Leading the cancer fight
This year our Flinders University researchers make up four of SA’s ‘super seven’ researchers developing life-changing cancer breakthroughs. The Cancer Council Research Fellowship grants support early and mid-career researchers over three years to advance the fight against cancer. Read about all of the 2026 Cancer Council SA Research fellowship recipients here. Congratulations to:
- Dr Raj Shrestha, College of Medicine and Public Health, who is developing new treatments for advanced prostate cancer
- Dr Andi Agbejule, College of Health and Enablement, who is examining how financial discrimination can affect people living with cancer
- Dr Jacqueline Roseleur, College of Medicine and Public Health, who is identifying barriers to care to improve cancer outcomes for people living in disadvantaged areas who also have chronic health conditions
- Dr Sana Ishaque, College of Medicine and Public Health, who is working with culturally and linguistically diverse communities to improve participation in cancer screening programs.
Top cyber professional recognised
Elena Sitnikova, Associate Professor of Cybersecurity and Networking, College of Science and Engineering, has been named Cyber Professional of the Year – Industries, Logistics and Critical Infrastructure at the Australian Cyber Awards 2026. Recognising people and businesses rather than products and platforms, the Awards acknowledge all cyber stakeholders, from defence, insurance, cloud services, and technology to those working in STEM, consultancy and ransomware protection.
“This award validates my long-standing commitment to critical infrastructure protection from a multidisciplinary perspective—shaped by years of challenges, achievements, and the support of exceptional collaborators and mentors. I feel privileged to have worked with and learned from such inspiring people!” said Elena.
Climate biotech grant win for the Great Southern Reef
Congratulations to ARC Early Career Research Industry Fellow Dr Georgina Wood who has been awarded a Revive Restore climate biotech grant to continue work on seaweed conservation work on the 8000 km-long Great Southern Reef in Australia. US-based Revive and Restore provides funds to researcher partners worldwide to develop new tools for the Genetic Rescue Toolkit. The organisation funded 10 new projects with a total $US3.4 million in the first round of Climate Resilience Fund grants. Targeting thermal tolerance enhancement, a range of organisations in NSW and SA will support Dr Wood and Dr Sasi Nayer from the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) in gene testing and banking fucoid seaweed species. Flinders and SARDI experts will also support an Australian kelp project which was awarded another grant under the Biotech for Climate Resilience Fund.
Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters
Congratulations to Professor Rodrigo Praino, Director of the Jeff Bleich Centre and Lachlan Poel, Associate Lecturer, College of Business, Creative Arts, Law and Social Sciences, on being invited to present at the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters as it holds hearings in Adelaide this week.
Hearings have been held around the country into the 2025 federal election, with South Australia cited as a being at the forefront of electoral innovation due to our truth in political advertising laws.