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IU professor to speak on mental health problems On Feb. 14-16, Joan Austin, DNS, R.N., Indiana University Distinguished Professor of Nursing, will present information on a variety of topics pertaining to patient care and research issues. Her first presentation, entitled “Creating a Research Infrastructure: From Pilots to R01s,” will be from 4 to 5 p.m. Feb. 14 in Room 202 Basic Science Building.  Consultations with individuals and small groups will be available on the same day from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in Room 420A. To make reservations, contact Cheryl Brown at brownche@musc.edu.   During pediatric grand rounds on Feb. 16 at 8 a.m. in the Storm Eye Institute eighth floor auditorium, Austin will present information on psychosocial adjustment to pediatric chronic illness. Anyone is welcome to attend.   Austin’s program of research focuses on mental health problems in children with chronic illness and their families. She has been funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke to study child adaptation to epilepsy since 1986. Her current research focuses on behavioral problems in children with first-recognized seizures. In addition, she is the principal investigator of a study funded by the National Institute of Nursing Research that investigates mental health and academic achievement outcomes in adolescents with chronic epilepsy.   Austin has been a faculty member in the Indiana University School of Nursing in Indianapolis since 1981 and holds adjunct appointments in the Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, and in the Department of Psychology, Purdue University School of Science. In addition, Austin is the principal investigator for the Center for Enhancing Quality of Life in Chronic Illness that is funded by the National Institute of Nursing Research. Austin is one of only two nurses recently elected to the prestigious Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences.   In 2005, she served as president of the American Epilepsy Society and was the first nurse to serve in this position. Austin is a research commission member of the International Bureau for Epilepsy, and serves on the advisory board of the Epilepsy Foundation of America and on the board of directors for the American Epilepsy Society.     Friday, Feb. 2, 2007 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.