Special focus on Thailand in Burnet Travel Awards

Funds totalling $140,000 – primarily from generous and longstanding donors and supporters – have been shared among 22 Burnet Institute Travel Award winners for 2025, including a new and special award, the Princess Srinagarindra PhD Scholarship.

The scholarship was facilitated and generously funded by Burnet Deputy Director Professor Caroline Homer AO who has donated the $50,000 she received for the 2024 Princess Srinagarindra Award to support the first year of PhD studies for a registered midwife at Burnet.

The Princess Srinagarindra Award was presented to Professor Homer by the Thai Royal Family for her maternal and infant health research which has shaped midwifery policies and practices globally.

After a competitive process, Kara Blackburn, a clinical midwife who has made the transition to research and development in midwifery, was announced as the winner of the Princess Srinagarindra PhD Scholarship.

The award will enable her to commence her PhD focused on midwife-assisted vaginal births, also known as vacuum extractions, in low- to middle-income countries.

“This is a wonderful opportunity, and we know Kara will use this scholarship well,” Professor Homer said.

Burnet Director and CEO Professor Brendan Crabb AC said the travel awards, which enable staff and students to attend international conferences in their respective fields, are an essential part of Burnet’s work.

“You've got to know the people, know what's going on, they've got to know you, you've got to partner where you can.

“You might end up in a new geographical space or even a new research direction – it’s a fundamental pillar of the sort of work we're doing.

“This event really is a chance to see the impact of philanthropic support and to hear how these experiences are shaping the future of our research.”

The full list of Travel Award winners:

Dora Lush Academic Excellence Award: Samara Griffin, Surveillance and Data Linkage; Justice Health

Geoffrey Stewardson Travel Fellowship: Aimée Altermatt, Modelling and Biostatistics

Harold Mitchell Foundation Postdoctoral Travel Fellowship: Dr Sandra Chishimba, Malaria Immunity and Vaccines

Harold Mitchell Foundation Postgraduate Travel Fellowship: Dominic Delport, Modelling and Biostatistics

Honourable Geoffrey Connard Travel Fellowship: Kate Mills, Global Women’s and Newborn’s Health

Biomedical Research Travel Fellowship: Dr Linda Reiling, Malaria Immunity and Vaccines

Biomedical Research Travel Fellowship: Christine Langer, Viral Entry and Vaccines

Public Health Travel Fellowship: Dr Zay Yar Swe, Adolescent Health, Burnet Myanmar

Public Health Travel Fellowship: Dr Fiona Bruinsma, Global Women’s and Newborn’s Health

National Travel Fellowship: Jessie Kingston, Vector Borne Diseases and Tropical Public Health

National Travel Fellowship: Dr Dilini Rathnayake, Viral Entry and Vaccines

National Travel Fellowship: Dr Ashleigh Stewart, Alcohol and Other Drugs

National Travel Fellowship: Bianca Whiteside, Alcohol and Other Drugs

National Travel Fellowship: Jenna Wilson, Global Women’s and Newborn’s Health

Pauline Speedy Biomedical Research Travel Fellowship: Dr Stephanie Munari, Infectious Diseases Clinical Research

Crockett-Murphy Travel Award: Aleesha Kalulu, Pacific Infectious Diseases

Crockett-Murphy Travel Award: Igiam Krangaie, Tuberculosis Elimination and Implementation Science

Equitable Carer Travel Fellowship: Dr Sayaka Horiuchi, Global Women’s and Newborn’s Health

Margaret Harrison Parental Leave Fellowship: Dr Helen Wei, Burnet Diagnostics Initiative

Professional Services Staff Travel Fellowship: Alanna Tivisini, Professional Services

Princess Srinagarindra PhD Scholarship: Kara Blackburn, Global Women’s and Newborn’s Health