Monash University has shone a spotlight on its finest minds with the 2025 Dean’s Awards for Excellence, recognising staff whose contributions are shaping health research, education, and policy not only in Australia but worldwide. From pioneering anatomy teaching methods to policy-shifting social work research, the awards revealed the depth of talent across the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.
Held virtually on 6 October, the ceremony honoured 22 individuals and teams across categories spanning education, research, equity, wellbeing, and professional achievement. Executive Dean Professor Christina Mitchell AO congratulated the winners and highlighted Monash’s global standing: ranked 31st in the world for medicine and health (Times Higher Education 2025) and 13th for nursing (ShanghaiRankings 2024). “It’s thanks to the efforts of our staff that Monash Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences is in such a strong position,” she said.
Education Excellence Recognised
Several awardees redefined how students experience learning. Dr Brittany Vining from the School of Biomedical Sciences was recognised for her outstanding contribution to student learning. An early-career researcher and communicator, Vining has delivered across undergraduate and graduate courses while authoring highly cited publications and winning presentation prizes.
Dr Zahra Aziz from the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine was also honoured for her leadership in curriculum design. Her student-centred approach has earned international recognition, peer respect, and consistent student praise. A Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, she co-edited The Future of Online Education and continues to influence pedagogy globally.
Teaching excellence was awarded to Dr Sonja McKeown, who revamped core units in Anatomy and Developmental Biology. Her curriculum emphasises transferable skills, integrates Indigenous perspectives, and aligns with Monash’s Impact 2030 plan.
The GMA Anatomy Team—comprising six staff—took home the innovation award for transforming graduate-entry anatomy education. Their initiatives, including simulated ward rounds, ultrasound integration, and the BiasFix web app, have enhanced clinical confidence and test scores while gaining international attention.
Educational leadership honours went to Professor Janeane Dart, whose work in dietetics education has influenced standards both nationally and internationally. Programs that enhance learning were recognised in Gippsland, where Associate Professors Cathy Haigh and Alyce Wilson, alongside Dr Paul Brougham, created a pioneering placement model linking medical students with regional public health units.
Industry and Community Partnerships
Dr Marijke Mitchell received the industry education award for simulation-based training that reduces behavioural emergencies in children’s hospitals. Her program has been delivered to 300 interprofessional staff and positioned Monash as a leader in crisis simulation.
Community impact was highlighted through the Emergency Medical Responder Team, a collaboration between Fire Rescue Victoria and Monash Paramedicine. Their joint education programs give students and firefighters immersive experience in community medical emergencies while advancing interdisciplinary standards.
Research Driving Policy and Discovery
The research awards underscored Monash’s reputation for combining academic rigor with real-world impact.
The Social Work Criminal Justice Research Consortium (led by Emeritus Professor Rosemary Sheehan AM, Associate Professor Susan Baidawi, and researcher Rubini Ball) was recognised for research that influenced the Victorian Government’s decision to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 12. Their work earned international recognition and over $7 million in grants.
Associate Professor Rangi Kandane-Rathnayake was honoured for enterprise excellence. She leads lupus research at the Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, building the world’s largest dataset of over 5,000 patients and partnering with major pharmaceutical companies.
Professors Peter Currie and Mikaël Martino of the Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute were awarded for commercialisation. Their discovery of a mechanism to activate muscle stem cells led to the founding of Myostellar, a Monash spinout developing therapies for muscle-wasting diseases.
Professional staff were also celebrated: Dr Jennifer Steen, Senior Research Manager, won Professional of the Year for enabling $850 million in funding submissions and driving growth in tender-based research.
Rising researchers included Dr Jessica Botfield, named Early Career Researcher of the Year for her 72 publications, NHMRC and MRFF funding, and student supervision. Associate Professor Meredith O’Keeffe was honoured for graduate supervision, while Professor Roger Pocock won Researcher of the Year for his high-impact publications and mentorship record.
The Hazelwood Health Study Team received Team of the Year for a decade-long investigation into the health impacts of the 2014 coal mine fire, shaping policy on air quality, emergency response, and community wellbeing.
Research infrastructure excellence was awarded to the National Centre for Healthy Ageing Data Platform team. Their platform integrates one million patient records across 11 data sources and supports AI-driven analysis, already underpinning 30 projects and $10 million in grant funding.
Doctoral Excellence
Two doctoral theses were recognised. Dr Laura Nevendorff studied sexualised drug use among men who have sex with men in Indonesia, producing evidence to inform harm reduction programs. She continues her work at Monash Indonesia.
Dr Peter Eggenhuizen was honoured for industry engagement during his PhD on T cell therapies. His work led to partnerships with Amgen and Biocurate, translating research into potential treatments for autoimmune conditions like lupus and IBD.
Commitment to Equity, Wellbeing, and Professionalism
Equity and inclusion were embodied by Dr Kim Johnston, whose trauma-aware teaching fosters safer, more inclusive learning environments. Her initiatives emphasise lived experience and empower students as agents of change.
Wellbeing recognition went to Dr Mahira Arooj, a Senior Technical Officer who designed digital systems streamlining compliance, training, and safety in the School of Translational Medicine. Her initiatives are now faculty-wide, with plans for broader university adoption.
Professional staff contributions were highlighted in the case of Kyle Birchill, who transformed medical admissions processes. Under his leadership, Indigenous student enrolments tripled, rural applications rose by nearly 40 per cent, and processes were streamlined with AI innovations—delivering equity outcomes without additional staffing.
Global Influence and Future Directions
Beyond individual awards, the event underscored Monash’s global influence. With 80,000 students across campuses in Australia, Malaysia, China, India, Indonesia, and Italy, Monash continues to rank among the world’s top institutions for medical and health sciences. Its staff are not only educating future professionals but also transforming policy, shaping public health, and commercialising discoveries that could save lives.
The 2025 Dean’s Awards captured a clear message: excellence in education and research is not an abstract ideal but a tangible force driving better health, stronger communities, and a more inclusive society. From early-career researchers to senior leaders, Monash is investing in people who are redefining what it means to improve the human condition.
The celebration of innovation and dedication across such diverse fields reinforces the university’s role as a cornerstone of global health and education. For students, faculty, and the broader community, the 2025 awards stand as both recognition of achievement and a roadmap for future impact.
