2026 SA Science & Innovation Excellence Awards finalists
These awards recognise people who are driving innovation, creativity and positive impact across science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM). Congratulations to all of our finalists in the following categories:
STEMM Educator of the Year, University/Registered Training Organisation – The Flinders University STEMM WIL Program Team – Associate Professor David Hobbs, Dr Thomas Vincent and Dr Robbie Trott
Excellence in Collaborative Innovation – South Australian MND Clinical and Research Translation Team (SAMCARTT) – Associate Professor Mary-Louise Rogers, Associate Professor David Schultz, Dr Vinod Aiyappan, Professor Peter Catcheside and Ms Leanne Davis
PhD Research Excellence – Dr Isabella Reeves, Postdoctoral Research Associate in Marine Megafauna
Mid-Career STEMM Professional of the Year – Professor Maria Inacio, Director, Registry of Senior Australians Research Centre
Advancing personalised treatment for childhood brain cancer
The Kids’ Cancer Project has committed over $75 million to research projects across Australia. Congratulations to Professor Simon Conn, College of Medicine and Public Health, on being awarded $374,378 (2026-2028) in funding under the research pillar of ‘Discover’, specifically focused on brain cancer.
Professor Simon Conn is a molecular biologist and cancer researcher at Flinders, where he leads the Circular RNAs in Cancer Laboratory. His research focuses on understanding how circular RNAs influence cancer development to improve diagnosis and identify new treatment approaches. An internationally recognised leader in RNA biology, Professor Conn has published extensively in leading scientific journals, and his discoveries are advancing new approaches to diagnosing and treating some of the most challenging cancers, including those affecting children.
His project will tailor a new, personalised treatment for childhood brain cancer that destroys tumour cells while sparing healthy brain cells. Read more
A major step forward for health research in remote Australia
Congratulations to Dr Danny Tsai and team, who have received almost $5 million from Australia’s Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) to tackle antimicrobial resistance in remote Northern Territory communities.
The project, Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance in Remote Australia, will support more effective and appropriate antibiotic use in remote primary healthcare settings through surveillance tools, virtual clinical support, targeted education and culturally appropriate health promotion.
This important work responds to a significant health challenge for rural and remote communities, where infection risks are high, healthcare access can be limited, and antimicrobial resistance can place additional pressure on patients, health workers and the broader health system. Read more
Strengthening our ‘friendship’ with India
Flinders University has won one of 15 Maitri scholarships to foster Australia-India collaborations. Now in its fifth year, the Maitri program (Maitri is Sanskrit for “friendship”) reflects Australia’s commitment to strengthening its relationship with India across vital sectors including clean energy, education, advanced tech and agriculture.
A Maitri scholarship has been awarded to Sam Jacob, supervised by Professor Pankaj Sharma, for research into hybrid materials that convert mechanical energy and sunlight into electrical outputs – a project that fits well with the clean tech/sustainable energy theme emerging at Flinders’ College of Science and Engineering.
This project is supported and administered by the Centre for Australia-India Relations, a national platform established by the Australian Government in 2023 to facilitate greater collaboration and engagement with India.