Flinders University maths whiz Dr Hayden Tronnolone has been named a finalist for the 2025 STEMM Educator of the Year Award, part of the prestigious 2025 South Australian Science Excellence and Innovation Awards.
Recognised for his work transforming maths education and innovative curriculum development, Dr Tronnolone has been nominated for playing a pivotal role in inspiring greater student engagement with university-level mathematics by upskilling out-of-field high school teachers through a unique university course he developed.
Having almost tripled the annual number of graduates through the program, particularly in regional and rural areas, his efforts have substantially increased the number of students taking up mathematics, ensuring a pipeline of graduates to join the STEMM workforce.
“STEMM graduates are increasingly in demand, and mathematics is fundamental to all STEMM disciplines. Unfortunately, we’re seeing a concerning decline in engagement, with fewer students choosing to study advanced mathematics. This is a trend we must not only reverse but actively steer in a positive direction,” says Dr Tronnolone.
“My approach to developing an engaging curriculum is grounded in the belief that we must transform how we teach mathematics to truly capture students’ interest, build their confidence in studying advanced topics, and show that they can belong in maths. That’s why I’ve focused on creating new pathways, such as bridging subjects in collaboration with South Australian Technical Colleges, that enable students to successfully complete university-level mathematics.”
Flinders researchers Professor Peter Catcheside and Associate Professor Mary-Louise Rogers, alongside Dr Vinod Aiyappan, Associate Professor David Schultz and Leanne Davis, have also been recognised for their work with the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network’s South Australian Motor Neurone Disease Clinical and Research Team.
SAMCART (South Australian Motor Neurone Disease Clinical and Research Team) is a team of doctors, scientists and health professionals working together to improve the lives of patients with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Through a unique combination of hands-on patient care and world-leading research, they are delivering real impact for individuals, families and the wider community.
At the heart of their work is the state-wide, multidisciplinary MND clinic—the first in Australia to include the MND SA as part of the care team. This partnership ensures patients receive coordinated, compassionate support both in hospital and at home.
The team has achieved several world-first breakthroughs. One is a simple urine test to track how well treatments are working, developed by Associate Professors Mary-Louise Rogers and Associate Professor David Schultz. This is now used in major MND drug trials worldwide. Another innovation, led by Professor Peter Catcheside and Dr Vinod Aiyappan, is a new device to monitor breathing and sleep issues—key challenges in MND.
You can see the full list of finalists here.