Announcing 2023's Supervisor of the Year!

On an evening in December, the wider MGA community gathered together at Monash Club on the Clayton Campus to celebrate the annual Supervisor Of The Year (SOTY) Award.

Established back in 1992, SOTY is a hallmark tradition of the MGA, and still remains unique to this day, with nominations made and winners selected solely by graduate students. SOTY is the chance for HDR students to show their appreciation for supervisors whose time and attention has helped transform their research journey.

The ceremony was hosted by MGA President Saham Hettiarachchi and Peninsula Representative Ummatul Siddique. We were also joined by Monash’s Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Training), Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis.

“For us HDRs, this award is our chance to say thank you to our incredible supervisors for supporting us, encouraging us and inspiring us” Saham said in his welcome speech. “For consistently going above and beyond the call of duty, for challenging us so we can achieve our research and personal goals, for the tremendous contribution you make to our future careers.”

This year, the judging panel had a tough decision to make.

Saham was proud to announce on behalf of all of the MGA that the 2023 Supervisor Of The Year was the Faculty of Pharmacy’s Associate Professor Cornelia Landersdorfer!

Of this year’s winner, one student nomination form said:

“I chose Monash University for my PhD because of her; her outstanding laboratory/research group, expertise in the field I am interested in, her kindness and openness to guiding future leaders and researchers that will change our world for the better.”

The MGA extends the highest praise to Associate Professor Landersdorfer and all the wonderful supervisors who were nominated. Your generosity and leadership does not go unnoticed!