2024 Faculty of Medicine Excellence Awards

Winner

Designed in collaboration with Dementia Australia and other key partners, the UQCCR Dementia Friendly Initiative has created meaningful impact for people living with dementia. The initiative has delivered a supportive environment and better services for visitors who live with dementia and their family members.

Nominees

• MIDAS Team
• Paddy Nolan
• Public Health Equity, Diversity and Inclusion  Committee
• SBMS Histology Teaching Team
• Soraia De Camargo Catapan
• Dr Steven Wallis
• Professor Tracy Comans
• UQCCR Dementia-Friendly Initiative (8)

Winner

Dr Dung Phung has demonstrated exceptional leadership in global health, notably as principal investigator of the E-Dengue project funded by the UK Welcome Trust. In 2023, he established UQ’s first research group on dengue and climate change, bringing together a multidisciplinary team of 30 global collaborators. His visionary leadership, commitment to innovation and focus on empowering  end users, like policymakers have driven significant progress in disease prevention and public health.  

Commendations

Associate Professor Sebastian Furness from School of Biomedical Sciences for his exceptional research achievements, teaching excellence and transformative leadership all while inspiring and adocating for positive change across academia and the wider community.

Associate Professor Fernando Guimaraes from Frazer Institute for being a trailblazer in cancer immunotherapy, achieving remarkable results – including co-founding the first Brandon Capital-funded NewCo, leading a prolific research team, securing prestigious grants and inspiring the next generation of researchers through his visionary leadership and dedication to advancing the field.

Dr Venkat Reddy from UQ’s Medical School for excelling in leading a diverse team of educators and clinicals to deliver exceptional medical education for 143 students, demonstrating inspiring guidance, coordination and unwavering dedication in the delivery of the medical program.

Nominees

• Dr Dilki Jayasinghe
• Dr Dung Phung (6)
• Asssociate Professor Fernando Guimaraes
• Dr Jack Gilpin
• Dr Jasneek Chawla
• Jodie Jetann
• Dr Lee Woods
• Dr Sebastian Furness
• Dr Sumaira Hasnain
• Dr Tatiane Yanes (2)
• Dr Venkat Reddy

Winner

Dr Shaneen Leishman is an inspiring leader who fosters an inclusive, collaborative work culture through empathy, active listening and genuine car for her team’s well-being. Her diplomatic conflict resolution and adaptability have driven innovative solutions to complex challenges in the centre, and her dedication to personal growth and learning makes her an exceptional leader.  

Commendation

Rebecca Lush, the curator of the Integrated Pathology Learning centre for being a respected leader in ethical curation and innovative pedagogy, fostering scholarly collaborations, advancing flexible learning and showcasing the Faculty of Medicine excellence on a global level.

Nominees

• Jonaa Eva
• Rebecca Lush
• Dr Shaneen Leishman
• Dr Uyen Koh

Winner

The UQ Centre for Clinical Research Wellness Committee has excelled in fostering a positive, inclusive culture through out of the box initiatives, such as the buddy system, the album club and the tea trolley, which all aim to boost morale, solidify staff recognition, build community and promote equity in the centre. 

Commendation

The MD Learning Hub Professional Staff Team for fostering a welcoming and supportive environment through many iniatives to enchance the mental health, wellbeing and community connection for students to ensure they feel valued and supported.

Nominees

• FoM Health Safety and Wellness Team
• MD Learning Hub Professional Staff Team
• UQCCR Wellness committee

Winner

Dr Uli Siebeck has been instrumental in developing and implementing the School of Biomedical Sciences Pitching workshop over the past two years. The innovative workshop brings together Research, Advancement and Uniquest to upskill researchers at the school and provide them with the tools to effectively pitch to investors and philanthropists. The workshop has in turn increased collaboration between the Faculty and its funding partners.

Commendation

Associate Professor Alka Kothari for being a pioneering advocate and researcher revolutionising maternity care by addressing the overlooked role of fathers in pregnancy and childbirth, championing holistic, trauma-capable and equitable care for families, while driving impactful policy changes and community advocacy. 

Nominees

• Professor Andre Van Zundert
• Associate Professor Alka Kothari
• UQ Frazer Institute Spatial Biology Team
• Dr Uli Siebeck
• UQCCR Research Support Team

Winner

Associate Professor Wendy Findlay has shown exceptional leadership as Director of Education at the Greater Brisbane Clinical School, driving the implementation of the new MD program and ensuring a smooth transition for existing students. Her innovative teaching, proactive communication and collaborative approach have strengthened academic rigour and enhanced the clinical learning experience.

Commendation

Associate Professor Riitta Partanen from the Rural Clincical Schoool for demonstrating exceptional leadership in rural healthcare as Director of the school through innovative initiatives and advocacy for policy change, all while significatntly improving healthcare access and retention in rural communities.

Nominees

• Australian Centre of Excellence in Melanoma Imaging and Diagnosis (ACEMID)
• Dr Christy Noble
• Professor Coral Gartner
• Dr Don McLeod
• Professor Gail Garvey, AM
• Associate Professor James Wells (2)
• Professor Jason Pole
• Dr Jasneek Chawla
• Associate Professor Judith Greer
• Dr Kirat Chand
• Associate Professor Liam Caffery
• Professor Monika Janda
• Dr Paul Dawson
• Rachael Hopper
• Professor Ranjeny Thomas AM
• Associate Professor Riitta Partanen
• Professor Simon Reid (2)
• Associate Professor Wendy Findlay (2)

Winner

Dr Annie Chen: Since joining the Child Health Research Centre this year, Annie has excelled as a leader, enhancing communication, driving key initiatives, and managing a seamless centre relocation. Her meticulous planning, proactive approach, and dedication to supporting researchers and advancing CHRC’s goals make her an inspiring and invaluable colleague.

Commendation

Sarah Wishart from UQ’s Medical School for seamlessly leading the Greater Brisbane Clinical School team in planning and implementing key aspects of the Academic Staffing Frameworking and the MD design course.

Nominees

• Dr Annie Chen
• Donna Reidlinger
• Georgia Jefferis
• Keira Anderson
• Lizzie Reeves (2)
• Sarah Wishart (2)
• Dr Shaneen Leishman

Winner

Dr Kevin M Koo is an NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow and PCFA Future Leader Fellow, specialising in cancer molecular profiling and nanotechnology. With 48 publications and over $6M in grants, he has shown outstanding research leadership. His achievements include the Metrohm Young Chemist Award and the Queensland Tall Poppy Award. After completing his PhD at UQ, he led R&D at XING Technologies, contributing to revenue growth. In 2024, he returned to UQ Centre for Clinical Research as a Lecturer, advancing cancer nanodiagnostics and mentoring students.

Commendations

Dr Siobhan Loughnan from Mater Research Insitute – UQ for being an emerging leader in perinatal bereavement care, with over $1 million in funding and transformative contributions to high-impact research.

Dr Urska Arnautovska from UQ’s Medical School for their groundbreaking mental health research, including leading the worlds-first schizophrenia specific adaptive platform trial and improving treatment outcomes, while mentoring junior researchers and fostering community involvement.

Nominees

• Dr Cheneal Puljevic (2)
• Dr Claudia Bull (9)
• Dr Dwan Vilcins
• Dr Hanh Dao
• Dr Helen Haydon
• Dr Irina Buckle
• Dr Josh Tobin
• Dr Kevin M Koo (5)
• Dr Laura Bentley
• Dr Siobhan Loughnan
• Dr Soraia de Camargo Catapan
• Dr Syed Keramat
• Dr Urska Arnautovska

Winner

Dr Sherry Wu has revolutionised the breadth of activities and output of the School of Biomedical Sciences Engagement Committee, spearheading numerous initiatives that have provided great benefit to staff, as well as post-graduate, undergraduate, and high school students.

Commendation

Ian Wilkins from UQ’s Medical School for demonstrating unwavering dedication to student wellbeing and learning by providing personalised support and fostering a safe environment during their clinical placements.

Nominees

• Dr Ann Arlott (2)
• Associate Professor Bernadette Richards
• Dr Bethan Salmon (2)
• Caitlin Horsham
• Catherine Fox & Kerryn Morris
• Professor Coral Gartner
• Felisa Sawilla
• Associate Professor Frederik Steyn (2)
• Ian Wilkins
• Dr Jamie Ross
• Josie Manley
• Karen Striegl
• Lisa Dingwall
• Mary Schneider
• Medical School Student and Academic Administration Team
• Nicole Chandler and Kyoko Tsuji
• PA-Southside Clinical Unit
• PACT Online TEAM
• Paddy Nolan
• Pascal Burger
• Renay Marshall
• Dr Robyn Cooke
• Professor Roslyn Boyd
• Professor Sailesh Kumar
• School of Public Health Professional Staff Team
• Sharon Brabon
• Dr Sherry Wu
• SMART Hub Team
• The Centre for Online Health Professional Team
• UQ Schools Student and Academic Administration Community of Practice

Winner

The UQ Indigenous research leadership on climate change and health team: A UQ-led team of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and non-Indigenous scholars was commissioned by the Australian Government to prioritise Indigenous voices in climate change and health, particularly for future IPCC reports. After fieldwork on remote Country, the team produced a report shared with the IPCC and launched in Australian Parliament. Their work highlighted the importance of Indigenous knowledge in addressing climate health impacts, contributed to more inclusive climate reports, and strengthened collaboration and culturally appropriate research within the Faculty.

Commendation

The Learning through Everyday Activities with Parents program from Child Health Research Centre for being a culturally attuned initiative focused on early detection and intervention for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants at risk of cerebal palsy.

Nominees

• CHRC Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee
• Indigenous Health Teaching & Learning Team
• Associate Professor Karin Borges
• Rural Clinical School Research Centre
• The LEAP Research Team
• UQ Indigenous research leadership on climate change and health to inform the Australian Government