Award for Research Engagement and Impact
This award recognises excellence by researchers who have achieved, or are currently achieving, outstanding economic and/or societal impacts.
The nominees are:
This award recognises excellence by researchers who have achieved, or are currently achieving, outstanding economic and/or societal impacts.
The nominees are:
Associate Professor Jeremy J. Barr (School of Biological Sciences), Professor Anton Peleg (Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash School of Translational Medicine & Alfred Health), Dr Fernando Gordillo Altamirano (Monash School of Translational Medicine & Alfred Health), Dr Dinesh Subedi (School of Biological Sciences)
Associate Professor Jeremy J. Barr, Professor Anton Peleg, Dr Fernando Gordillo Altamirano, and Dr Dinesh Subedi are key members of the VICPhage team, which has established Victoria’s first clinical phage therapy service. This program targets patients with life-, limb-, or function-threatening antibiotic-resistant infections where no other treatments are available. VICPhage is a bench-to-bedside initiative involving phage research and clinical product development at the Monash Phage Foundry, with phage therapy administered and patients followed up by the clinical team at The Alfred Hospital. The team’s groundbreaking work was showcased in the 2024 SBS documentary Last Chance to Save a Life, which highlights the potential of phage therapy to save lives. This 100-year-old treatment offers hope in the battle against antibiotic resistance, providing a new option for patients when conventional therapies fail. The documentary is available for streaming on SBS.
Dr Kimberley Reid’s research focuses on rainfall patterns and their impacts, contributing vital insights into extreme weather events. Her work not only advances scientific understanding but also informs public communication, including providing expert testimony at the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into the 2022 Floods. Recognised for both her research and engagement, Dr Reid has been nominated for two Walkley awards and a Quill award, highlighting her excellence in science communication. She continues to bridge the gap between scientific research and practical, real-world applications.
Associate Professor Pushpamalar Janarthanan is a leading expert in biomaterials, known for her groundbreaking work on extracting cellulose from sago biomass to create carboxymethylcellulose (CMC). Her 2006 article laid the foundation for developing pharmaceutical-grade CMC for vegetarian capsules, addressing both market demands and environmental concerns. With over 1466 Scopus citations and an h-index of 22, her research portfolio spans 20 articles and numerous patents. As a principal investigator under the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS), Associate Professor Pushpamalar has had a significant impact on sustainable innovations in the pharmaceutical industry.