Tel: 23401830 Fax: 23401211; E-mail: healthsciences@um.edu.mt; Website: http://www.um.edu.mt/healthsciences
FHS Monthly Newsletter – October 2010
PAST EVENTS
Reception - the Setting up of The Faculty of Health Sciences: Aula Magna, Valletta
Campus, Friday 8th October 2010
Professor Angela Xuereb,
Dean, FHS addressing guests
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Freshers` Week at the FHS Foyer Building, Mater Dei Hospital 4 - 8 October 2010
Message from the President of MHSA: "I would like to start off by expressing my gratitude
towards Prof. Angela Xuereb, Mr Charles Massa, Ms Elaine Xerri and the rest of the staff at the
FHS, for their help during Freshers’ Week, which was a great success! From what began as a
two men dream, it scaled up to seven FHS students who form part of the Executive Board, and in
a year's time, I am proud to say that the MHSA now has a total of two hundred FHS students as
members, fifteen of which are active in the organisations' activities. One of the main aims of the
MHSA is to strengthen the bond between the students of the FHS Departments`, said Mr Clinton
Schembri Francalanza, MHSA President.
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NEW RECRUITS
Dr. Joseph Borg is a full-time Lecturer with the Department of Applied
Biomedical Science and has just been finished his PhD studies after three
years full time at the University of Malta, supported by a Maltese
Government Scholarship Scheme (MGSS) and a European Molecular
Biology Organization (EMBO) fellowship to conduct work at the Erasmus
Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. As a student he conducted
his work at the Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, University of Malta
under the supervision of Professor Alex Felice. He received his undergraduate degree in B.Sc
(Hons) Medical Laboratory Science in 2000, and graduated with an M.Sc in Pathology
(Molecular Genetics and Haematology) in 2004. He has participated in various European Human
Genetic Conferences, including an oral presentation on his related work in Singapore.
An article on Dr Borg`s recent important research findings appeared in the Sunday Times of the
31st October and can be viewed on http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20101031/local/maltesescientist-s-breakthrough-research-in-blood-disorder-cure.
In 2006, Dr. Joseph Borg was awarded the best overall prize for his spoken contribution at the 6th
Malta Medical School Conference held tri-annually on the Maltese Islands and is the largest
medical event in the country. Dr Borg has published numerous abstracts and papers on peerreviewed journals including Blood, and European Journal of Human Genetics as well as review
articles. He was engaged in an FP6 funded project ITHANET; that is a Euromediterranean
network of research centres conducting molecular and clinical research of thalassaemia and
related haemoglobinopathies and was appointed full-time research assistant in an FP5 funded
project GeoParkinsons; that involved the study of genetic association of drug metabolizing
genes, environmental variables and predisposition to Parkinson’s Disease and Parkinsonism.
Dr. Borg published his seminal work in Nature Genetics – the leading international journal for
Human
Genetics
and
Heredity
and
an
abstract
can
be
accessed
on
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20676099.
Dr Nadine Calleja is an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of
Communication Therapy at the Faculty of Health Sciences. She currently
lectures on Acquired Language Disorders and is also a Clinical Tutor for
Audiology clinic sessions. She helps in the organisation of students’ clinical
orientation visits and ‘baby study’ observation sessions.
Dr. Calleja is a practising Speech-Language Pathologist and Audiologist and
has a special interest in hearing impairment and auditory processing. Dr. Calleja holds a Master
of Science degree in Audiological Science from University College, London and a Doctorate in
Audiology from Nova South-eastern University.
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Dr. Calleja is currently reading for a Ph.D. on Central Auditory Processing in children. She also
has research interest in speech and language development of children with cochlear implants.
Dr. Rosienne Farrugia B.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D. (Cantab) is a newly recruited
lecturer in the Department of Applied Biomedical Science.
Dr. Rosienne Farrugia graduated with a B.Sc. in Biology and Chemistry in 1997.
Her undergraduate research dissertation focused on the comparison of
biochemical methods used to detect Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity.
She pursued her M.Phil. studies within the Laboratory of Molecular Genetics at the Faculty of
Medicine and Surgery. Under the supervision of Prof. Alex Felice she identified the disease
causing mutations giving rise to mental retardation due to tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) deficiencies
in 7 Maltese families. Between 1997 and 2002, Dr. Farrugia worked as a research scientist at the
Laboratory of Molecular genetics where her responsibilities included setting up new genetic
diagnostic techniques, carrying out DNA fingerprinting analyses and mentoring of undergraduate
students. In 2003 Dr. Farrugia moved to the laboratory of Prof. Nenad Blau at the Children’s
Hospital, Zürich. Prof Blau is the leading European scientist on BH4 deficiencies and during the
9 months spent in Zürich, Dr. Farrugia worked on setting up model systems to study the
transport of BH4 through the blood brain barrier.
Dr. Farrugia moved to the University of Cambridge in 2004 where she was awarded a
scholarship to carry out research for her Ph.D. degree at the Department of Haematology. Her
research focused on the changes taking place in human monocytes in response to stimulation.
The conditions investigated where those of infection and blood vessel wounding characterised by
the activation of platelets. This research was carried out using EU funding under the
BLOODOMICS research grant. She was awarded her Ph.D. in July 2009. Recently, Dr. Farrugia
was employed as a research assistant on the EU project EuroGene. Her research interests within
the Department include the genetic epidemiology of metabolic diseases and the role of
monocytes in the context of infection and inflammatory disease.
Ms Sue Mercieca is an Assistant Lecturer in Radiography (Therapy). In
2003, Ms Mercieca was sponsored by the Maltese government to read for a
three year degree (leading to a B.Sc (Hons) in Therapeutic Radiography) at
St George’s Hospital, University of London, During this period Sue had the
opportunity to train at The Royal Marsden Hospital, which is one of the most
reputable oncology centres in England.
Sue successfully completed her studies in 2007 and soon after, she started working at the
Radiotherapy Department at Sir Paul Boffa Hospital. Sue gained valuable clinical experience
during the time she worked there but it was Sue`s wish to work in clinical education. Finally, the
opportunity arose when the first degree course in both Diagnostic and Therapeutic Radiography
was started at the University of Malta this academic year.
Sue will be furthering her studies to Master level in Radiotherapy and Oncology at Sheffield
Hallam University. Her research interests include quality of life of cancer patients and imaging
for radiotherapy planning and delivery.
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Mr Anthony Scerri, 36 years, holds a Master in Health Science (HSM), a
Master in Geriatrics and Gerontology, a Post-graduate Diploma in
Geriatrics and Gerontology and a Bachelor of Science (Hon.) in Nursing.
Anthony worked at Zammit Clapp Hospital and at Karin Grech Hospital
for 13 years as a staff nurse. For the past 3 years he had management
responsibilities as Deputy Nursing Officer and eventually as a Nursing
Officer. His research interests are Dementia care, Job Design in nursing, Continence Promotion
in the elderly, Interdisciplinary teamwork in Geriatric Rehabilitation as well as the role of the
Nurse in rehabilitation. He enjoys hiking, travelling and reading.
PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
Rachael Agius (nee Xuereb), B.Sc. (Hons.) Communication Therapy; M.Sc. Human Communication (Lond.).
Ms Rachael Agius is a Principal Speech-Language Pathologist who works for the Department of Health.
She also holds a part time teaching post with the University of Malta and covers various courses including
Augmentative and Alternative means of Communication (AAC); Written Language Disorders (Dyslexia);
Ethics for Health Professions, and Early Prevention and Intervention. She has worked for the state school
system in America on the planning, screening, assessment and implementation of a literacy program. She
has also worked for the National Health Service in Glasgow and at the Agora Research Centre, University
of Jyvaskyla, Finland as part of EU project placements on Literacy and Bilingualism. She is currently
completing her Doctorate in Philosophy (PhD) on Literacy and Bilingualism.






Xuereb, R. (2007). Reading Skills in Maltese-English Bilingual Children. 27th World
Congress of the International Association of Logopedics and Phoniatrics,
Copenhagen, Denmark.
Xuereb, R (2009) Literacy Skills in Maltese-English Bilingual Children. Journal of
Research in Reading, 32 (3), 327-348.
Xuereb, R (2009) Reading skills in Maltese-English bilingual children. Literacy
Research Symposium. College of Education, University of Canterbury, Christchurch,
New Zealand.
Xuereb, R (2009) Literacy skills in Maltese/English bilingual children: implications
for the identification of phonologically based reading difficulties. 3rd Internal
Symposium on Communication Disorders in Multilingual Populations, Agros,
Cyprus.
Xuereb, R. (2010) Literacy Skills in Maltese-English Bilingual Children. Seventeenth
Annual Conference of the Society for the Scientific Study of Reading, Campus
Seminaris, Berlin.
Xuereb, R. (2010). Literacy and Bilingualism - Psychometric validation of a new
dyslexia diagnostic assessment battery. 28th World Congress of the International
Association of Logopedics and Phoniatrics, Athens, Greece
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
Xuereb R, Grech H and Dodd, B (2010) Literacy, phonology and bilingualism in
Maltese Children: The development of a diagnostic tool for reading and writing
difficulties. Clinical Linguistics and Phonetics. Under review.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Research Seminars for Faculty lecturing staff and students undertaking a doctoral degree
The Faculty of Health Sciences is organising a series of research seminars for Resident
Academics within the Faculty and Ph.D students. These seminars are going to be held on an
informal basis, with the scope to learning about each other’s research work, and share research
experiences. These seminars will be held in the Staff room between 1 and 2 pm.
No
Date
1
3rd Nov 2010
2
Presenter
Study
Department
PhD
Physiotherapy
17th Nov 2010
Dr Stephen Lungaro
Mifsud
Ms Paulanne Spiteri
MSc
3
1st Dec 2010
Dr Rosienne Farrugia
PhD
4
15th Dec 2010
Dr Joseph Borg
PhD
5
12th Jan 2011
Dr Roberta Sammut
PhD
Nursing/Mental
Health
Applied Biomedical
Sciences
Applied Biomedical
Sciences
Nursing
6
26th Jan 2011
Mr Frank Zarb
Radiography
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9th Feb 2011
Dr Michelle Camilleri
PhD
(In progress)
PhD
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23rd Feb 2011
Dr Cynthia Formosa
PhD
Podiatry
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9th March 2011
Ms Marjorie Bonello
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23rd March 2011
Mr Tonio Agius
PhD
(In progress)
PhD
(In progress)
Occupational
Therapy
Physiotherapy
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6th April 2011
Ms Josephine Attard
PhD
(In progress)
Midwifery
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4th May 2011
13
18th May
Ms Claire Sillato
Copperstone
Mr Anthony Scerri
PhD
(In progress)
MSc
Food Studies and
Environmental Health
Nursing / Health
Services Management
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Nursing
University Careers Convention – Nov 2010
•
•
•
Date:
Organisers:
Venue:
15-19 November 2010 from 9:00 to 15:00 hours
University Students Council and AIESEC
University Quadrangle
•
The following Departments will be taking part: Communication Therapy, Nursing,
Midwifery, Podiatry and Radiography.
•
There will be a public talk on Wednesday, 17th November, 2010 at 11:00 hour by Dr
Michelle Camilleri, Nursing Department on : `NURSING: A GATEWAY TO THE
WORLD`.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Blessing of our Faculty – 4th November, 2010
His Grace the Archbishop of Malta, Mons Paul Cremona, has been invited to bless our
Faculty on Thursday 4th November, 2010 at 10:00 hours. The Rector and Chancellor of the
University will also be present. All members of staff are cordially invited to be present for
this occasion
Forthcoming FHS Faculty Board Meeting Thursday 11th November, 2010 (Boardroom)
Graduation Ceremonies 2010, Faculty of Health Sciences (Important Dates)
•
•
Wednesday, 24 Nov 2010 at 4.30 pm: Masters and PhD
Monday, 29 Nov 2010 at 6.30 pm: Diploma, Bachelors and Post Graduate Diploma
Please consult the UoM website regularly for the latest info.
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Graduation Ball by the Malta Health Students Association
MHSA are holding the first Graduation Ball of the Faculty of Health Sciences! All the FHS staff
are invited.
This event will take place on 4th December at the Corinthia San Gorg Hotel, St Julians.
•
•
•
Graduation Ball Dinner – €33
Dinner + B&B Stay in a twin at the Corinthia San Gorg – €80 p/p
Dinner + B&B Stay in a twin at the Corinthia Marina – €70 p/p
Bookings are to be sent to ask.mhsa@gmail.com or call on 79300366. For further information
consult the following website www.mhsa.eu or www.facebook.com/maltahealthstudentsassociation
Committees at FHS approved by Senate
Doctoral Committee
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Professor Angela Xuereb (Chair person)
Dr Donia Baldacchino
Dr Carmel Caruana
Dr Helen Grech
Dr Anna McElhatton
Research Ethics Committee
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Dr Helen Grech (Chair person)
Dr Donia Baldacchino
Dr Stephen Lungaro Mifsud
Dr Roderick Bugeja
Dr Mark Sacco
Dr Josianne Scerri
Boards for Students` Posters/Presentation
The Faculty has just acquired eight brand new boards for Students` Poster Presentation which
can be viewed at the main reception. Anybody interested in using these boards is to contact
Mr Joe Mark Gatt on Tel 23401856.
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