Award applications

The Genetics Society of AustralAsia supports annual awards celebrating success in all areas of genetics.

We invite applications for our annual application-based awards. Applications for the MJD White Medal, Ross Crozier Medal, Alan Wilton Award, Impact Award, DG Catcheside Prize, Spencer Smith-White Conference Award and Philip Batterham Conference Award are due by 11:59pm (AEST) 28th February 2026.

Applications for the Summer Internship for INdigenous peoples in Genomics (SING) Alumni GSA Conference Award are due by 11:59pm (AEST) 7th April 2026.

Applications for the Jenny Donald Undergraduate Student Conference Awards are due by 11:59pm (AEST) 7th May 2026.

Please consider applying yourself, and nominate or encourage eligible students and colleagues to apply for one of these awards.

  • The MJD White Medal
    Awarded for excellence in and outstanding contributions to genetics research
  • The Ross Crozier Medal
    Awarded to a mid-career researcher (5-15 years post-PhD*) for outstanding contributions to genetics research
  • The Alan Wilton Award
    Awarded to an early career researcher (up to 5 years post-PhD*) for outstanding contributions to genetics research

  • The Impact Award
    Awarded to a researcher or a collaborative team for excellence in genetic research with applied impact
  • The DG Catcheside Prize
    Awarded to the top doctoral student in the field of genetics 
    (for a PhD thesis that passed examination during 2025)

Important notes:

  • In any given year, applications are allowed for only one award.
  • Applicants should not register to the conference before their application outcome is known. Registration fees (and conference dinner if applicable) will be covered for successful applicants, while unsuccessful applicants will have guaranteed access to early bird registration fees.
  • * Career interruptions (these may include parental leave, carer’s leave, medical leave etc.) will be considered in exercising these time year limits.


Closing date for applications

Applications for the MJD White Medal, Ross Crozier Medal, Alan Wilton Award, Impact Award, DG Catcheside Prize, Spencer Smith-White Conference Award and Philip Batterham Conference Award are due by 11:59pm (AEST) 28th February 2026.

Applications for the Summer Internship for INdigenous peoples in Genomics (SING) Alumni GSA Conference Award are due by 11:59pm (AEST) 7th April 2026.

Applications for the Jenny Donald Undergraduate Student Conference Awards are due by 11:59pm (AEST) 7th May 2026.


How to apply

All applications must be submitted by email by the closing date to GSA@asnevents.net.au

Please see below for specific details of each award, eligibility requirements, and to download the relevant application cover sheet.

The Committee reserves the right not to offer any specific award in a given year

​​MJD White Medal

The MJD White Medal was established in 2009 by the Genetics Society of AustralAsia to recognise outstanding contributions to the field of genetics research by Australasian scientists. The medal commemorates Professor Michael White who proposed the formation of the Genetics Society of Australia in 1953. This award is intended to recognise excellence in genetics research and may be awarded for a lifetime’s contribution to genetic research or for work by a mid-career scientist either leading to a paradigm shift in genetics or for a large body of work that is recognised as of major significance in a specific field of genetics.

The medal is awarded to one scientist at the Genetics Society of AustralAsia’s annual meeting. It is accepted by delivering the MJD White Lecture at the meeting.

The award consists of:

  • the MJD White Medal
  • the opportunity to present the MJD White lecture at the conference
  • registration fees to attend the conference, including a dinner ticket
  • where international travel from the normal place of work is required to attend the meeting, the Society may contribute to travel costs
  • Lifetime GSA membership

Nominations for the MJD White Medal should come from a member of GSA. Nominations should include:

Nominations must be submitted by email by the closing date to GSA@asnevents.net.au with “White Medal” in the subject line. Late applications will not be accepted.

​​Ross Crozier Medal

The Ross Crozier Medal was established by the Genetics Society of AustralAsia to recognise outstanding contributions to the field of genetics research by mid-career Australasian scientists. The medal commemorates Professor Ross Crozier, an evolutionary geneticist who was a past President and an avid lobbyist for the Society. The award is intended to assist the recipient in advancement of their career and will be awarded for work completed within the period five to 15 years from graduating with a PhD. Career interruptions will be taken into account in exercising the 15 year limit.

The medal is awarded to one scientist at the Genetics Society of AustralAsia’s annual meeting. It is accepted by delivering the Ross Crozier Lecture at the meeting.

The award consists of:

  • the Ross Crozier Medal
  • the opportunity to present the Ross Crozier lecture at the conference
  • registration fees to attend the conference, including a dinner ticket
  • one year’s membership of GSA for the following calendar year

Self-nominations and nominations on behalf of others are both permitted and will be considered equally.

Applications should include:

Applications must be submitted by email by the closing date to GSA@asnevents.net.au with “Crozier Medal” in the subject line. Late applications will not be accepted.

Alan Wilton Award​​

The Alan Wilton award was established by the Genetics Society of AustralAsia in honour of the late Associate Professor Alan Wilton, to recognise outstanding contributions to the field of genetics research by Australasian scientists early in their career. The award is intended to assist the recipient in advancement of their career and will be awarded for work completed within five years of graduating as a PhD. Career interruptions will be taken into account in exercising this five-year limit.

The award is normally made to one scientist at the Genetics Society of AustralAsia’s annual meeting and is accepted by delivering an invited talk at the meeting.

The award consists of:

  • a certificate
  • the opportunity to present an invited talk at the conference
  • registration fees to attend the conference, including a dinner ticket
  • one year’s membership of GSA for the following calendar year

Self-nominations and nominations on behalf of others are both permitted and will be considered equally.

Applications should include:

Applications must be submitted by email by the closing date to GSA@asnevents.net.au with “Wilton Award” in the subject line. Late applications will not be accepted.

Impact Award​​

This award was established in 2026 to recognise excellence in genetics research with applied impact. It is intended to recognise researchers and collaborative teams that show the power of genetic research to address real world problems in one or more fields of transformational relevance. The applied impact may include:

  • new policy or guidelines being adopted,
  • changes in clinical practice, diagnostic workflows, or positive health outcomes,
  • implementation in breeding / management programs,
  • validated decision-support tools or software in real-world use,
  • measurable conservation or ecological outcomes,
  • cost savings or efficiency gains,
  • capacity building for key communities or sectors.

Nominations may be made for individual researchers (at any career stage) or for collaborative teams that include genetics researchers and practitioners or end users. Self-nominations and nominations on behalf of others are both permitted and will be considered equally.

The award is normally made to one scientist at the Genetics Society of AustralAsia’s annual meeting and is accepted by delivering an invited talk at the meeting.

The award consists of:

  • a certificate
  •  the opportunity to present an invited talk at the conference
  • registration fees for one person (for an individual application) or two people (for a team application: these should include one researcher and one practitioner or end user) to attend the conference, including dinner ticket(s)
  • one year membership of GSA for one person (for an individual application) or two people (for a team application: one researcher and one practitioner or end user)

Applications should include:

  • the completed Impact award application cover sheet
  • the applicant’s CV (or a CV for each member of the team; up to two pages per CV)
  • a one page summary of the work and its applied impact:
    • explain how the work demonstrates effective application of genetic research to a defined question relevant to management, policy, health outcomes, economic sustainability or other stakeholder or end user needs
    • summarise the measurable outcomes or impacts of the nominated work
    •  outline how outcomes of this work have been or will be shared with stakeholders or end users and, if relevant, the public
  • applications may also choose to include a letter of support from a relevant stakeholder or end user that outlines the significance of the applied work and its impact (maximum one page)

Applications must be submitted by email by the closing date to GSA@asnevents.net.au with “Impact Award” in the subject line. Late applications will not be accepted.

​​DG Catcheside Prize

The DG Catcheside Prize has been established to honour the memory of the late Professor David Guthrie Catcheside (1907-1994) by recognising the achievements of the top Australasian doctoral student in the field of genetics.

Professor Catcheside was an eminent geneticist who carried out research on mutation, cytogenetics, biochemical genetics and the genetics of recombination in plants and fungi. He was recruited from Cambridge University to spearhead a strategic plan to introduce fundamental genetics research into Australia. He established Australia’s first Department of Genetics at the University of Adelaide in 1952. David proposed that the Research School of Biological Sciences (RSBS) be established at the Australian National University and served as its first Director. He was a founding member of the Australian Academy of Science and was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society (London). David was renowned as an outstanding mentor of postgraduate students. Many of his former students now hold positions of leadership in the Australian and international genetics research communities. This prize is a most fitting way to mark this legacy and to encourage excellence in postgraduate scholarship.

The prize is made available by a generous bequest to the Genetics Society of AustralAsia from Professor Catcheside’s family. A detailed description of the scientific contributions of Professor Catcheside can be found at the Australian Academy of Science website.

The DG Catcheside prize will be awarded to one individual on an annual basis. The prize will be open to entrants whose doctoral thesis has passed examination in the calendar year prior to the award (e.g. applicants should have passed examination in 2025 to be eligible for the 2026 award). A panel of three adjudicators will be responsible for selecting the winner.

The rules of the award are as follows:

  1. The prize will be awarded for research that has led to the award of a doctoral degree by an Australasian university.
  2. The doctoral research must be substantially in the field of genetics. The adjudication panel retains the right to determine whether a particular thesis is in the field of genetics. For the purposes of this prize ‘genetics’ is defined as ‘a discipline that uses inherited variation, either natural or induced, to solve biological problems.’
  3. In reaching their decision the adjudicators will consider a supervisor’s citation pertaining to the significance of the research (maximum length of two pages), and the thesis Examiners’ Reports. In exceptional cases where two applications are considered equal on the basis of the first two criteria, the thesis itself will be considered.
  4. Membership of the Genetics Society of AustralAsia is not required and will not be one of the criteria considered by the adjudicators in selecting a prize winner. However, the prize winner will be offered the opportunity to present their doctoral research at the Genetics Society of AustralAsia Conference following the award.

The award consists of:

  • a certificate
  • the opportunity to present an invited talk at the conference
  • a prize valued at AU$2,000
  • registration fees to attend the conference, including a dinner ticket
  • one year’s membership of GSA for the following calendar year

Self-nominations and nominations on behalf of others are both permitted and will be considered equally.

Applications should include:

  • the completed DG Catcheside Prize application cover sheet
  • a citation outlining the significance of the research (maximum two pages) from the applicant’s PhD supervisor (in cases of joint supervision, only one citation should be submitted).
  • evidence that the thesis was passed by an Australasian university in the calendar year prior to the year of the conference
  • copies of the thesis examiners’ reports

Applications must be submitted by email by the closing date to GSA@asnevents.net.au with “Catcheside Prize” in the subject line. Late applications will not be accepted.

Summer Internship for INdigenous peoples in Genomics (SING) Alumni Conference Award

These awards provide the opportunity for recent SING alumni who have attended SING Australia or SING Aotearoa within the last three years to attend the annual GSA Conference.

The GSA committee will award up to two Australia and two Aotearoa Alumni awards in a given year. These awards mirror the kaupapa / aim of the SING Aotearoa and SING Australia programmes, which are designed to develop and support the next generation of Indigenous researchers and professionals to ensure that future genomic research is ethical and inclusive.

The award consists of:

  • a certificate
  • registration fees to attend the conference, including a dinner ticket
  • airfares, airport transfers and conference accommodation
  • one year’s membership of GSA for the following calendar year

Applications should include:

  • the completed SING Alumni Conference Award cover sheet
  • an outline of the applicant’s background, interest in the field of genetics and why they would like to attend the GSA conference (no more than one page)
  • the applicant’s CV (no more than two pages)

Applications must be submitted by email by the closing date to gsa@asnevents.net.au with “SING Award” in the subject line. Late applications will not be accepted.

Spencer Smith-White Conference Award

The Spencer Smith-White Conference Award is granted annually to assist PhD students who are members of GSA to attend the annual conference. The GSA committee may elect to offer more than one award in a given year.

Professor Spencer ‘Spinny’ Smith-White was a founding member of the Genetics Society of AustralAsia. Spinny was a Professor of Genetics at the School of Biological Sciences at Sydney University. His work was in the field of cytogenetics. Spinny was a strong supporter of the Society and student participation in it.

The rules of the award are as follows:

  1. The Award is awarded annually
  2. The GSA Committee will serve as the adjudication panel that awards the prize
  3. The applicant must be a current financial member of GSA when the application is lodged
  4. The applicant must be a currently enrolled PhD candidate at the time of the GSA conference for which the application is lodged
  5. Applicants must present their work at the GSA conference in the year that they apply. Both oral and poster presentations are acceptable. The presentation must substantially consist of the student’s own work and the contribution of others must be clearly acknowledged.

The award consists of:

  • a certificate
  • the opportunity to present a talk or poster at the conference
  • registration fees to attend the conference, including a dinner ticket
  • one year’s membership of GSA for the following calendar year

Self-nominations and nominations on behalf of others are both permitted and will be considered equally.

Applications should include:

  • the Smith-White Conference Award application cover sheet
  • the applicant’s CV (no more than two pages)
  • a one page summary of the applicant’s PhD research
  • a written reference from one referee, preferably the applicant’s PhD supervisor or an academic familiar with the PhD project, to be emailed directly to GSA@asnevents.net.au – this must be received by the award closing date

Applications must be submitted by email by the closing date to GSA@asnevents.net.au by the closing date with “Smith-White Award” in the subject line. Late applications will not be accepted.

Philip Batterham Conference Award

The Philip Batterham Conference Award is granted annually to assist Honours and Masters students who are members of GSA to attend the annual conference. The GSA committee may elect to offer more than one award in a given year.

Professor Philip Batterham has been a strong supporter of the Genetics Society of AustralAsia, serving as President from 2010-2012 and the Victorian Representative on the committee from 1996-2022. Phil was awarded the Genetics Society of AustralAsia MJD White Medal in 2015 for his research excellence in the field of insecticide resistance. Phil is an Emeritus Professor of Genetics at the School of BioSciences at The University of Melbourne.

The rules of the award are as follows:

  1. The Award is awarded annually
  2. The GSA Committee will serve as the adjudication panel that awards the prize
  3. The applicant must be a current financial member of GSA when the application is lodged
  4. The applicant must be a currently enrolled or recently completed (within six months) Honours or Masters candidate when the application is lodged
  5. Applicants must present their work at the GSA conference in the year that they apply. Both oral and poster presentations are acceptable. The presentation must substantially consist of the student’s own work and the contribution of others must be clearly acknowledged.

Self-nominations and nominations on behalf of others are both permitted and will be considered equally.

The award consists of:

  • a certificate
  • the opportunity to present a talk or poster at the conference
  • registration fees to attend the conference, including a dinner ticket
  • one year’s membership of GSA for the following calendar year

Applications should include:

  • the Philip Batterham Conference Award application cover sheet
  • the applicant’s CV (no more than two pages)
  • a one page summary of the applicant’s Honours or Masters research
  • a written reference from one referee, preferably the applicant’s research supervisor or an academic familiar with the project, to be emailed directly to GSA@asnevents.net.au – this must be received by the award closing date

Applications must be submitted by email by the closing date to GSA@asnevents.net.au by the closing date, with “Batterham Award” in the subject line. Late applications will not be accepted.

Jenny Donald Undergraduate Student Conference Awards

The Jenny Donald Undergraduate Student Conference Awards provide the opportunity for third year undergraduate genetics students to attend the annual GSA conference. 

Associate Professor Jenny Donald is a longstanding member of the Society, holding committee roles from 2001-2007, and instigated the undergraduate awards. She assessed applications, liaised with students and mentored awardees at our annual conference for many years. Jenny was also recognised for her contributions to genetics education by the award of the 2018 GSA Award for Excellence in Education.

The award consists of:

  • registration fees to attend the conference, including a dinner ticket
  • one year’s membership of GSA for the following calendar year

Students will need to make their own arrangements for travel and accommodation.

Applicants must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree, in their third year of that degree, and should have completed at least one university-level course in genetics. Please note that Honours, Masters, and PhD students are not eligible for these awards.

To apply, please address the criteria listed on the coversheet – download the coversheet here

The following GSA awards do not require an application, and will be assessed at the annual conference

The Dawn Gleeson Award for Innovation in Education

The Dawn Gleeson Award for Innovation in Education has been established by the Genetics Society of AustralAsia to promote a community of practice of genetics education in AustralAsia. The award honours Associate Professor Dawn Gleeson, the first ever recipient of the GSA Excellence in Education Award. Dawn’s innovation in teaching was also recognised in a national award from the Australian University Teaching Committee in 2003. Alongside her role as first year Biology Coordinator at Melbourne University for more than 20 years, she contributed to curriculum design for high school, including developing a program to host secondary students on campus to develop laboratory skills.

The award is normally made to one GSA member presenting at the Genetics Society of AustralAsia’s annual meeting for an innovation that they have used in teaching genetics that was effective.

The rules of the award are as follows:
1. The Award is open to all GSA members making an oral presentation in the ‘Genetics and education‘ session at the annual conference who indicate they would like to be considered for the award. An application is not required.
2. A judging panel nominated by each year’s GSA conference committee will award the prize.
3. The award is open to all career stages.

The award consists of:

  • a certificate
  • free registration to the next year’s annual GSA meeting
  • one year’s membership of GSA for the following calendar year

The Mayo Prize for best student presentation

The prize is named for George and Jean Mayo, prominent Australian geneticists who were founding members of the first genetics department in Australia, at the University of Adelaide. Jean Mayo was also President of the Genetics Society of Australia from 1979-80.

The Mayo Prize is awarded annually for the best student talk at each year’s GSA conference.

The rules of the award are as follows:
1. The Prize is open to all students making an oral presentation at the annual conference
2. A judging panel nominated by each year’s GSA conference committee will award the prize
3. An application is not required: all eligible students who present a talk at the conference will be considered for this award.

The award consists of:

  • a certificate
  • free registration to the next year’s annual GSA meeting
  • one year’s membership of GSA for the following calendar year

The Jenny Graves Prize for best student lightning presentation

The prize is named for Professor Jenny Graves, a prominent Australian geneticist who has made seminal contributions to the understanding of vertebrate genome organisation and evolution. Jenny served as President of the GSA from 1995–97 and received the inaugural MJD White Medal in 2009 from the GSA. She was elected a Fellow of the Australasian Academy of Science in 1999 and was the first woman to win the Prime Minister’s Prize for Science solo.

The Jenny Graves Prize is awarded annually for the best student lightning talk at each year’s GSA conference.

The rules of the award are as follows:
1. The Prize is open to all students making a lightning presentation at the annual conference
2. A judging panel nominated by each year’s GSA conference committee will award the prize
3. An application is not required: all eligible students who present a talk at the conference will be considered for this award.

The award consists of:

  • a certificate
  • free registration to the next year’s annual GSA meeting
  • one year’s membership of GSA for the following calendar year

The Sidney James Prize for best student poster

The prize is named for Sidney James, who was for many years the sole geneticist at the University of Western Australia, working on plant population cytogenetics in the Botany School. Sid passed away in 1998. Several articles appeared later that summarise his important contributions to Australasian genetics (James 2000 Aust J Bot 48, 341-347; Bussell et al., 2002 Evolution 56, 1296-1302).

The Sidney James Prize is awarded annually for the best student poster at each year’s GSA conference.

The rules of the award are as follows:
1. The Prize is open to all students making a poster presentation at the annual conference
2. A judging panel nominated by each year’s GSA conference committee will award the prize
3. An application is not required: all eligible students who present a poster at the conference will be considered for this award.

The award consists of:

  • a certificate
  • free registration to the next year’s annual GSA meeting
  • one year’s membership of GSA for the following calendar year