Leading Griffith University researchers have been honoured at the 2017 Vice Chancellor’s Research Excellence Awards held at Nathan campus.
Vice Chancellor and President Professor Ian O’Connor ACwarmly congratulated all the researchers who took part.
The awards were presented by theChancellor Mr Henry SmerdonAM DUniv and Vice Chancellor and President Professor O’Connor.
The full list of 2017 winners:
Excellence in Research Leadership:
Since starting at Griffith five years ago, Professor Nam-Trung Nguyen from the Queensland Micro and Nanotechnology Centre quickly established the lab and research activities, which has generated 150 journal papers and seven PhD completions from Griffith.
Professor Nguyen, the recipient of the Research Leadership Award, said the win was recognition of his commitment to helping Higher Degree by Research students and Early Career Research members achieve their full potential.
“This is a nice recognition and very motivating,” Professor Nguyen said.
“I hope to provide an example on leadership beyond one’s own element to contribute more effectively to the success of the entire university.”
Excellence in Early Career Research:
Dr Amanda Ullman, School of Nursing and Midwifery received the Early Career Researcher Award, following her NHMRC Early Career Fellowship for “Innovation to improve the experience and outcomes of paediatric central venous access devices: the e-Vascular Access Passport”.
However Dr Ullman’s research program is more broad and as a paediatric nurse and researcher, and with support from colleagues, she is aiming to prevent these complications through innovation and pragmatism.
“The insertion of a central line signals a turning point in a child’s life – the beginning of chemotherapy, undergoing a critical operation. The majority of the child’s treatments are administered through these central lines, however they are associated with significant harm, including bloodstream infection and thrombosis.
“It is pretty surreal to be receiving this award for the work I completed only 12 months after my PhD. I am excited to see what I can achieve over the next 30 years to transform paediatric healthcare, as a clinician and a researcher.”
Excellence of an Individual Mid-Career or Senior Researcher:
Associate Professor Guillermo Diaz-Pulido from the School of Environment and Science received the Mid-Career Researcher Award in recognition of his research leadership at Griffith’s Coral Reef Algae Lab, which has led to improved reef conservation practices.
“This award is the most important recognition I’ve received in my academic career and acknowledges the work, dedication and passion I’ve put into my research and especially the progress and achievements of the last 10 years at Griffith,” Associate Professor Diaz-Pulido said.
“The award is a big motivator internally, making HDR candidates and post-doctoral fellows proud to be part of our lab and to see the value of contributing to research with high impact.”
Dr Lara Herrero was also a recipient of the Mid-Career Researcher Award in recognition of her tireless work within Griffith’s Institute for Glycomics, which includes developing a potential treatment for Ross River virus.
Excellence Award for Research Supervision:
Professor Rod Barrett, Deputy Head of School (Research) Allied Health Sciences, took out the Research Supervision Award for his leadership at University, Group and School levels.
“Working closely with HDRs has been one of the most challenging, yet rewarding aspects of my academic career. It’s such a pleasure to see a student graduate and then go on to be successful in their own right and to know you played a small part in helping them get there,” Professor Barrett said.
Excellence of a Research group or team
Professors Suzanne Chambers and Tamara Ownsworth from Griffith’s Menzies Health Institute Queensland head up the study group which took out the Research Team Group Award.
Other staff in the group include Associate Professor Stefano Occhipinti, Professor Paul Scuffham, Dr Shu-Kay Angus Ng and Professor David Shum.
With a vision to undertake quality research in the health and behavioural sciences delivering effective and accessible psychosocial and survivorship care for people affected by cancer, the group has taken a multidisciplinary approach.
This culminated in the establishment of a Centre for Research Excellence in Prostate Cancer Survivorship in 2017.
“We believe that our strong collaborative partnerships within the team and with consumers and community services underpin our translation-focused research program,” Professor Chambers said.
“We are delighted to have won this award which recognises the prevalence of cancer in the community and the high burden that it carries. It is crucial that researchers continue to support these communities.”
Remarkable Minutes awardees
Last night also saw the awarding of the winners of this year’sRemarkable Minutescompetition:
Dr Catheryn Khoo-Lattimore, Department of Tourism, Sport and Hotel Management for “Women in tourism and gender equality.”
Dr Diana Tolmie, Queensland Conservatorium for “Explore the lives of musicians who contribute to the economic and cultural growth of Australia”.
