Two Flinders University researchers are among the five finalists for the South Australian Scientist of the Year, the premier category of the SA Science Excellence Awards, with four other Flinders scientists named as finalists in other categories.
Clinical pharmacologist Professor John Miners will vie for the Scientist of the Year award with Flinders colleague and biomedical engineer Professor Karen Reynolds and three other South Australian scientists.
Professor Miners has an outstanding international research record in biochemical and clinical approaches to identifying the sources of variability in drug metabolism in humans.
Professor Reynolds has been recognised for her work in improving understanding, diagnosis and monitoring of medical conditions, from design of orthopaedic implants to virtual reality simulators for improved surgical training.
Professor David Day, the University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) congratulated the six finalists.
“It is a significant achievement to reach the final stage of these prestigious Awards, and the presence of six finalists represents a very strong showing by Flinders in both research and teaching in the sciences,” Professor Day said.
The other Flinders finalists are:
Lecturer Dr Paul Gardner-Stephen, named in the Early Career STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Professional – Natural and Physical Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics category in his capacity as President and Managing Director of the Serval Project, for the development of a mobile telecommunications platform that can operate without standard infrastructure
Research associate Dr Cameron Shearer, named in the PhD Research Excellence – Physical Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics category for his work on surface bound carbon nanotubes as electron sources for potential application in displays with lower energy consumption and as substrates for human cell growth for potential application in targeted drug delivery and bone engineering
Associate Lecturer and PhD candidate Mr David Hobbs, named in the Early Career STEM Educator – Tertiary Teaching category for his work as a teacher, tutor and lecturer in STEM to school leavers, adults, Cambodian students from non-English speaking backgrounds. As a rehabilitation engineer, he promotes the use of STEM to develop equipment and products that improve the lives of people with disability
Lecturer Dr Simon Williams, also named in the Early Career STEM Educator – Tertiary Teaching category for his involvement in Flinders University’s course and curriculum restructure and renewal project, providing the opportunity to boost mathematical literacy by revamping bridging mathematics topics.
The awards will be presented at a gala dinner on August 17.