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Read about our disability internship program featured by WISE Employment

Rossjohn Laboratory pioneers inclusive paid internship program for GradWISE graduates

In a display of commitment to diversity and inclusion, Rossjohn Laboratory, a renowned Biomedical Science research lab in Australia, has taken significant strides to create a more inclusive workplace and support newly emerging graduates with disabilities. As a longstanding partner of GradWISE, the organisation has recently offered multiple disability-affirmative paid internship positions to graduates from various universities, marking a ground-breaking moment for the scientific community.

Four GradWISE science graduates secured the highly sought-after internship opportunities at Rossjohn Laboratory. Over the past 12 weeks, they have been welcomed into the research and administrative teams, immersing themselves in the inner technical workings of the cutting-edge laboratory.

GradWISE graduates interning at Rossjohn Laboratory

Leading this initiative is Professor Jamie Rossjohn, FAA FAHMS FLSW FMedSci FRS, an ardent advocate for workplace diversity. Professor Rossjohn’s unwavering commitment to creating broader internship opportunities for graduates with disabilities has set a shining example for the scientific community. He firmly believes that by fostering diversity in the workplace, not only does the team benefit from a wider range of perspectives and ideas, but it also leads to enriched experiences for all involved.

“Collaborating with the Rossjohn Lab has been an incredibly enriching experience for GradWISE participants. Their dedication to fostering inclusion and providing meaningful opportunities is truly commendable. Together, we’ve opened doors for talented individuals to contribute to groundbreaking projects” says Head of GradWISE Edward Osano.

During their internship, they have had the privilege of participating in the Monash Sensory Science Exhibition held in June. The exhibition, which brings together art and science for participants with diverse needs, provided an inspiring platform for the interns to showcase their skills and passion for scientific discovery.

The experience at Rossjohn Laboratory has proven to be transformative for the interns, giving them greater confidence in navigating the workplace and reinforcing their passion for scientific research. One intern, who had never been employed before, expressed immense excitement and eagerness to continue contributing to the lab as part of their ongoing career journey.

GradWISE student Sophia says “working for Rossjohn Laboratory has long been a goal of mine. I was so excited to secure the internship with assistance from GradWISE. Assisting the team to deliver the Monash Sensory Science Exhibition has helped improve my confidence and broaden my skills. I felt supported every step of the way. I’m so grateful to Professor Rossjohn and the team for this opportunity.”

Professor Rossjohn, while discussing the remarkable progress of the GradWISE interns, was filled with pride and admiration for their contributions. In recognition of their exceptional performance, he provided the GradWISE interns with an additional six-week contract extension, underscoring the laboratory’s commitment to nurturing talent and providing meaningful opportunities.

science objects at Rossjohn LaboratoryOver the last three months, Coach Roanna Harry has been there to provide support to the GradWISE participants.

“The Monash Sensory Science Exhibition was an impressive display of inclusive creativity and innovation. It was wonderful to see the Rossjohn interns in action as they assisted the team to run the event. It’s been so heart-warming to see our students thrive and witness their professional growth over the course of the internship. The nurturing and inclusive culture within the Rossjohn team has been crucial to their success. As they near the end of the internship, GradWISE look forward to continuing to support our participants to leverage this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, as they embark on careers in the science field” says Roanna.

[Images:  1. Sean Christopher (L) and Sophia Ladanyi (R) assisting at the Monash Sensory Science exhibition on June 30th, 2023.  2. Tactile models of immunity created for the exhibition.]

Original article 

LinkedIn post

 

Listen to our Artist in Residence, Erica talk about her Multisensory books on the NextSense Institute Podcast

The NextSense Institute Podcast (formerly the Renwick Centre Podcast) is a regular series that discusses hearing and vision education and health- everything from new resources, emerging ideas and hot-button issues!

Trudy talks to our artist in residence, Erica Tandori and Stu Favilla (from  Interaction Design, Swinburne University) about developing accessible science content for people with vision impairment.

Original article

Read the transcript.

Further info on the Multisensory books.

Listen to Erica’s interview with Vision Australia Radio

Focal Point Podcast – 01 Sept 2021

A weekly program presented by Peter Greco, Focal Point covers services from blindness organisation (Eg. Vision Australia)  and other providers, technology, current affairs, breakthroughs in advocacy campaigns about all manner of challenges and promoting activities and events for people who are blind or vision impaired.

This week Peter Greco is talking to:

1 Isabel Osuna-Gatty – from the National Disability Coordination Office

2 Erica Tandori, Stuart Favilla – Talk about their multi-media experience “My Goodness” – (Skip to 15:59)

Available on the podcast, listen to the full song “My Goodness”.

Further information on the “My Goodness” Book can be found here.

The Vision Australia Radio Network incorporates ten community radio stations across Victoria, southern New South Wales, Adelaide and Perth and five digital radio services.

We offer a range of interesting and informative programs that feature readings from the latest newspapers, magazines and books.

Our exclusive specialist content includes programs on new technology, current affairs, book and film reviews, health and wellbeing, the arts, finance, travel and more.

Adapted from Original article.

“My Goodness” – exploring what your digestive and immune system looks, sounds and feels like

Oh My Goodness!  *(My Goodness Me)

In celebration of National Science Week 2021, the United Nations International Year of Fruit and Vegetables and the International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development, Monash University is launching a multisensory book and exhibition titled ‘My Goodness’ – a tactile and interactive exploration of the science behind gut health, nutrition, and immunity.

Designed for low vision, blind and general audiences alike, the books will read to you and also entertain.

Described as an ‘entire multisensory art exhibition in a single book’, they  are stationed on interactive reading benches using optical scanning technology (fiducials) and webcams enabling the wonderful world of the gut biota to come alive.

Through tactile artworks, audio sonifications, braille-inspired protein molecules, large print, audio narration, and braille supplements, audiences can explore the Books against a backdrop of synthesised music evoking molecular protein foldings and the sounds of the gut biota.

The books have been created by Dr Erica Tandori, legally blind Sensory Science Artist in Residence at the Rossjohn Lab, Monash University Biomedicine Discovery Institute, in collaboration with Stu Favilla, Musician and Lecturer in Interaction Design at Swinburne University of Technology, School of Design and Architecture.

They contain contributions by some of Monash University’s most eminent and world-renowned experts in the field of gut health, nutrition and immunity.

“So much more can be expressed when you add sounds,” says Dr Tandori.  “It really does help to support what’s happening from the visual and tactile level when you can listen to the sounds of a protein or the way microbes are interacting while you are feeling the sculptures and exploring the artworks.

“Stu has brought an amazing plethora of audio design skills to this project including sonification of the artworks, 3D audio and beautiful modular synthesis music evoking the inner universe and machinations of human digestion!”

Mr Favilla adds: “Erica’s tactile artworks are not 3D prints but rather reference a language of touch that we are all familiar with.  Her artworks comprise food grains, clothing materials, wools and many other fascinating textures and multisensory experiences.

“They are driven by her desire to communicate the wonders of molecular biology through her unique artistic understanding and perceptions. The books reference a legacy of prior exhibition knowledge but the exhibition itself is now spatially encapsulated, all in one neat package.”

The Books have also inspired the creation of a pop song called “My Goodness”, co-written by Erica and Stu with Erica singing vocals and Stu performing all instrumentation, rapping and producing the track.

“We hope we can get kids of all ages to sing about the wonders of the gut biota. My Goodness is possibly the greatest song ever written about the gut biota, immunity, fruit and vegetables,” Dr Tandori said.

Following the Launch event, the books are intended for roving exhibitions across metropolitan and regional schools, community groups and disability educational centres in Victoria.

An online version of the books is also proposed as a COVID-19 contingency plan with a range of virtual activities to support the exhibition.

The My Goodness: Interactive Multisensory Science Book Launch and Exhibition is a free online event that will be held on Friday August 20  from 9 am.

This initiative is supported by the National Science Week Inspiring Australia Grant.

 

About the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute at Monash University

Committed to making the discoveries that will relieve the future burden of disease, the newly established Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute at Monash University brings together more than 120 internationally-renowned research teams. Spanning six discovery programs across Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease, Development and Stem Cells, Infection and Immunity, Metabolism, Diabetes and Obesity, and Neuroscience, Monash BDI is one of the largest biomedical research institutes in Australia.  Our researchers are supported by world-class technology and infrastructure, and partner with industry, clinicians and researchers internationally to enhance lives through discovery.

For media enquiries please contact:

Wendy Smith

Media and Communications Manager

Monash University

E: wendy.smith1@monash.edu

T: +61 (0) 425 725 836

For more Monash media stories, visit our news and events site

ASBMB Today: Unravelling the mind’s eye — science through a novel lens

Erica’s story and our Sensory Science initiative is featured on page 33 of the April issue of ASBMB Today: Science & Art.

 

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View article online

Original story by Kamalika Saha in ASBMB Today : Science & Art