2009 AusBiotech-GSK Student Excellence Awards

Download application form HERE (PDF)
Download application form HERE (WORD format)
Download Media Release HERE

Download Flyer HERE

Handy Tips and Hints

Tip 1: Apply and you MIGHT win – Don’t apply and you WONT win!
The application process isn’t as hard as you might think. Download one of the winning applications in 2008 HERE

Tip 2: Congratulations you are a Finalist! Keep your 10 min pitch Short, Sharp and Concise.
Download more tips for your presentation HERE

These awards are proudly supported by

For more information please contact Wendy Stevens. Email: wstevens@ausbiotech.org

Previous winners:
2008 State Winners
NSW – Mr Leo McHugh
QLD –  Ms Kate Kollar
SA – Ms Ellena King
TAS – Ms Clare Smith
VIC –  Mr Robert Shepherd
WA -  Ms Melissa Corbett

“Although biotechnology is not my background, applying for the AusBiotech-GSK Student Excellence Awards compelled me to focus on the commercial value of my research project and gave me the opportunity to have my condensed presentation critiqued by biotechnology experts. Winning the award allowed me to meet and share experiences with other award winners and early career researchers from diverse backgrounds.” 2008 SA Winner, Ellie King

"Applying for the AusBiotech-GSK Student Excellence Awards made me reassess the context of my research. For the first time since beginning my project, I had a chance to think about the bigger picture of where my research fits into the academic and industrial world, and had to make every minute of the presentation count! This understanding of the bigger picture was further strengthened by attending the AusBiotech conference, where the diversity of business and academic interests was both well represented, and it was great to see how the two can be integrated in the field of biotechnology. Thanks!" 2008 VIC Winner, Robert Shepherd

“It gave me great exposure to diverse career options in the biotechnology industry, links to potential employers and mentors and provided networking between students from all universities.  The 2008 AusBiotech-GSK Student Excellence Awards was definitely one of my greatest highlights of my PhD to date and I strongly encourage all students to participate in this fantastic competition.” 2008 QLD Winner, Kate Kollar

"The AusBiotech-GSK Student Excellence Awards have been a great leg-up in my career in science. It's opened doors and ears to my science and to a career in biotech commercialisation. This AusBiotech-GSK partnership has provided a great opportunity for commercially oriented young scientists to network with each other, raise awareness of emerging talent and to interface great student ideas to the larger biotech community." 2008 NSW Winner, Leo McHugh

Caption for photo: Dr Ashley Bates (GSK) and Dr Anna Lavelle (AusBiotech) with 2008 AusBiotech-GSK Student Excellence Award Winners from left Ellena King (SA), Robert Shepherd (VIC), Leo McHugh (NSW), Melissa Corbett (WA), Clare Smith (TAS) and Kate Kollar (QLD).

2007 State Winners
NSW – Ms Gorjana Kisa
QLD –  Ms Terese Seldon
SA – Mr Joseph Jeffries
TAS – Ms Mandeep M Kaur
VIC –  Mr Mahesh Dharmakumara
WA -  Ms Abbey S Bestall

Caption for photo: The 2007 AusBiotech-GSK Student Excellence Award ceremony at the AusBiotech 2007 from left Dr Anna Lavelle (AusBiotech Ltd), Ms Gorjana Kisa, (NSW), Ms Therese Seldon (QLD), Mr Joseph Jeffries (SA), Ms Mandeep M Kaur (TAS), Mr Mahesh Dharmakumara (VIC), Ms Abbey S Bestall (WA) Dr Ashley Bates (GSK) and Dr Susan Pond (AusBiotech Ltd).

"I received the invaluable prize to attend the AusBiotech national conference in Brisbane in October 2007. Being recent graduate this was a fantastic opportunity to gain an overview of the industry and to meet with many industry professionals, both from Australia and overseas" 2007 NSW winner Ms Gorjana Kisa