Award winners
These awards recognise academic merit.
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These awards recognise academic merit.
This award acknowledges the student who has achieved the highest average mark across the How the Body Works and How Medicines Works units. This award is proudly supported by Michael Halprin.
Ngoc (Emily) Nguyen is currently undertaking her third year at Monash Pharmacy School. Throughout her degree, she has embraced every opportunity the journey has to offer, inspired by the words of Professor Paul White: “The more you get involved, the more you get out of your university life.”
Alongside her studies, Emily has contributed to the student community by partaking in the Student Ambassador as well as Peer Mentoring Programs. Emily is passionate about building up clinical skills through hands-on experience. She is currently training as a student pharmacist at both community and hospital settings, including at Alfred Health, and hopes to expand her experience across different areas of pharmacy practice. A meaningful experience at a regional pharmacy in Mooroopna has deepened her appreciation for the impact pharmacists can have on patients and their communities.
Emily hopes to continue learning and improving herself so she can better care for others and serve the community. She has also set her heart on becoming a clinical oncology pharmacist.
"It is truly an honour to study at Monash Pharmacy School and receive this award. I am grateful for the support of my family, friends, pharmacists, and academics. I hope to keep learning and improving so I can better support patients and make people feel better."
This award acknowledges the student who has achieved the highest average mark across the Comprehensive Care units. This award is proudly supported by Michael Halprin.
Elaine Tan is currently completing her internship in community pharmacy. She is thoroughly enjoying developing her pharmacy skills and applying her knowledge to day-to-day practice. As a highly motivated individual, she is committed to optimising health outcomes and establishing meaningful rapport with patients at every opportunity.
In her final year of study, Elaine remains dedicated to advancing her personal and professional growth. She recently participated in the Monash University Vaccination Training Program as part of her internship. She gained valuable insight into vaccine preparation and administration, navigating immunisation schedules and providing post-vaccination care. She is looking forward to vaccinating and receiving guidance from her supervising pharmacists. In future, she is also interested to expand her scope of practice and undertake training to provide additional services in the community, such as travel health consultations and UTI prescribing.
Elaine is looking ahead to the remainder of a busy year, ensuring she prioritises a balanced approach to her study, work, and time with her family and friends. In future, she also hopes to expand her experience in diverse areas of pharmacy practice, such as clinical and educational settings.
"I am grateful to receive this recognition and appreciate my family and mentors for their guidance and encouragement. My journey in pharmacy continues to excite me, and I look forward to embracing new opportunities as I progress in my career."
This award acknowledges the student who achieves the highest average mark across the Professional Practice units.
The award is supported by Mrs Malle Nogeste and Dr Kersti Nogeste in honour of their sister and aunt, Thea Pärnamäe, an Estonian-born refugee who overcame wartime disruption to complete her education in Sweden and build a career as a dedicated community pharmacist in Stockholm until her retirement in 2010. Their support is inspired by Thea’s lifelong dedication to her profession, her generosity of spirit, and her enthusiasm for students striving to do their best.
Perri Teoh is currently undertaking her internship with Monash Health, where she enjoys the challenge of supporting diverse patient populations across a large tertiary health service. Her journey into pharmacy began unexpectedly, sparked by little more than an online “What career is right for me?” quiz, and has continued to surprise her ever since. Inspired by the educators and pharmacists around her, Perri has embraced the breadth of pharmacy throughout her degree, seeking out opportunities across hospital and community practice, research, and education. A highlight was attending the Global Alliance for Medical Excellence Future Leaders Summit in Prato, Italy, where she connected with other young health professional students and explored shared challenges shaping the global healthcare landscape.
Through these experiences, Perri has developed a strong passion for patient advocacy and autonomy in medicines use. She finds the greatest fulfilment in working closely with patients to understand their perspectives and support more informed, confident decision-making around their medications. She is particularly motivated by the power of pharmacist education in helping patients build the knowledge and skills to advocate for their own health. Looking ahead, Perri hopes to pursue a career in clinical pharmacy, focusing on equitable medicine use and stewardship initiatives.
"I’m honoured to receive this award. I owe gratitude to my loved ones for giving me the courage to take risks and embrace who I am, and to my teaching staff for their continued guidance and encouragement. I hope to give back to this community in the years to come."
This prize recognises extended contributions within a community pharmacy setting while completing the Intern Foundation Program (IFP).
The Rodney P Cohen IFP Award was established by the Cohen Family to honour Victorian pharmacist Rodney Cohen’s lifelong service, leadership and dedication to the pharmacy profession. The prize recognises excellence and commitment in a community pharmacy setting. A graduate of 1964, Rodney practised in St Kilda for nearly four decades and was widely respected for his patient-focused care, professional leadership and national contributions to pharmacy policy and innovation. This award is proudly supported by the Cohen Family in memory of Rodney P Cohen.
Danilla Bakoos is currently practising as a pharmacist across multiple community pharmacies within Chemist Warehouse. Her role is diverse, involving patient counselling, medication management, vaccinations, and supporting patients to use their medicines safely and effectively. She is passionate about delivering compassionate, patient centred care and takes pride in building strong relationships with patients from a wide range of backgrounds.
Alongside her clinical responsibilities, Danilla is actively involved in supervising and mentoring pharmacy students. She enjoys supporting students in developing their confidence, clinical knowledge, and communication skills, and hopes to inspire future pharmacists to provide high-quality and empathetic care.
Danilla has a strong interest in medication safety, chronic disease management, mental health, and community responsive healthcare. She has also contributed to research and quality improvement initiatives focused on areas such as antibiotic allergies and on-call pharmacy services. Guided by the mentorship of an experienced preceptor throughout her internship, Danilla is enthusiastic about the expanding scope of pharmacy practice and is excited to continue growing within the profession while making a meaningful impact within her community.
"I am incredibly grateful to my preceptor for their guidance and mentorship throughout my journey as a pharmacy intern, and to my family and friends for their constant encouragement and support. Their belief in me has helped shape both my personal and professional growth."
This award acknowledges the first year student who has achieved the highest cumulative mark across the Physical Chemistry units. This award is proudly supported by the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Foundation.
Born in Mauritius, Parinita moved to Melbourne in 2025 to pursue her passion for pharmaceutical sciences at Monash University, drawn by its strong reputation for research and innovation. Despite being far from home, she embraced the opportunity to challenge herself academically and broaden her horizons through studying abroad, while adapting to a new environment and culture.
Her interest in chemistry began in high school and gradually developed into a strong curiosity about the pharmaceutical industry and its impact on global health. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she became increasingly inspired by the role of pharmaceutical research in developing life-changing therapeutics, motivating her to pursue a Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences Advanced (Honours).
Now in her second year, Parinita has developed a growing interest in formulation science and drug development, particularly in skincare formulations and innovative therapeutic products. She is fascinated by the process of creating safe, effective, and accessible medicines that can improve quality of life. Beyond academics, she is actively involved in the Monash Student Association, where she enjoys contributing to the student community and building meaningful connections.
Looking ahead, Parinita is excited to continue exploring the evolving field of pharmaceutical science and is deeply grateful for the unwavering support of her friends, professors, and family throughout her journey.
"Every experience, whether success or setback, teaches us something valuable about who we are becoming"
This award acknowledges the Bridge to Practice student who has demonstrated a deep and comprehensive understanding of the subject matter and who has made excellent contributions to the Bridge to Practice learning community. This award is proudly supported by the Centre for Medicine Use and Safety.
Gurleen Singh Sibia is currently completing the Graduate Entry Bachelor/Master of Pharmacy program at Monash University in Melbourne. Originally from Calgary, Canada, he relocated to Australia to pursue advanced study in healthcare and to further develop his professional identity within a diverse and evolving academic environment.
He brings a distinctive interdisciplinary background in biological sciences and education, which has shaped a rare combination of analytical thinking and the ability to communicate complex ideas in clear, practical ways. This foundation has strengthened his approach to learning, problem-solving, and appreciation of the role of communication in improving patient care and health outcomes.
Throughout his pharmacy studies, Gurleen has demonstrated strong academic engagement, clinical reasoning, and a consistent patient centred approach. He is particularly interested in the evolving role of pharmacists in modern healthcare systems, especially in improving accessibility, collaboration, and patient outcomes. He is recognised for his discipline, curiosity, and adaptability across academic and practical environments.
Alongside his studies, he is passionate about leadership and innovation, focusing on applying healthcare knowledge to real-world challenges and improving systems that impact patient care. He is motivated by opportunities that create meaningful, practical impact within healthcare. He is grateful for the support of his family, friends, and mentors throughout his journey.
"I am sincerely grateful for the support of my family, friends, and mentors throughout my journey. This recognition is truly appreciated, and it motivates me to continue growing, learning, and contributing meaningfully to healthcare and patient care in my future practice."