The finalists for the 2026 South Australian Science Excellence and Innovation Awards have been announced.
The Awards recognise and celebrate individuals and teams who are driving innovation, creativity and positive impact across science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM).
This year’s 21 finalists represent South Australia’s brightest minds – scientists, innovators, educators and researchers – who are pushing boundaries, advancing knowledge, and inspiring the next generation of scientists. Our strong representation across the different categories is a testament to the work of our graduates striving to bring SA a better future.
The winners of the 2026 SA Science Excellence and Innovation Awards will be announced at the awards presentation dinner celebration on 12 November 2026 in Adelaide.
Flinders graduates include:
STEMM Educator of the Year – Primary or Secondary School
Colleen O’Rourke (BEd(JP/P) ’05)
STEM Specialist Educator & Leader of Digital Innovation
The Hills Christian Community School
Colleen O’Rourke is a Digital Technologies Lead certified (HALT) educator redefining how students learn in an increasingly complex, technology-driven world. Read more
STEMM Educator of the Year – University/Registered Training Organisation
The Flinders University STEMM WIL Program Team
Associate Professor David Hobbs (PhD(BiomedEng) ’18, BEng(Biomed) ’01, BSc (Physics) ’95), Dr Thomas Vincent (BA ’08), and Dr Robbie Trott
Associate Professor David Hobbs, Dr Thomas Vincent and Dr Robert Trott, have delivered substantial benefits to students, industry, and the broader community through extended, credit-bearing industry placements across all STEMM disciplines. More than 2,000 students have completed immersive placements of up to five months, gaining real-world experience, professional skills, and strong employment pathways. Read more
Excellence in Collaborative Innovation
South Australian MND Clinical and Research Translation Team (SAMCARTT)
Associate Professor Mary-Louise Rogers, Associate Professor David Schultz (BM, BS ‘87), Dr Vinod Aiyappan, Professor Peter Catcheside, and Ms Leanne Davis
SAMCARTT (the South Australian Motor Neurone Disease Clinical and Research Translational Team) of scientists, doctors, and health professionals are working together to improve the lives of patients with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and their families. By combining hospital care, research, and patient advocacy, the team has transformed how MND is managed in South Australia and informed international practice. Read more
PhD Research Excellence
Dr Isabella Reeves (BSc(Hons) ’20, PhD ’25), Postdoctoral Research Associate in Marine Megafauna
Flinders University
Dr Reeves’ PhD advanced marine evolutionary ecology by clarifying how evolutionary history, population structure, and foraging behaviour together shape predator ecology. Through collaborative research incorporating First Nations knowledge alongside new genomic, forensic, and nutritional approaches, the work moved beyond narrow case studies to deliver general insights into predator behaviour and ecosystem function. Read more
Dr Samuel Tonkin (BSc(Hons) ’20, PhD ’25), Research Scientist
Flinders University
Thermal imaging detects heat, allowing it to image people, objects and hazards, even in complete darkness. While it is widely used in defence, medical diagnostics and agriculture, the technology remains too expensive for many everyday applications such as home fire detection, autonomous vehicles and consumer electronics. Read more