Susan Clark Award for Research Excellence
The Susan Clark Award aims to recognize outstanding contributions of researchers who have demonstrated excellence in research, leadership, and advocacy throughout their careers. Mid to Senior-stage researchers who have particularly contributed to driving outstanding epigenetics research, and researchers in the early stages of solidifying their careers, will be prioritized. Up to two awards will be given biannually at the AEpiA conference the year of awarding. This award focuses on supporting active scientists, rather than a recognition of overall career achievement.
Award Terms and Conditions can be downloaded here.
Applications for the inagural Susan Clark Award are now open!
Submit application to aepia@asnevents.net.au by October 1st 2024
Up to two awards will be presented at the AEpiA conference (roughly biannually), with consideration for diversity, including gender, ethnicity, career stage. The Susan Clark Award recipient will be announced publicly at the AEpiA conference during the meeting. For details on application process and assessment information please refer to the Award Terms and Conditions below.
About Sue Clark
Professor Susan Clark, FAA, FAHMS is internationally recognized for her trailblazing research in epigenetics, especially in Australia. Her pioneering work led to the first DNA methylation bisulphite sequencing studies, crucial in distinguishing DNA methylation patterns in normal and cancer genomes. Bisulphite based technologies have had a deep and significant impact on the fields of epigenetics and cancer biology.
Over the last three decades, her contributions have shaped key paradigms in epigenetics, influencing our understanding of both normal development and disease. Her leadership has been pivotal in enabling epigenomics techniques, particularly DNA methylation sequencing, which remains essential in research today at the basic, translational and even clinical levels. Her impact on the culture has also been singularly important, having established and led multiple national-level efforts to bring epigenetics researchers together, driving Australia’s international standing. In 2008 she organized the community to establish the Australian Epigenetics Alliance (AEpiA), acting as its Inaugural President until 2021 with a shared mission of facilitating communication between epigenetics researchers across Australia.
Professor Clark’s influence extends globally through her involvement with efforts such as the European Epigenome Network of Excellence, NIH Epigenomics Roadmap Program and the International Human Epigenome Consortium (IHEC). She has authored over 160 peer-reviewed articles and led research at top-tier institutions, including the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, where she initiated the Epigenetics Research Program, playing a key role in executive leadership positions at the institute. Her research excellence has been recognised by highly competitive funding grants and numerous accolades, including election as a Fellow at the Australian Academy of Science and the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences, along with the Julian Wells Medal, Ramaciotti Foundation National Medal of Excellence and NSW Premier’s Prize for Excellence in Medical Biological Sciences.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the Award, the applicant must be:
At least 7 years post-PhD or equivalent of full-time with respect to significant career interruptions on the closing date of the year of application.
A current member of AEpiA (register here).
Applicants can either self-nominate or be nominated by a current AEpiA member.
Applicants are required to register and submit an abstract to the AEpiA conference for the year in which they are applying for the Award.
Applicants must reside in and conduct the bulk of their research within Australasia.
Ineligible Applicants
Previous Susan Clark Award winners are not eligible to apply.
Applications that do not provide all the required information will be ineligible.
Current members of the AEpiA committee are not eligible.
Applications due October 1st 2024
Applicants are required to submit an application form of no more than 2 pages (Times New Roman, 12 point font) that addresses the selection criteria and includes:
Impact of research (relative to opportunity) in any area of Epigenetics research.
Contributions to the field that demonstrate leadership.
Communication, outreach and advocacy activities that drive research culture.
Top 5 publications and a brief description of the importance of each study and the applicant’s role (400 characters including spaces per publication for the description).
Evidence of PhD completion date (e.g. letter of degree completion from University) will also need to be provided.
Applications will be assessed by a selection committee composed of the AEpiA Chair, Coordinators of the Award, other committee members of AEpiA, and/or any additional external appointments to the selection committee. Applications will be assessed against selection criteria, relative to opportunity.
Submit application to aepia@asnevents.net.au by October 1st 2024