Traven Lea was a member of the first cohort of Masters of Applied Epidemiology (Indigenous Health) students. As a mature age student, he completed a Diploma in Public Health & Tropical Medicine before enrolling in NCEPH's MAE program. Traven now manages a national program for the National Heart Foundation, developing strategies to address the cardiovascular health of Indigenous Australians.

After graduating in 2000, Traven took on the management of the NACCHO Trial which investigated the effectiveness of antibiotics in treating Aboriginal children with otitis media. Otitis media is a largely preventable problem, but remains a scourge of Aboriginal children. Among its potential consequences are hearing problems which have social, educational and employment implications. The research team looked at exploring the efficacy of ototopical ciprofloxacin compared with traditional topical aminoglycoside antibiotics. They found ciprofloxacin was more effective & recommended that it be considered as front-line treatment. Although the immediate dividend of their research was the clinical outcome, what is also important is that their research demonstrates that randomised controlled trials, which are always logistical nightmares, can be conducted in Aboriginal communities, if the ownership belongs to these communities, and collaborating partners are Aboriginal organisations such as NACCHO. (Van Der Weyden)

In 2005, Traven and his research team were awarded the MJA/Wyeth Award. This award goes to the best research article published in the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA) each year, as judged by the Editors and Content Review Committee of the MJA. Traven was the second author on the winning article - “Effectiveness of ototopical antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media in Aboriginal children: a community-based, multicentre, double-blind randomised controlled trial”, by Sophie Couzos, Traven Lea, Reinhold Mueller, Richard Murray and Margaret Culbong, (179:185-190). The prize money of $10,000 is donated by Wyeth Australia as part of its committment to encouraging excellence in clinical research.

In commenting on the research, Dr Michael Lee (Medical Director, Wyeth Australia ) noted the article opens with the following words: “Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is a disease of poverty. It is very common among Australian Aboriginal children, with the prevalence exceeding World Health Organization's definition of ‘massive' public health problem”.

What set this winning research apart was its relevance and timeliness to an area of health with an impact on many children across the country.

Mr Traven Lea, accepting the MJA Wyeth Award from AMA President Dr Bill Glasson at the AMA National Conference 2005 in Brisbane.

The award was for his research on Otitis Media.

Wendy Hermeston - MAE 2003 COHORT.

Wendy is working with the Northern Rivers University Department of Rural Health in Lismore , New South Wales, supporting health services and clinicians working in the field of Aboriginal primary health care to develop capacity in research and evaluation. She also works with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and services to develop protocols for Aboriginal health research across the North Coast region, and to identify opportunities for high quality research that will contribute to improving health in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

“In the past, many Aboriginal communities and individuals have had unhappy encounters with researchers who may not have conducted research in a culturally safe way" she said. "They may have not consulted properly or given feedback after taking information from communities, hence Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities' generally negative connotations of health research. Whilst researchers may have the best intentions, often they are focussed on outcomes, whereas communities care more about processes and trust."

" We as researchers have a lot to learn from communities about how to do things right and hopefully by developing these protocols, we are taking a step in the right direction in our local region. This in turn can lead to communities feeling ownership by taking an active role in health research that solves problems they themselves have identified.”

LESLEY NELSON, MAE 2006 COHORT

Placement: Curtin University & South Metropolitan Public Health Unit, Perth.

Supervisors: Professor Aileen Plant & Dr Mandy Seal, Dr Phyll Dance

"Before applying for the MAE I was studying for my Masters in Business Administration. Previous to the MAE my interest has been in the field of Indigenous health. I have worked within the Department of Health and Ageing on an Indigenous Cadetship Program. I have also worked as the Manager for Aboriginal Health Worker training at Central Australian Aboriginal Congress and was the Business Planning Officer at the Western Australian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation in Perth.

This course is very hands on and so far the process has been very exciting with a mixture of coursework and practical experiences. The course is extremely challenging, providing thorough and in depth practical skills that will assist in my current studies and future employment opportunities. My current project involves assessing the need for antenatal care health services for Indigenous women in the Peel region of Western Australia. I have experienced first hand a glimpse into the uniqueness of applied Epidemiology and how it plays an intricate role in the Australian health system. The course has already provided a wealth of knowledge that will certainly assist me in making informed decisions in the future. The complexities of integrating the MAE studies and family life with three children together have certainly required a disciplined approach on my part.

I’m not sure where the MAE will take me in the future. I do see that this foundation will provide a solid base for which opportunities will arise. I do hope that I will have the opportunity to continue to have input into Indigenous health issues at either community, regional, state or national levels."