Research Excellence

Charles Sturt University Distinguished Alumnus of the Year – Research Excellence

This award recognises outstanding research leaders whose research is changing lives, or whose scholarly contributions have made a substantial impact in their field of research.

Winner

Winner: Amber Johns
Career: Head of Research and Programs at Pankind, the Australian Pancreatic Cancer Foundation
Course: Bachelor of Medical Science, 2007

Amber Johns is Head of Research and Programs at Pankind, the Australian Pancreatic Cancer Foundation, where she leads initiatives to accelerate research and improve outcomes for people impacted by pancreatic cancer. With over 18 years’ experience in large-scale, international oncology research programs, she has been instrumental in building research capacity, infrastructure and collaboration in Australia.

Her career bridges science, technology, clinical practice and policy, with a focus on leading complex multidisciplinary projects. Amber spent 15 years at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, building a world-class research laboratory and driving landmark cancer research through the Australian Pancreatic Cancer Genome Initiative and the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC).

An award-winning, highly cited researcher, she has made significant contributions to scientific advancement and to ethical, societal and legal frameworks for genomic research globally. Amber remains an Honorary Scientist at the Garvan Institute, continues to lead international collaboration through ICGC-ARGO (Accelerating Research in Genomic Oncology), and manages product translation for UK-based biotech company Concr.

Amber holds a Bachelor of Medical Science from Charles Sturt University and a PhD in Medical Science from the University of Melbourne.

Read more.

Amber Johns

Highly Commended

Winner: Dr Heather McCormack
Career: Scientia Research Fellow, Kirby Institute
Course: Bachelor of Media Communication

Dr Heather McCormack is a proud Wiradjuri woman and Scientia Research Fellow at the Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney. Her research focuses on enhancing patient experiences within sexual health services and equitable access to prevention, testing and treatment for sexually transmissible infections and blood-borne viruses. This work has significant applications for high-risk groups including Aboriginal, youth and LGBTQ+ communities.

Heather’s research is grounded by her 16-year industry career spanning the not-for-profit, clinical and government sectors, most recently leading Aboriginal sexual health programs for NSW Health. Her particular interests lie in health equity, strengths-based approaches, and inclusive and accessible knowledge translation.

She holds a Bachelor of Media Communication from Charles Sturt and a PhD and Master of Public Health from UNSW.

Dr Heather McCormack

This award recognises alumni who are, in their professional role, making a significant and positive impact on their communities, their industry or the world.

Other criteria

  1. Alumni who demonstrate outstanding contributions to a workplace, profession or industry (local or international). This might include:
    1. undertaking entrepreneurial challenges
    2. driving new opportunities for their workplace or industry
    3. participation in mentoring programs and/or industry award recipients.
  2. Alumni who demonstrate through their work, professional or community, alignment with one or all of the University’s values of insightful, inclusive, impactful and inspiring.

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