Celebrating the 2024 Burnet Travel Awards

Burnet Institute’s Travel Awards celebrate the importance of recognising staff contributions and fostering global collaborations. 

Recipients will be travelling to various parts of the world, including Germany, Peru, Portugal and USA, as well as domestically, to attend conferences, enhance their careers and build valuable industry connections. 

Director and CEO Professor Brendan Crabb AC said these awards not only acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our staff and students but also support their ongoing professional development, which is essential for advancing public health on a global scale. 

“At Burnet, we believe in a unique diversity of disciplines, which we call our secret sauce,” he said. 

“Science is a global business, we can’t let Australia’s geographical distance get in the way. 

“Our young researchers need to physically mix with their peers around the world, a proven model that is essential to advance.” 

The awards, valued at more than A$230,000, are made possible by our generous donors and supporters — some of whom joined online and in person.  

Ruth Crutch presented the Margaret and John Crutch Scholarship, worth A$50,000 per annum for three years, which offers a unique opportunity for a Burnet student or staff member to pursue a PhD in medical research in honour of her parents. 

It was awarded to research officer Stephanie Routley from the Vector-Borne Diseases and Tropical Public Health Group. 

“I'm thrilled and incredibly grateful to receive this opportunity,” she said. 

“The project will be with Johanna Fraser and the Arbovirology Working Group, and we’ll be looking at one of the control tools for dengue virus and building on a huge body of work from the team and the World Mosquito Program.” 

For the first time, Professional Services Fellowships were awarded to recognise individual contributions from this area. 

The winners received A$5,000 to develop their knowledge and skills by attending national or international conferences or other professional development activities. 

Papua New Guinea-based IT Support Officer Billy Inkharm joined the event from Daru and said the award will support his online studies. 

The award was also presented to Naanki Pasricha, senior manager of strategic engagement and support, working across Burnet’s core programs. 

She will be attending three courses, including one at Swinburne University and two others at the National Institute of Organisation Dynamics. 

“I'm so proud to work with you, for you, and to continue supporting you every day,” she said. 

“Through fast-tracking my professional development in this area, I hope that it not only helps me, but that everyone gets to benefit from the skills and knowledge that they will gain from this opportunity.” 

Full list of 2024 Travel Award winners

Margaret and John Crutch Scholarship (A$50,000)

Stephanie Routley, research officer, Vector-Borne Diseases and Tropical Public Health Group.

Professional Services Fellowships (2 awards of A$5,000)

Billy Inkharm, IT support officer.

Naanki Pasricha, senior manager of strategic engagement and support.

Harold Mitchell Foundation Postgraduate Travel Fellowship (A$7,500)

Brianna Jesaveluk, PhD candidate, Retroviral Biology and Antivirals Group. 

Harold Mitchell Foundation Postdoctoral Travel Fellowship (A$7,500)

Dr Ashleigh Stewart, senior research officer, Public Health and Infectious Diseases Clinical Research, Justice Health, and Alcohol and Other Drugs. 

Geoffrey Stewardson Travel Fellowship (A$2,000)

Laura Rikard-Bell, research scientist, Infection, Inflammation, and Innate Immunity. 

Hon Geoffrey Connard Travel Fellowship (~A$2,000)

Dr Kasun Rathnayake, senior research officer, Alcohol and Other Drugs. 

Pauline Speedy Biomedical Research Travel Fellowship (A$5,000)

Alessia Hysa, PhD student, Malaria Immunity and Vaccines.

Miller Foundation Public Health Travel Fellowship (two awards of A$2,500)

Dr Sophia Schroeder, research officer, Infectious Diseases Implementation Science, Justice Health, and Alcohol and Other Drugs.

Dr Caitlin Douglass, senior research officer, Infectious Diseases Implementation Science, Infectious Diseases Clinical Research, Young People's Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs. 

Miller Foundation Biomedical Research Travel Fellowship (two awards of A$2,500)

Dr Morgane Brunton-O'Sullivan, research officer, Infection, Inflammation and Innate Immunity.

Dr Paula Ellenberg, senior research scientist, Retroviral Biology and Antivirals Group. 

Margaret Harrison Parental Leave Fellowship (A$8,000)

Milena Dalton, senior research fellow, Immunisation and Health Systems Strengthening, Global Women's and Newborn's Health Group.

Dora Lush Academic Excellence Fellowship (A$13,000)

Dr Maureen Makama, senior research officer, Global Women's and Newborn's Health. 

National Travel Fellowship (A$1,000 each)

Dr Robson Kriiger Loterio, research officer, Arbovirology.

Samara Griffin, PhD student and research assistant, Surveillance and Evaluation, and Justice Health.

Shan Huang, global health specialist and senior research officer, Global Health Policy, Practice and Community Action, and Global Women's and Newborn Health. 

Claudia Shen, research assistant, Infectious Diseases Implementation Science and Infectious Diseases Clinical Research.

Kate Mills, research officer, Global Women's and Newborn's Health, and Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health. 

Crockett-Murphy Travel Fellowship (two awards of up to A$2,500)

Naomi Pank, public health nursing specialist, Tuberculosis Elimination and Implementation Science Group.

Dr Zay Yar Swe, program manager, Global Adolescent Health Working Group. 

Equitable Carer Travel Fellowship (A$10,000)

Dr Jo-Anne Chan, senior research fellow, Malaria Immunity and Vaccines Group.