At the LoginLab we are constantly applying for grants, submitting publications and working collaboratively with other teams. A lot of hands go in when working on projects and we love to celebrate and recognise every achievement.
In the LoginLab News Room you will find all the news and achievements about our work and positive news about the projects we are working on.
We are pleased to announce Professor Frances Kay-Lambkin has been appointed as the new Institute Director of HMRI for a period of five years.
Professor Kay-Lambkin is a registered Psychologist and an award-winning mental health researcher with over 20 years’ experience in the University sector. Her innovative work on the comorbidity of mental health and drug use disorders has received more than $30 million in successful research funding and led to new treatments and better outcomes for patients.
In addition to her impressive international research credentials Professor Kay-Lambkin also has over 10 years research leadership experience, most recently holding the positions of Pro-Vice Chancellor, Research and Innovation and Head of School of Medicine and Public Health at the University of Newcastle.
As chair of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Women in Health Science Committee and Member of the NHMRC Research Committee, Professor Kay-Lambkin brings excellent knowledge of the research funding landscape to the position.
HMRI Chair Kyle Loades said he is delighted with the appointment of Professor Kay-Lambkin and that a local person was the clear standout from a strong international field of applicants.
“Frances is a leading national and international research professional,” Mr Loades said. “To have such a strong candidate who is also so well known to HMRI, and the Hunter region, is an amazing win for us all.”
“HMRI’s purpose is to improve the health and wellbeing of our communities and Professor Kay-Lambkin has embodied this mission throughout her stellar career as a researcher and advocate for mental health and research,”
Professor Kay-Lambkin said that she feels privileged to take on the leadership role of HMRI.
“Having spent many years as a HMRI researcher I know how important HMRI is to Newcastle and the Hunter and our communities. Our work delivers high quality research that results in real world health benefits in real time,” Professor Kay-Lambkin said.
“My time outside our region has demonstrated to me that the impact of HMRI is global, and it has a stellar reputation across Australia and internationally.”
Professor Kay-Lambkin sees her appointment as an opportunity to pay forward the investment and support this region has shown her over her career.
“I have experienced first-hand the transformative effect that donors have on the research we do,” Professor Kay-Lambkin said.
“A HMRI donor changed the course of my own work at a time when I was considering a career change, so it is extra special that I am now in a position to work with the many supporters and donors of HMRI and bring more of those opportunities to our researchers.”
“COVID-19 has taught us the value of research in responding to the biggest health challenges of our time. We need to work together to retain and attract the brightest minds in medical research to our region to ensure that we all continue to grow and deliver world-class research and meaningful health impacts into the future.”
Professor Kay-Lambkin will officially commence her new role in late May taking over from current Director Professor Mike Calford.
Thanks to a dedicated team of clinical researchers this is not a pipe dream, but something that already exists, and is being refined and scaled up to help even more people. Called eCliPSE, it provides 24/7 access to self-help tools, online treatment programs, and a geo-location service that links people with services in their local community.
Keep reading by clicking here!
To learn more about our eCliPSE project click here
Our team has been recruiting Australians 60 years and over for our Shade Plus program. We currently have 7 participants in our research project and two participants in Breathing Space thoroughly engaged with the online community. We are still recruiting participants; if you are interested in the Shade Plus click here to visit our Shade Plus website for more information.
Our team has completed 25 interviews with participants who trailed the S-Check app. The app has been created for those who use crystal methamphetamine, and wanted to understand and track their use. Click here to learn about the S-Check app.
The AVIVA project has been created to test the safety and usability of an American developed Suicide prevention app with clinicians and people with lived experiences.
We currently have two clinicians reviewing the app and each of the 10 modules.
The new Family and Friends Support Program is now live, to view our recent news article ‘Program helps manage the stress of having loved ones with substance-use issues, including ice and alcohol‘ in the Newcastle Herald click the link below.
Our team leader Prof. Frances Kay-Lambkin joined the Matilda Centre for a webinar on Friday 27th, November; discussing and explaining how the program was developed, why it is so important and how the program works.
A support program for family and friends of ice users has been expanded to include alcohol and other substances. Developed in Newcastle, the Family and Friends Support Program helps people help their troubled loved ones, while making sure they don’t neglect themselves.
Research shows that carers do try to make time for themselves. but they often place this down their list of priorities, as caring for their loved ones takes precedence. They can become caught up in the caring role. And they also have to deal with stigma and a sense of loss.
The LoginLab team was featured in the 17th issue of INSPIRE, the national publication for Research Australia.
Since 2013 the Mark Hughes Foundation have single-handedly changed the face of brain cancer research not only at HMRI but across the country. HMRI acknowledges their previous project funding awarded earlier this year and announce a new round of successful Innovation Grants funded by the NRL Beanie for Brain Cancer Round and Beanie for Brain Cancer campaign
Awarded to Professor Frances Kay-Lambkin from the University of Newcastle | Supporting families with a loved one diagnosed with Brain Cancer.
