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When Professor Michael Good first arrived at Griffith University seven years ago he never imagined that a vaccine to protect against the nasty Streptococcus A infection would already be at pharmaceutical development stage.
But with the support of Vice Chancellor Ian O’Connor, Institute for Glycomics Director Professor Mark von Itzstein and a remarkable research team working in the Institute’s Laboratory for Vaccines for the Developing World, the NHMRC Senior Principal Research Fellow was able to raise hope for millions.
Professor Good’s team’s outstanding work led to a major translational outcome for the Institute in 2016, with the signing of a significant licensing agreement with major international vaccine manufacturing company, Olymvax Biopharmaceuticals in China. It is for this achievement they have been recognised with the Vice Chancellor’s Research Excellence Award for a research group or team.

Their needle-free vaccine targets Streptococcus A infections, the cause of strep throat and rheumatic heart disease.
Globally it is

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The country’s first symposium on recycled organics will tackle their potential to create an industry worth more than $1 billion.
Australia produces 20 million tonnes of wasted organics – garden organics, forestry residues, municipal solid wastes, agricultural residues, biosolids, green waste and timber – each year.
Professor Chengrong Chen of the Griffith School of Environment, said currently 44 per cent of organics were recycled, 9 per cent were used to produce electricity and 47 per cent went to landfill.
“If we can recycle that remaining 47 per cent it could create an industry in recycled organics worth more than $1 billion,” he said.
“On the one hand we generate waste but on the other hand we’re saying how can we put that back to make things grow better?”
Held in partnership with Soil Science Australia and being opened by Queensland Chief Scientist Professor Suzanne Miller the symposium held at Griffith’s Nathan campus on Thursday (June 15)

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Two Griffith University researchers have received special commendations at the inaugural national Excellence in Graduate Research Education Awards, hosted by the Australian Council of Graduate Research (ACGR).
Dean and Head, School of Education and Professional Studies, Professor Donna Pendergast, and Deputy Head (Research), School of Environment, Professor Catherine Pickering, received their awards at a special event in Sydney.
Professor Pendergast was recognised for her work in the Graduate Research Supervision category, and Professor Pickering was acknowledged for achievements in the Graduate Research Leadership space.
“This award represents the achievements of each and every HDR student I have had the privilege to supervise over the years,’’ Professor Pendergast said.
“HDR supervision is an exciting part of my work, with the opportunity to engage with people who are highly motivated and contributing to new thinking.”
Professor Pendergast’s approach to supervision, particularly her concept of Golden Threads, was shared at the awards ceremony.
“Golden threads run through students’ research

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Award-winning playwright, actor and Griffith PhD candidate, Margi Brown Ash, will present a double bill performance of her works He Dreamed a Train and Eve at the Brisbane Powerhouse in late June/July.
It will be the first time the works have been performed as a double bill. As part of her PhD Margi wrote the scripts for He Dreamed a Train and Eve (together with Home, presented by Qld Theatre in 2015). The three plays form a trilogy of belonging and how people find their place in the world.
Margi, who is completing her PhD under the supervision of Professor Michael Balfour, Dr Linda Hassall and Professor Emeritus Bruce Burton, came to her PhD as a mature-age student.
With two master’s degrees in drama and counselling, Margi is no stranger to academe, teaching both areas at QUT for many years, while fitting it around her family and theatre commitments.
“At 65 I’m doing my PhD for very different reasons than someone younger may,’’ she

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