Vice-Chancellor’s Education and Research Awards
Two Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute (BDI) academics, Professor Rob Widdop and Professor John Bertram, were honoured at the recent Vice-Chancellors Education and Research Awards.
Celebrating Monash’s leaders in both education and research, nominees’ achievements epitomise the talent and potential of the university, demonstrating innovation and excellence.
Professor Widdop received the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Honours Supervision. His commitment to motivating, inspiring and engaging students in research is demonstrated by his supervision of more than 50 honours students.
Professor Widdop takes a vested interest in each of his students, providing a stimulating environment in which they can research their full potential. He encourages his students to collaborate with each other, developing their oral and written communication skills. By strengthening their problem-solving and critical thinking skills, Professor Widdop helps ready his students for a range of career paths.
Extending his supervision beyond the honours year, Professor Widdop provides ongoing support for his students, offering career advice and opening the door to employment opportunities.
“I am delighted to receive this award and special thanks to Associate Professor Barb Kemp-Harper who nominated me. It is very rewarding to contribute to the development of the next generation of scientists and mentoring them through the next phase of their careers,” Professor Widdop said.
In recognition of his consistent leadership, and generosity in sharing his skill and expertise, Professor Bertram was inducted into the Vice-Chancellor’s Monash Honour Roll. By mentoring colleagues, forging education and research initiatives, building collaborations and fostering a culture of academic excellence, Professor Bertram has continued to contribute to the success of Monash.
Professor Bertram spent 18 years as Head of the Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, increasing the number of research groups within the department from five to 30. He oversaw the creation of the Centre for Human Anatomy Education, nurturing it to become a world-class centre for anatomy teaching.
Professor Bertram is internationally recognised for his research on the human nephron number and links with adult hypertension and chronic kidney disease, and the effects of the fetomateral environment on nephron endowment. Professor Bertram has a career total of 283 publications and together with collaborators, has been awarded more than $26 million in research funding. He was recently elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences.
“Moving to Monash was the best career decision I ever made, and I am very grateful to have had the opportunity make these substantial contributions over the years,” Professor Bertram said.
Professor Bertram is the second member of the Monash BDI to be inducted to the Monash Honour Roll; Professor Ross Coppel was inducted in 2016.
Congratulations to both Professor Widdop and Professor Bertram on their success, and to Dr Chantal Hoppe and Pedro Moreira, who were also nominated for Vice-Chancellor’s Education and Research Awards.
See the full list of 2019 Vice-Chancellor’s Education and Research Awards here.
About the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute
Committed to making the discoveries that will relieve the future burden of disease, the newly established Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute at Monash University brings together more than 120 internationally-renowned research teams. Our researchers are supported by world-class technology and infrastructure, and partner with industry, clinicians and researchers internationally to enhance lives through discovery.