Winners honoured at LifeSciences Australia awards

LifeSciences Australia (previously ARCS) has announced the recipients of the 2026 MedTech and Pharmaceutical (MTP) Sector Awards, celebrating individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancement of the sector and its professional community.

The awards were presented at the MTP Sector Awards ceremony last night held during the 2026 ARCS Annual Conference at ICC Sydney. The evening also marked the first awards presented under the LifeSciences Australia identity, following the organisation’s rebranding from ARCS.

WINNERS

Excellence Award – Kylie Sproston FMPP, Bellberry
The highest honour presented by the organisation, recognising Kylie’s exceptional leadership and sustained contribution to the MedTech and pharmaceutical sectors. Under her leadership, Bellberry has become an internationally respected not-for-profit, advancing ethical research, participant protection, community engagement and innovation in clinical trials.

Community Leadership Award – Kathleen Irish FMPP, NSW Health
Recognising Kathleen’s sustained and inclusive leadership in strengthening Australia’s clinical trials community, advancing workforce capability, collaboration and policy through her work with the Office for Health and Medical Research, CT:IQ, national committees and the LifeSciences Australia community.

Distinguished Service Award – Paula Buschhaus FMPP, Southern Star Research
Recognising Paula’s sustained voluntary service to the organisation and the MTP sector, particularly her leadership of Careers Roadshows connecting students, early-career professionals and industry leaders while strengthening workforce development, member engagement and sector capability.

Patient-Centred Health Award – Fleur O’Hare, Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA)
Recognising Fleur’s outstanding leadership in advancing accessible and inclusive clinical research participation, bringing together low vision, blindness and disability communities to co-create practical consent resources and guidance that embed lived experience, equity and genuine partnership into research practice.

Rising Star Award – Abtin Vatan Doust MMPP
Recognising Abtin as an emerging leader for his dedication to clinical research, active voluntary contribution to LifeSciences Horizons and events, and his enthusiasm, professionalism and collaborative approach in strengthening engagement across the LifeSciences community.

Interest Area Webinar of the Year Award – Matt Iglesias MMPP, AstraZeneca, and Marcella Bade MMPP, CommercialEyes PLG
Recognising Matt and Marcella’s webinar series on pharmacovigilance hot topics, which consistently reached more than 100 registrants and delivered engaging, relevant content to the professional community.

LifeSciences Australia CEO, Dr Tim Boyle, said “These awards celebrate the people behind Australia’s life sciences success story. Each of this year’s recipients has strengthened our sector in a different way, through leadership, mentorship, service or a deep commitment to patients and the community. Their contributions reflect the depth of talent and generosity across our professional community, and it is a privilege to recognise them.”

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