Awards - LORNE GENOME CONFERENCE 2027

The Lorne Genome MCR Award will be granted to mid-career researchers, from different pronoun groups, working in Australia with no more than 10 years postdoctoral research experience. The awards acknowledge outstanding contributions to Australian genomic research, including novel analytical concepts.

Criteria includes:

Abstract submitted through the online abstract portal by the presenting author.
2-page CV outlining recent publications, funding, awards, supervision etc.
1 page summary of the applicants work and its impact including national and international standing.
Open to any applicant up to 10 years EFT post PhD, allowing for the following career disruptions:
- Two years per child for primary carers.
- Any other considerations beyond this timeframe can be provided in a career disruption statement.
Applicant must be working in Australia.

Winners will receive the opportunity to give an oral presentation at the Lorne Genome Conference.

Lorne Genome Mid-Career Award Winners

2026

Dr Hamid Alinejad-Rokny, UNSW
Dr Hannah Coughlan, WEHI

2025

A/Prof Fatima Valdes Mora, Children’s Cancer Institute
Dr Ira W Deveson, Garvan Institute

2024

Dr Haloom Rafehi, WEHI
Dr Luke Isbel, South Australian immunoGENomics Cancer Institute and Adelaide Centre for Epigenetics

2023

A/Prof Melanie Eckersley-Maslin, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and University of Melbourne
Dr Quan Nguyen, University of Queensland

2022

Dr Michael B Clark, University of Melbourne
Dr Gina Ravenscroft, University of Western Australia

2020

Prof Chen Davidovich, Monash University
Dr Sandra Richardson, University of Queensland

2019

A/Prof Emily Wong, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute
Prof Nathan Palpant, University of Queensland

The Lorne Genome Student Award is intended to encourage and reward research excellence in the field of genome biology. The winner receives the opportunity to give an oral presentation at the Lorne Genome Conference and a cash prize.

Eligibility criteria for this award is as follows:

Abstract submitted through online abstract portal by the presenting author.
Research must have been conducted by the student at an Australian institution and form part of their PhD thesis.
Applicants must be enrolled as a PhD student at the time of application. Open to anyone enrolled in an undergraduate or postgraduate degree.
Student must be available to attend the Lorne Genome Conference and present their research as a talk in a suitable session.

Students do not need to apply for the Lorne Genome Student Award, the winner will be selected from submitted abstracts, but they will be required to confirm their eligibility.

Students and early career post-docs (<5 years post PhD) who would otherwise be unable to attend the meeting are eligible to apply for a Lorne Genome Travel Award.

Criteria includes:

Abstract submitted through online abstract portal by the presenting author.
Letter of support from research supervisor outlining the case for travel support funding. Details of alternative or additional available funding should be given.

Open to anyone enrolled in undergraduate or postgraduate degree (<5 years post PhD).

The Julian Wells Medal and Lecture was established in recognition of the major contributions made by Julian Wells to the development of molecular biology in Australia, to the initiation and success of the Lorne Genome Conference and for his research in understanding genome organisation and function. Following his premature death in 1993, the Lorne Genome Conference resolved to commemorate Julian's contributions through the award of a bronze medallion and the presentation of a lecture at the Lorne Genome Conference.

Selection Criteria for the Julian Wells Medal

The Julian Wells Medal is awarded annually to a scientist who:

Has made an outstanding contribution to our understanding of the organisation and expression of the genome.
Has made a major contribution to the development of this field of research in Australia.
Has supported and/or contributed to the Lorne Genome Conference.

The focus of this award is recognising the achievements of active scientists, rather than being a lifetime achievement award.

The Julian Wells Medal is awarded by the Genome Conference Inc Board, and is not subject to applications.

Julian Wells Medal Recipients

2026 Christine Wells, University of Melbourne
2025 Jozef Gecz, University of Adelaide
2024 Anne Voss, WEHI
2023 Gordon Smyth, WEHI
2022 Elizabeth Dennis, CSIRO
2020 Melissa Little, Murdoch Children's Research Institute
2019 Patrick Tam, Children's Medical Research Institute
2017 Jenny Graves, La Trobe University
2015 Ross Hannan, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
2014 Thomas Preiss, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University
2013 Simon Foote, Macquarie University
2012 Jean Finnegan, CSIRO Plant Industry
2011 Sean Grimmond, Qld Centre for Medical Genomics, IMB, University of Queensland
2010 Merlin Crossley, School of Molecular Bioscience, University of Sydney
2009 John Mattick, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland
2008 Emma Whitelaw, Queensland Institute of Medical Research
2007 Richard Sturm, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland