC Leadership Fellow
University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland.
Researcher Profile: http://researchers.uq.edu.au/researcher/8866
Email: j.kemp2@uq.edu.au
Dr John Kemp is a genetic epidemiologist, and National Health and Medical Research Council Leadership Fellow. His research aims to identify pharmacological targets for osteoporosis intervention by applying innovative statistical and molecular genetic methods to the world’s largest genetic study of osteoporosis.
Dr Laura Laslett
Role: Career Development
Senior Research Fellow, Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania. Hobart
Researcher Profile: http://www.utas.edu.au/profiles/staff/menzies/laura-laslett
Email: Laura.Laslett@utas.edu.au
Dr Laura Laslett is a musculoskeletal epidemiologist and NHMRC Early Career Fellow at the Menzies Institute for Medical Research at the University of Tasmania. She completed her Bachelor of Science (Honours), Master of Medical Science and Graduate Diploma of Public Health at the University of Adelaide, before moving to Hobart, Tasmania in 2009. She completed a PhD (Medical Research) at the University of Tasmania in 2013 on correlates, determinants and modifiers of musculoskeletal pain. She has expertise in musculoskeletal pain, clinical trials in osteoarthritis and back pain, and is interested in the role of bone in musculoskeletal health.
Dr Sarah Hosking
Role: Career Development
Dean’s Research Postdoctoral Fellow, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria
Researcher profile: https://www.deakin.edu.au/about-deakin/people/sarah-hosking
Twitter: @smhoski
Email: s.hosking@deakin.edu.au
Dr Sarah Hosking is a postdoctoral research fellow within the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University. Her research focuses on the influence of health literacy in osteoporosis prevention and management. Dr Hosking is currently investigating associations between health literacy and appropriate use of medications to prevent low-trauma fracture.
Dr Eleanor Thong
Role: Clinical Training
Consultant Endocrinologist at Monash Health, PhD candidate Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation (MCHRI)
Researcher Profile: https://www.monash.edu/medicine/sphpm/mchri/about/staff-students/thong
Email: eleanor.thong@monash.edu
Dr Eleanor Thong is an Endocrinologist at Monash Health and PhD candidate at the Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation. Her thesis aims to examine the impact of Type 1 diabetes on bone and female reproductive health. Her clinical interests include diabetes, metabolic bone conditions and obesity. Outside of her research and clinical work, Eleanor enjoys teaching and plays an active role in medical undergraduate and physician trainee education.
Dr Alicia Jones
Role: Clinical Training
Endocrinology Clinical Fellow (Monash Health, Vic), PhD candidate (Monash University, Vic)
Researcher Profile: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Alicia_Jones25
Email: alicia.jones@monash.edu
Dr Alicia Jones is completing her final year of Endocrinology advanced training at Monash Health, and in her first year of a PhD at the Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, part of the Monash University School of Population health and Preventative Medicine. Her research is on models of care delivery in osteoporosis, to provide equitable access particularly to people living in rural areas. Clinically she works in general endocrinology clinics and diabetes clinics, and has a particular interest in metabolic bone disease and reproductive health.
Dr Victoria Leitch
Role: Communications
Research Fellow, Manufacturing, Materials and Mechatronics, RMIT University, Victoria
Researcher Profile: https://www.rmit.edu.au/contact/staff-contacts/academic-staff/l/leitch-dr-victoria
Email: leitch.victoria@gmail.com
Dr Victoria Leitch holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) and PhD, completed at the University of Adelaide and a Master of Science Communication with the Australian National University. She has worked as a Postdoctoral Research Associate with the Origins of Bone and Disease Project based at Imperial College London, and now works on the Just-in-time implants project at RMIT University, Melbourne. Her research interests include the genetics of bone disorders, thyroid hormone and bone, osseointegration and craniofacial development.
Dr Marc Sim
Role: Events
Postdoctoral Research Fellow and Lecturer
School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University
Researcher profile: https://www.ecu.edu.au/schools/medical-and-health-sciences/our-staff/profiles/post-doctoral-research-fellows/dr-marc-sim
Twitter @marc_p_sim
Email: marc.sim@ecu.edu.au
Dr Marc Sim is a post-doctoral research fellow and lecturer at Edith Cowan University. His research examines the role of nutrition, physical activity and its impact on body composition, musculoskeletal function and fracture risk in older populations. Marc is an accredited Exercise Scientist and Nutritionist that believes in the fundamental role that physical activity and diet play against disease and its progression.
Dr Natalie Hyde
Role: Events
Dean’s Research Postdoctoral Fellow, Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Treatment, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria
Researcher Profile: https://www.deakin.edu.au/about-deakin/people/natalie-hyde
Twitter: @nat_hyde
Email: natalie.hyde@deakin.edu.au
Dr Natalie Hyde is a postdoctoral research fellow at the Epi-Centre for Health Ageing, Deakin University in Geelong, Australia. To date her research has largely focused on the role of maternal vitamin D and offspring health outcomes, with a focus on musculoskeletal health. Currently she is developing a program of research investigating the role of the developmental origins of musculoskeletal health, with a particular focus on various exposures during pregnancy and musculoskeletal health in later life.
Dr Sabashini Ramchand
Role: Past Co-Chair and ECIC representative for the ANZBMS Program Organising Committee (POC)
Consultant Endocrinologist and Research Fellow, Department of Medicine, Austin Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria
Researcher Profile: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sabashini_Ramchand
Twitter: @SabsRamchand
Email: sabs.ramchand@gmail.com
Dr Sabashini Ramchand is an endocrinologist and clinician researcher. She was awarded her medical degree from the University of Melbourne in 2008 and completed her endocrine training at Austin and Northern Health, Victoria. She is currently undertaking a Ph.D. investigating the skeletal and metabolic effects of oestradiol suppression therapy in premenopausal women with early breast cancer at Austin Health, University of Melbourne. As part of her postgraduate research studies, she is currently undertaking a research fellowship at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard University, United States, with Dr. Ben Leder, evaluating the use of combination therapy (denosumab and PTH) for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Sabashini is committed to improving engagement of early career investigators within the Australian and New Zealand metabolic bone field and enhancing training and engagement of advanced trainees in metabolic bone health.