Bond University played host to 2006 Australian of the Year Professor Ian Frazer this month.
Professor Frazer was the guest of honour at the Zonta Club’s International Women’s Day breakfast before addressing a public seminar on "The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and the HPV Vaccine".
One hundred and fifty staff and medical students from Bond and Griffith Universities listened to Professor Frazer, giving them an opportunity to learn from one of Australia’s most prominent scientists.
Professor Frazer developed the world’s first vaccine for cervical cancer. He told the seminar that cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women worldwide and is the only cancer caused 100% by the HPV.
While the vaccine is currently available in Australia, Professor Frazer would now like to see it used in developing nations.
"I am focussed on getting the (HPV) vaccine to the third world where there are cancers but no screening processes," he said.
Students who attended the seminars were excited to hear from such an influential researcher.
Medical student Rob Mason said; "It was an excellent opportunity to hear from the best about such an important area. His research has important implications for me in the future."
Professor Frazer later opened the inaugural Bond University Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine Research Showcase, calling on the government and corporate sponsors to ensure the long-term viability of medical research in Australia.
Addressing a delegation of health science professionals, clinicians and industry representatives, he said that a lack of infrastructure is forcing researchers to head overseas to develop their medical breakthroughs into commercial realities, costing Australia hundreds of millions of dollars annually.
Currently there are no facilities in Australia which can clinically test and produce pharmaceutical goods conforming to Australian regulatory standards.
According to Professor Frazer, around $100 million needs to be invested in fermentation, bottling and animal toxicology plants to ensure that Australian medical scientists can develop their research so that it can directly benefit the community.
Dean of Health Sciences and Medicine at Bond University, Professor Chris Del Mar also addressed the showcase, highlighting the importance of Australian universities partnering with industry to undertake research that really matters to Australians.
"(We) need to help industry and help students get research careers going. At Bond we are focussing on how research can be applied to directly benefit the community", said Professor Del Mar.
"Our ability to conduct research at Bond University is now stronger than ever due to our new, purpose-built facilities, significant investment in resources and equipment and research-active academic staff.
"We are keen to both partner with industry on collaborative projects, and welcome new higher degree research students to the faculty", he said.