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News
Looking forward to 2010 - by Prof John Cronin
Compliments of the season to you all. I hope 2010 has started well and it is a year full of good health and happiness for you all. 2009 was a very busy year for us with many notable achievements such as Masters and PhD Scholarships with industry exceeding half a million dollars, PG numbers larger than ever and the Institute being recognised by the University by receiving an additional $80,000 per annum for investment in further research initiatives. Also many of our staff and students have been the recipients of awards. You all must be commended for 2009 and I thank our students, associates and staff, as your energy and effort is very much appreciated and ultimately determines the success of the Institute.
2010 looks every bit as exciting. Already we have over $100,000 dollars of PhD Scholarships in negotiation with various sporting organisations, NZASNI and/or SPARC. Our undergraduate and postgraduate papers in the sport and exercise science stream have record numbers and we are currently processing many new Masters thesis and PhD enrolments. So another record year is forecasted.
I would also like to take this time to thank our partners in industry, as the success of the Institute is due in no small part to their involvement and their faith in our students. In particular I would like to acknowledge Pete Pfitzinger and Martin Dowson at the NZASNI and Richard Young at SPARC for their contributions to the success of the Institute. A special thanks to the many national sporting organisations that we have partnerships with, a sample of which are detailed later in the newsletter.
Finally we have exciting initiatives with MISH and Bruce Pulman Park principally around facilities, research and service delivery. Stay tuned and we will update you with what is happening at both sites in the near future. The developments at MISH are of particular significance as this will be the new home of the Institute in the future.
Faculty Research Award to Prof Patria Hume
At the end of last year Patria Hume was deservedly given the Excellence in Postgraduate Supervision award. An even greater achievement considering for the greater part of the year she was not well. Patria‘s current supervision responsibilites include 17 PhD students and 1 Masters student, which she seems to handle with ease. A quote from one of Patria’s students included in her application best describes her distinction as a supervisor:
I've just submitted my PhD under Patria. The thesis work resulted in 11 published journal articles, one book chapter, and a total of 55 research outputs. It has positioned me, according to a recent editorial of the British Journal of Sport Medicine, as a world expert in sport injury prevention. As a result of my PhD work I have been invited to speak in many countries with the host covering the cost. In the last 6 months I have spoken in South Africa, Australia and Switzerland. My PhD work has also attracted the attention of international sports bodies and I have worked with FIA (Formula One) and FIFA (soccer) as well as some of my work being used by the International Olympic Committee, the International Ice Hockey Federation and the International Rugby Board. Recently I have been asked to do a guest editorial for the British Journal of Sport Medicine on my return of investment work. As a PhD student this is an honour. All my output, recognition and success come from having Patria as a supervisor who positioned me in the right place at the right time. Patria is a supervisor who knows what to do in different situations to take advantage of opportunities for her students. I can't imagine what my PhD would look like without this guidance." Simon Gianotti, ACC Injury Prevention Manager. PhD Candidate, SPRINZ.
Our latest PhD graduands
Dr Ken Quarrie recently received his PhD from for a thesis entitled “An integrated approach to examining player performance and injury risks in professional New Zealand rugby”. His current work involves working half-time for the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU), where his main role is analysing/assessing the performance of teams and players. Ken also works for the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC), to assist them in their desire to develop and implement a research strategy.
Simon Gianotti has not formally graduated but recently submitted his thesis entitled “A framework for implementation of sports injury prevention programmes”. He wrote to us about what he has been doing since:
“Things have been quite busy for me since I handed in my PhD. While you might think things stop for a while once the beast is completed it seems for me to have got busier. As a result of my PhD I was invited to three countries by different groups (at their expense I might add). I've found getting your research published is the best way to get invited overseas and I'm already booked till April 2011. Hopefully the April trip in Monaco coincides with the Formula 1 as speaking should have a few perks. Outside of research, the summer allowed for activities such as bike riding with my 2 year-old. It’s a fun thing as he is fascinated by everything so is entertaining, except on the hills! If you want to slow your PhD down, have a child. My son doesn't care about Will Hopkins deadlines!!!!!