Flinders University has won three awards, including the prestigious 2024 South Australian Scientist of the Year, at the annual State Science Excellence and Innovation Awards.
From an outstanding field of finalists, Matthew Flinders Distinguished Professor and Head of Ophthalmology Jamie Craig was acknowledged for his work in genetic research to improve the detection and management of glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness.
Two other finalists from Flinders University’s College of Medicine and Public Health won the ‘Excellence in Science and Industry Collaboration‘ category (the ‘Sleep Revolution’ team) and the ‘STEMM Educator of the Year (University or Registered Training Organisation) was Associate Professor Voula Gaganis.
Professor Craig says it’s an honour to be recognised for his research endeavours among a group of talented scientists contributing towards life-changing research.
“Glaucoma is the most common cause of irreversible blindness and is influenced by family genetics, affecting an estimated 80 million people globally, including 300,000 Australians over the age of 40,” says Professor Craig from the Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI Eye & Vision).
“Our research team at Flinders is ensuring thousands of treatable cases don’t go undetected and people are treated before damage and vision loss are irreversible,”
“It’s a privilege to be named SA Scientist of the Year 2024. This award is an acknowledgement of the tireless work our research team is undertaking to improve people’s lives and provides inspiration to continue our pursuit of effectively detecting and treating causes of blindness.”
Professor Craig, who is a Southern Adelaide Local Health Network (SALHN) consultant, has led development of a first-of-its kind saliva test and is trialling laser treatment to prevent people at high genetic risk from developing vision loss from the disease. It has taken almost three decades of research to deliver the first NATA-accredited clinical test in South Australia that helps people at high-risk avoid blindness by accessing early treatment.
This genetic risk score is now in clinical use throughout Australia, New Zealand and the USA to identify individuals at highest risk of developing glaucoma, ensuring they get effective sight-saving treatment before irreversible vision loss can take hold.
Other Flinders finalists in this year’s awards included two College of Science and Engineering industry collaborations – led by the sustainable shark tourism and forensic science teams – as well as two Flinders PhDs, Dr Lucas Hearn and Dr Lauren Jones.
Professor Danny Eckert, Associate Professor Sutapa Mukherjee with Celia Tait, Jessica Steens and Mark Harding collaborated to produce a three-part TV series to help inform the nation’s sleep with evidence-based research at the Flinders University sleep research centre and part of FHMRI Sleep Health.
The Australia’s Sleep Revolution with Dr Michael Mosley was a top-ranking SBS factual series with ratings almost 50% above timeslot average. The series portrayed the global first clinical trial conducted by the Flinders University Sleep Revolution Team using cutting-edge technology, the latest sleep science, and personalised clinical approaches to treat chronic sleep disorders in just two months. More than 80% of participants in the trials reported relief from their sleep disorders.
Associate Professor Voula Gaganis, as Teaching Program Director of Medical Bioscience courses at Flinders University, teaches medical science topics to hundreds of undergraduate students. She has developed strategic and collaborative links across the medical science sector to ensure curriculum design relevant to graduate employability, including leading the development, implementation and accreditation of new Flinders laboratory medicine courses, including South Australia’s first Associate Degree in Laboratory Medicine.
The South Australian Scientist of the Year and the South Australian Innovator of the Year each receive a prize to the value of $25,000. The winners of the remaining categories will receive a $10,000 prize towards their career development. The winners become ambassadors of science in SA.
Dr Susan Close, SA Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, says the 2024 winners highlight the remarkable diversity of STEMM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine) talent in the State. “These individuals and teams are making a real impact and pushing the boundaries across health, technology and science communication,” says Dr Close.
“Their work is proof that science is not just transformative; it represents our pursuit of knowledge, fuels technology and inspires future generations to support one another in innovative ways.”