A University of Queensland professor has been given a prestigious Distinguished Member Award from the Australian Pain Society (APS).
UQ’s Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences’ Professor Maree Smith received the award for her work in the “promotion, treatment and science of pain management” and her lifelong contribution to the society.
“I am deeply honoured to receive this award – absolutely thrilled,” Professor Smith said.
Professor Smith is the Executive Director of UQ’s Centre for Integrated Preclinical Drug Development and its commercial brand TetraQ, and has broad expertise in new drug development.
The award also recognises the significant input and influence Professor Smith has had with the Australian Pain Relief Association (APRA), of which she is currently president, and she is the former Chair of the APS/APRA PhD Scholarship Committee.
In this latter role, which she filled for 11 years, Professor Smith secured continued funding for three PhD scholarships – one through APRA and two supported by educational grants from industry.
She said mentoring PhD students in the pain field remained one of the most satisfying parts of her professional life.
“APRA’s main activity is raising educational grants from Pharma to support PhD scholars in the pain research field,” she said.
“The PhD scholarship program is the flagship research training initiative of the APS/APRA and is aimed at developing future global leaders in the pain research field.”
Faculty Deputy Executive Dean and Associate Dean (Research) Professor Melissa Brown said the award was recognition of Professor Smith’s career commitment to pain research.
“Professor Smith has brought a depth of experience to her teaching, her research and her intellectual property that has benefited not just her students and colleagues but the broader global pain community,’’ Professor Brown said.
“This award is testament to her dedication.”
MEDIA: Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Media Manager Bernadette Condren, +61 7 3346 5309, b.condren@uq.edu.au
