Monash microbiology educators recognised with national teaching awards
Two Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute (BDI) educators, Dr Catherine Ryan and Associate Professor Meredith Hughes, alongside fifth-year medical student Jesselyn Sin, have been recognised on the national stage for their outstanding contributions to microbiology education. The trio received honours at the Australian Society for Microbiology (ASM) Annual National Meeting and ASM EduCon 2026.
The awards highlight innovative approaches to teaching and learning that are helping prepare the next generation of scientists and health professionals to address complex global challenges.
Dr Ryan received the ASM Cheryl Power Early Career Microbiology Educator Award, which recognises excellence and innovation in microbiology education by an early career educator.
As part of the award, Dr Ryan presented her work, Integrating AI-Supported Concept Mapping to Enhance Critical Understanding and Responsible AI Use in a Postgraduate Food Microbiology Unit, at ASM EduCon 2026. Her research explores how artificial intelligence can be thoughtfully integrated into teaching to enhance student learning while promoting ethical and responsible use of emerging technologies.
The award acknowledges Dr Ryan's leadership in advancing innovative education that empowers students with the capabilities, confidence, and workforce-ready skills required to succeed in rapidly changing professional environments.
Monash was also recognised through the success of Associate Professor Hughes and Monash medical student Jesselyn Sin, who were awarded Best Talk at ASM EduCon 2026 for their presentation, Partners in Prevention: Integrating Planetary Health Education into Antimicrobial Resistance Education using a Co-design Approach.
Their award-winning work showcases the value of interdisciplinary collaboration and student partnership in curriculum design. By connecting the fields of planetary health and antimicrobial resistance, the project demonstrates how co-designed educational initiatives can help students engage with some of the most pressing health and environmental challenges of our time.
These achievements reflect the creativity, leadership and commitment to educational excellence within the Monash BDI as well as the University's dedication to innovative, future-focused teaching.
Those interested in learning more about the planetary health co-design initiative can visit the Planetary Health Education project website.
Monash congratulates Dr Ryan, Associate Professor Hughes and Jesselyn Sin on these well-deserved achievements and their outstanding representation of the Monash BDI at a national level.
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About the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute at Monash University
Committed to making discoveries that will relieve the future burden of disease, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute at Monash University brings together more than 120 internationally renowned research teams. Spanning seven discovery programs across Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease, Development and Stem Cells, Infection, Immunity, Metabolism, Diabetes and Obesity, and Neuroscience, Monash BDI is one of the largest biomedical research institutes in Australia. Our researchers are supported by world-class technology and infrastructure, and partner with industry, clinicians and researchers internationally to enhance lives through discovery.