{"id":14276,"date":"2020-09-25T10:45:37","date_gmt":"2020-09-25T00:45:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/library\/?p=14276"},"modified":"2024-06-25T14:37:57","modified_gmt":"2024-06-25T04:37:57","slug":"meet-the-man-behind-the-institute-for-glycomics-professor-mark-von-itzstein-ao","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/library\/2020\/09\/25\/meet-the-man-behind-the-institute-for-glycomics-professor-mark-von-itzstein-ao\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet the man behind the Institute for Glycomics, Professor Mark von Itzstein AO"},"content":{"rendered":"

Twenty years ago<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Professor Mark von\u00a0<\/span>Itzstein<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>established the\u00a0<\/span>Institute for\u00a0<\/span>Glycomics<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>the only one of its kind in the southern hemisphere and only one of a few in the world.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the following Q & A, d<\/span>iscover how an inquisitive nature,<\/span>\u00a0expert<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>mentors<\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>broader study<\/span>\u00a0took\u00a0<\/span>him\u00a0<\/span>from a\u00a0<\/span>potential career in\u00a0<\/span>veterinary science<\/span>\u00a0to establishi<\/span>ng the Institute for\u00a0<\/span>Glycomics<\/span>\u00a0at Griffith University.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Q & A<\/span><\/b>:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What started you\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/b>on the\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/b>path from animal husbandry to\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/b>Dir<\/span><\/i><\/b>ector<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0of the<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0Institute for\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/b>Glycomics<\/span><\/i><\/b>?<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Coming from a f<\/span>arming background<\/span>\u2014<\/span>my parents\u00a0<\/span>were\u00a0<\/span>dairy farmers<\/span>\u2014<\/span>it was\u00a0<\/span>logical\u00a0<\/span>that my starting point was to study animal husbandry at the\u00a0<\/span>Q<\/span>ueensland\u00a0<\/span>Agricultural College (Gatton)<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0now part of\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>U<\/span>niversity of\u00a0<\/span>Q<\/span>ueensland. After graduating, my plan was to leave Australia and study veterinary medicine at an esteemed college in the US. Prior to leaving, however, came the r<\/span>ecommendation from th<\/span>e<\/span>\u00a0college to\u00a0<\/span>first\u00a0<\/span>study a broad<\/span>er<\/span>\u00a0science degree<\/span>; the a<\/span>im\u00a0<\/span>was\u00a0<\/span>to deepen\u00a0<\/span>my\u00a0<\/span>understanding\u00a0<\/span>of\u00a0<\/span>science<\/span>\u00a0prior to studying veterinary medicine.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Studying science\u00a0<\/span>at Griffith\u00a0<\/span>opened up<\/span>\u00a0a whole new world for me.\u00a0<\/span>I<\/span>n\u00a0<\/span>my\u00a0<\/span>foundation year<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>I was learning about astronomy, geology, deeper chemistry<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0etc<\/span>.<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>for the first time<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>which\u00a0<\/span>was intriguing to me<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>But\u00a0<\/span>what I really enjoyed was the fact that the professors were passionate<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0not only about the material<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0but also about engagement and deliver<\/span>y<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>It was just amazing to experience<\/span>\u00a0and gave me\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>great opportunity to meet\u00a0<\/span>a number of<\/span>\u00a0significant mentors who changed my path and my life forever<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I was in the third intake of a young university\u00a0<\/span>and they were genuinely remarkable years\u00a0<\/span>at Griffith. The\u00a0<\/span>uni<\/span>\u00a0was\u00a0<\/span>small and\u00a0<\/span>on one campus but w<\/span>as\u00a0<\/span>set apart\u00a0<\/span>from other universities\u00a0<\/span>due to its interdisciplinary\u00a0<\/span>approach<\/span>;<\/span>\u00a0its ability to\u00a0<\/span>attract\u00a0<\/span>prestigious and influential teachers<\/span>\u2014<\/span>grant winning researchers recognised across Queensland and the nation<\/span>;<\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>its ability to attract both students and teachers from\u00a0<\/span>diverse background<\/span>s.\u00a0<\/span>I really relished\u00a0<\/span>this sort of\u00a0<\/span>environment<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

By the time I had marched\u00a0<\/span>through second and third year<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>that passion had been instilled in me\u00a0<\/span>and by the\u00a0<\/span>end of\u00a0<\/span>third year\u00a0<\/span>I had done a triple major!\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What led to\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/b>you<\/span><\/i><\/b>r<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0proposal for\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/b>the\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/b>development of\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/b>the<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/b>Institute for\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/b>Glycomics<\/span><\/i><\/b>?<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The o<\/span>rigins of the Institute stem back 20 years<\/span>\u00a0when Griffith\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>then\u00a0<\/span>Vice Chancellor\u00a0<\/span>Professor L R<\/span>oy<\/span>\u00a0Webb<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and the Q<\/span>ueensland\u00a0<\/span>State Government approached me at Monash Uni<\/span>versity<\/span>. They wanted\u00a0<\/span>to know\u00a0<\/span>my\u00a0<\/span>vision in terms of research and in terms of contribution<\/span>\u00a0and to know what<\/span>\u00a0would bring\u00a0<\/span>me\u00a0<\/span>back to Q<\/span>ueensland\u00a0<\/span>and Griffith<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>So<\/span>\u00a0I outlined a vision<\/span>\u00a0for a\u00a0<\/span>w<\/span>orld-<\/span>class\u00a0<\/span>Institute<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>that undertook original<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>and collaborative\u00a0<\/span>research<\/span>\u00a0across the\u00a0<\/span>country<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>and if\u00a0<\/span>necessary<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>world<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>The facility\u00a0<\/span>also\u00a0<\/span>would fit into Griffith\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>interdisciplinary<\/span>\u00a0ethos<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>integrating\u00a0<\/span>aspects of science from all fields in<\/span>to<\/span>\u00a0one team to\u00a0<\/span>deliver translational outcomes for contractible diseases<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

After h<\/span>aving those conversations<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0they attracted me back to establish what we now have as a remarkably unique facility in the country<\/span>\u00a0and a<\/span>\u00a0core facility for the world, for other Australian scientists and<\/span>\u00a0our<\/span>\u00a0international colleagues<\/span>. We set<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>–<\/span>up something that was going to be\u00a0<\/span>really attractive<\/span>\u00a0to anyone who didn\u2019t want to be an expert in\u00a0<\/span>glycomics<\/span>\u00a0but wanted a solution that related to\u00a0<\/span>glyco<\/span>mics<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What does translational research mean to the Institute<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0for\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/b>Glycomics<\/span><\/i><\/b>?<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It means translating research into tangible benefits for the\u00a0<\/span>global\u00a0<\/span>community<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Here at the Institute w<\/span>e are solving problems<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>and\u00a0<\/span>identify<\/span>ing<\/span>\u00a0opportunities that can lead to new diagnostics, drugs and vaccines to help humanity fight disastrous diseases, both emerging and existing<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0R<\/span>ight\u00a0<\/span>now,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>the Institute is\u00a0<\/span>best known\u00a0<\/span>in the\u00a0<\/span>infectious disease<\/span>s<\/span>\u00a0space<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0e<\/span>.<\/span>g<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0malaria, anti-viral drug discovery, influenza<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Significant\u00a0<\/span>studies\u00a0<\/span>with global impact are being undertaken and there has been s<\/span>o much interest from industry<\/span>\u00a0around multi<\/span>million<\/span>–<\/span>dollar co-<\/span>development programs<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A more recent<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0but equally exciting<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0portfolio<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0in the Institute<\/span>\u00a0is in\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>cancer space<\/span>. Over the next four years I a<\/span>nticipate as\u00a0<\/span>many\u00a0<\/span>major breakthrough<\/span>s<\/span>\u00a0in that space as\u00a0<\/span>are\u00a0<\/span>currently\u00a0<\/span>are<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>being experienced\u00a0<\/span>in\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>infectious disease space<\/span>. For the first time<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0we g<\/span>enuinely\u00a0<\/span>are\u00a0<\/span>seeing real imaging of cancer cells –\u00a0<\/span>remarkable changes to\u00a0<\/span>glycomic<\/span>\u00a0pattern<\/span>s<\/span>\u00a0to these cells\u00a0<\/span>\u2013 that\u00a0<\/span>gives hope to new<\/span>\u00a0diagnostics and drug and vaccine<\/span>\u00a0discovery<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What advice would you give new students and researchers?<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Really it is all about\u00a0<\/span>life-long learning<\/span>. I finished my first degree and discovered I knew nothing. At the end of my PhD I thought I knew a lot but discovered I certainly didn\u2019t know much at all. Entering the post-doctoral\u00a0<\/span>world,<\/span>\u00a0you know specific things but still not much at all. Life-long learning really is a<\/span>\u00a0term\u00a0<\/span>that\u00a0<\/span>should be used more and more often<\/span>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Critical nowadays is the s<\/span>election of research domain and my advice is to not select based on hot spots. Pick a research area where you can do your best as an individual and make<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>\u00a0world impact<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>Also<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0an area\u00a0<\/span>where you know you are going to be able to work over the next 10, 30, 50 years.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Passion and a sense of social\u00a0<\/span>conscience<\/span>, of really caring, are vital. We live in a much more complex\u00a0<\/span>world,<\/span>\u00a0so you need c<\/span>ompassion and understanding<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>Also<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0tenacity and resilience<\/span>. I<\/span>f you are entering into a research career, even academic,\u00a0<\/span>e<\/span>nter with\u00a0<\/span>your\u00a0<\/span>eyes wide open<\/span>\u00a0as\u00a0<\/span>it is a very competitive system<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Also<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0I would advise that l<\/span>earning\u00a0<\/span>to\u00a0<\/span>communicate is key. It is vital to know how to translate your research in a way that engages with, and informs, the public and empowers them to advocate to government on your behalf. Scientists and researchers can\u2019t be invisible to the public and this affect<\/span>s<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>all fields of research<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And finally, as I discovered,\u00a0<\/span>m<\/span>entors\u00a0<\/span>play a critical role at certain points on your path<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0either\u00a0<\/span>to\u00a0<\/span>your\u00a0<\/span>career development or personal life<\/span>. I was fortunate to have c<\/span>ritical people along all stages from first year<\/span>\u00a0to now.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Do you\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/b>feel<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/b>you have moved into a mentor role?<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Absolutely\u00a0<\/span>100%<\/span>. A<\/span>nd you need to if you are going to be a research group leader<\/span>. You cannot\u00a0<\/span>only\u00a0<\/span>be\u00a0<\/span>good at\u00a0<\/span>your\u00a0<\/span>own\u00a0<\/span>profession,<\/span>\u00a0but\u00a0<\/span>you need to\u00a0<\/span>understand\u00a0<\/span>that\u00a0<\/span>younger generation<\/span>s are\u00a0<\/span>dealing with things we never had to worry about<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>like\u00a0<\/span>earning money outside of study\u00a0<\/span>to live.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Being a mentor\u00a0<\/span>is\u00a0<\/span>the best experience\u00a0<\/span>for a\u00a0<\/span>person in my position<\/span>\u2014<\/span>or\u00a0<\/span>for\u00a0<\/span>any supervisor of any student or staff member. You get those eureka moments that all\u00a0<\/span>researchers\u00a0<\/span>go\u00a0<\/span>through,<\/span>\u00a0and you\u00a0<\/span>have to<\/span>\u00a0celebrate those moments;\u00a0<\/span>you really are applauding their outcomes<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>It is very rewarding to be w<\/span>ork<\/span>ing<\/span>\u00a0with young people and se<\/span>eing<\/span>\u00a0how they mature as the next generation of\u00a0<\/span>scientists.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

More information<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Read more about the\u00a0<\/span>Institute for Glycomics and its mission<\/span><\/a>\u00a0to fight \u201cdiseases of global impact through discovery and translational science\u201d.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Discover more about\u00a0glycomics\u00a0through our open access research on\u00a0<\/span>Griffith Research Online<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Twenty years ago,\u00a0Professor Mark von\u00a0Itzstein\u00a0established the\u00a0Institute for\u00a0Glycomics,\u00a0the only one of its kind in the southern hemisphere and only one of a few in the world.\u00a0\u00a0 In the following Q & A, discover how an inquisitive nature,\u00a0expert\u00a0mentors\u00a0and\u00a0broader study\u00a0took\u00a0him\u00a0from a\u00a0potential career in\u00a0veterinary science\u00a0to establishing the Institute for\u00a0Glycomics\u00a0at Griffith University.\u00a0 Q & A:\u00a0 What started you\u00a0on the\u00a0path fromContinue reading “Meet the man behind the Institute for Glycomics, Professor Mark von Itzstein AO”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":152,"featured_media":17423,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,172,5],"tags":[162],"class_list":["post-14276","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academics","category-researcher-profile","category-researchers","tag-general"],"acf":[],"modified_by":"Vanessa Gatt","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2020\/09\/blog-AJ1I7039-1000x0-c-default.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14276","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/152"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14276"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14276\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17423"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14276"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14276"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14276"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}