On Friday 30 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 2026 Research Awards and recognise the outstanding achievements across our research community.
The Foundation was honoured to welcome The Honourable Stephen Dawson MLC, Minister for Medical Research, who delivered the opening address acknowledging the vital contribution that research plays in advancing the future of healthcare for West Australians.
Congratulations to all recipients of the 2026 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 2026 winner of the Professor Lyn Beazley AO Emerging Leader Award is Dr Mayura Iddagoda.
Doreen McCarthy Nursing Research Grant
This grant recognises nurses within EMHS who are conducting research to improve patient outcomes and enhance healthcare. The 2026 Doreen McCarthy Nursing Research Grant recipient is Mrs Judith Thompson.
Mrs Thompson submitted the top-ranked nursing project to the Nursing and Allied Health Grant Program for her project titled “Does an external urinary catheter provide an acceptable option to reduce the risk associated with catheterisations in female patients within an Australian acute care setting – a pilot study?”
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 2026 Early Career Publication Award was awarded to Dr Janis Nolde.
Dr Nolde’s publication is titled “Combined hepatorenal denervation for hypertension and cardiometabolic disease: a first-in-human study.”
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 2026 Mentorship Award was presented to Professor Leon Flicker AO.
Professor Flicker is a Professor of Geriatric Medicine at the Royal Perth Hospital and was nominated by Dr Mayura Iddagoda, a Perioperative Physician who has benefited from his mentorship.
“Professor Leon Flicker AO has provided exceptional mentorship, fostering my development as an independent clinician-researcher in perioperative medicine and older trauma. His guidance has been instrumental in securing publications, competitive grant applications, research leadership opportunities, and in translating innovative research into clinical practice within EMHS.” – Dr Mayura Iddagoda
These awards recognise exceptional dedication, innovation, and leadership across clinical and scientific research, and we congratulate each recipient on their remarkable achievements.
Bryant Stokes Oration
Professor Peter Leedman AO, Director of the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and Professor of Medicine at the University of Western Australia, delivered the 2026 Bryant Stokes Oration.
Professor Leedman presented on “Towards Novel RNA-Based Therapies for Cancer – The Collaborative Long Game”, sharing insights on innovative cancer treatments and how they will transform cancer care in WA.
The 2026 RPHRF Fellows
During the Research Awards Day, the Foundation announced the recipients of our 2026 Career Advancement Fellowships.
Recipients of the 2026 Career Advancement Fellowships (L-R): Dr Kevin Trentino, Dr Martin Rabey, Dr Mayura Iddagoda, and Dr Jacques Malherbe
With more than $2.59 million committed to research spanning blood cancer, persistent pain, blood transfusion and older trauma care, the Career Advancement Fellowships help to build research capacity and leadership across East Metropolitan Health Service and Western Australia.
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 30 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 2026 Research Awards and recognise the outstanding achievements across our research community.
The Foundation was honoured to welcome The Honourable Stephen Dawson MLC, Minister for Medical Research, who delivered the opening address acknowledging the vital contribution that research plays in advancing the future of healthcare for West Australians.
Congratulations to all recipients of the 2026 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 2026 winner of the Professor Lyn Beazley AO Emerging Leader Award is Dr Mayura Iddagoda.
Doreen McCarthy Nursing Research Grant
This grant recognises nurses within EMHS who are conducting research to improve patient outcomes and enhance healthcare. The 2026 Doreen McCarthy Nursing Research Grant recipient is Mrs Judith Thompson.
Mrs Thompson submitted the top-ranked nursing project to the Nursing and Allied Health Grant Program for her project titled “Does an external urinary catheter provide an acceptable option to reduce the risk associated with catheterisations in female patients within an Australian acute care setting – a pilot study?”
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 2026 Early Career Publication Award was awarded to Dr Janis Nolde.
Dr Nolde’s publication is titled “Combined hepatorenal denervation for hypertension and cardiometabolic disease: a first-in-human study.”
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 2026 Mentorship Award was presented to Professor Leon Flicker AO.
Professor Flicker is a Professor of Geriatric Medicine at the Royal Perth Hospital and was nominated by Dr Mayura Iddagoda, a Perioperative Physician who has benefited from his mentorship.
“Professor Leon Flicker AO has provided exceptional mentorship, fostering my development as an independent clinician-researcher in perioperative medicine and older trauma. His guidance has been instrumental in securing publications, competitive grant applications, research leadership opportunities, and in translating innovative research into clinical practice within EMHS.” – Dr Mayura Iddagoda
These awards recognise exceptional dedication, innovation, and leadership across clinical and scientific research, and we congratulate each recipient on their remarkable achievements.
Bryant Stokes Oration
Professor Peter Leedman AO, Director of the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and Professor of Medicine at the University of Western Australia, delivered the 2026 Bryant Stokes Oration.
Professor Leedman presented on “Towards Novel RNA-Based Therapies for Cancer – The Collaborative Long Game”, sharing insights on innovative cancer treatments and how they will transform cancer care in WA.
The 2026 RPHRF Fellows
During the Research Awards Day, the Foundation announced the recipients of our 2026 Career Advancement Fellowships.
Recipients of the 2026 Career Advancement Fellowships (L-R): Dr Kevin Trentino, Dr Martin Rabey, Dr Mayura Iddagoda, and Dr Jacques Malherbe
With more than $2.59 million committed to research spanning blood cancer, persistent pain, blood transfusion and older trauma care, the Career Advancement Fellowships help to build research capacity and leadership across East Metropolitan Health Service and Western Australia.
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.
