Two of The Kids Research Institute Australia’s best and brightest will share in $10,000 of funding to use for investment in their professional growth through attendance at an international conference, when safe to do so.
Autism researcher Dr Gail Alvares and digital health professional Ms Bec Nguyen are the recipients of the 2020 The Kids Research Institute Australia Aspire Award by Business Events Perth, supported by the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Business Events Perth’s Aspire Awards sponsor local academics, researchers and health professionals to attend (and often present at) a relevant international conference in their discipline, to further their professional development.
With a research vision to reduce mental health disabilities for children diagnosed on the autism spectrum, Dr Alvares will use her award to attend the International Society for Autism Research Annual Meeting and the Australasian Society for Autism Research Biennial Meeting.
“As medical researchers, we have limited funding opportunities for essential travel needed to highlight our research to colleagues at national or international meetings and events. It is a privilege to be one of the 2020 recipients of the Aspire awards, which will be used to present our internationally leading West Australian autism research,” said Dr Alvares
To share innovative ideas on digital health initiatives, Ms Nguyen will attend the eSafety Conference and South by South West Conference (SXSW).
“To meet and connect directly with influential tech experts and innovators on an international stage will raise my global profile, helping to contribute to the success of Western Australia’s digital health projects through sharing of knowledge, expertise and collaboration.”
The Kids Research Institute Australia Deputy Director (Research), Associate Professor Catherine Elliott, said the Aspire Awards helped open opportunities and strengthen relationships between researchers, which was vital to the Institute’s work and success.
“At The Kids, we believe it’s important for researchers to build their networks and collaborate with others, because in doing so we can achieve the best outcomes for children and families relying on our research,” said Associate Professor Elliott.
Now in its 21st year, the Aspire Awards, has sponsored hundreds of Western Australian academics and researchers to attend conferences.
Business Events Perth Chief Executive Officer Gareth Martin said this was the fifth year Business Events Perth and the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre was sponsoring The Kids Research Institute Australia staff members to attend an international conference.
“These awards provide Western Australian paediatric research and development professionals with the opportunity to showcase their work and connect with experts in their field,” Mr Martin said.
“Attending business events like international conferences, help experts like Dr Alvares and Ms Nguyen collaborate and exchange knowledge with others in their field and also showcase the expertise of Western Australia on an international stage.”