Medical and Science
Research Australia recognises nation’s outstanding researchers, innovators and advocates

The nation’s most accomplished health and medical researchers, innovators, and advocates were celebrated at Research Australia’s 21st Health and Medical Research Awards Gala Dinner for their contributions to advancing health outcomes – with full list of winners below.
Research Australia CEO Nadia Levin emphasised the significance of the awards, stating, “They honour and celebrate Australia’s outstanding researchers and innovators, and those who support their work across the health and medical research innovation pipeline – whether that be in transformative research, or impactful data innovations.
“The fact all awards are nominated by sector peers significantly recognises how exceptional these nominees are in contributing to national and global health outcomes.”
In her address, Levin also acknowledged the complex and evolving landscape facing the research community.
“We recognise that researchers and innovators are working in a rapidly changing landscape. National and global challenges are becoming more complex. It is imperative that our sector, including the policy and funding landscapes, mobilises the disparate parts of our pipeline, activates the implementation of the policy levers and removes barriers for research and innovation to thrive; and ignites the urgency of getting this done now,” she said, urging collective action for policy reform.
Levin highlighted the opportunity to build a sustainable and responsive research system that positions Australia as a global leader in health innovation.
The prestigious Peter Wills Medal, recognising a significant long-term contribution to Australia’s international reputation in health research, was awarded to Clyde Campbell AM. Research Australia Chair Martin Bowles AO PSM presented the medal to Campbell, founder of the Shake It Up Australia Foundation. Campbell established the Foundation, in partnership with The Michael J. Fox Foundation, after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s at age 44, to increase awareness and funding for Parkinson’s research in Australia, a field where Australia’s expertise is globally renowned.
The event was sponsored by key industry and academic partners, including the University of Melbourne, Australian National University, AbbVie, the Victorian Government Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions, Digital Health CRC, and GSK, underscoring strong cross-sector support for health research.
The evening featured keynote speeches from the Hon Ged Kearney, Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, and Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health, as well as the Hon Ben Carroll MP, Deputy Premier of Victoria; Senator the Hon Anne Ruston, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care; and Senator Steph Hodgins-May, Greens Spokesperson for Industry, Innovation and Science.
2024 Award Winners
Peter Wills Medal: Created in honour of Research Australia’s founder, Peter Wills AC, the Peter Wills Medal is the flagship award and recognises someone who has made an outstanding, long-term contribution to building Australia’s international reputation in areas of health and medical research and fostering collaboration for better health.
Winner – Mr Clyde Campbell AM (Shake It Up Foundation)
Discovery Award (sponsored by Victorian Government Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions): This Award recognises an early career researcher (anytime from qualification but no more than 5 years past PhD) whose paper/patent/discovery has already demonstrated its importance or impact.
Winner – Dr Mustafa Atee (The Dementia Centre, HammondCare)
Great Australian Philanthropy Award: This Award profiles personal philanthropy that is outstanding in its generosity, effectiveness, vision, high impact and transformative quality. The Award recognises and encourages personal philanthropic donations over a period of time by an individual or family to Australian health and medical research.
Winner – Paul and Sue Taylor (Fidelity International)
Advocacy Award (sponsored by AbbVie): This Award recognises and congratulates exceptional contributions made by research champions who help raise community awareness and understanding of the importance of health and medical research.
Winner – Dr Jane Tiller (Monash University)
Frontiers Research Award (sponsored by Australian National University): This Award recognises transformative research that could revolutionise health outcomes in Australia and internationally.
Winner – Centre for Microbiome Research (Queensland University of Technology)
Digital and Data Innovation Award (sponsored by Digital Health CRC): This Award recognises an individual or team whose innovation is considered to represent one of the most impactful new data innovations in the health and medical research sector within the past five years.
Winner – The RMIT University-Telstra Health-Digital Health CRC project team
Health Services Research Award: This Award is for an individual or team who has provided leadership and made an outstanding contribution to health services research; driven research that has led to a significant improvement in healthcare; and/or has championed the development of the health services research field.
Winner – Professor Christobel Saunders AO (The University of Melbourne)
GSK Award for Research Excellence: The GSK Award for Research Excellence recognises outstanding achievements in medical research with a focus on improving human health. GSK Australia is proud of its research legacy, having now presented the Award for Research Excellence for more than 40 years. This year’s award is accompanied by a grant of $100,000 to advance the winner’s research. Winner – Professor Matthew Kiernan AM (Neuroscience Research Alliance)
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