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Celebrating outstanding research
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Message from the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research)
Presenting our 2025 Vice-Chancellor's Research Excellence Award recipients.
The innovations of tomorrow begin in the research of today. This year's research award recipients give great hope for tomorrow and inspiration to their colleagues and their communities.
Whether on our precious reefs or in our rivers, in schools or on farms, in hospitals, in care or in laboratories, from our local communities to the world, this is research that is having real impact and changing lives for the better.
Professor Renaud Joannes-Boyau
Awards for Research Excellence
It’s been an exciting year for research at the University. The work of our researchers has attracted extraordinary amounts of funding and interest from around the globe. Researchers have collaborated with dozens of industry and other university partners, driving projects that span hemp to healthcare and coral to classrooms. Presenting the 2025 Southern Cross University Research Award recipients:
Early Career Researchers
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Dr Abe Gibson
Faculty of Science and Engineering
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Dr Scott Goddard
Faculty of Health
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Dr Owen Hogan
Faculty of Business, Law and Arts
Mid-Career Researchers
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Dr Judith Rosentreter
Faculty of Science and Engineering
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Associate Professor Georgina Dimopoulos
Faculty of Business, Law and Arts
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Dr Dylan Poulus
Faculty of Health
Senior Researchers
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Professor Daniel Harrison
Faculty of Science and Engineering
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Professor Darshana Sedera
Faculty of Business, Law and Arts
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Associate Professor Lynne McPherson
Faculty of Health
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Professor Nat Munro
Faculty of Health
Outstanding Contribution to Impact
Industry
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Dr Vinh Bui
Faculty of Science and Engineering
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Dr Janet Schloss
Faculty of Health
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Dr Hoi Vo
Faculty of Education
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Dr Lana McCarthy
Faculty of Education
Community
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Associate Professor David Newell
Faculty of Science and Engineering
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Dr Liam Bolitho
Faculty of Science and Engineering
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Professor Gillian Gould
Faculty of Health
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Associate Professor David Turner
Faculty of Education
Inspiring Researchers – Deans Nomination
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Professor Christian Swann
Faculty of Health
His trajectory as a researcher is an exemplar of how to build a research focussed academic career. He throughout has remained committed to the broader benefits for SCU, as he has grown to a senior researcher, he has actively engaged in research leadership and mentorship. It is his leadership that has led to the success of PASER and the development of a number of ECR and MCR academics.
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Dr Liberty de Rivera
Faculty of Education
In recognition of her IPCC appointment as author of the 7th assessment report, and outstanding research in climate change education. A notable example is the Flood Stories project. The project uses a collaborative co-design process, to work alongside children and young people, First Nations communities, teachers, community organisations, and disaster managers to develop context-specific education resources that foreground the restoration of healthy relationships with place and the environment.
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Professor Yvonne Brunetto
Faculty of Business, Law and Arts
A key figure in the Faculty of Business & Law with her impactful research, mentoring, and collaboration. Her work spans multiple SDGs, drives HDR and HERDC growth, and fosters international partnerships that benefit her colleagues. With 14 Q1 publications and $70K in funding in the last three years, her focus on public sector well-being and leadership enriches both scholarship and student learning. As Research Integrity Advisor, she champions ethical, high-impact research across the faculty.
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Professor Scott Johnston
Faculty of Science and Engineering
Scott Johnston is an inspiring researcher whose leadership of the Clarence River Guardian project has driven impactful environmental outcomes through partnering science with community engagement. By fostering collaboration and applying innovative research strategies, Scott has advanced river conservation through excellence in community engagement.
Discover more staff awards
Want to learn more?
Discover the latest in research at Southern Cross University.
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