Website: http://www.um.edu.mt/healthsciences; E-mail: healthsciences@um.edu.mt; Tel: 23401830
FHS Monthly Newsletter: May 2013
RESARCH, PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS
1st Applied Biomedical Science Meeting – 20 year celebration.
On 13 April, 2013, the Department of Applied
Biomedical Science within the Faculty of Health
Sciences held its first scientific meeting to
celebrate 20 years of Applied Biomedical Science
at the University of Malta. Professor Angela
Xuereb, Head of Department and Dean of the
Faculty, gave the opening address in which she
outlined the development of the department since
its inception resulting in the degree course being
accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science,
UK, since 2001. This was followed by the
introduction of postgraduate courses, an M.Sc. by
research and doctoral studies. Professor Xuereb
praised the foresight of Professor Maurice Cauchi
and Professor John Rizzo Naudi, who together in 1992 had been responsible for the
introduction of the Applied Biomedical Science degree (previously known as Medical
Laboratory Science).
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Dr. Christopher Barbara, Chairman of the Department of Pathology, Mater Dei Hospital,
followed and discussed the importance of biomedical science graduates in the manning of the
hospital pathology laboratories. The practical component of the degree course has always been
held in collaboration with the hospital laboratories, and various Chairmen throughout the years
were always very supportive of this programme.
Professor Maurice Cauchi made an appearance by live videoconferencing from Melbourne,
Australia. He described his original contribution to the foundation and structure of what is now
known as Applied Biomedical Science at the University of Malta. He talked about major
changes in the department resulting in developments, both at academic and health science level,
which started at Diploma level and progressed to a degree programme, and later to
postgraduate studies.
A guest speaker from the United Kingdom, University of Chester, Dr Stephen F. Hughes
delivered a keynote lecture on ‘lower limb orthopaedic surgery result in changes to selective
biomarkers’, indicating how biomedical science can directly influence clinical practice
including surgery and the management of post-operative complications, such as sepsis and deep
vein thrombosis.
This talk was followed by short talks by various speakers from both the University Department
and the hospital pathology laboratories. Dr Joseph Borg discussed one of the well-studied
mechanisms in blood physiology – haemoglobin regulation and control and the induction of
foetal haemoglobin by chemical drugs. Dr Stephanie Bezzina Wettinger provided an excellent
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overview of B.Sc. undergraduate projects on the Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor gene
and its role in disease in Malta, most notably, Parkinson’s disease and osteoporosis.
A biomedical scientist, attached to the hospital Biochemistry section, Mr. Ian Brincat,
discussed the importance of immunoassays, in particular the anti-thyroid hormone antibody in
the clinical biochemistry setting. Ms Melissa Formosa, currently conducting research for her
doctorate, presented interesting results about the genetics of osteoporosis in post-menopausal
women in Malta. She discussed the protective effects of certain polymorphisms in LRP4 and
their protective effect on bone mineral density. Ms Patricia Brincat, from the haematology
laboratory, described the innovative use of flow cytometry in diagnostic haemato-oncology.
The immunophenotyping of fresh lymph nodes for certain markers (both T- and B-cell
markers) and its beneficial role in patient management and treatment was discussed. Mr David
Grima, responsible for biomedical investigations at the national mortuary and anatomic
pathology at Mater Dei, presented relevant findings of cardiovascular disease from post
mortem examinations.
Two young biomedical science graduates, Charmaine Vella and Charlene Busuttil, discussed
their undergraduate research projects carried out in the Blood Transfusion and Histopathology
Laboratories, respectively, showcasing the level of undergraduate work currently being carried
out.
The meeting was brought to an end with an address delivered by Professor John Rizzo Naudi,
who was Chairman of the Institute of Health Care (now Faculty of Health Sciences). It was a
trip down memory lane for most, while young scientists in the audience could not but
appreciate the development of Biomedical Science in Malta over the past 20 years.
A good number of posters covering several topics related to biomedical science and pathology
at Mater Dei Hospital were presented during the coffee break. The successful meeting was very
well attended by both students and staff.
Dr Sandra Buttigieg had a paper entitled ‘An Examination of the Relationship
between Authentic Leadership and Psychological Well-Being and the Mediating Role of
Meaningfulness at Work’ published in the International Journal of Humanities and Social
Science.
Previous studies have examined the relationship between charismatic-types of
leadership and well-being but not specifically authentic leadership which gives importance to
how leaders are intrinsically composed rather than mere behaviour. This study explored
whether authentic leadership and well-being are related and whether meaningfulness of work
mediates this relationship. Well-being was measured from two perspectives namely hedonic
and eudaimonic well-being. 123 participants completed a questionnaire survey while
correlational and mediation analyses, using the Sobel Z test with bootstrapped samples, were
used to answer the research questions. Results revealed that authentic leadership is both
related to subjective well-being and to flow. In addition, meaningfulness of work partially
mediated the relationship between leadership and subjective well-being but fully mediated the
Abstract:
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relationship with flow. The results are discussed in view of their theoretical and practical
implications. Finally, a series of limitations are provided to secure the interpretative
boundaries of the results obtained.
Paulann Grech, Assistant lecturer, Mental Health Nursing, University of
Malta, Malta, PhD student, Department of Education, University of Sheffield, UK,, has
delivered an oral presentation during the North Of England Education Conference. The
theme of the conference was: Mind, Brain, Community: Inspiring Learners, Strengthening
Resilience.
The title of Paulann's presentation was: 'Mary Poppins’ new tools: a spoonful of
neuroscientific magic in the classroom'. The main aim was to discuss how ‘avant-garde’
neuroscientific techniques are being used to direct educational approaches. A poster was also
submitted in relation to the presentation.
ABSTRACT
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Aim: To demonstrate how ‘avant-garde’ neuroscientific techniques are being used to
direct educational approaches.
Background: Recent advances in neuroscience have led to a better understanding of
complex neurological pathways and mechanisms underlying the function of the human
brain. Emerging imaging techniques not only offer structural neuroanatomical depiction
but also provide an in vivo method for the dynamic evaluation of neurological
connections.
Education has been transformed by these discoveries due to a better understanding of
learning. Existing literature offers a spectrum of neuroscientific evidence-based
classroom techniques that have been implemented.
Method: A systematic search of the literature carried out during the past ten years has
been carried out in order to identify teaching techniques in practice, that are based on
neuroscientific evidence.
Results: The search has identified a selection of applied teaching techniques based on
evolving neuroscientific understanding of the mind and the brain.
Conclusion: Nowadays neuroscience has entered the classroom environment and can
be used to enhance the learning process.
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PAST EVENTS
Research Seminars
Professor Paul Pace, B.Ed. (Hons.) (Melit), M.Ed. (Melit), Ph.D. (Bradford),
Director of Centre for Environmental Education & Research and Deputy Dean
of the Faculty of Education – Presentation held on 24th April, 2013.
Abstract:
Environmental degradation has become such a reality that we've learned to live comfortably
with it. This fact has significant repercussions on our quality of life ... particularly for islanders
living in one of the most densely populated spots on Earth. The presentation will highlight the
major issues that have contributed to this state of affairs and possibly identify a way forward
that would help us develop sustainable lifestyles.
We would like to thank Professor Pace for his contribution.
Lecture by Professor Winfried von Eiff
The Department of Health Services Management organised a lecture entitled: « Benchmarking
and Best Practices: How to Transfer Best-In-Class Performance Into Practice», by Professor
Dr. Wilfried von Eiff, University of Muenster, Germany.
The lecture was held on Monday 29 April 2013 at the FHS Auditorium.
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