Welcome to the 6th Biennial Health Research Conference website - “From Cell to Society 6" (FCTS6)
The Biennial Faculties of Health Research Conference "From Cell to Society 6" (FCTS6) will be held on 11-12 November 2008 at the York Fairmont Resort / Blue Mountains in Leura, NSW.

The FCTS6 Conference is the premier biennial gathering for Health Sciences, Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry and Nursing postgraduate research students held at the University of Sydney. Over 300 Masters and Doctoral students from the Faculties of Health will attend and most will present their recent research findings in an interactive Thematic Poster format. The FCTS6 Conference will also showcase the top medical research from across the University with a series of nine exciting symposia that bring together our established and emerging research stars in inter-disciplinary forums. In addition, two early morning workshops and master class training sessions will be offered to postgraduate students interested in particular career paths, working with industry and improving thesis writing skills.

FCTS6 provides a unique opportunity for postgraduate research students and their supervisors to meet and rub shoulders with researchers from outside of their own disciplines. All postgraduate research students are strongly encouraged to attend, present their work - no matter what stage it is at – and actively participate in the workshops, symposia and master class training sessions. Supervisors are encouraged to attend and support their students, facilitate exchange of information and foster collaborations where appropriate.

FCTS6 in 2008 offers postgraduate research students:

• An opportunity to present work, or work in progress, to your peers in interactive poster format;
• Opportunities to learn about research being conducted by your colleagues and their supervisors in other disciplines;
• A chance to make important linkages with other students and senior researchers amongst and within the five Faculties and raise awareness of the range of opportunities for collaboration;
• Stimulate ways of thinking  by postgraduate students that are collegial, multi-disciplinary and problem-based as a platform for on-going collaborative research;
• Foster networking and encourage aspiring researchers to learn from, and pair with,  established and successful mentors;
• Discuss responses to local, national and global changes in the nature of research in the early 21st century. 

The Conference will feature:

• Presentations of work in progress in Thematic Poster Presentation format
• Nine research symposia addressing topical and groundbreaking research questions in interdisciplinary format, delivered by internationally-recognised senior researchers within Health@Sydney. 
• A morning Industry Forum Workshop that will feature representatives from major biotechnology and healthcare companies speaking about career and employment opportunities within their various sectors. This will be invaluable for all postgraduate students thinking of applying for industry positions after graduation.
• A morning Careers Path Workshop that present and discuss research opportunities as Postdoctoral Fellows, early career researchers and Fellowship Trainees within Universities and NHMRC/ARC.
• A post-conference afternoon Thesis Writing Master Class  program with its own mini-symposium presentations and small-group breakout format, designed to improve all aspects of writing the Masters/Doctoral thesis.
  
• Lots of opportunity for quiet reflection and discussions with other students, University Researchers and administrators of Research Higher Degree student programs within your Faculty in Health@Sydney.
• Conference dinner with entertainment followed by an evening Disco.

REGISTER NOW - or use the Expression of Interest tab above to stay informed 

ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE - August 30th 2008

Alaina Ammit (Faculty of Pharmacy)
Jennifer Byrne (Faculty of Medicine)
Glen Davis (Faculty of Health Science)
Co-chairs, Faculties of Health Research Conference "From Cell to Society 6"