Achievements and Awards
Dr Ha Le was awarded the Values Based Leadership award to recognise Early to Mid-Career Researchers who exemplify behaviour consistent with the Deakin Institute for Health Technology’s (IHT) values: Collaborative, Integrity, Equity, Inclusive (also Deakin value), Excellent (also Deakin value) and Dynamic (also Deakin value).
A/Prof Lan Gao distinguished herself by earning the Individual Mid-Career Researcher Award, which recognises the outstanding achievements of experienced researchers with 5–10 years post-PhD or equivalent research experience, for exemplary research conducted during 2022–2024.
Prof Suzanne Robinson, Madison Frith, Alice Petcopoulos, Dr Sean Rendall, Dr Feby Savira were awarded the School of Health & Social Development (HSD) Recognition for Collaborative Teams. This award honours a team that has exhibited exemplary collaboration, cooperation, and effective teamwork to accomplish significant outcomes, showcasing the power of collective effort within the Deakin University community.
Madison Frith was awarded the HSD Head of School Award for Team Member of the Year. This award recognises an individual who has consistently demonstrated exceptional teamwork, collaboration, and dedication to achieving outstanding results within their team at Deakin University.
Ebisa Turi received the Emerging Health Policy and Economics Research Conference (EHPR2025) Travel Scholarship form the Leeder Centre for Health Policy, Economics and Data.
Dr Tan Nguyen is the recipient of the following distinguished honours:
- The Bastas Academy for Health Leadership Scholarship, awarded by DBG Health.
- The Judith Albino Award for Outstanding Research in Health Equity, conferred by the International Association for Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Research, Behavioural, Epidemiologic and Health Services Research Group.
- The Deeble Institute for Health Policy Research Scholarship Program 2025, for the project titled “The roadmap for universal access to essential oral healthcare through a priority-setting approach.”
- Second Prize in Poster Presentation for the work “AI-driven tool for clinical triaging in face validation of Australian public oral healthcare: a pilot study,” awarded by the Leeder Centre for Health Policy, Economics and Data.
Mary Rose Angeles presented her PhD study at the HDR Health Conference and was awarded runner-up in her session for her work on patient and carer preferences in hospital-in-the-home programs.
Kaitlyn McKenna won the Best Poster Presentation Award at the Australasian ADHD Professionals Association conference and was also recognised at the AADPA Conference for her research on the costs and wait times of ADHD private care in Australia.
Prof. Lisa Gold was honored as Best Discussant at the AHED workshop (AHES conference), recognised for excellence as a supervisor and mentor.
Dr Julie Abimanyi-Ochom was named one of only six iHEA Fellows for 2025. The iHEA Fellowship pairs experienced researchers with early career researchers (ECRs), particularly those in regions where health economics mentorship is limited.
Dr. Anthony Niu was awarded a permanent academic (teaching and research) position, recognising outstanding teaching performance and integration into the Postgraduate Health team.
Graduations
Utsana Tonmukayakul PhD title“Preference-based quality of life measurement in children with cerebral palsy,” makes a valuable contribution to the field of health economics and child health. Co-supervisors: Suzanne Robinson, Cathy Mihalopoulos, Rob Carter, Dinah Reddihough, Gang Chen and Brendan Mulhern.
Moosa Al Subhi successfully passed their PhD, and Nicole Ward submitted their PhD thesis and was appointed Acting Director of Research at Toowoomba Hospital.
