A researcher receiving his PhD says he was motivated to get into the field after his father died from cancer.
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Md Saifuzzaman, or Saif as he is known to many, was one of hundreds who received honours at the second of three La Trobe University Bendigo graduations on Thursday.
His work was part of research into anti-cancer compounds undertaken at the Bendigo campus.
Researchers were looking for chemical compounds carrying enzymes that targeted ways cancer cells were produced and propagated.
They were looking for ways to help radiation treatments, hoping to make it harder for cancer cell DNA to repair after radiation and chemotherapy.
High dosages of radiation were often used in conventional treatments, which increased the risk non-cancerous body tissue could be damaged.
“We have got some really good compounds. Compared to what is in the market my compounds are far, far better,” Saif said.
He said plans were underway to patent the compounds that had been produced and there were hopes to one day run clinical trials.
In total 844 students will graduate this week gaining either a bachelor degree, masters degree or a PhD.
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They included John Aitken, who received his PhD for research into ways service Rural Northwest Health encouraged people to participate in health initiatives around Warracknabeal.
He tracked a new community engagement program that asked people what they thought the future of aged-care should be. They then used a model to design strategies to improve health and well-being.
“Out of that we ran special programs dealing with aged care, with ice abuse, programs targeting young people,” he said.
Other actions included mapping places in the community where people felt healthy and unhealthy and developing strategies where help was needed, including community gardens.
The idea was to develop “social prescriptions” that people could use to get more engaged.
“Since that program started in August last year they’ve had 800 consultations with community members to start addressing health and wellbeing within our community,” John said.
The award-winning program was changing how health was delivered in the region, he said.
“The La Trobe Rural Health School in Bendigo has had a great role in helping us do that.”
Tom O'Callaghan
I grew up in Bendigo and I want to tell your stories.
I grew up in Bendigo and I want to tell your stories.
