Charles Sturt University Distinguished Alumnus of the Year – Young Alumni
This award recognises extraordinary achievements of our new graduates. Nominees must be under the age of 35.
Winner: Dr Courtney Ierano
Career: Senior AMS Post-Doctorate Fellow and AMS Project Officer, University of Melbourne and Melbourne Health
Course: Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours), 2013
Dr Courtney Ierano is a pharmacist, researcher and emerging national leader in antimicrobial stewardship whose work is helping address one of the most significant global health challenges of our time: antimicrobial resistance. Since graduating from Charles Sturt, she has built an impressive career spanning clinical pharmacy, research, policy development, education and national quality improvement initiatives.
As a Senior Post-Doctorate Fellow with the National Centre for Antimicrobial Stewardship and Project Officer for the National Antimicrobial Prescribing Survey at The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Courtney leads research that improves the quality, safety and appropriateness of antimicrobial use across Australia. Her work has directly informed the National Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy and contributed to updates to national antimicrobial stewardship standards and clinical care guidance.
Beginning her career as a clinical pharmacist in regional New South Wales and Victoria, Courtney has combined frontline healthcare experience with a commitment to evidence-based practice and health service improvement. An infectious diseases pharmacist by training, she has developed an internationally recognised research program focused on implementation science, antimicrobial prescribing and healthcare quality. Her success as a Chief Investigator has helped secure more than $8.5 million in competitive research funding to advance national and global efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance.
Beyond research, Courtney is deeply committed to developing the next generation of health professionals. She mentors clinician-researchers, supervises postgraduate students and teaches across the University of Melbourne and Monash University. Through leadership roles including Board Member of the Australian Society for Antimicrobials and Secretary of the National AMS Jurisdictional Network, she continues to champion collaboration, innovation and excellence in healthcare.
By combining research, education, clinical expertise and policy influence, Courtney is delivering measurable improvements in patient care while helping shape the future of antimicrobial stewardship in Australia and beyond.
