Students and alumni celebrated at STEM school awards

In May, the four schools from STEM College held their annual awards, recognising more than 100 current and former students for their outstanding work.

The school awards are an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the student community across STEM College – not just for their achievements, but the hard work, passion and dedication they bring to their studies.

This year, awards were presented to more than 100 recipients from across the Schools of Engineering, Science, Computing Technologies, and Health and Biomedical Sciences.

This included a number of new awards, such as the first-ever alumni awards for the School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, and philanthropic and industry-supported awards.

Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Catherine Itsiopoulos said that it was a true privilege to be part of each student’s journey.

“Our award winners have each excelled in their studies, and this recognition is a testament to their hard work,” Itsiopoulos said.

"I hope this recognition inspires them to keep pushing the boundaries and finding ways to grow so that they can continue to make a difference in their careers."

Alumni recognised for their contributions to health

Dr Lauren Burns, an RMIT PhD graduate focusing on elite sport, was awarded the inaugural alumni Rising Star Award from the School of Health and Biomedical Sciences.

Lauren said that it was heartwarming to receive the award, which recognises the role her research has played in fostering wellbeing in high-performance sports environments across the country.

“This award is not just a celebration of impact, but of the people and partnerships that make the work possible,” Lauren said.

“I could not have done this without the support of my supervisors, RMIT, and the Jacka Foundation for Natural Therapies."

As a former Olympic gold medalist in taekwondo, Lauren knows that for every accomplishment, it’s the journey, not the destination, that matters most.

“The academic path isn’t always linear – mine certainly wasn’t. I’m a big believer in lifelong learning.

“I loved studying at RMIT, and through doing a PhD by research, I found a unique way to dive deep into ideas that matter, capturing both the science and lived experience of athletes and coaches.

I’m so glad I could model to my kids what it means to do hard things and thrive from them.

Two individuals pose with certificates in hand, set against a blue wall.

Dr Lauren Burns and Dr Dein Vindigni (OAM), winners of the inaugural alumni awards in the School of Health and Biomedical Sciences.

Dr Dein Vindigni (OAM), who graduated from RMIT in 1988 and is currently a Chiropractic Lecturer, received another new alumni award from the School, for Outstanding Achievement.

Dein has a long history of achieving community impact – in 1987, he founded Hands on Health Australia, which provides health services to Indigenous communities and those in need.

Dein, who was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 2008, now focuses his time on teaching and research, where he continues to advance Indigenous health, as well as aged care and community-based healthcare for people experiencing poverty, loneliness and isolation.

He said that the award shines a light on everyone he has worked with, from colleagues to First Nations Elders, who inspire him to give back to others.

“I accept this award with heartfelt gratitude on behalf of my dear family, dedicated colleagues and team members who share a vision and values of humanitarian service,” Dein said.

I’ve been honoured to learn from the wisdom of First Nations Elders about the importance of listening to and learning from each other, and that we’re all companions on life’s great journey of discovery, growth and service.

Students making an impact

The STEM Awards also recognised the achievements of current students and recent graduates.

The Patricia Guthrie Memorial Award, which is a University-wide award presented to an outstanding female student who has demonstrated academic excellence and community work, was awarded to 2024 chemical engineering graduate Lucinda Gibson.

Lucinda said that she was honoured to receive the award and credits RMIT with furthering her interest in climate action and sustainability, which led her to travel to Indonesia while studying.

“RMIT provided me with an environment where learning wasn’t contained to the classroom; it was encouraged within communities, through collaboration, and in saying ‘yes’ to new experiences, such as overseas exchanges, internships, volunteering and more,” said Lucinda.

Lucinda is being presented with an award by a woman

RMIT Patricia Guthrie Memorial Award winner Lucinda Gibson

The School of Science gave the award for best first-year undergraduate student to joint winners Callie Barnes and Olivia Malvaso, who have hit the ground running since joining RMIT at the start of last year.

Callie said that she is thankful for her first-year experience and is looking forward to what’s ahead.

I’m especially grateful for the incredible support of the RMIT staff, whose dedication to student learning has inspired me as I look forward to deepening my knowledge and embracing new opportunities in science.

In the School of Computing Technologies, the industry-sponsored Medibank Data Science Global Impact Award went to Aphisith Siphaxay, who has demonstrated the potential to become a global leader in the field.

“It's encouraging to know that the effort I've put into my studies has made an impact," Aphisith said.

Congratulations to all of the STEM Award winners and nominees!

11 June 2025

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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