Staff awards

Page content:  2007 |2006 | 2005 | 2004

2007

Colin Masters awarded Victoria Prize

Laureate Professor Colin Masters, director of the Mental Health Research Institute has been awarded the prestigious 2007 Victoria Prize. The Victoria Prize of $50,000 is awarded annually by the Victorian Government for a scientific discovery or technological innovation that significantly advances knowledge and has produced, or has the clear potential to produce, a commercial outcome or other benefit to the community. Professor Masters is recognised for his achievements in isolating and characterising elements of the primary pathway causing Alzheimer’s disease. 

Bryony Coleman awarded Victorian Fellowship

Bryony Coleman, research fellow in the faculty’s Department of Otolaryngology and a fellow at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital has been awarded a Victorian Fellowship by the Victorian government. The fellowship will allow her to undertake further research into improving cochlear implant function.

Australia Fellowships

The Commonwealth Government, through the National Health and Medical Research Council annually awards Australia Fellowships to leading medical researchers. The fellowships, each worth $4 million over five years were awarded to:

Laureate Professor Sam Berkovic AM, Department of Medicine (Austin Health and Northern Health) and director of the Epilepsy Research Centre. His fellowship will assist him to work on the integration of high-level clinical medicine, molecular genetics and cutting-edge neuro-imaging in the causes and treatment of epilepsy.

Professor John Hopper, director of research at the Centre for Molecular, Environmental, Genetic and Analytic Epidemiology and director of the Australian Twin Registry, School of Population Health. His fellowship will assist him in his research investigating the links between genes, the environment, and breast cancer, colorectal cancer and prostate cancer.

Professor Doug Hilton, head of the Molecular Medicine Division at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research. Professor Hilton’s pioneering work covers how the body’s cells communicate with each other. His fellowship will assist him in research into the molecular basis for the onset and progression of cancer and other diseases.

Professor David Vaux, head of the Mechanisms of Cell Death, Ageing and Homeostasis laboratory in the Department of Biochemistry at La Trobe University and a Melbourne graduate (MBBS, BMedSc 1984; PhD 1990). His fellowship will assist him to expand his groundbreaking research which will lead to the development of new cancer therapies.

Professor Alan Cowman, head of Infection and Immunity at the Walter and Eliza Institute of Medical Research and a Melbourne MBBS graduate (1983). His fellowship will allow him to develop new treatments and vaccines for the prevention of malaria.

U21 Fellowship for Jacinta Tobin

Dr Jacinta Tobin (Royal Melbourne Hospital/Western Hospital Clinical School) has been awarded a 2007 Universitas 21 Fellowship. The fellowship will enable Dr Tobin to explore three emerging directions in medical curricula: e-learning; multidisciplinary team training; and the use of modular subjects to meet the learning needs of teachers. She will visit the universities of Hong Kong, Queensland, British Columbia (Canada), Birmingham and University College, Cork, and attend the U21 health sciences meeting in Hong Kong in September.

Churchill Fellowship for Mary Galea

Professor Mary Galea (School of Physiotherapy) has been awarded a 2007 Churchill Fellowship. Fellowships allow researchers to travel overseas to undertake an analysis, study or investigation of a project or an issue that cannot be readily undertaken in Australia. Professor Galea’s research program is concerned with understanding the mechanisms underlying motor deficits and promoting recovery following nervous system injury. With her findings and those of other research teams around the world, there is a prospect of treatments for spinal cord injury in humans.

Queen's Birthday Honours

The Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences congratulates staff members and alumni who received Queen's Birthday. Find out more about the recipients.

Ashley Bush awarded the Bethlehem Griffiths Research Foundation prize

Professor Ashley Bush, head of the Oxidation Disorders Laboratory at the Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria and honorary professorial fellow in the Department of Pathology has been awarded the Bethlehem Griffiths Research Foundation prize. The award is given to Victorian researchers whose work complements the patient services provided by Calvary Health Care Bethlehem in the areas of palliative care and progressive neurological diseases. Professor Bush is recognised for his research in Alzheimer’s disease.

Federation Fellowship for Bill Heath

Dr Bill Heath, deputy head of the Immunology Division at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute and honorary senior fellow in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, has been awarded a prestigious Federation Fellowship. He is acknowledged for his research into the interaction between malarial parasites and dendritic cells which could lay the groundwork for the development of new and more effective treatments for human malarial infections.

Tien Wong awarded Amgen Medical Researcher Award

Professor Tien Wong, Department of Ophthalmology and Centre of Eye Research, was awarded the Amgen Medical Researcher Award in June 2007. The award recognises exceptional medical researchers who are in their early career, and acknowledges Professor Wong’s outstanding work in predicting the risk of heart disease using a simple eye scan. Professor Wong determined that non-invasive eye scan technology can reveal subtle changes in blood vessels which signal an individual’s increased risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and hypertension.

Sam Berkovic elected fellow of the Royal Society

Professor Sam Berkovic AM, Department of Medicine (Austin Health and Northern Health) and director of the Epilepsy Research Centre, was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in May 2007. He is acknowledged for his discoveries relating to familial forms of epilepsy that have led to a complete overhaul of their clinical classification and provided new insights into their underlying biology. Royal Society fellows are elected for their contributions to science, both in fundamental research resulting in greater understanding, and in leading and directing scientific and technological progress in industry and research establishments. Professor Berkovic is one of only eight foreign members elected this year.

Graeme Clark awarded 2007 Zülch prize

Laureate Professor Graeme Clark AO, founder of the Bionic Ear Institute has been awarded the 2007 Klaus Joachim Zülch prize. The prize acknowledges his outstanding achievements in neurological research for developing the multi-channel Cochlear implant (Bionic Ear) which is used by over 80,000 people worldwide. The Zülch prize, awarded by the Max Planck Institute, is Germany's highest award in neuroscience.

Merck Mectizan award for Hugh Taylor

Professor Hugh Taylor AC, head of the Department of Ophthalmology received the Merck Mectizan Award in Geneva in May 2007. This significant international award acknowledges Professor Taylor’s work on stopping onchoceriasis. The disease, also known as river blindness, affects around 18 million people in Africa and South America. Professor Taylor helped develop the vaccine Invermectin which kills the microfilaria that infects onchoceriasis sufferers and stops the progression of the disease. For the last three decades, Professor Taylor has worked on fighting preventable blindness among Aborigines and communities in third world countries.

Frank Carbone awarded 2007 Fulbright senior scholarship

Professor Frank Carbone, a world-leading immunologist from the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, is one of two Australians to win a 2007 Fulbright Senior Scholarship. The Fulbright program is the largest and one of the most prestigious educational scholarship programs in the world. Professor Carbone has become a leading international figure in the analysis of immunity to the alpha herpes viruses.

Honour roll for Doreen Rosenthal

Professor Doreen Rosenthal, director of the Key Centre for Women’s Health in Society, has been inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women 2007. The honour is bestowed annually on Victorian women who have excelled in their chosen fields and made a lasting contribution to the lives of Victorians. Professor Rosenthal is acknowledged for her research into human sexuality and advancing our understanding of sexual and reproductive health. During her distinguished academic career, she has made significant contributions in the areas of adolescent health, particularly in the fields of sexual health and HIV/AIDS.

Prestigious American award for Geoffrey Donnan

Professor Geoffrey Donnan, Centre of Clinical Research Excellence in Neurosciences received the William Feinberg Award for Excellence in Clinical Stroke in San Francisco on 8 February 2007. The award acknowledges the high quality clinical stroke research Professor Donnan has undertaken in his career. He is the first Australian to be honoured with this award. Professor Donnan has been involved in identifying a number of unique clinical syndromes including capsular warning syndrome and striatocapsular infarction. He is also credited with bringing the concept of stroke clinical trials to Australia.

Australia Day honours 2007

The Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences congratulates staff and alumni who were awarded Australia Day honours. For a full list of staff and alumni award recipients see the university’s Alumni and Friends website.

Prestigious international award for Colin Masters

Professor Colin Masters received the Grand Hamdan International Award for Medical Sciences in the field of Molecular and Cellular Pathology of Neurological Disorders in Dubai in December 2006. The award honours individuals whose contributions to healthcare delivery have left an indelible mark by their quality, originality and impact on the delivery of health care. For more than 30 years, Colin has dedicated his research to the study of the nature of Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disorders, and his work has greatly enhanced the scientific community's knowledge and understanding of this debilitating disease.

2006

Three awards acknowledge Bryan Fry's research

Dr Bryan Fry, deputy director of the Australian Venom Research Unit, has received three awards acknowledging his research into development of therapeutics based upon Australia 's unique venomous animals. The awards are an Australian Research Council QEII fellowship, a state government Victoria fellowship, and an Australian-French Association for Science and Technology/Forum for European-Australian Science and Technology Cooperation award. Dr Fry's recent paper, published in ‘Nature', showed that all goannas, including the komodo dragon, are actually venomous and therefore represent an untapped ‘Serengeti' of venom.

Honorary degree for Derek Denton

Professor Emeritus Derek Denton AC, has received an honorary doctor of laws from the University of Melbourne. Professor Denton, who was founding director of the Howard Florey Institute for Experimental Physiology and Medicine and who has been based at the University of Melbourne for more than 50 years, leads several international research projects that aim to determine how animals' primordial instincts evolve into more conscious behaviour.

Two prestigious awards for Sam Berkovic

Professor Sam Berkovic, Department of Medicine (Austin Health and Northern Health) and head of the Epilepsy Research Centre, has been awarded two prestigious medals acknowledging his extensive research in epilepsy. He has been awarded the 2006 Royal Society of Victoria Research Medal for Scientific Research in Human Health or Medical Sciences and the 2006 Clive and Vera Ramaciotti Medal for Excellence in Biomedical Science. Professor Berkovic and his collaborators discovered eight of the 12 genes in which mutation is associated with idiopathic epilepsy. These discoveries have revolutionised basic scientific research into epilepsy.

Tien Wong receives Novartis Prize in Diabetes for young investigators

Professor Tien Wong, Department of Ophthalmology and Centre for Eye Research Australia, has received the Novartis Prize in Diabetes for young investigators, recognising significant achievements in researching diabetes risk and management. Professor Wong's clinical and research expertise is in the area of retinal vascular diseases, including diabetic and hypertensive retinopathy, retinal vein occlusion and age-related macular degeneration.

Alan Docking Award for Martin Tyas

Professor Martin Tyas has been awarded the Alan Docking Award of the International Association for Dental Research (ANZ Division). This award recognises a senior researcher who has made a sustained and major contribution to dental research. Professor Tyas's research focus is on clinical and laboratory evaluation of dental materials and the biomechanics of teeth.

Hugh Taylor awarded the 2006 Mectizan Award

Professor Hugh Taylor AC, head of the Department of Ophthalmology and managing director of the Centre for Eye Research Australia, has been awarded the 2006 Mectizan Award. This award, made by an expert committee on behalf of the Merck Mectizan Donation Program, acknowledges Professor Taylor's many contributions and sustained dedication to the fight against onchocerciasis, one of the world's leading infectious causes of blindness. This is the first time the award has been made to an Australian.

Spine Young Investigator of the Year Award for Priscilla Barker

Dr Priscilla Barker, Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, has been awarded the prestigious Spine Young Investigator of the Year Award (2005) for her research investigating the effects of fascial tension on segmental motion in the lumbar spine. 'Spine' is a peer-reviewed, multidisciplinary journal for spine physicians and scientists. The award is judged by an international panel and open to scientists in all disciplines who are within eight years of completion of their MD, DO, DC, or PhD.

Marius Fahrer awarded the 2006 ESR Hughes Award

Mr Marius Fahrer, Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, has been awarded the 2006 ESR Hughes Award by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons for distinguished contributions to surgery. He is acknowledged as an inspirational leader, teacher and mentor to generations of medical and surgical trainees, and for his long and distinguished academic and professional career.

Colin Masters – lifetime achievement award

Professor Colin Masters received a Lifetime Achievement Award in Alzheimer's Disease Research at the 10 th International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease in Madrid . The award is presented to outstanding scientists who have dedicated themselves to helping millions around the world through their research.

Ian Wark Medal for Graeme Clark

Laureate Professor Graeme Clark, inventor of the cochlear implant, has been awarded the Ian Wark Medal. The award recognises contributions to the prosperity of Australia where such prosperity is attained through the advancement of scientific knowledge or its application, or both. Seventy per cent of the world's cochlear implants are made by Cochlear Ltd using Professor Clark's invention.

Carrick Citations for Robert Kemm and Sandra Uren

Two faculty staff have won Carrick Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning. Their citations are: Associate Professor Robert Kemm (Physiology) – for excellence in teaching through over a decade of sustained innovation and evaluation of computer-assisted learning for small group collaborative student activities. Ms Sandra Uren (Microbiology and Immunology) – for generating student enthusiasm and creating effective approaches to learning by initiating and coordinating the integration of theory and practical classes in microbiology and immunology. These Australian Government national awards acknowledge teaching excellence in the higher education sector.

Minister's Award for Excellence in Health and Medical Research for Tien Wong

Associate Professor Tien Wong, Department of Ophthalmology and Centre for Eye Research Australia , has won the Commonwealth Health Minister's Award for Excellence in Health and Medical Research for 2006. This annual award recognises outstanding individual achievement in health and medical research in Australia. Associate Professor Wong led a team that developed a novel method of predicting cardiovascular disease by scanning the eyes for blood vessel damage. The $50,000 award was presented to Associate Professor Wong at the Australian Society for Medical Research annual dinner, held as part of Medical Research Week.

Garry Robins awarded the Linton Freeman Award

Dr Garry Robins, School of Behavioural Science, was awarded the Linton Freeman Award at the 2006 International Network for Social Network Analysis Conference in Vancouver. The award acknowledges a distinguished scholar in the field of social networks who is in the earlier stages of their research career for significant contributions to the scientific study of social structure. Dr Robins' research focuses on the analysis of social networks, in particular the development of exponential random graph models for social networks that include social settings and higher order structures.

Queen's Birthday Honours

The Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences congratulates staff members and alumni who were admitted to the Order of Australia in the June honours list. Find out more about the recipients.

Andrew Kaye awarded the 2006 Paul Bucy Award

Professor Andrew Kaye, Department of Surgery (Royal Melbourne and Western Hospitals), has been awarded the 2006 Paul Bucy Award. The award, given jointly by the University of Chicago and the American Association of Neurosurgeons, acknowledges outstanding contributions to neurosurgical education. The award acknowledges Professor Kaye's role in leading the development of academic neurosurgery in Australasia. In addition, Professor Kay has been involved in the development of neurosurgery education programs in Asia and India. He has established exchange programs for training neurosurgeons in many countries of Asia as well as the Indian subcontinent. This is the first time a neurosurgeon in the Southern Hemisphere has received the award.

Raoul Wallenberg Humanitarian Award 2006 for Gus Nossal

B'nai B'rith's Raoul Wallenberg Humanitarian Award 2006 has been presented to Professor Emeritus Sir Gustav Nossal. The award honours people of other religions who render outstanding service to the Jewish community while simultaneously paying tribute to the heroic spirit of Raoul Wallenberg, a Swedish diplomat who saved 100,000 Jewish lives and countless Christian partisans from Hitler's extermination camps. Sir Gustav is widely acknowledged for his groundbreaking research in immunology and has played a leading role in international and national scientific and community spheres.

2005 Curtin Medal for Sam Berkovic

Professor Sam Berkovic, Department of Medicine (Austin Health and Northern Health) and head of the Epilepsy Research Centre, has been awarded the prestigious 2005 Curtin Medal. The John Curtin School of Medical Research awards the medal annually to a person who has made an outstanding contribution to medical science. Professor Berkovic and his collaborators discovered eight of the 12 genes in which mutation is associated with idiopathic epilepsy. These discoveries have revolutionised basic scientific research into epilepsy

Alumni Early Career Achievement Award for Dawn DeWitt

Professor Dawn DeWitt, head of the School of Rural Health, has been awarded the inaugural University of Washington School of Medicine Alumni Early Career Achievement Award. This award honors an alumnus or alumna who graduated from the medical school within the last 20 years, and has excelled in his or her career in medicine, or made significant contributions or remarkable achievements in clinical care, medical science, humanitarianism or administrative activities. Professor DeWitt is internationally recognised for her work on medical education and rural workforce issues. She writes and speaks internationally on these issues and on her clinical areas of interest, general medicine and diabetes.

Colin Masters awarded the Lennox K Black Prize

Professor Colin Masters from the Department of Pathology is joint recipient of the Lennox K Black Prize with Professor Konrad Beyreuther University of Heidelberg. The prize, awarded by Thomas Jefferson University, recognises scientific excellence and brings global leaders in biomedical research to Jefferson to foster their interaction with faculty experts and encourage the exchange of ideas and information in medical education, research and clinical care. Professor Masters is a world leader in research into Alzheimer's disease and viral infections of the brain. His collaborative research is advancing the study of basic mechanisms and the development of diagnostic and therapeutic tools for Alzheimer's disease.

Driefuss-Penry Award for Terry O’Brien

Associate Professor Terence O’Brien from the Department of Medicine (RMH/WH) will receive the 2006 Driefuss-Penry Award from the American Academy of Neurology. This prestigious award recognises outstanding achievements in epilepsy research undertaken independently in the first ten years post-fellowship. It will be presented to him at the American Academy of Neurology Meeting in San Diego in April this year. The award reflects on the quality of the neurological research developed by Associate Professor O’Brien and his colleagues at the University of Melbourne and the Royal Melbourne Hospital.

Louise Judd awarded C R Roper Fellowship 2005

Dr Louise Judd from the Department of Medicine (RMH/WH) at Western Hospital has been awarded the prestigious C R Roper Fellowship for 2005 by the Faculty of MDHS. Only one of these highly sought-after fellowships is awarded each year. Dr Judd’s area of research is in gastrointestinal cancer.

Eric Susman Prize for Jonathan Kalman

Department of Medicine (RMH/WH) fellow Professor Jonathan Kalman has been awarded the Eric Susman Prize 2006 by Royal Australasian College of Physicians for his outstanding contribution to cardiovascular research. The award will be presented at the RACP Congress in May. This prestigious prize is awarded annually, based on nominations by the RACP for the best contributions to the knowledge of any branch of internal medicine. Professor Kalman is a leader in cardiovascular electrophysiology through animal studies and clinical studies of cardiac rhythm.

Professor Margot Prior Senior Australian of the Year (Victoria)

Professor Margot Prior, School of Behavioural Science, has been voted Senior Australian of the Year (Victoria). This award recognises outstanding Australians through the Australian of the Year Awards. Professor Prior has been a lecturer, clinician and researcher in the field of family and child development for more than 30 years. She has gained national and international admiration for her work with families in the Koori Health Service and in India, Vietnam and East Timor, and is a leader in autism and childhood mental health.

Thoracic Society research medal for Gary Anderson

Associate Professor Gary Anderson has been awarded the Research Medal of the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand. The award is made for outstanding contributions to lung research performed predominantly in Australia or New Zealand. Associate Professor Anderson leads the COPD research laboratory within the Cooperative Research Centre for Chronic Inflammatory Diseases.

top of page

2005

Woodward Medal for ophthalmologist Tien Yin Wong

Dr Tien Yin Wong, Department of Ophthalmology and Centre for Eye Research, has been awarded the Woodward Medal in Science and Technology. The Woodward Medal is awarded annually to a University of Melbourne staff member for research published in the preceding three years which has made the most significant contribution to knowledge in science and technology. Dr Wong's research interest is in the area of retinal vascular diseases, including diabetic and hypertensive retinopathy and their associations with the risk of cardiovascular diseases. He has published more than 120 peer-reviewed papers, including papers in the 'New England Journal of Medicine', the 'Lancet' and 'JAMA'.

Margo Prior recognised for her distinguished contribution to psychology

Professor Margot Prior AO, professorial fellow in the School of Behavioural Science, has been awarded the inaugural President's Award for Distinguished Contribution to Psychology in Australia. The award recognises psychologists later in their careers for distinguished contributions that have made a difference to psychology and the Australian community as a whole. Professor Prior was recognised for her life work which represents, promotes and advances psychology and psychologists within the context of improving community well-being and scientific knowledge.

Henry Jackson awarded Ian M Campbell Prize

Professor Henry Jackson, head of the School of Behavioural Science, has been awarded the 2005 Ian M Campbell Prize by the Australian Psychology Society (APS) College of Clinical Psychologists. The award represents and encourages the professional values, teaching and practice of Ian M Campbell (1941-1987). It recognises excellence in clinical psychology and contributions in research, therapy and/or social applicability. Professor Jackson was awarded this prize as an APS member who has made an outstanding contribution to clinical psychology in Australia.

Victorian Government Sport and Recreation Research Award for Adam Bryant

Adam Bryant, lecturer in the School of Physiotherapy, Centre for Health, Exercise and Sports Medicine, has been awarded the 2005 Victorian Government Department of Sport and Recreation Research Award for his research investigating the effects of oestrogen fluctuations over the menstrual cycle on knee laxity.

Laura Browning awarded New Investigator Award

Physiotherapy PhD candidate, Ms Laura Browning, won the New Investigator Award at the National Cardiothoracic Physiotherapy Group conference in October this year. The award is for the best presentation undertaken by a new researcher. Her presentation at the conference was titled 'Quantitative Measurement of Mobilisation Following Upper Abdominal Surgery'.

Chancellor's Prize for Sophocles Chrissobolis

PhD pharmacology graduate, Dr Sophocles Chrissobolis, has been awarded the Chancellor's Prize for his outstanding research uncovering the role of two key substances regulating the flow of blood through the brain. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new drugs to combat high blood pressure and prevent stroke. The research is one of three outstanding theses to be honoured with a Chancellor's Prize in 2005.

Janet McCalman elected fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences Australia

Professor Janet McCalman, Centre for Health and Society and head of the Department of History and Philosophy of Science, has been elected a fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia. Election to the academy recognises high level scholarly distinction and a distinguished contribution to the social sciences. Professor McCalman's research interests focus on the history of health and illness, social ecology, environmental history, the biological standard of living, and the relationship between behaviour, social values and health. She has published three award-winning books, including, most recently, 'Sex and Suffering, Women's Health and a Women's Hospital, 1856-1996'.

Terence O'Brien wins international brain research award

Research into the relationship between epilepsy, anxiety and depression has won Associate Professor Terence O'Brien, Department of Medicine at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, a highly competitive international brain research award worth $US100,000. The Independent Investigator Award from the US-based National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression supports scientists in the period between initiation of research and receipt of sustained funding. The data gained from the study will help provide improved detection and treatment methods for anxiety and depression in temporal lobe epilepsy patients.

Sam Berkovic awarded the prestigious Z'lch Prize by the Max Planck Society

Professor Sam Berkovic, Department of Medicine (Austin Health and Northern Health) and head of the Epilepsy Research Centre, has been awarded Germany's most prestigious neuroscience prize, the Z'lch Prize, together with Professor Christian Elger from Bonn. The prize is awarded by the Max Planck Society and the Gertrud Reemtsma Foundation of Germany. The award recognises Professor Berkovic's work in epilepsy genetics. Professor Berkovic's research focus is on epilepsy and gene mutations associated with previously unexplained epilepsies. His work has led to a revolutionary change in basic research into epilepsy, resulting in radical changes in the clinical management of familial forms of epilepsy and new insights into their underlying biology.

Lorraine Dennerstein awarded World Association for Sexology gold medal

Professor Lorraine Dennerstein, director of the Office for Gender and Health, Department of Psychiatry, has been awarded the gold medal by the World Association of Sexology. This international award acknowledges Professor Dennerstein's lifetime achievement of research in sexology and was presented to her during the opening ceremony of the 17th World Congress of Sexology held in Montreal, Canada, in July this year.

Eric Reynolds wins top innovation award - the Victoria Prize

Professor Eric Reynolds, head of the School of Dental Science and CEO of the Cooperative Research Centre for Oral Health Science, has been awarded the $50,000 Victoria Prize. The Victoria Prize is presented annually to reward leadership, determination and creativity in science, engineering, or technology innovation. Professor Reynolds is one of Australia's most distinguished oral disease researchers. His research has resulted in a new local product made from cow's milk that was generating sales of $200 million annually and is helping to address some of Australia's most prevalent diseases. This award is complemented by the $100,000 Anne and Eric Smorgon Memorial Award.

Alicia Jenkins and Anthony Hannan - 2005 Eureka Prize winners

Associate Professor Alicia Jenkins, Department of Medicine (St Vincent's Hospital), has won the $10,000 Australian Museum Eureka Prize for Research which Replaces the Use of Animals or Animal Products. The award acknowledges her research using small sections of human artery to research blood vessel growth, instead of using rats.

Dr Anthony Hannan, Howard Florey Institute, has won the $10,000 British Council Eureka Prize for Inspiring Science. His research has shown that in mice, brain disorders, even inherited ones like Huntington's disease, can be affected by environmental factors. Dr Hannan also won the Eureka People's Choice Award.

Claire Kelly awarded Australian Rotary Health Fund fellowship

Ms Claire Kelly, Department of Psychiatry and ORYGEN Research Centre, has been awarded a fellowship by the Australian Rotary Health Research Fund to develop mental health first aid standards. This research, using the Delphi technique, will develop consensus regarding the help a member of the public should offer if a person is in a mental health crisis, such as becoming suicidal or having a panic attack. These guidelines will be used to further improve the Mental Health First Aid course and other mental health intervention programs designed for the public.

Ian Taylor wins Plastic Surgery Education Foundation essay contest

Professor Ian Taylor, director of the Jack Brockhoff Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Research Unit, Department of Surgery (RMH) and affiliated with the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, has won the essay contest of the Plastic Surgery Education Foundation of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. This is the eighth time Professor Taylor has won this prize.

Sharon van Doornum inaugural recipient of Melbourne-Boston Research Exchange

Dr Sharon van Doornum, Department of Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital/Western Hospital), has been awarded the new Melbourne Boston Research Exchange fellowship. The fellowship enables a medical researcher from Melbourne Health to spend four to six weeks at Partners Healthcare in Boston, USA. Dr van Doornum's research includes an investigation of the quality of cardiovascular risk factor management by Australian rheumatologists and mortality of rheumatoid arthritis patients who experience acute coronary events.

Graeme Jones receives inaugural Victorian Rural Doctors' Award

Dr Graeme Jones, School of Rural Health, has been awarded the inaugural Victorian Rural Doctors' Award for Outstanding Service to Rural Communities presented at the 2005 Victorian Rural Doctors' Conference in July. The award recognises Dr Jones' commitment to the Greater Shepparton community where he has provided general practice care for many years, he has mentored medical students and inspired prospective medical students to explore rural practice or general practice. He is recognised nationally as an outstanding educator in general practice.

Queen's Birthday Honours

The Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences congratulates staff members and alumni who were admitted to the Order of Australia in the June honours list. Find out more about the recipients.

Bob Kemm awarded U21 Fellowship

Associate Professor Bob Kemm, Department of Physiology, has been awarded a Universitas 21 Fellowship for 2005. The Universitas 21 Fellowships Program recognises outstanding teaching staff of the University of Melbourne who have demonstrated a capacity to inspire, extend and enthuse their students. The prize will allow Associate Professor Kem to visit departments around the world to establish and consolidate links with various universities in Universitas 21 with an interest and expertise in research-based teaching. This prize is also important for the department which continues to develop its program for science, biomedicine, optometry, medicine, physiotherapy and dentistry students.

2005 teaching awards for faculty staff

Dr Marilys Guillemin and Dr Lyn Gillam from the School of Population Health received the David White Award (Science, Health, Agriculture, Veterinary Science) in the 2005 University of Melbourne Teaching Awards announced in June. The award recognises their individual and team teaching as a substantial contribution to the development of teaching in the Centre for the Study of Health and Society, the School of Population Health and at faculty level. See university news item.

Fred Mendelsohn awarded 2005 Bethlehem Griffiths Research Foundation Medal

Professor Fred Mendelsohn, director of the Howard Florey Institute, has been awarded the 2005 Bethlehem Griffiths Research Foundation Medal for medical research. The medal is awarded annually and honours Victorian scientists and health care professionals who make an outstanding contribution to research in the areas of palliative care or progressive neurological diseases. Professor Mendelsohn is respected worldwide for his research and is widely recognised for his advocacy of medical research. His leadership has seen the Howard Florey become Australia's largest neuroscience institute, recognised internationally for its innovative research. View the university news item.

Richard Gilbert awarded Eric Susman prize

Richard Gilbert, professor of medicine in the university's Department of Medicine at St Vincent's Hospital, has been awarded the Eric Susman medal by the Royal Australasian College of Physicians for his outstanding contribution to the field of new therapies for the treatment of diabetes and kidney disease. This prestigious prize is awarded annually, based on nominations by the RACP for the best contributions to the knowledge of any branch of internal medicine. Professor Gilbert directs a $4 million program exploring new therapies for the treatment and prevention of diabetic complications. He is internationally recognised for his studies in diabetic complications and has succeeded in combining a career in academic clinical practice with cutting edge medical research in diabetes.

Fulbright Professional Award for medical graduate Ruth Lim

Dr Ruth Lim, a first-class honours graduate of medicine (MBBS 1997), has been awarded a Fulbright Professional Award to study cardiac disease in Type 2 diabetics using Magnetic Resonance Imaging at the Radiology Department of the New York University Medical Centre. The prestigious Fulbright program aims at promoting mutual understanding through educational exchange. It currently operates between USA and 150 other nations. View the university news item.

Yona Goldshmit awarded SpinalCure Australian Fellowship

Dr Yona Goldshmit of the Centre for Neuroscience was recently awarded a SpinalCure Australian Fellowship, worth $300k, for her pioneering research into regrowing damaged spinal cord nerves. Dr Goldshmit is working to develop methods for blocking the action of the EphA4 molecule in normal mice in the hope that this will eventually translate to humans and enable human spinal nerves to grow back across a severed spinal cord.

Sam Berkovic elected to the Australian Academy of Science

Sam Berkovic, professor in the Department of Medicine (Austin Health and Northern Health) and head of the Epilepsy Research Centre, has been elected to the Australian Academy of Science. He is one of 16 leading Australian scientists who were elected to the Australian Academy of Science on 24 March 2005. Election to the academy recognises a career that has significantly advanced, and continues to advance, the world's scientific knowledge. Professor Berkovic's research focus is on epilepsy and gene mutations associated with previously unexplained epilepsies. His work has led to a revolutionary change in basic research into epilepsy, resulting in radical changes in the clinical management of familial forms of epilepsy and new insights into their underlying biology.

Australia Day honours 2005

Professor Emeritus Derek Denton was awarded an AC for his service to science through leadership in medical research in the field of physiology relating to sodium homeostasis and the body's regulation of fluid and electrolyte balances, and to the arts.

Associate Professor Justin O'Day, a principal fellow in the Department of Ophthalmology, was awarded an AM for service to medicine in the field of ophthalmology as a surgeon, clinician and teacher, to professional associations, and to the community.

A number of alumni of the faculty received Australia Day honours and a full list of University of Melbourne alumni, staff and honorary appointees who received awards can be found on the university website at: http://www.unimelb.edu.au/alumni/ausday.html

David Syme Research Prize 2004

Associate Professor David Jackson, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and Associate Professor Trevor Lithgow, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, have been jointly awarded the prestigious David Syme Research Prize for 2004. The David Syme Prize is awarded by the Faculty of Science for the best original research work in biology, chemistry, geology or physics, produced in Australia during the preceding two years. Associate Professor Jackson was nominated for the award for his recent insights into vaccine design and the potential for commercial development. Associate Professor Lithgow was nominated for his discovery of an ancient protein which is providing new clues to understanding some of the earliest steps in the evolution of life.

top of page

2004

Toula Bouras awarded the Chancellor's Prize

Dr Toula Bouras (Pathology) has been awarded the university's Chancellor's Prize for her doctoral thesis 'Molecular analysis of the oestrogen receptor alpha pathway in human breast cancer'. She is one of four University of Melbourne PhD graduates who were awarded the prize in recognition of the excellence of their doctoral theses. Her research assessing the role of oestrogen receptor and oestrogen-regulated genes in breast cancer has received international recognition and acceptance.

2004 Premier's Award for Research Excellence for Ben Croker

Dr Ben Croker, who completed a PhD at the university's Department of Medical Biology at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research has won the $16,000 2004 Premier's Award for Medical Research. The award recognises exceptional achievements of postgraduate scholars whose work is further enhancing Victoria's leading role in medical research.

Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) for Richard Larkins

Professor Richard Larkins, former dean of the faculty, was awarded the university's highest honour recently with the degree of Doctor of Laws (honoris causa). The degree is bestowed in recognition of 'eminent public service or outstanding cultural achievement'. Professor Larkins is a medical graduate of the University of Melbourne and has held many notable positions. In 2003 he was appointed vice-chancellor of Monash University.

'Smart 100' award in Health and Medicine for Darren Russell

Dr Darren Russell, senior lecturer in the university's Sexual Health Unit, School of Population Health, has won the 2004 Bulletin Microsoft Smart 100 award for Health and Medicine. The award recognises outstanding people in their fields across 10 areas. The health and medicine category won by Dr Russell acknowledges his demanding clinical work with HIV patients, his leadership of the Melbourne-based Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations and the time he gives to assisting community organisations and advocating on behalf of his patients. Dr Russell has also been a superb contributor to the development of the School of Population Health's new graduate certificate and diploma program in sexual health.

Graeme Clark awarded Prime Minister's Prize for Science

Professor Graeme Clark, pioneer of hearing technology for profoundly deaf people has been awarded the prestigious Prime Minister's Prize for Science. He is one of the earliest inventors, investigators and implementers of cochlear implantation and the bionic ear, and has been a champion of deaf people, particularly children. Until earlier this year he was professor of otolaryngology at the University of Melbourne and is now director of the Bionic Ear Institute.

2004 Professional of the Year

Eminent university audiologist, Dr Robert Cowan has been named 2004 Professional of the Year by Professions Australia, a national organisation of professional associations. The award recognises Dr Cowan's outstanding service of benefit to the community and consistent high standards of professionalism. Dr Cowan is director and chief executive officer of the Cooperative Research Centre for Cochlear Implant than Hearing Aid Innovation and managing director of HearWorks Pty Ltd.

Students named as future global leaders

Medical students Jonathan Epstein and Sarah Mansfield were awarded Goldman Sachs scholarships to attend a one-week Future Global Leaders forum in New York from 11 July. The two students are very strong academically and have a commitment to the community and leadership qualities. Only eight Australian students were chosen for the scholarships.

Queen's Birthday Honours

Nine staff members and alumni were admitted to the Order of Australia in the June honours list.
Find out more about the winners.

Bionic Ear director joins the ranks of Newton and Einstein

The director of the Bionic Ear Institute, Laureate Professor Emeritus Graeme Clark, has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. Professor Clark led the research that developed the cochlear implant or bionic ear, which has brought hearing to thousands of people who were totally deaf. Professor David Solomon, of the university's Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, was also elected a fellow. Other fellows of the society, which has been at the forefront of discovery since its foundation in 1660, have included Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin and Albert Einstein.

AMGEN award for knee pain and osteoporosis expert

Associate Professor Kim Bennell has been awarded the AMGEN Medical Research Award by the Australian Society for Medical Research. Associate Professor Bennell is the foundation director of the Centre for Health, Exercise and Sports Medicine in the University of Melbourne's School of Physiotherapy.

She has made a major contribution to improving, preventing and managing musculoskeletal conditions using healthy, conservative and non-pharmaceutical-based therapies such as exercise. Translational activities have been a focus rather than a by-product of her research that has concentrated on knee pain and osteoporosis to enhance quality of life.

Universitas 21 Fellowship for Ms Gillian Webb

Ms Gillian Webb is one of three academics at the university to receive a 2004 Universitas 21 Fellowship. The fellowships recognise outstanding teachers who inspire, extend and enthuse students. Ms Webb will use the funds provided by the award to visit three Universitas 21 universities: the University of British Colombia (Canada), the University of Birmingham (UK) and Lund University (Sweden). She will explore teaching and learning in the health professions focusing on two areas: preparing clinicians for teaching in the clinical environment; and multidisciplinary teaching and learning.

University of Melbourne Teaching Awards for faculty staff

Dr Robert Kemm, Department of Physiology, is joint recipient with Dr Stephen Gallagher, from the Faculty of Science, of the David White Award for excellence in teaching in the fields of science, health, agriculture or veterinary science. The award acknowledges Dr Kemm's outstanding and sustained enthusiasm and dedication to his teaching. Associate Professor Jane Gunn, Dr Kelsey Hegarty and Dr Kathryn Robertson from the Department of General Practice and Dr Louise Kornman from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology are joint recipients of the new Norman Curry Award, recognising innovation and excellence in support of and service to teaching and learning. Their program supports learning in Sensitive Examination Technique, in particular Pap tests and pelvic examination. The program contains three core elements of self-directed learning with a CD-ROM, practice of examination skills on pelvic models and an intensive small-group learning experience with Clinical Teaching Associates.

Selwyn Smith Medical Research Prize for Christos Pantelis

Professor Christos Pantelis, recently appointed to the new chair of neuropsychiatry, has been awarded the Selwyn Smith Medical Research Prize in recognition of his outstanding research work on schizophrenia. He has undertaken neuroimaging and neuropsychological work on schizophrenia and psychosis over the past decade. His most recent work, published in 'Lancet', demonstrated that progressive brain changes occur in schizophrenia and early psychosis during the transition phase from a premorbid high-risk state to active psychotic illness.

Doug Hilton receives two honours

Professor Doug Hilton has been elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and has won the prestigious GSK Award for Research Excellence for 2004 from GlaxoSmithKline Australia. Professor Hilton is National Health and Medical Research Council senior principal research fellow and laboratory head in the Cancer and Haematology Division of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute. His discovery about how the body's cells communicate with each other will have major potential for improving healthcare.

Trevor Lithgow receives molecular biology award

Associate Professor Trevor Lithgow has won the 2004 Roche Medal for the significant contribution to molecular biology by a young Australian. He was recognised by the Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Roche Molecular Biochemicals Australia Pty Ltd for his research into the biogenesis of cellular membranes. This included the discovery of the Omp85 protein, which is believed to be involved in establishing the first mitochondria in living cells. Associate Professor Lithgow will present the Roche Lecture at the society's annual meeting in Perth in September.

Roger Pepperell awarded American honorary fellowship

Professor Roger Pepperell, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. The award is an uncommon distinction for an Australian obstetrician and gynaecologist, reflecting Professor Pepperell's international standing and regard, particularly for his teaching expertise.

Australian Citation Laureates

Three University of Melbourne researchers, Professor James Angus, Professor Emeritus Jack Martin and Professor Roger Powell, were named Australian Citation Laureates and presented with Thomson Laureate Awards in March 2004. Professor Angus, who is Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, has unravelled the mechanisms of action of natural hormones and transmitters and the drugs used to mimic or block these actions. Professor Powell has provided further insight into the processes shaping the Earth's crust and Professor Emeritus Martin discovered the protein that is mainly responsible for the effects of cancer on bones.

Sandra Daugherty Award for Associate Professor Tien Wong

Associate Professor Tien Wong received the 2004 American Heart Association's Sandra Daugherty Award for excellence in cardiovascular disease and hypertension epidemiology. The award recognises his research work on studying retinal blood vessels as a predictor of cardiovascular disease. His research has been published in several high-profile journals in recent years including Lancet. Associate Professor Wong is in the university's Department of Ophthalmology and the Centre for Eye Research Australia.

top of page