Academics, professional staff and graduate research students were recognised at the AIHI End of Year Staff Awards on Monday 8 December.

The awards celebrate the collective achievements of the Australia’s largest health services research Institute and recognise the many extraordinary accomplishments of individuals across the four University Research Centres.

A full list of the annual award categories and the 2025 recipients is below.

2025 Researcher of the Year

The Researcher of the Year is an individual who exemplifies exceptional leadership and demonstrates outstanding achievement in publishing and advancing new research opportunities.

This year’s Research of the Year recipients are:

• Professor Reema Harrison, Centre for Health Systems and Safety Research (pictured)
• Associate Professor Louise Ellis, Centre for Healthcare Resilience and Implementation Science
• Professor Henry Cutler, Centre for the Health Economy
• Dr Priyanka Rana, Centre for Health Informatics (pictured)

Publication Prize

This award recognises outstanding publishing success by an individual from each Centre within AIHI.

This year’s Publications Prize recipients are:

• Professor Yvonne Zurynski, Centre for Healthcare Resilience and Implementation Science (pictured)
• Dr David Fraile Navarro, Centre for Health Informatics (pictured)
• Associate Professor Magda Raban, Centre for Health Systems and Safety Research (pictured)
• Associate Professor Yuanyuan Gu, Centre for the Health Economy (pictured)

Student Prize

This award recognises a PhD or Master of Research candidate for extraordinary success during the year in terms of publications or impact.

This year’s Student Prize recipients are:

• Shan Jiang, Centre for the Health Economy (pictured)
• Sara Habibian, Centre for Health Systems and Safety Research (pictured)
• Amanda Dominello, Centre for Healthcare Resilience and Implementation Science (pictured)
• Moomna Waheed, Centre for Health Informatics (pictured)

Rising Star

This award recognises outstanding talent in research, publications, funding success and leadership amongst our early and mid-career researchers.

This year’s Rising Star recipients are:

• Dr Georgia Fisher, Centre for Healthcare Resilience and Implementation Science (pictured)
• Somayeh Farahani, Centre for Health Informatics (pictured)
• Dr Nas Wabe, Centre for Health Systems and Safety Research (pictured)
• Dr Dandan Yu, Centre for the Health Economy

Professional Excellence

This award recognises the talent and dedication of staff providing professional expertise and support to the Institute.

This year’s Professional Excellence recipients are:

• Joanna Clive, Centre for Health Systems and Safety Research (pictured)
• Amy Wang, Centre for Health Informatics (pictured)
• Dr Colleen Cheek, Centre for Healthcare Resilience and Implementation Science
• Ashely Soytemiz, Centre for the Health Economy (pictured)

Professional Excellence in the Macquarie University Medical Doctor Academic Research Program

This award recognises a person or group who has made a significant contribution to the MD Research Program. The 2025 recipient is Dr Virginia Mumford.

Institute Directors’ Award for Contributions to the Institute

This award recognises a group or person who has provided an extraordinary level of contribution across the Institute. This year’s award goes to the members for the AIHI Consumer Engagement Committee.

Institute Directors’ Award for Services to the Institute

This award recognises an individual from Macquarie University who goes above and beyond to support the Institute. This year’s award goes to Iain Brew.

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