A celebration of Early Career Researchers at the School of Translational Medicine
L-R: Dr Emily Cockle, Dr Warittha Tieosapjaroen, Dr Roxane Dilcher
At the School of Translational Medicine, we are deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of researchers. Our Early Career Researchers (ECRs) are at the forefront of making research impact happen, and we believe that meaningful support—through mentoring, recognition, and resources—is essential to help them thrive.
One way the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences (MNHS) brings this commitment to life is through the annual ECR Publication Prize. This award not only celebrates research excellence but also empowers ECRs to build their academic profiles, share their work globally, and continue developing their careers with confidence.
In 2025, three exceptional researchers from the School of Translational Medicine were honoured with ECR Publication Prizes, showcasing the breadth and impact of their work across clinical, psychological, and social research domains.
Jenny Redman Prize for Psychological Sciences
Dr Emily Cockle – Neuroscience, School of Translational Medicine
Publication: Neuropsychological Outcomes After Stereo-EEG Radiofrequency Thermocoagulation
Journal: Neurology, 2024;103(11):e209815, https://doi.org/10.1212/wnl.0000000000209815
“I am extremely honoured to receive the 2025 Jenny Redman Early Career Research Publication Prize. Our study is the first prospective multisite investigation of cognitive outcomes following stereo-EEG radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFTHC) in drug-resistant epilepsy. While most patients showed no significant cognitive decline, we observed memory impacts when key networks were involved—findings that directly inform neuropsychological counselling and treatment decisions. This prize will support further dissemination and research in this critical area.” – Emily Cockle
Henry Krum Prize for Clinical Sciences
Dr Roxane Dilcher – Dept of Neuroscience, School of Translational Medicine
Publication: Combining cerebrospinal fluid and PI-2620 tau-PET for biomarker-based stratification of Alzheimer's disease and 4R-tauopathies
Journal: Alzheimer's & Dementia, 2024; 20(10):6896–6909, https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.14185
“I’m deeply honoured to receive the Henry Krum Prize. This research addresses a major challenge in neurodegenerative disease diagnosis—distinguishing rare tauopathies from Alzheimer’s disease. By integrating fluid biomarkers and tau-PET imaging, we developed a diagnostic signature that reduces uncertainty and improves clinical trial readiness. The prize will support the next phase of biomarker discovery and international collaboration.” – Roxane Dilcher
Leon Piterman Prize for Social and Educational Research
Dr Warittha Tieosapjaroen – Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, School of Translational Medicine
Publication: Designathons in health research: a global systematic review
Journal: BMJ Global Health, 2024;9(3):e013961, https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2023-013961
“It’s a great honour to receive the Leon Piterman Prize. Our review is the first to evaluate designathons in health and education research, highlighting their power to co-create equitable interventions—especially in low-resource settings. This work informed the WHO/TDR Designathon Guide and led to global workshops, including two Australian pilot trials for culturally tailored HIV prevention. The prize will help expand this participatory research and strengthen community-driven innovation.” – Warittha Tieosapjaroen
These awards reflect the School of Translational Medicine’s commitment to nurturing emerging researchers and advancing impactful, interdisciplinary science. Congratulations to our 2025 ECR Publication Prize recipients!