Mater Research Awards and Young Investigator Symposium

Tuesday 04 December 2018

The significant contribution of researchers as well as up and coming research talent was celebrated at the recent 2018 Young Investigator Symposium and Mater Research Awards for Research Excellence held on Friday 30 November.

Mater Research annually recognises researchers, support staff and others who have made significant contributions to the institute throughout the year  at the Mater Research Awards for Research Excellence, while the Young Investigator Symposium showcases the best and brightest of Mater Researcher’s talent with each researcher presenting a short overview of their research.

Congratulations to the recipients of the following awards:

Sr. Regis Mary Dunne Medal

For outstanding research contribution, awarded to a researcher who has excelled in relation to opportunity: 
Awarded to Associate Professor Andreas Schibler, Director of Paediatric Critical Care research group.

Sr. Madonna Josey Medal

For outstanding contribution to Mater Research, awarded to an individual who has made significant contribution to the operations of the Institute: 

Awarded to Associate Professor Ingrid Winkler who leads the Stem Cells and Cancer Research Group.

Sister Eileen Pollard Medal

For incorporating research into clinical care provision, awarded to an individual who has consistently translated research into clinical practice: 
Awarded to Associate Professor Luregn Schlapbach. who leads the Sepsis, Infection and Inflammation theme as part of the Paediatric Critical Care research group.

Sr. Michaeleen Ahern Medal

Awarded for outstanding levels of performance in the supervision, mentoring and training of postgraduate research students: 
Awarded to Professor Josephine Forbes, who provides substantial leadership for the Chronic Disease Biology and Care Program and is fostering numerous biomedical-clinical interactions at Mater. 

Doctor Laurence Catley Clinical Student Award

Awarded to a clinical researcher who has made a significant contribution to Mater Research and the Community: 
Awarded to Chris Flatley. 

Research Higher Degree Student Award

Awarded to a scientific researcher who has made a significant contribution to Mater Research and the community: 
Awarded to Miss Mia McLean.

Mater Research Early Career Researcher award

Awarded in recognition of exceptional work undertaken at Mater Research:  Awarded to Dr Sandra Richardson. Dr Richardson is a Senior Researcher in the Genome Plasticity and Disease research group.

Simon & Nell George Award

Awarded to Dr Glenn Gardener.

Introduced in 2016 in recognition of the long-standing support of the George family for Mater, particularly in the care of neonates and maternal health.  This award is made in recognition of the exceptional work undertaken at  Mater by Dr Glenn Gardner in the area of maternal and early childhood health.
The award also recognises Dr Gardner’s support for the work of  Mater Foundation which includes donor interactions, public education and support for fundraising activities.

Dr Glenn Gardener is the Director of Maternal Fetal Medicine. He was recognised as a finalist for 2018 Queensland Australian of the Year. He was nominated for his pioneering work as the only specialist in Australia performing fetal surgery for congenital diaphragmatic hernia and spina bifida.

Bill Siganto Award

Introduced in 2016 in recognition of the long-standing support of the late Bill Siganto and his family for Mater, this award is for clinical or biomedical research in recognition of exceptional work undertaken at  Mater in the area of prostate cancer.

The award was presented to Professor Janet Hardy, co-lead of the Cancer Biology and Care Program and also leads the Palliative Care Research Group.

David Serisier Travel Award

Awarded to outstanding early career researchers to attend an international conference of their choice.

Awarded to Aleena Wojicieszek.

PhD students travel awards

Mia McLean
Chris Flatley
Johanna Erbani

Early Career Researcher Clinical Seeding Grant – Biomedical 

Dr Seth Cheetham is a researcher in the Genome Plasticity and Disease group. He was awarded the grant for his work investigating the roe of junk DNA in cancer regulation.

Early Career Researcher Clinical Seeding Grant – Clinical

Dr Nisha Jagasia is a staff specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. She was awarded the grant for her project on sentinel lymph node mapping in gynaecological cancers.

McGuckin Fellowships

The McGuckin Fellowships support early and mid-career researchers to achieve success in developing sustainable research careers. In honour of Professor McGuckin the fellowships provide competitively acquired funding to high performing researchers that have demonstrated commitment to Mater Research and to the Mater Group Strategy.

Dr Patricia Moreno Carreira, a Senior Researcher in the Genome Plasticity and Disease research group, was awarded the mid-career fellowship.

Dr Mitchell Sullivan, a Mater Research Career Track Fellow working in the Glycation and Diabetes research group, was awarded the early career fellowship.

PhD Completions

Rebecca Jenkinson
Simranpreet Kaur
Belinda Lequertier

Congratulations to all the recipients and nominees for their dedication and outstanding contributions to Mater Research.

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