Mater Research is proud to announce recipients of Mater Research Awards for Research Excellence 2016.
At an event held on 21 November, Mater Research’s Deputy Director of Research Mike McGuckin joined with Mater Group CEO Dr Shane Kelly, Sister Michaeleen Ahern, Mater Research Executive Director Fundraising Lesley Ray, and Mater Group Director Mission Leadership Madonna McGahan, to honour recipients who have made significant contributions to Mater Research.
Congratulations to the following award winners:
Sr. Regis Mary Dunne Medal – For outstanding research contribution, awarded to a researcher who has excelled in relation to opportunity: Associate Professor Vicki Flenady
Associate Professor Vicki Flenady has had an exceptional year of research contributions building on an already outstanding track record. Vicki has begun the year with Senior Authorship on a highly publicised The Lancet series on Still Birth (Following on from a similar feat in 2011) and finished off the year as a lead investigator on MRI’s First NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence (in Stillbirth). She exemplifies the clinically focused research ethos of MRI-UQ.
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: Associate Professor Kristen Gibbons
Associate Professor Kristen Gibbons has contributed at a very high level to the operations of Mater Research. She is a strategic manager with an innovative flair as seen in the development of the Research Hub, that she has followed through from its inception to the delivery of a first class database, which other institutes would like to emulate. Kristen always has an open door policy for questions and welcomes any feedback, she is always respectful, promotes equality, shows care and commits 100 per cent on everything she does.
Sr. Eileen Pollard Medal – For incorporating research into clinical care provision, awarded to an individual who has consistently translated research into clinical practice: Associate Professor Phillip Good
Associate Professor Phillip Good works as a Senior Specialist in Palliative Care. He has been the recipient of a number of awards including a Royal Australasian College of Physicians Cottrell Research Establishment Fellowship and a Churchill Scholarship. In 2014 he was awarded the Betty McGrath research fellowship to support his endeavours to progress research in palliative and supportive care. Dr Good is also involved in multiple Cochrane reviews, two as the lead reviewer. Despite his busy clinical practice, Phillip continues to publish extensively, teach and supervise trainees.
Sr. Michaeleen Ahern Medal – Awarded for outstanding levels of performance in the supervision, mentoring and training of postgraduate research students: Associate Professor Sailesh Kumar
Associate Professor Sailesh Kumar’s knowledge and experiences provide him with the tools to be an excellent supervisor, his vision is shown with the capacity to bring concepts into substantial clinical relevance and the commitment required from Professor Kumar to help get an idea to a manuscript to a publication also reflects the incredible commitment he has to his students, the institution and the research theme.
Doctor Laurence Catley Clinical Student Award - Awarded to a clinical researcher who has made a significant contribution to Mater Research and the Community: Aleena Wojcieszek
Aleena Wojcieszek has won a $1500 travel award to attend and present at the 2017 International Stillbirth Alliance conference at the University College Cork, Ireland.
Research Higher Degree Scientific Student Award – Awarded to a scientific researcher who has made a significant contribution to Mater Research and the community: Lisa Yamada
Lisa Yamada has won a $1500 travel award to reimburse the costs of attending the conference: 9th World Congress on Development Origins of Health and Disease which was held in Cape Town, South Africa in 2015.
Early Career Researcher award - recognising exceptional work undertaken at Mater Research: Dr Kevin Gillinder
Dr Kevin Gillinder has won a $3000 travel award to attend an international Scientific Conference of his choice or visit an International Research Institution.
Simon & Nell George Award: Associate Professor Paul Dawson
The Simon & Nell George Award is a new Award introduced in 2016 in recognition of the long-standing support of the George family for Mater, particularly in the area of care of neonates and maternal health. This award recognises exceptional work undertaken at Mater in the area of maternal and/or early childhood health and support for the work of Mater Foundation. Associate Professor Paul Dawson wins $10,000 in research funding to further his research in maternal and/or early childhood health.
Bill Siganto Award: Associate Professor Kristen Radford
The Bill Siganto Award is a new Award introduced in 2016 in recognition of the long-standing support of the late Bill Siganto and his family for Mater, particularly in the area of prostate cancer research. This award recognises exceptional work undertaken at Mater in the area of prostate cancer and support for the work of Mater Foundation. Associate Professor Kristen Radford wins $10,000 in research funding to further her research in prostate cancer.
Congratulations to all award winners and nominees!
Further congratulations to Annie-Claude Lassemillante, Jyai Allen, Thu Nguyen, Kirsteen Tullett, Katrina Moss, Brittney Harrington, Amanda Forti, Sahar Keshvari, Wai Hong Mok and Ibinabo Ibiebele who are celebrating the completion of PhDs in 2016.