Directors Report

Steve Redman (1 January to 1 August 1999)

My period as Director was largely a holding operation pending the arrival of Professor Whitworth in August. I was fortunate to be able to confer with Professor Whitworth on a regular basis. Decisions on matters with long-term implications were made mutually. The School's budget was exceptionally tight. I am grateful to all staff for their co-operation and support during this period.

A particularly happy event that occurred during this period was the 50th year of Professor Frank Fenner's association with the School. Frank is a famous Australian virologist, well known for his work on the introduction of myxomatosis in the 1950's, and for his role in the world-wide eradication of small-pox. In recognition of his achievements, and his long association with the School, Mathew Lynn was commissioned to paint his portrait. The portrait was unveiled by the Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon Michael Wooldridge, in the presence of the Fenner family and the artist.

Professor Steve Redman

Judith A. Whitworth (from 2 August 1999)

Professor Judith Whitworth. Photo: Andrew Campbell, reproduced with permission, Public Affairs, ANU There is nothing permanent except change
(Heraclitus, 550-475 BC)

A few sports stars aside, not many people are lucky enough to be paid to do something they love. Researchers are among the lucky few. Changing paradigms and dogma and overturning old ideas is integral to research, and it is also integral to research management. Changes to the School are inevitable. The Cabinet decision to give the IAS access to the National Competitive Grants Scheme is a wonderful opportunity for us, but we will have to learn new rules. The University has generously responded to our request for assistance in refurbishment of our building, which has a magnificent history but little else in the way of amenities, and this progressive refit will occupy us over the next few years.

We are undertaking reviews of our administrative and scientific functions to best position ourselves to maintain international scientific competitiveness over the next decade. We hope that the inevitable changes can be collegial as well as transparent and accountable.

In my first report as Director, I want to thank my colleagues (academic, general staff and students), for their generous welcome and support. Staff in laboratories, workshops and offices, have contributed to an outstanding portfolio of research achievements:

  • Delineation, by David Tremethick, of the role of H2AZ, a component of chromatin, which may provide clues as to why so many human embryos die;

  • The discovery by Ewart, Cox and Gage of a drug that stops AIDS virus replication;

  • Identification, by Rohan Baker's Laboratory, of components of the ubiquitin pathway which control drug resistance and sensitivity;

  • Cloning of the enzyme heparanase, a key in tumour spreading, and early clinical trials of the anti-cancer drug PI-88 developed by Chris Parish and colleagues;

  • Protection of non-human primates from HIV/AIDS using a novel immunisation strategy by Ian Ramshaw's group;

  • Demonstration by Alistair Ramsey of the role of nitric oxide in allergic disease, including asthma;

  • Discovery by Pankaj Sah of a new type of GABA receptor in the amygdala, the part of the brain involved in fear and anxiety, a possible target for new treatments;

  • New insights into morphine dependency using genetically altered mice by Hendry and Matthaei;

  • Discovery of gene pathways regulating autoimmunity and proliferation of B lymphocytes, using gene chip technology by Chris Goodnow and colleagues