UQ School of Biomedical Sciences

🎉🧬🧑🎓 Biomedical Science Student Recognition Awards Biomedical Science UQ is excited to announce the recipients of the Biomedical Science Student Recognition Awards for 2025! Based on peer nominations, this award recognised undergraduate students who went above and beyond to enhance the Biomedical Science cohort experience. It was truly inspiring to read of the many ways our students are the cohort and wider community. We extend our appreciation and congratulations to all nominees, and are proud to announce three students selected as this year’s award recipients. 🌟Luke Yuan – Pathways through Partnership Luke exemplified the qualities of a UQ Influential Communicator through his collaborative leadership, effective partnerships, and sustained contributions to the Biomedical Science student experience. His behind-the-scenes work as Secretary of the UQ Association of Biomedical Students including securing sponsorships, coordinating contributors, and fostering cross-society collaborations, significantly expanded opportunities for students to connect and engage. 🌟Yen-Shan (Elsey) Chen – Connected Student Communities Elsey made outstanding contributions to enriching the Biomedical Science student community and exemplified the qualities of a UQ Connected Citizen through her inclusive initiatives, active leadership, and commitment to amplifying the student voice. Widely recognised by peers, she has strengthened cohort identity and community culture through her volunteering, roles as a Science Leader and GetSet Mentor, and meaningful contributions to student–staff partnership projects. 🌟Sebastian Buchner – Heart of Belonging Seb exemplifies the qualities of a UQ Respectful Leader, anchoring humanness into learning and fostering belonging, wellbeing, and inclusion across the Biomedical Science cohort. His peers reflected on his quiet but transformative influence, and the impact he has through his everyday actions – being welcoming of others, making concerted efforts to include quieter students, and creating safe spaces for peers to ask questions. These actions have shaped a supportive cohort culture and made an important difference to peers’ comfort and connection. #BiomedicalSciences #SBMSStudentAwards #StudentExcellence #CohortConnections UQ Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences

Thank you everyone for joining us in celebrating our 25th Anniversary at UQ School of Biomedical Sciences (SBMS). The event was not only a celebration of our history but also a testament to the vibrant community that has supported and shaped SBMS over the years. We are deeply grateful for your contributions, whether as staff, students, alumni or our generous donors for the role you continue to play in advancing this important work. As we look ahead to the next chapter, we are inspired by the connections strengthened during this anniversary and the shared commitment to innovation, discovery, and education.

TEACHING EMPATHY AND EMBODIMENT IN THE MUSEUM On Friday, 14 November, the Integrated Pathology Learning Centre (IPLC) will co-host a full-day symposium exploring innovative approaches to teaching with the collection. It will bring together educators, curators, and researchers to discuss how medical collections can foster empathy, embodiment, and meaningful learning experiences.  Tickets are free and include lunch, generously sponsored by the School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry and the Australasian Health and Medical Humanities Network.  Follow this link for more information, and to secure a ticket: https://lnkd.in/gQf5Q5Z8. 

We are delighted to celebrate Benjamin Cai as the winner of a Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning in the Tutor nomination category at this year’s UQ Awards for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.   A tutor in anatomy and histology within the School of Biomedical Sciences, and a third-year PhD student in UQ Medical School’s MD–PhD program, Ben has made significant contributions to histology teaching in the MD program in a near-peer role since joining SBMS in 2022. Over the past four years, he has taught across diverse formats, including large in-person practicals, and small- and large-group online tutorials for students based in Brisbane and regionally across Queensland.   Under the guidance of discipline lead Dr Claire Aland, and working within the multi-professional histology teaching team, Ben has collaborated closely with professionals from pathology, veterinary science, research, human anatomy, and education, integrating cross-disciplinary expertise to transform student learning and engagement through innovation in guided inquiry, virtual tools, and student-centred teaching.    Ben’s achievements demonstrate strong early-career success, marked by his attention to the challenges of teaching complex and conceptually dense material within a crowded medical curriculum. His teaching shows clear alignment with pedagogical frameworks, while his contributions to curriculum design, resource development (including the newly released Histology Atlas on the BEST Network), and professional learning activities signal emerging leadership and a deep commitment to the scholarship of teaching and learning.   This award recognises Ben’s sustained impact on student learning and his dedication to advancing medical science education by promoting learner engagement in innovative and collaborative ways.

🔔 Join us for our next seminar on cancer research! 🎤 Speaker: Prof Nils Halberg, QIMR Berghofer 🧠 Topic: Cancer dependencies in obese environments 📅 When: Friday, November 7 | 3–4 pm 📍 Where: Steel Building 03-206 👨🏫 Host: Dr Adam Hagg

Huge congratulations to Dr Kelly Walton for receiving the Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide Research Award!   This is a well-deserved recognition of her research in reproductive endocrinology, and we are proud and lucky to have her in our school!   Check out her 2025 collaborative work in Science and Nature Communications: https://lnkd.in/e-6_edxv https://lnkd.in/eSkGTBs8

Congratulations to the MD Multi-professional Histology Tutoring Team at the School of Biomedical Sciences, led by Dr. Claire Aland, with Mr Ben Cai, Dr Carolyn Cluderay, Dr Ildiko Erdelyi, Dr Sumia Essid, Mr Maximillian Kirsch, Dr Megan Pitcher, Dr Ambika Periyakaruppiah, Dr Nayomi Ranathunga, Dr Fahmida Sonya, Dr Neill Sullivan, Dr Shu Wang, and Mr Hainan Yu, for their 2025 nomination for the UQ Awards for Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion! This team’s unique combination of tutors from diverse academic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds, with extensive professional and pedagogical expertise creates an inclusive learning environment where students feel respected, welcomed, and supported. Their approach enriches student learning experiences, builds cultural competence, and exemplifies UQ’s values of creativity, excellence, respect, and inclusion.    *Absent photos are Max Kirsch, Hainian Yu, Megan Pitcher, Shu Wang and Fahmida Sonya.

🔔 UQ School of Biomedical Sciences – PhD Exit Seminars Join us in celebrating the achievements of three of our PhD students as they near completion of their PhD! They will share their exciting research on brain organoids, motor neuron disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. 🎤 Speakers: Ms Jacinta Conroy (Coulson Lab) Mr Vincent Chen (Noakes Lab) Mr Sean Morrison (Wolvetang/Noakes Lab) 📅 When: Friday, 10 October | 3:00–4:00 pm 📍 Where: Steel Building, Room 03-206

🔔 Don’t miss our next seminar! 🎤 Speaker: Dr John Y. Lin, Senior Lecturer, University of Tasmania 🧠 Topic: Optogenetic and chemical-biological approaches for the modulation of intracellular signalling, vesicular release, and membrane excitability 📅 When: Friday, September 26 | 3–4 pm 📍 Where: Steel Building 03-206 👨🏫 Host: A/Prof Sebastian Furness

🚀 Kickstart your research career with impact! NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Mechanisms in NeuroDegeneration is looking for passionate and driven PhD students to join the MIND-AD CRE program – a collaborative initiative at the forefront of basic science and neurodegenerative disease research. Be part of the next wave of discoveries in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease and help shape a healthier future. 🔬 Ready to make a difference? 👉 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gx9mBbBY