Len Storlien Award 2024
The Charles Perkins Centre Len Storlien Award was established in 2023 in memory of Professor Len Storlien, who worked closely with the Charles Perkins Centre’s community of academics and researchers in various roles as supervisor, colleague and mentor at different times over many decades.
"Len was a great champion of early career researchers, including a number of our current professoriate. The Charles Perkins Centre’s Biology Domain established this Award to reflect Len’s support and recognise his legacy,” said Professor David James, Leonard P Ullman Chair of Metabolic Systems Biology and ARC Laureate Fellow at the Charles Perkins Centre.
The Biology Domain supports the Charles Perkins Centre’s early- and mid-career researchers (EMCRs) through its seminar series with a monthly session given entirely by EMCRs. This hones research skills as well as presentation skills.
“The shortlist in this year’s Awards was truly outstanding, not just in their research but in their ability to communicate complex concepts. I congratulate all those on the shortlist, and our second recipient, Dr Matt Waller,” said Professor James.
I consider myself incredibly fortunate to be able to work at the Charles Perkins Centre among a community of brilliant researchers with incredible breadth and depth of knowledge and who are always eager to support and collaborate with one another
The four shortlisted candidates presented their topics at special Biology Domain awards event in early December, describing a broad range of projects spanning research on pancreatic beta-cells, germline epigenetics, multiple sclerosis and CRISPR screening.
The Award is open to all students affiliated with the Charles Perkins Biology Domain and was judged by a cohort of Charles Perkins Centre researchers. This year’s award includes a $1500 prize for international conference attendance. Dr Matt Waller, this year’s recipient, intends to use the award to travel to the 12th International Toxinology Meeting Venoms & Toxins 2025 at the University of Oxford.
“I consider myself incredibly fortunate to be able to work at the Charles Perkins Centre among a community of brilliant researchers with incredible breadth and depth of knowledge and who are always eager to support and collaborate with one another,” said Dr Waller, who was awarded his PhD in November and graduated the day after his winning Len Storlien Award presentation.
“The Biology Domain has allowed for me to present my research in a collegial and supportive yet academically rigorous setting. I’ve had insightful conversations with fellow Charles Perkins Centre researchers who have informed my future research plans, and for that opportunity I am exceedingly grateful.
“I am honoured and deeply appreciative to be the recipient of the Len Storlien Award for 2024. This award provides me the opportunity to attend the 12th International Toxinology Meeting on Venoms and Toxins in August 2025 at the University of Oxford, where I intend to present my research on genetic screening to identify pain receptors. I sincerely thank the Biology Domain, Charles Perkins Centre and Professor Storlien.”
Len Storlien Award 2024: Winner
Dr Matt Waller
Winner, Len Storlien Award 2024
Topic | Feeling the Heat: Using CRISPR activation screening to find new pain receptors
Len Storlien Award 2024: Shortlist
Ms Drishya Mainali
Topic | Extracellular vesicles in multiple sclerosis
Shortlisted, Len Storlien Award 2024
Dr Nick Norris
Topic | Beta-cell insulin granule proteomics
Shortlisted, Len Storlien Award 2024
Ms Carlotta Wills
Topic | Germline epigenetics
Shortlisted, Len Storlien Award 2024
Professor Len Storlien
Professor Len Storlien was an outstanding researcher, collaborator and mentor. He was particularly recognised for his research investigating metabolic function and nutrition. Len passed away in February 2022 and is remembered as a much-loved friend and mentor, confidante and supporter. A Reflection on the Life of Len Storlien outlines Professor Storlien’s career, achievements and impact.