Uni of Adelaide young achievers win awards

Monday, 30 March 2015

Three members of the University of Adelaide community are among the winners of this year’s Channel 9 Young Achiever Awards.

University of Adelaide PhD graduate and affiliate researcher Dr Suzanne Mashtoub (School of Medical Sciences), who was also a finalist last year, won the University of Adelaide Faculty of Sciences, Science & Technology Award.

Dr Mashtoub, 27, is working on emu oil as potential treatment for gastrointestinal diseases with Professor Gordon Howarth, School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital. She has published six first-authored research papers, four non-first authored research papers and has presented at 30 international and national conferences. She has also undertaken three international laboratory placements. In addition to her passion for science, Suzanne serves as a youth advisor on committees and associations representing culturally and linguistically diverse communities. She holds a National Health and Medical Research Council Postdoctoral Fellowship with the University of Western Australia.

Nursing student Brock Wilkins has won the Rural Doctors Workforce Agency Rural Health Award.

Brock, 19 of Yaninee, began working at Wudinna Hospital at 16 as a school-based apprentice and then completed a Certificate III in Aged Care. He is currently studying a Bachelor of Nursing and continues to work at the hospital during his holidays. Brock received the 2012 Wudinna District Council Australian Young Citizen of the Year Award and last year was interviewed on The Project about life as a young country boy and his rural health work. Also an active member of the local ambulance service, Brock has completed the first two of three blocks to become a qualified Ambulance officer.

Law student Marziya Mohammadi  won the Awards Australia Community Service and Volunteering Award .

Marziya, 22 of Parafield Gardens, is committed to contributing to her community as a dedicated volunteer for the Welcome to Australia SA program. Arriving in 2006 as a refugee with only basic English, Marziya is now a guest speaker for Welcome to Australia at many schools, public events and seminars. Currently studying Law, Marziya has spoken on television, radio and at events around Australia about refugee and human rights advocacy. She is the co-founder and designer of ‘Our English Tea’ project, which was created to help women with low levels of literacy learn English and engage in Australian society.

Contact Details