2023 SBS Student Academic Awards
On Thursday the 4th of May, we hosted The School of Biomedical Sciences Academic Awards ceremony in recognition of our highest performing students within the school and hosted by the Head of School, Jenny Wilkinson-Berka, alongside our Head of Departments; Professor Matt Watt, Head of Anatomy and Physiology; Professor Ian van Driel, Head of Biochemistry and Pharmacology; and Professor Andrew Brooks, Head of Microbiology and Immunology.
It was a moment to celebrate achievements, and this ceremony created the opportunity to highlight the hard work and discipline these students have exhibited during their biomedical studies. The awards celebrate excellence in the Biomedical Science undergraduate, majors, honours streams and subjects. Professor Wilkinson-Berka expressed her pride in the graduated students for their hard work, commitment, and for being “seen to be amongst the best”.
Professor Matt Watt, Head of the Department of Anatomy and Physiology, and Charles Sevigny, were first to present the students of their department with their awards. Matt gave shared his reflection of a message to his younger self. Key to this being to “embrace the challenge” and “don’t be afraid to address the hard question”, as “the path may be convoluted and more difficult, there might be many disappointments and tears, but the rewards will be well worth it in the end”. In summation he felt the words he would use to describe his department and thus the award recipient from his department as being “innovative, dedicated, collaborative, respectful and outstanding”.
The following awards were awarded for the Department of Anatomy and Physiology:
- Phoebe Silverton – T.F. Ryan Prize for Anatomy
- Ruthvi Devir – R.D. Wright Prize - PHYS20008
- Ruoxiao Yu - R.D. Wright Prize - BIOM20002
- Aubrey Sima - R.D. Wright Prize - BIOM20002
- Annabella Lewis - Lavarak Prize for Cell & Developmental Biology
- Yuming Zheng - Wood Jones Prize Topographical Anatomy
- Stone Ke - Sunderland Prize for Neuroscience
- Lucinda Xiao - Sunderland Prize for Neuroscience
- Yuling Cheryl Gail Chiang - R.D. Wright Prize - Top 3rd year Physiology Major student
- Ella Fraser - R.D. Wright Prize - Top Physiology student in 2nd and 3rd year subjects
- Finnbar Jones - R.D. Wright Prize - Top Honours Student
- Makayla Armour - R.D. Wright Prize - 2nd Top Honours Student
- Nadia Saraya - R.D. Wright Prize -. 3nd Top Honours Student
Professor Ian van Driel, Head of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, expressed his delight over having Dr Ian Katz join us and having the opportunity to meet the students receiving his awards. He communicated how inspirational it is to have people such as Dr Katz giving back in such way that assists our students in their endeavours.
A first this year included the Ian Katz awards. Dr Ian Katz spoke about his time at the University of Melbourne and expressed his desire to give back to the university. He also spoke about how inspired he is by the dedication of our students.
The following awards were awarded for the Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology:
- Bonita Burford - Irene Stanley Biochemistry Award
- Luke Tarola - Dr Ian Katz Prize in Pharmacology
- Jason Alfredo Randall Bong - Dr Ian Katz Prize in Pharmacology
- Darlene Djaja Sentosa - Dunlop Rubber Company Exhibition Prize
- Yimin Zhu - Dr Ian Katz Prize in Pharmacology
- Rex Lian - Dr Ian Katz Prize in Pharmacology
- Emily Deeb - Grimwade prize (Miegunyah Biochemistry Award)
Professor Andrew Brooks, Head of Microbiology and Immunology, spoke about how he is motivated by the opportunities the Biomedicine program provides for students and to the world around us, especially coming from a secondary school teacher background.
The following awards were awarded for the Department of Microbiology and Immunology:
- Jia Wei Tang - DMI 2nd year Microbiology prize (B-BMED)
- Mia Peterson - Nancy Millis Prize in Microbiology and Immunology
- Tyarne Stanley - DMI 3rd Year Immunology Prize
- Edith Spiers - DMI 3rd Year Microbiology Prize
- Paris Matthews - E.S.J. King Prize
- Daniel Murray - Exhibition Prize in Microbiology and Immunology
- Emily McLean - Ian Holmes Medal for Virology
- Bridget Fisher - Roy and Iris Simmons Award
The event was one of a kind, and a true celebration of excellent student achievements amongst their families, peers and Academic advisors. After the years of isolation and little events, it was delightful to be able to reunite for such a celebration.