The University of Western Australia has a continual roll call of awards, scholarships and prizes presented to staff and students.
To recognise these achievements, an article is published on the UWA news page on the website and in UWA Forward on the first week of every month. If you know of great awards or achievements across the University please email [email protected].
Name: Sally Thompson
Achievement: Associate Professor Sally Thompson, from the Centre for Water and Spatial Science in UWA’s School of Agriculture and the Environment, has been awarded the European Geosciences Union’s Henry Darcy Medal. The medal was established by the Hydrological Sciences Division in recognition of the scientific achievements of Henry Darcy, who was best known for his scientific contribution to groundwater flow. It is awarded to individuals in recognition of their outstanding scientific contributions in water resources research and water resources engineering and management.
Name: Maria Foundas, Jemma Hogan, Daniel Hunt, Caitlin McEwan, David McCoubrie
Achievement: Three UWA alumni and a current student have won individual 2025 Australian Medical Association (WA) Awards in recognition of their contributions to the medical community. UWA Medical School alumna Dr Maria Foundas, now a consultant geriatrician with St John of God (SJOG) Midland Public Hospital, was named Doctor’s Health Champion of the Year for her compassionate and ethically informed support of interns at the hospital. UWA Science alumna Dr Jemma Hogan, General Manager Medical Workforce and Education at SJOG Health Care and an advanced paediatric trainee at SJOG Midland, was named Junior Doctor of the Year for her contributions to teaching and education, leadership and advocacy, doctors’ wellbeing, and community service. UWA Medicine and Dental Medicine alumnus Dr Daniel Hunt, a Jaru and Indjibarndi man who works as both a GP and a dentist, was named Advocate of the Year for his work improving access to culturally safe healthcare, influencing health policy at state and national levels, and mentoring the next generation of clinicians. Final-year UWA medical student Caitlin McEwen was named Medical Student of the Year for her outstanding contributions in advocacy, education, research and rural health equity in her role as founder and president of Pilbara Health Futures – a student-led not-for-profit initiative dedicated to addressing healthcare workforce shortages in rural and remote areas. She is also a Learning Coach in UWA’s Learning Skills and Development Program. In addition, UWA Medical School alumnus and Chief Medical Officer of St John of God Health Care David McCoubrie accepted the AMA WA Award for Health Service Provider of the Year on behalf of SJOG Health Care.
Name: Leanne Tucker
Achievement: Leanne Tucker, an administrative officer at the WA Centre for Rural Health, is the recipient of the WACRH-Rural Health West Staff Award. MS Tucker has been a valued member of WACRH for 13 years, consistently demonstrating integrity, collaboration and reliability. Known for her calm efficiency, deep knowledge of systems and willingness to assist others, Ms Tucker is a go-to resource across the organisation. She regularly goes above and beyond – problem-solving, supporting staff and visitors, and sharing her expertise –with professionalism and good humour. Her commitment, initiative and quiet high achievement make her an outstanding colleague and a deserving recipient of the award.
Name: Amanda Quek
Achievement: Ms Amanda Quek, a PhD candidate from UWA’s School of Health and Clinical Sciences, was recognised at the RPH Research Foundation Research Awards 2025 with the Early Career Publication Award. Ms Quek received her award for publication The effect of deprescribing interventions on mortality and health outcomes in older people: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis. The award recognises 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. Ms Quek said she was genuinely humbled to receive the award. “Seeing the calibre of applicants and fellow award winners, it’s an honour to be recognised as an early-career pharmacist researcher,” she said. “This reflects not just my work, but the incredible team around me. I feel very lucky to work with some of the brightest minds in the country.”
Name: Tammy Lee
Achievement: PhD student Tammy Lee, from the School of Human Sciences, was crowned World’s Best Science Communicator at FameLab International Final in Geneva. Competing against national champions from eight other countries, Tammy impressed the international judging panel with her compelling three-minute presentation, A-typical embryo?, which explores how atypical appearances and behaviours in embryos may influence embryo selection in IVF. Her win comes just two months after her standout victory on the national FameLab Australia stage at the WA Museum, Boola Bardip, where she emerged from a field of 12 exceptional early-career researchers from across the country.
Name: Jennie Officer
Achievement: UWA School of Design Senior Lecturer Jennie Officer and co-director Trent Woods, from architectural practice Officer Woods, received the WA President’s Prize – the highest honour from the Australian Institute of Architects’ WA Chapter. They were recognised for their leadership in tackling climate change, housing affordability, equity and First Nations inclusion. Its ethical and sustainable design has shown leadership across all these frontiers and has been recognised nationally. The prize was announced at the 2025 President’s Dinner, held on 26 November at the University Club of WA.
Congratulations UWA staff, alumni and students.
Image above: Associate Professor Sally Thompson, Amanda Quek and Tammy Lee