IBAS

Institute for Breathing & Sleep

Institute News

Inaugural Information Breakfast: a success by any measure

Published in Institute News on 11 May 2012 by Vivienne Pearson

Over 100 people who attended the inaugural IBAS Information Breakfast felt the force of AFL legend David Parkin's passion for good health and learnt about the work of IBAS.  The breakfast, held on Wednesday 9th May at the Greensborough RSL, aimed to raise awareness of the research and education that occurs within the Institute.   IBAS CEO, Professor Christine McDonald, gave an overview of the work of the Institute as well as our respiratory based research, along with an insight into the joys of working in a heritage listed building!   Dr Mark Howard made sure that everyone drove home very carefully following the breakfast thanks to his presentation on the dangers of sleepiness when driving.  Dr David Berlowitz spoke about people affected by a spinal injury and the additional burden placed on them by the sleep disorders that affects nearly all those with quadriplegia soon after their injury.  The importance of his research program, aiming to better understand, identify and treat these sleep disorders was all too vividly…


Spinal Cord Injury Outcomes Funding

Published in Institute News on 30 January 2012 by Vivienne Pearson

IBAS Researcher, Dr David Berlowitz, has been awarded funding to develop a clinical registry for patients with spinal cord injury.  The project aims to extend the existing spinal cord injury register into a more robust, collaborative and web-based resource.  This will enable quality and safety issues to be addressed easily and accurately.  The funding is from the Institute for Safety, Compensation and Recovery Research (ISCRR), which was established in order to develop collaborative research models with the aim of closing the gap between everyday clinical practice and academic research. Dr Berlowitz is also the Research Leader of the Sleep Health in Quadriplegia (SHiQ), a 5-year program of research aiming to improve the assessment, treatment and understanding of sleep for those affected by a quadriplegic injury. 


Dr Maree Barnes on ABC Radio 774

Published in Institute News on 12 January 2012 by Vivienne Pearson

IBAS Researcher, Dr Maree Barnes, spoke on ABC Radio 774 with Hillary Harper about sleep and sleep disorders. IBAS conducts research about the cause, effects and treatment of sleep disorders.  If you are intererested in participating in research, please see the 'Participating in Research' section of this website, which includes FAQs and a form to register your interest. If you are concerned about your own sleep you are recommended to see your GP for assessement and referral to a specialist sleep physician. Appointments at Austin Health are available by phoning 9496-3688, however please note that you will need a referral from your GP to attend.  


IBAS 2010-2011 Annual Report

Published in Institute News on 12 December 2011 by Vivienne Pearson

IBAS released its Annual Report for the 2010 - 2011 financial year at the Annual General Meeting held in November. You can read this and previous annual reports in the About Us section of this website.


IBAS Internal Research Grants for 2012

Published in Institute News on 12 September 2011 by Vivienne Pearson

The IBAS Research Grant is offered to internal researchers annually.  The grant aims to support research that aligns with the aims of IBAS.  Funds are available for pilot projects, smaller stand alone projects, top-up funding for larger projects or for specific items of equipment. The grant has been offered annually since 2003, with amounts awarded ranging between $10,000 - $40,000.   Six projects have applied for funds.  All applications undergo external peer review before decisions are made. The projects that were funded by last year's IBAS Research Grant ($30,000 to Assessment of Ocular Measures of Alertness and Driving Impairment in Medical Residents and $10,000 to The 2007 AASM Recommendations for EOG Electrode Placement on Polysomnography: Impact on Rapid Eye Movement Scoring) are both progressing well.