Australasian Chronobiology Society: About the ACS

ABOUT THE ACS

Aims and Objectives
The Australasian Chronobiology Society (ACS) was founded in early 2004, and aims to generate and discuss research in all areas of Chronobiology,
including both animal and human work to examine specific areas such as sleep and circadian biology - in Australia
& New Zealand. Research conducted
by ACS members encompasses human, animal and genetic work, and includes:
- definition of mechanisms by which environment and internal biological timing systems together modulate cellular functions
- elucidation of the mechanisms by which circadian rhythm disruption alters human organ functions
- identification of the mechanisms by which nocturnal activity/eating increases risk of diseases such as metabolic syndrome and cancer
- identification of potential opportunities for intervention to eliminate or reduce the risk of circadian rhythm disruption

Executive Committee
A/Prof. David Kennaway
Associate Professor, Research Centre for Reproductive Health, Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology,
School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, University of Adelaide
A/Prof David Kennaway is an NHMRC Senior Research Fellow with wide research interests in biological timing. These include the physiological impact of circadian rhythm disruption on glucose homeostasis, initiation and progression of cancer, and fertility. His group also has over 30 years experience in the measurement of melatonin in various tissues and fluids as well as the measurement of a wide range of other neuroendocrine hormones.

Dr. Sally Ferguson
Assistant Director, Centre for Sleep Research, University of South Australia
Dr. Sally Ferguson is a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Sleep Research, University of South Australia. She is Assistant Director of the Centre for Sleep Research, and has a background in Circadian Rhythms and how they are influenced by the environment, particularly light. Sally completed her PhD at the University of Adelaide in 1998.

A/Prof. Gerard Kennedy
Associate Professor in Psychology, Victoria University
Dr. Gerard Kennedy is an Associate Professor and Lecturer in the Psychology Department at Victoria University, specialising in circadian rhythms, sleep and cognitive behavioural therapy. Gerard has a strong interest in sleep disorders and is employed as a visiting specialist at the Austin & Repatriation, and Monash Medical Centres. He has a wide range of experience in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders, in particular insomnia. He has developed techniques to help patients comply with treatments for sleep disorders such as sleep apnoea and parasomnias.

Dr. Naomi Rogers
Associate Professor, Brain & Mind Research Institute, University of Sydney
Dr. Naomi Rogers is a Senior Research Fellow at the Brain & Mind Research Institute, University of Sydney. She is Head of the Chronobiology & Sleep Group at the BMRI, with research interests in human circadian rhythms and sleep physiology. Naomi completed her PhD at the University of South Australia and then worked in the Division of Sleep & Chronobiology at the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Greg Willis
Executive Director, The Bronowski Institute of Behavioural Neuroscience
Dr. Greg Willis is the director of the Bronowski Institute of Behavioural Neuroscience, and is involved in human projects to improve treatment for Parkinsons Disease and other neuropsychiatric disorders, and animal projects to improve productivity and reproductive physiology in sheep and cattle.

Society Membership

Australasian Chronobiology Society membership is currently free and automatic when you register for the annual scientific meeting.
Alternatively, contact David Kennaway to be added to our mailing list.

ABOUT THE ACS
*Aims and Objectives* The Australasian Chronobiology Society (ACS) was founded in early 2004, and aims to generate and discuss research in all areas of Chronobiology, including both animal and human work to examine specific areas such as sleep and circadian biology - in Australia & New Zealand. Research conducted by ACS members encompasses human, animal and genetic work, and includes: - definition of mechanisms by which environment and internal biological timing systems together modulate cellular functions - elucidation of the mechanisms by which circadian rhythm disruption alters human organ functions - identification of the mechanisms by which nocturnal activity/eating increases risk of diseases such as metabolic syndrome and cancer - identification of potential opportunities for intervention to eliminate or reduce the risk of circadian rhythm disruption
*Executive Committee* A/Prof. David Kennaway Associate Professor, Research Centre for Reproductive Health, Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, University of Adelaide A/Prof David Kennaway is an NHMRC Senior Research Fellow with wide research interests in biological timing. These include the physiological impact of circadian rhythm disruption on glucose homeostasis, initiation and progression of cancer, and fertility. His group also has over 30 years experience in the measurement of melatonin in various tissues and fluids as well as the measurement of a wide range of other neuroendocrine hormones.
Dr. Sally Ferguson Assistant Director, Centre for Sleep Research, University of South Australia Dr. Sally Ferguson is a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Sleep Research, University of South Australia. She is Assistant Director of the Centre for Sleep Research, and has a background in Circadian Rhythms and how they are influenced by the environment, particularly light. Sally completed her PhD at the University of Adelaide in 1998.
A/Prof. Gerard Kennedy Associate Professor in Psychology, Victoria University Dr. Gerard Kennedy is an Associate Professor and Lecturer in the Psychology Department at Victoria University, specialising in circadian rhythms, sleep and cognitive behavioural therapy. Gerard has a strong interest in sleep disorders and is employed as a visiting specialist at the Austin & Repatriation, and Monash Medical Centres. He has a wide range of experience in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders, in particular insomnia. He has developed techniques to help patients comply with treatments for sleep disorders such as sleep apnoea and parasomnias.
Dr. Naomi Rogers Associate Professor, Brain & Mind Research Institute, University of Sydney Dr. Naomi Rogers is a Senior Research Fellow at the Brain & Mind Research Institute, University of Sydney. She is Head of the Chronobiology & Sleep Group at the BMRI, with research interests in human circadian rhythms and sleep physiology. Naomi completed her PhD at the University of South Australia and then worked in the Division of Sleep & Chronobiology at the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Greg Willis Executive Director, The Bronowski Institute of Behavioural Neuroscience Dr. Greg Willis is the director of the Bronowski Institute of Behavioural Neuroscience, and is involved in human projects to improve treatment for Parkinsons Disease and other neuropsychiatric disorders, and animal projects to improve productivity and reproductive physiology in sheep and cattle.