Top talent celebrated at STEM Prizes

This year’s ceremonies recognised current and former students from across the Schools of Engineering, Science, Computing Technologies, and Health and Biomedical Sciences.  

Prizes were supported by industry and philanthropic contributions and awarded to students who have excelled in their fields, from competing with soccer robots in the international RoboCup to conducting research on the human brain. 

Professor Catherine Itsiopoulos, Deputy Vice-Chancellor STEM and Vice-President RMIT, said being part of these students’ journeys is a privilege. 

“At RMIT, we pride ourselves on creating environments where students can thrive, develop their knowledge, be challenged in their assumptions, and grow as professionals and people,” Itsiopoulos said. 

“This year’s prize winners demonstrate the value of hard work, determination and most importantly passion, all of which are key ingredients to success. I am sure they will take these qualities with them throughout their studies and careers.” 

RMIT’s applied, personalised student experience gives students the opportunity to engage with clubs, competitions, and other events that help students translate their knowledge into real-world contexts, delve deeper into their disciplines, and discover new interests. 

Winner of the prize for RMIT RoboCup Leadership and Volunteer Contribution, Sam Griffiths, said his extracurricular activities have defined his university experience. 

“If you had told me several years ago that I would be travelling all around the world competing with robots that play soccer, I would have called you crazy,” Sam said. 

“I have learned just as much, if not more, from my engagement with out-of-class activities, as I have learned in the classroom.” 

Sam’s sights are set on a career in robotics – a field he refers to as a “love affair between software and hardware that captures me completely” – where he plans to apply the same work ethic he learned at RMIT. 

“I want to constantly challenge myself and keep myself on the edge of what I know and what I am yet to know.” 

Khac (Lam) Tung Lam Nguyen, a final-year computer science student, said a highlight of his studies has been leading a team to the International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC) South Pacific Finals in Sydney last year. 

“This experience allowed me to not only grow technically but also give back to the student community,” Lam said. 

One of Lam’s career goals in the near future is to create a website that helps teachers and students manage exam preparation. 

He has always been fascinated by the application of technology in education, which he has also benefitted from as a student at RMIT, where digitally connected learning is embedded in the student experience. 

“My goal is to apply the latest technologies to education. To achieve this, I am open to either pursuing higher education to research or engaging in the industry to gain practical experience. Whichever path I take, I will remain committed and resilient in chasing my dream.” 

RMIT’s strong focus on bringing learning and teaching together with industry and research supports students to diversify their skills and explore new pathways. 

Tatjana Domes, who graduated from the School of Engineering last year and is now pursuing a PhD in chemical engineering, received the University-wide J.N. McNicol Award and was the guest speaker at the School’s prizes night. 

Tatjana’s PhD is a continuation of a project she created during the honours year of her undergraduate studies, where she first gained exposure to self-driven research and began to understand the scientific impact she could have in the field. 

In her speech to students, Tatjana encouraged students to push themselves to explore new academic opportunities. 

“I’ve always thought that my best growth has come from throwing myself in the deep end,” Tatjana said. 

“That same mindset carried into my capstone project... I created my own project on recycling retired rock-climbing ropes. I found an industry partner, an RMIT supervisor, and undertook the project independently... Through the project I realised I enjoyed research.” 

“So, I urge you to get out and do things, do everything! But moreover, allow yourself to be passionate about more than just your number one priority. Who knows, that hobby, that interest, community or skillset may just be the thing that opens an opportunity for the next chapter of your life.” 

Mikaela Barresi, the recipient of the School of Health and Biomedical Science’s Rising Star Alumni Award, also discovered a love for research early on in university. 

“I’ve always been interested in understanding the nitty-gritty of how things work, but it wasn’t until my Honours research project that I started learning about molecular neuroscience and biological mechanisms in the brain... That change in academic pathway was the best decision I ever made!” Mikaela said. 

Since graduating from her PhD in 2025, Mikaela has stayed at RMIT, working with her former PhD supervisor Professor Mary Tolcos, who has supported her to apply for funding opportunities, submit research papers, and take on leadership roles, all of which contributed to her receiving the Rising Star Award. 

“It is an honour and a privilege to receive the Rising Star Award at this early stage of my career. It is a recognition of that passion and commitment I have to my research and to developing as an independent leader at RMIT.” 

RMIT also sets students up for the future through industry-connected learning, which ensures students have the skills and knowledge they need to hit the ground running when they graduate. 

Robin Broff, who received the Innovation and Enterprise Alumni Award from the School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, said the industry connections he made during his studies helped him establish himself in his chiropractic career.  

“A lot of the events RMIT ran were great opportunities to connect with other chiropractors, get experience and help me understand the foundations. The relationships I built at events like Chiro Camp and other activities still last today,” Robin said. 

Master of Food Technology and Nutrition student Galadriel Nala, who was one of the winners of the School of Science’s Adrian Chambers Award, has also benefited from the industry connections available at RMIT.

Through a hands-on project with muesli manufacturer Grain & Bake, Galadriel has gained experience working on real-world issues faced by the food industry.

“I’ve learned so much about shelf-life testing and how to utilise instrumental testing with sensory evaluation to understand how products change over time. This project has definitely helped shape my confidence, as I see how much of what we learn in class applies in the real world,” Galadriel said.

Roja Joshi, an international student from Nepal in her final year of a Bachelor of Data Science, said she owes a lot of her success to the strong industry focus of her program. 

“Being involved in an industry project has helped me bridge the gap between what I learn at university and how those skills are applied in industry. Through experiences like this, I've gained a better understanding of how organisations use data to make informed decisions and address real-world challenges,” Roja said. 

Roja received the Medibank Global Impact Award and hopes to build a career where she can make a positive difference in communities. 

“In the future, I'd like to work on projects where data can help address real-world challenges, particularly in areas like sustainability and public policy.” 

She added that as an international student, the award is particularly meaningful. 

“Moving to Australia was a significant step, and this award is a reminder of how far I've come since arriving here. I'm grateful that my commitment to both academic and personal development has been acknowledged.” 

Thank you to our STEM Prizes industry sponsors: Medibank, NetApp, nbn, IND Technology, Boeing, ARB Corporation Ltd, Paragon Care | Immulab, 1Spatial, and Osteopathy Australia.