RPH Research Foundation Research Awards Day 2025
On Friday 31 October, the RPH Research Foundation proudly hosted its annual Research Awards Day at the Westin Perth.
Hosted by Board Chair Mr John Palermo, the event brought together clinicians, researchers, academics, and health leaders to celebrate the recipients of our 2025 Research Awards and recognise the outstanding achievements across our research community.
The Foundation was also honoured to welcome His Excellency The Honourable Chris Dawson AC APM, Governor of Western Australia, and Mrs Darrilyn Dawson, Patrons of the RPH Research Foundation, who attended the event.
The opening address was delivered via video by the Honourable Stephen Dawson MLC, Minister for Medical Research, who acknowledged the vital contribution that research plays in advancing the future of healthcare for West Australians.
Congratulations to all recipients of the 2025 Research Awards:
Professor Lyn Beazley AO Emerging Leader Award
The Professor Lyn Beazley AO Emerging Leader Award aims to recognise and support early-career researchers who have demonstrated exceptional promise and dedication in their scientific or clinical research endeavours. The 2025 co-winners of the Professor Lyn Beazley AO Emerging Leader Award are Dr Chris Lim and Dr Courtney Weber.
Professor Lyn Beazley AO with Dr Chris Lim
Professor Lyn Beazley AO with Ellie Kotkis, who accepted the award on behalf of Dr Courtney Weber
Doreen McCarthy Nursing Research Award
This award recognises nurses within EMHS who are conducting research to improve patient outcomes and enhance healthcare. The 2025 Doreen McCarthy Nursing Research Award recipient is Mrs Rebecca Crellin.
Mrs Crellin submitted the top-ranked nursing project to the Nursing and Allied Health Grant Program for her project titled “Health in a Virtual Environment (HIVE): The Patient Perspective of Continuous Remote Monitoring in Acute Care.”
Professor Doreen McCarthy AM with Mrs Rebecca Crellin
Early Career Publication Award
The publishing process is highly competitive, and publishing in a high-quality journal requires early-career researchers to compete against researchers who are much more experienced.
The 2025 Early Career Publication Award was awarded to Ms Amanda Quek.
Ms Quek’s publication is titled “The effect of deprescribing interventions on mortality and health outcomes in older people: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis.”
Emeritus Professor George Yeoh with Ms Amanda Quek
Mentorship Award
This award recognises senior researchers who have been nominated by their mentees for their dedication to helping them through their research journey.
The 2025 Mentorship Award was presented to Professor Wendy Erber.
Professor Erber is a Laboratory Haematologist at the Royal Perth Hospital and was nominated on behalf of a collective of early-career researchers who have benefited from her mentorship.
Professor Markus Schlaich with Professor Wendy Erber
These awards recognise exceptional dedication, innovation, and leadership across clinical and scientific research, and we congratulate each recipient on their remarkable achievements.
The Bryant Stokes Oration
The highlight of the morning was the Bryant Stokes Oration, delivered by Professor Fiona Wood AO, Director of the Burns Service of Western Australia and Consultant Surgeon at Fiona Stanley Hospital and Perth Children’s Hospital.
Professor Wood presented on “The Quest for Scarless Healing”, an inspiring and thought-provoking look into the future of burn care, tissue repair, and the possibilities of truly regenerative healing. Her address underscored the transformative potential of research and its impact on patients across Western Australia and beyond.
The 2025 Ignition Grant Recipients
During the Research Awards Day, the Foundation announced the recipients of our inaugural 2025 Ignition Grants.
Recipients of the 2025 Ignition Grant (L-R): Dr Aswin Babu, Dr Jamie Bellinge, Dr Renee Ng, Dr Nick Lan, and Dr Robert McNamara
With a total funding pool of $500,000, this new initiative was established to spark bold ideas, accelerate early-stage research, and empower emerging leaders across the East Metropolitan Health Service.
This program marks an exciting milestone in the Foundation’s commitment to fostering innovation and supporting the next generation of researchers.
We extend our sincere thanks to all researchers, clinicians, supporters, and partners who joined us in celebrating this year’s achievements. Your dedication and presence continue to strengthen our research community and inspire the work we do. The Foundation looks forward to welcoming you back next year for another milestone event.
On Friday 31 October, the RPH Research Foundation proudly hosted its annual Research Awards Day at the Westin Perth.
Hosted by Board Chair Mr John Palermo, the event brought together clinicians, researchers, academics, and health leaders to celebrate the recipients of our 2025 Research Awards and recognise the outstanding achievements across our research community.
The Foundation was also honoured to welcome His Excellency The Honourable Chris Dawson AC APM, Governor of Western Australia, and Mrs Darrilyn Dawson, Patrons of the RPH Research Foundation, who attended the event.
The opening address was delivered via video by the Honourable Stephen Dawson MLC, Minister for Medical Research, who acknowledged the vital contribution that research plays in advancing the future of healthcare for West Australians.
Congratulations to all recipients of the 2025 Research Awards:
Professor Lyn Beazley AO Emerging Leader Award
The Professor Lyn Beazley AO Emerging Leader Award aims to recognise and support early-career researchers who have demonstrated exceptional promise and dedication in their scientific or clinical research endeavours. The 2025 co-winners of the Professor Lyn Beazley AO Emerging Leader Award are Dr Chris Lim and Dr Courtney Weber.
Professor Lyn Beazley AO with Dr Chris Lim
Professor Lyn Beazley AO with Ellie Kotkis, who accepted the award on behalf of Dr Courtney Weber
Doreen McCarthy Nursing Research Award
This award recognises nurses within EMHS who are conducting research to improve patient outcomes and enhance healthcare. The 2025 Doreen McCarthy Nursing Research Award recipient is Mrs Rebecca Crellin.
Mrs Crellin submitted the top-ranked nursing project to the Nursing and Allied Health Grant Program for her project titled “Health in a Virtual Environment (HIVE): The Patient Perspective of Continuous Remote Monitoring in Acute Care.”
Professor Doreen McCarthy AM with Mrs Rebecca Crellin
Early Career Publication Award
The publishing process is highly competitive, and publishing in a high-quality journal requires early-career researchers to compete against researchers who are much more experienced.
The 2025 Early Career Publication Award was awarded to Ms Amanda Quek.
Ms Quek’s publication is titled “The effect of deprescribing interventions on mortality and health outcomes in older people: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis.”
Emeritus Professor George Yeoh with Ms Amanda Quek
Mentorship Award
This award recognises senior researchers who have been nominated by their mentees for their dedication to helping them through their research journey.
The 2025 Mentorship Award was presented to Professor Wendy Erber.
Professor Erber is a Laboratory Haematologist at the Royal Perth Hospital and was nominated on behalf of a collective of early-career researchers who have benefited from her mentorship.
Professor Markus Schlaich with Professor Wendy Erber
These awards recognise exceptional dedication, innovation, and leadership across clinical and scientific research, and we congratulate each recipient on their remarkable achievements.
The Bryant Stokes Oration
The highlight of the morning was the Bryant Stokes Oration, delivered by Professor Fiona Wood AO, Director of the Burns Service of Western Australia and Consultant Surgeon at Fiona Stanley Hospital and Perth Children’s Hospital.
Professor Wood presented on “The Quest for Scarless Healing”, an inspiring and thought-provoking look into the future of burn care, tissue repair, and the possibilities of truly regenerative healing. Her address underscored the transformative potential of research and its impact on patients across Western Australia and beyond.
The 2025 Ignition Grant Recipients
During the Research Awards Day, the Foundation announced the recipients of our inaugural 2025 Ignition Grants.
Recipients of the 2025 Ignition Grant (L-R): Dr Aswin Babu, Dr Jamie Bellinge, Dr Renee Ng, Dr Nick Lan, and Dr Robert McNamara
With a total funding pool of $500,000, this new initiative was established to spark bold ideas, accelerate early-stage research, and empower emerging leaders across the East Metropolitan Health Service.
This program marks an exciting milestone in the Foundation’s commitment to fostering innovation and supporting the next generation of researchers.
We extend our sincere thanks to all researchers, clinicians, supporters, and partners who joined us in celebrating this year’s achievements. Your dedication and presence continue to strengthen our research community and inspire the work we do. The Foundation looks forward to welcoming you back next year for another milestone event.
