At Mater Research, our students represent the future of medical discovery. By nurturing emerging research talent today, we are building the next generation of scientists who will tackle the world’s most pressing health challenges.
2025 was an extraordinary year for our student community, marked by academic milestones, prestigious awards and vibrant events that fostered collaboration and innovation.
Last year, 162 students undertook research projects across Mater Research, contributing to discoveries that will shape the future of healthcare. Among them were 15 Higher Degree Research (HDR) graduates, whose degrees were conferred - a remarkable achievement.
We congratulate:
- Dr Juan Manuel Botto
- Dr Grace Boyd
- Dr Dylan Carter Cusack
- Dr Karen Egaleson
- Dr Kaitlyn Flynn
- Dr Madeline Gough
- Dr Rebecca Keating
- Dr Jade Kubler
- Dr Kayden Kwah
- Yajun Liu
- Dr Renee Muirhead
- Dr Ellesandra Noye
- Mr Christian Smith
- Dr Shivam Vora.
Our students didn’t just all excel in their studies with us at Mater, they shone on national and international platforms:
- Jintao Guo earned a coveted place in the Millennium Science 10x Genomics Fellowship Program
- Ruiqing Zhong was named a finalist for poster presentations at the PA Hospital Symposium.
- Nikita Rosendahl impressed peers and judges alike, winning the People’s Choice Award for best oral presentation at the Brisbane Immunology Group Annual Retreat – ASI QLD Branch Meeting.
The Mater Research Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition showcased the power of concise, compelling science communication.
- HDR Winner: Dr Ricky Nelles
- Runner-up: Anastasia Gandini
- People’s Choice: Thishan Illankoon
- Honours People’s Choice: Priyanka Jaisinghani
Special congratulations to Anastasia Gandini, who went on to win the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences 3MT Final and proudly represented Mater Research at the UQ 3MT Final in September.
Thishan Illankoon, Anastasia Gandini and Dr Ricky Nelles
Mater Research's annual Frocktober event
Our students also embraced opportunities to connect and give back.
- The sMater Retreat in August brought together emerging researchers for three days of learning and networking.
- Our Annual Frocktober Fashion Show and Bake Sale raised an incredible $2,000 for ovarian cancer research.
- The Halloween Mixer added a touch of mystery and fun, as students solved the fictional “murder” of Professor Brian Gabrielli!
At the TRI Student Symposium, Mater Research students were front and centre:
- Best Poster: Nikita Rosendahl
- Oral Presentation Awards: Saee Zambre, Bhadra Varma, and Panteha Khaledi
We also thank our organising committee members Anastasia Gandini, Anna Pilaar, Saee Zambre, Halimat Atanda and Jintao Guo for making the event a success.
Further accolades included Travel Sponsorship Awards for HDR student Alicja Andraszek and ECR Asmerom Sengal, and a major honour for MD-PhD student Nikita Rosendahl, who received the Australian and New Zealand Society for Immunology New Investigator Award at ASI2025 in Perth.
These achievements reflect the strength, creativity and commitment of our student community. As we celebrate their successes, we look forward to supporting their continued growth and impact in 2026 and beyond.
