Staff awards 2013 - winners gallery

Congratulations!Barbara Holland

2012 Senate Medal for exceptional service to the University

Barbara Holland

Chair, Rockingham Education Development Group

Please tell us when you first joined the Murdoch community and how would you describe your role? What contribution does your role make to the university as a whole?

My first small involvement with the university was before the Rockingham campus was created and it looked like it might be located in Kwinana. My late husband Gary and I fought hard to have the university located in Rockingham. Before his death in 2008, Gary asked a packed function room to fight to keep Murdoch at Rockingham to enable students to further their tertiary education in their local community.

After meeting with Murdoch, a group of like minded people came together and the Rockingham Education Development Group was formed in 2010. Our aim was to lift the profile of the campus and help to raise the aspirations of our students by raising money to provide scholarships.

Congratulations!Barbara Holland


Even great individuals usually have a team behind them. Is there anyone from your team and the Murdoch community you’d like to acknowledge for your success? What have they done to help you?

Absolutely, without the support of the members of the Rockingham Education Development Group and Andrew Taggart and Jennifer Turner of Murdoch we could not have achieved our goals and raised sufficient funds to be able to offer scholarships to students this year. Andrew and Jennifer put the processes in place and the REDG have worked tirelessly to raise the funds.

What kind of achievements would you like to see from the Murdoch community in the next 3 -5 years?

I’d like to see the Rockingham campus grow and reach its maximum potential in regard to student numbers, class sizes, student activities and community engagement activities. I would like to see it become a vibrant university campus.

You’ve won a 2012 Senate Medal. Please tell us what inspires you to go beyond the call of duty in your role at Murdoch?

Primarily it was to improve the aspirations of the Rockingham community. Murdoch had already made a contribution by its very presence and so it was important to support Murdoch in any way I could.

Congratulations!Karen Olkowski


Karen Olkowski

Academic Support OfficerSchool of Veterinary and Life Sciences


I joined the University in 1987, initially in the Admissions Office. For the majority of my years at Murdoch my major role has been to assist our HDR students and supervisors in negotiating the administrative matters that go with undertaking a higher degree.

I strive to ensure that our higher degree students, and their supervisors, can spend their time concentrating on their primary concern – their research project. I believe that dedicated help with administrative matters gives students the opportunity of more time to concentrate on the task at hand resulting in quicker completion times.

Congratulations!Karen Olkowski



There are two important people I would like to acknowledge. Anne Randell, my supervisor for 10 years in the Graduate Centre. The skills I have today are thanks to Anne’s careful and supportive mentoring during the many years we worked together; and Carolyn Jones, whose kindness and confidence in my abilities allowed me to continue working at what I love doing most.


I would like to see Murdoch continue as a University that cares about people. A place where students and staff are treated as individuals and not simply as numbers. Where top level teaching and research is underpinned by helpfulness, kindness and warmth.

You’ve won a 2012 Senate Medal. Please tell us what inspires you to go beyond the call of duty in your role at Murdoch?

I have a great emotional attachment to Murdoch and its people and I am passionate about assisting our higher degree students in achieving their goal. Many undertake higher degrees at a time in their life where study is one of many competing priorities. I thrive on the people interaction my role brings, learning about the projects our researchers are undertaking and being able to help solve problems when it is needed most.

Congratulations!Michael Calver

2012 Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching (General Teaching Excellence)

Michael Calver

Associate ProfessorSchool of Veterinary and Life Sciences


With the exception of some time off to play research scientist and schoolteacher in the 1980s, I have been at Murdoch as a student or staff member since 1975. In my current position I run the biology building Happy Hour, serve as a research assistant for Honours and graduate students and give undergraduates critical commentary on the quality of their explanations for skipping class. Or, in more conventional language, I see myself as an all-round academic, contributing to university administration, research and teaching at all levels of the curriculum.

Congratulations!Michael Calver

2012 Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching

(General Teaching Excellence)


My academic colleagues are the most inspirational bunch of talented, patient, good-humoured eccentrics ever collected in one place in Australia since 1788. Without them, I would surely quit. I must also thank the dedicated technicians, especially Claudia Mueller, Scott Munro and Michael Taylor, whose planning and attention to detail underpin every successful laboratory class and field trip.


We have lost our sense of priority and attempt to do everything at once and too quickly, to the detriment of each individual endeavour. Shakespeare put it neatly:Although I joy in thee,I have no joy of this contract tonight.It is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden,Too like the lightning, which doth cease to beEre one can say “It lightens.” I'd like to see us set priorities and devote our energies to achieve them one by one, instead of chasing after everything at once and risking achieving nothing. Which, to return to teaching, is drawing boundaries around open-ended tasks so that they do not swallow everything and then ask for more.

You’ve won an award for Excellence in Teaching. Please tell us what you enjoy most about helping people to learn?

The pleasure of teaching comes from meeting challenges. The two biggest challenges are (i) presenting material that I've taught before with the freshness and vibrancy that characterised the first presentation (after all, it is the first time for the students - well, most of them) and (ii) surviving - teaching is open-ended, so I must draw a line in what I give or the demands of teaching will engulf my whole working life.

Congratulations!Robert Mead



Robert Mead

Associate ProfessorSchool of Veterinary and Life Science


I first joined Murdoch University 32 years ago, in 1981. I am Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Head of the Molecular and Biomedical Sciences AOU in the School of Veterinary and Life Sciences. I am currently the Academic Chair for the Forensic Biology and Toxicology and Molecular Biology majors and have been an Academic Chair for over 20 years.

In 2004 I initiated the Forensic Biology and Toxicology course and have enjoyed developing its professional experience components and its core units, particularly Forensic Toxicology and Bodies of Evidence which give the students a real life, hands-on CSI experience. I have, over the past 30 years, also developed a Clinical Honours program involving the major hospitals and medical research centres in Perth, which has assisted more than 100 of our graduates to develop careers in medical research or as medical practitioners.

Congratulations!Robert Mead




I have been fortunate to have been awarded 3 Vice Chancellor’s Teaching Excellence Awards, a Vice Chancellor’s Citation for Excellence in Enhancing Learning, a National Carrick Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning and to have been presented with an ALTC National Teaching Excellence Award by Julia Gillard in 2009. Receiving the National Award was a particularly humbling experience. I contribute much of this recognition to my colleague, Emeritus Professor Max Cake, with whom I have worked for some 40 years. He has been a role model for me and his professionalism and meticulous attention to detail has taught me a great deal. The climate of student and staff support, which characterized the School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, has also been a major factor.


I would like to see the Murdoch Community fully embrace the new opportunities that the School re-alignments, the revisions to our degree structures and the presence of the new Fiona Stanley Hospital offer us. In a parochial sense, I would like to see our already substantial involvement in medical research blossom further and for us to maintain and continue to develop our strong links with WA Police, the State Forensic Pathologists, PathWest and the DPP so that we continue to be recognized as the major provider of forensic education in Western Australia.

You’ve won an award for Excellence in Teaching. Please tell us what you enjoy most about helping people to learn.

I particularly enjoy contextual teaching and illustrating biochemical and toxicological principles with case histories so that students identify with the concepts and become inspired by their direct relevance to medicine or forensics. I enjoy drawing upon my 10 years of experience in the health system and using that as a scaffold upon which to assemble practical examples. I then like to apply my experience in radio and television to articulate each scenario with humour and dramatic flair to enable me to develop the complexities in an engaging way, from the “ground up.” I particularly enjoy one-on-one teaching in my office to assist and support students who are struggling with difficult areas, but my ultimate pleasure is derived from seeing our graduates build exciting careers as medical specialists, medical researchers and as forensic investigators.

Congratulations!Wendy Cumming-Potvin



Wendy Cumming-Potvin

Senior Lecturer School of Education


I joined Murdoch University in 2001. As a Senior Lecturer in the School of Education, I have taught in a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate units, especially in the areas of literacies and research methods. Dual aspects of my role involve supporting pre-service teachers to become effective graduate teachers and assisting postgraduate students to become rigorous and creative researchers.

Congratulations!Wendy Cumming-Potvin




I would like to acknowledge the inspiration and positive role modeling from four senior academics in the School of Education at Murdoch University - Professors Barry Down, Jan Herrington and Simone Volet, and Adjunct Professor Wayne Martino. Ms. Tania Corbett, Academic Support Officer/Administrative Assistant in the School of Education, has also provided valuable support. On a personal note, I would like to thank my husband, Yves Potvin, for his on-going support of my teaching and research activities over many years.


I would like to see the development of cross-disciplinary research centers in the areas of social justice, education, health and applied science. It would be wonderful to have Murdoch University’s strengths in equity, teaching and research increasingly acknowledged on the local, state, national and international fields.

You’ve won an award for Excellence in Teaching. Please tell us what you enjoy most about helping people to learn?

I enjoy scaffolding students to understand complex ideas, which can be related to everyday life. Taking a step back from traditional teaching, I enjoy being guided by students as they manage their own learning and critique a variety of texts. I love the buzz of exploring books, magazines, films, articles, the Web, etc. to try out new ideas with my students. Most importantly, helping people to learn allows me to develop as an individual and contribute productively to the community.

Congratulations!Living and Learning with

Technology Team


(Team Teaching)

Jan Herrington, Daniel Boase-JelinekHelen Kosniowska, Jenni Parker

Valerie Patton

School of Education

Please tell us when each of you first joined the Murdoch community and what contribution your team makes to the university as a whole?

Our team is relatively new to the University, apart from Helen who has been at the University since 1996 when she enrolled as a higher degree student. Jan commenced a Professorial appointment in March 2009, then Jenni and Daniel came in 2010, and Val joined the community in 2011. Our team’s contribution extends out from the learning environment we have created for our students, to our colleagues, to the university and beyond—through our scholarly contributions based on our research on our teaching practice. We enjoy sharing our teaching methods with others!

Congratulations!Living and Learning with

Technology Team


(Team Teaching)

Is there anyone outside of your team in the Murdoch community you’d like to acknowledge for your success? What have they done to help you?

Our team members have complementary skills that help us support each other incredibly well. But we could only function with the support of the School Dean, Judy MacCallum and the IT support provided in the School by Annette Jessett.

You’ve won an award for Excellence in Teaching. Please tell us what your team enjoys most about helping people to learn?

Without doubt the aspect teaching Living and Learning with Technology that gives us the most joy is seeing the students grow in confidence in their use of technology in personal, research and teaching contexts. Their learning in this unit impacts on their daily lives, and it is so gratifying to experience their learning journey, often moving from fear and trepidation to confidence and achievement. It is a journey of questioning, problem solving, collaboration, sharing, mentoring and creating, not only with technology and tools but the ways students approach a problem and the strategies they develop to solve it. We learn as much as they do in our collaborative efforts.


Many of our students study with us externally. We go out of way to ensure that the external study experience is every bit as challenging and fulfilling as the on-campus experience. Our team would like to see the Murdoch community celebrated for its excellence in distance learning across all the disciplines, offering external students the same quality learning experiences as internal students, and being recognised nationally and internally for this effort.

Congratulations!Yingchi Chu

2013 Vice Chancellor’s Citations for Excellence in Enhancing Learning

Yingchi Chu

Senior Lecturer School of Management and Governance


I started at Murdoch University as a lecturer in 2002 and have taught Media and Chinese Studies since then in the School of Arts and in the School of Management & Governance. I have contributed to curriculum development and taught many units across disciplines of media studies, film studies and Asian studies from the perspective of research-informed teaching.

I have always aimed to create a pleasant and productive learning environment for my students. I see myself as a knowledge creator and transmitter, a cultural broker who bridges cross-cultural divides and encourages intercultural understanding.

Congratulations!Yingchi Chu



There are too many to fit into this box. I single out all my guest lecturers for FDN110 Australia in Asia, in particular, Professor Richard Higgott, Dr Jane Hutchison, Associate Professor Jan Gothard, and Professor David Hill, who have shown me what counts as a brilliant standard for research informed lectures. I also like to acknowledge Professor Garry Rodan and Associate Professor Carol Warren as inspirational researchers, Murray Brennan as a most supportive colleague, and Associate Professor Andrew Webster as a most admirable leader of staff. I thank my students for spurring me on.


The evolution of a fully collegiate environment, optimizing the nurturing of students, and the encouragement of scholarly activities. I would like to see that the University form more and closer links with Asian societies and foster the enhancement of ‘Asia Literacy’. I would be particularly pleased if some of our Media students were able to go to China to write and make films about China.

You’ve won an award for Excellence in Enhancing Learning. Please tell us what you enjoy most about helping people to learn?

The most rewarding feeling in teaching is witnessing my students growing into well-skilled critical individuals who are capable and willing to challenge their teachers at their own game. It is particularly pleasant when during their learning trajectory students have encouraged what I am doing, especially by helping me discover more effective teaching techniques. I have found that a friendly and yet disciplined teaching and learning environment is a very special treat in my professional life.

Congratulations!Wayne Greene


Wayne Greene

Associate ProfessorSchool of Veterinary and Life Sciences


I joined Murdoch in late 1998 and currently contribute to the University in three major ways. As Academic Chair of the Biomedical Science major, I play a multi-faceted role that includes providing day-to-day help and advice to students. I also teach molecular genetics and aspects of development and cancer biology to Biomedical and Veterinary Science students.

Last, but not least, I conduct biomedical research into lymphoid cancers, specifically human leukaemia and canine lymphoma. I also have a strong theoretical interest in the molecular basis of evolution, which has recently yielded several publications in both peer-reviewed and popular science journals.

Congratulations!Wayne Greene



The innovative unit “Advances in Medical Science” that I coordinate would not be possible without the tremendous teaching contributions provided by academic colleagues within the School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, as well as from scientists from various medical research institutes around Perth. In addition, the laboratory and workshop sessions in all my teaching units receive excellent technical support within the School.


I would like to see continued emphasis on high quality teaching and research, because if we get those things right, everything else will look after itself. Being in the Biomedical field, I would also like to see a strong nexus develop between Murdoch and the Fiona Stanley hospital, both from the perspective of teaching and research. Eventually, I would like to see the establishment of a Murdoch Medical School, which I believe would provide manifold benefits and opportunities to the University.


I’m a firm believer in the adage that “Education is not filling a bucket, but lighting a fire”. Thus, the thing I most enjoy about teaching is wowing students with amazing and relevant examples that illustrate the scientific concepts being covered in class. It brings great satisfaction to observe how initially reluctant students can become intensely interested in the subject matter once they appreciate its inherent beauty and applicability.

Congratulations!Philip Evans and Lorraine Finlay


Philip Evans and Lorraine Finlay

School of Law


Lorraine Finlay joined Murdoch University in 2010 from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (WA), where she worked as a State Prosecutor. She has also previously worked at the High Court of Australia, initially as the Legal Research Officer and then as an Associate to The Hon. Justice J D Heydon. Phil Evans joined the University in 2010 from the University of Notre Dame where he was Head of the Graduate School of Law.

Lorraine has made a significant contribution to the development of our Criminal Law program, as well as coordinating the Law School Moot Program. Phil Evans has made a significant contribution to the development of Graduate Programs through the authorship, and coordination of the Post Graduate Certificate in Construction Law and well as the mooting programs.

Congratulations!Philip Evans and Lorraine Finlay



Without the encouragement and support of the former Dean of the School of Law, Professor Gabriel Moens, we would not have been able to individually participate in the mooting programs. Immediately upon joining the University in 2004, Professor Moens established the Moot Court Bench and initiated participation in a wide range of mooting programs. These programs have not only assisted in creating invaluable research and advocacy training for our students but also has established an international reputation for the Murdoch School of Law which aspires to be a truly global law school. We would also like to acknowledge the dedication and commitment of our moot students who continually inspire us to maintain our personal involvement in mooting.


We would like to see the maintenance of the current level of mooting in the Law School. Our mooting activities and successes currently distinguish us from all other law schools in Western Australia. Mooting provides an opportunity for our students to develop both research and advocacy skills. As we aspire to be a research university this is an important aspect of our future. We would also like to see the establishment of a strong research culture in the Law School whilst still maintaining a commitment to excellence in teaching.


We both hold the philosophy that there is no greater calling than to assist students, be they school leavers or lifelong learners, to enjoy the learning experience. It is not entirely altruistic as the pleasure we receive in watching our students graduate or participate in an international mooting competition is so personally rewarding. We both have had experience in legal practice but the satisfaction that we have gained by assisting in some small way in making the law both a pleasurable and rewarding experience cannot be measured in monetary terms.

Congratulations!Danny Toohey


Danny Toohey

LecturerSchool of Engineering and Information Technology


I joined Murdoch as an Information Technology Academic in 2000, and have lectured in Databases and Business Intelligence. I have had several other roles in that time including Academic Chair of Information Systems. I have also been a member of several committees and working parties including the Learning and Teaching Committee and was Chair of the Committee on University Entrance from 2010 – 2012. The IT Discipline has a significant transnational cohort in Singapore and Dubai, and I am the first point of contact for students studying at those campuses.


I really enjoy the opportunities for interaction with students from many different backgrounds and life experiences that my lecturing role provides; similarly, I have had the opportunity to develop long term relationships with several colleagues in Singapore who have brought a different perspective to the units in which we teach. I believe that a sound grounding in databases is essential for any IT graduate; I enjoy hearing from many of our graduates once they are in the workplace, that this belief is true!

Congratulations!Danny Toohey



I have been very lucky to work with so many wonderful people from the Academic and Professional staff of all parts of the University during my time at Murdoch. So many of these colleagues are extremely committed to the University and the students, and work hard to achieve the best outcomes possible; I find this degree of commitment to be inspiring and it is this that motivates me in my work.


In three years time, we will have just about completed the first complete iteration of the new MUCC courses. It will be great if are able to achieve what we have set out to as a result of the MUCC. Similarly, we are about to enter a period of radical change to the way we do transnational education (TNE). I hope, that as a result of these changes, we will be able to be regarded as an exemplar of quality TNE and grow in this regard because of a reputation for high quality course offerings in TNE.

Congratulations!Jonathan Whale


Jonathan Whale

Senior LecturerSchool of Engineering and Information Technology

Dr Jonathan Whale is a successful recipient of a 2013 Vice Chancellor’s Citation for Excellence in Enhancing Learning for innovative design of curriculum and resources in Energy Studies and Engineering, conveyed to students by successful involvement in scholarly communities with academia and industry.

Congratulations!Lisa Young


Lisa Young

Associate ProfessorSchool of Law


I joined Murdoch law school in 1993, having previously practised as a lawyer and taught at UWA. I am an 'all round' academic. I teach across all years of the degree in both compulsory and elective subjects, with family law being my specialty; I write extensively in that area.

I have held many administrative positions, including Chairing University committees (eg. Student Appeals, Promotions Appeals), Academic Chair and until recently the School Teaching and Learning co-Dean.

In relation to teaching, my practice background, coupled with my commitment to quality teaching, has meant I have played a significant role in skills development within the law school; at the University level, particularly as Chair of Student Appeals, I have had significant input into the development of teaching related policies and provided assistance to other schools in dealing with assessment related difficulties.

Congratulations!Lisa Young



I would like to thank Professor Ralph Simmonds, our first Dean, who gave me a chance at Murdoch, and allowed me to take the time at the start of my career to put time into developing both my teaching and research. I have also had incredible support from a number of colleagues who always have time to talk about my teaching, and give invaluable feedback and also inspire me with their own dedication to teaching; in that regard I would particularly like to mention Sonia Walker, Jo Goodie and Neil McLeod. I am also grateful to Bev Thiele and Dave Holloway, who as part of the Senior Executive of this University have always shown appreciation for my efforts and entrusted me with considerable responsibility as a result.


Murdoch has a wealth of wonderful staff, willing to work incredibly hard to advance the reputation of the University. I hope that over the next few years we can find more internal cohesion, and foster respect for what we all bring to this endeavour, so that we can focus our energies on what really matters: delivering stimulating and inspiring courses and advancing knowledge in our different areas.


I don’t think there is anything more important than education, but it has to be about engaging students to think deeply about issues. I don’t actually like having to rank students, so for me I enjoy trying to find ways to make all parts of the course interesting, including assessments. I love it when I can help students discover that even subjects considered to be boring – and I have taught many of those – have their interesting aspects; you just have to find a way to engage them. I love that in teaching I can open students’ eyes to looking at issues from a different perspective; challenge their intuitive response to issues by helping them to see the complexity of life and introduce them to a range of ways of understanding an issue.

Congratulations!Mark P McHenry

2013 Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research

(Early Career Development and Achievement)

Mark P McHenry

Research Fellow School of Engineering & Information Technology


I joined Murdoch as a ‘mature age’ undergrad student in 2003 studying physics (energy studies) and sustainable development. My subsequent postgrad research focused on energy systems, and how climate change mitigation and adaptation may occur in parallel in rural WA.

My studies honed my skills in ‘late nighters’ and nurtured a productive caffeine habit, fitting in seamlessly within Murdoch culture. My roles revolve around being pulled in at the last minute to ‘get things done yesterday’. My various part-time positions and remote work habits (I’m also on the farm) enabled a productive approach of cross-pollinating disparate research areas.

Congratulations!Mark P McHenry




Firstly, big thanks to Katrina O’Mara, Philip Jennings, David Doepel, August Schlapfer, Jonathan Whale, Navid Moheimani, Karne de Boer, Parisa Bahri, Trevor Pryor, among many others. Also, having so many part-time positions and associated forms over the years, thanks to the Murdoch administrative staff who help wade through it all. The ability of our staff and committees to ‘bend rules without breaking them’ is one of our most productive attributes, giving us a competitive advantage in so many areas. Thanks for supporting an army of us academics with various levels of people skills, day after day ;)

You’ve won an award for Excellence in Research. Please tell us what you enjoy most about research?

I like to research a variety of topics that I find intrinsically interesting, yet practical, and (presently) enjoy the challenge of working out how to make a living doing it. My rural background and Murdoch training enabled me to jump in the deep end by using fundamentals and first principles. I have my teeth into some really varied and fun stuff, including new energy technologies, renewable energy, bioenergy, social wellbeing, genetics, Indigenous subsistence, forestry, economic development, mathematical frameworks, electric vehicles, distributed power, desalination, human rights, water and sanitation, microalgae and macroalgae culture, agricultural productivity, etc.


I’d like to see the Murdoch community make more from the cream of the work that our students produce, from PhD, Masters, Honours, to special projects. Much has many elements of raw world-class thinking and professional-level research. By selectively leveraging and refining productive individuals and their work into our conventional research can open doors at many levels. Many of these individuals will become good mates, excellent Murdoch ambassadors, and genuinely great people. Becoming embedded within a wider network of collaborative relationships within various sectors make tackling some great challenges more interesting, useful, productive, and fun.

Congratulations!Chun-Yang Yin



Chun-Yang Yin

Lecturer School of Veterinary and Life Sciences


I have been a Lecturer with Murdoch University since 2010. I have been involved in undergraduate teaching (extractive metallurgy and chemistry), tutoring, unit coordination and postgraduate supervision.

Teaching at Murdoch University is a very fulfilling endeavor due to the close-knit nature of student-lecturer relationships and the steadfast support provided by a cohesive Murdoch community. I am currently representing Chemistry and Analytical Sciences as a Research Committee member for the School of Veterinary and Life Sciences.

Congratulations!Chun-Yang Yin




I would like to sincerely acknowledge my close collaborator, Dr Zhong-Tao Jiang from the School of Engineering and Information Technology. This award would not have been possible without his support and collaboration. I am also indebted to the technical and administration staff from chemistry and minerals science, namely, Linda Morton (now at School of Education), Andrew Foreman, Ken Seymour, Sue Farr, Martelle Chamberlain, Stewart Kelly, Tina Oteri, Peter Fallon (Vet School), Kris Parker, David Zeelenberg and Dr Marc Hampton for their unwavering and unconditional support. Finally, I would like to thank Dr David Ralph as well as Professors Peter May and Glenn Hefter for their mentorship.


I would like the Murdoch community to continue to develop its strengths of research excellence while at the same time, maintaining high quality teaching.


There are many aspects that I enjoy about my research. Since my research is highly-interdisciplinary encompassing applied chemistry, minerals/materials engineering and environmental science, it affords me the opportunity to collaborate with other well-regarded scientists. Since 2010, I have co-authored research publications with 10 Murdoch academics with expertise in chemistry, minerals engineering and physics. In addition, I have established close research linkages and published journal articles with active researchers from the United States, Australia, France, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and Indonesia. I also like the fact that research elements can be readily incorporated into lectures and students mentoring. This aspect is quite rewarding, not just to the lecturers concerned, but it also provides students with invaluable and critical research experience that complements traditional classroom knowledge that they acquire during lectures.

Congratulations!Bonnie Barber


(Outstanding Research Development)

Bonnie Barber

Associate Dean Research/Chair In PsychologySchool of Psychology and Exercise Sciences


I arrived at Murdoch in 2004, when I was hired to enhance the research culture in the School of Psychology. Mentoring is one of my priorities – working with colleagues and students to build research capacity and increase research productivity in the School. I see my role as including both leading by example and supporting colleagues in their research efforts. In more recent years, after serving on the ARC College of Experts, I have broadened my focus to helping increase our ability to win national competitive grant funding across the university, through grant writing workshops and feedback on proposals.


I am excited about the emerging strategic focus on quality translational research. In particular, training our research students about the interface between their empirical studies, the need for public dissemination of results, and the focus on policy implications is important. As we work to increase the impact of our research, and the engagement of stakeholders, I would like to see more focus on winning competitive grant funding to facilitate those endeavors.

Congratulations!Bonnie Barber




My success in research is attributable to my team. My PhD students have been central to all of the research I have conducted here at Murdoch, and I am very grateful to Bree Abbott and Corey Blomfield, who together helped me to launch the 9-year ARC-funded Youth Activity Participation Study. Karina Annear, Cathy Drane, Gaynor Edwards, Lyn Vernon, and Stuart Watson have also been vital to its success, along with my colleagues Helen Davis and Kathy Modecki.

I could not imagine a more supportive school context in which to conduct research, and my colleagues Suzanne Dziurawiec, Laurence Hartley, and Ngaire Donaghue were essential supports during my transition to Murdoch and often since, encouraging me to aim high, helping to solve problems, and offering invaluable peer coaching. Finally, I am grateful to Eric von Dietze and the Human Research Ethics team, whose facilitative philosophy has helped us to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles in the complex dance that is research with young people.


Our research is focused on the health and wellbeing of young people. Being able to learn from teenagers what makes them feel happy, included, and motivated is fascinating. I enjoy bringing the voices of young people into discussions about policies designed to improve their lives, and through the work in our Healthy Adolescent Pathways lab here at Murdoch, we have had a number of opportunities to do just that. I also enjoy being a member of the broader research community – networking with those studying similar questions about youth around the world. Research gives me the opportunity to maintain collaborations with outstanding international mentors, including Jacquelynne Eccles, my long time collaborator.

Congratulations!Rudolf Appels



Rudolf Appels

Professor School of Engineering and Information Technology


I joined Murdoch University staff in September 2001, after 27 years in CSIRO-Plant Industry in Canberra, to establish the agriculture biotechnology laboratory for molecular markers to be used in wheat and barley breeding.

This role combined classical genetic analyses with cutting edge genome sequencing and analysis, and in establishing this expertise at Murdoch it was utilized in animal systems. In particular, a collaboration with Jackie Phillips and John McCooke led to the identification of the gene underpinning a new polycystic kidney disease mutation in rats (an experimental model for understanding the disease in humans).

Congratulations!Rudolf Appels




Murdoch has a strong community of researchers in the agriculture and bioinformatics space, particularly in the high end technology for translating research findings to industry. The top ratings in Crop Science, Agriculture Biotechnology and Animal Science as well as Australia-China Centre for Wheat Improvement (a joint research centre funded federally) recently awarded to Murdoch University reflects the depth of commitment and support an individual such as myself gains.


My focus is wheat from both the molecular and industry sides and as the analysis of the entire complement of genes in wheat matures, I would like to see the post-genomic period of wheat deliver fundamental discoveries underpinning the unique features of wheat as well as new and novel diagnostics and breeding lines to the industry.


Research is an activity that is both creative and demanding, and provides a personal challenge which can sometimes lead to significant contributions to society. In the University system great emphasis is placed on publications and I view these as works of art as well as careful science, and thus provide an enormous amount of enjoyment and satisfaction to produce.

Staff awards 2013 - winners gallery

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