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Flinders University announces 2026 Alumni Award recipients
The achievements of 10 Flinders University graduates, have been acknowledged in the 2026 Flinders University Alumni Awards.
The Flinders University Alumni Awards recognise graduates for their contributions to the University, their communities or their chosen fields, both locally and internationally. The awards cover a broad range of professional and community areas.
The awards include four categories: the Convocation Medal, the John Moriarty AM Impact Award, the Distinguished Alumni Awards and the Early Career Alumni Awards.
The 2026 awards recognise 10 Flinders University graduates across a range of career paths, industries and areas of community involvement.
Four Award Categories
- Convocation Medal: established in 1991 to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of Flinders University. The award recognises graduates of Flinders University who have made a substantial and outstanding contribution to the local, national and/or international community.
- John Moriarty AM Impact Award: recognises a graduate whose exceptional efforts have significantly enhanced the wellbeing, empowerment, and advancement of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities.
- Distinguished Alumni Award: the former Alumni Association introduced Flinders University Distinguished Alumni Awards to coincide with the University’s 40th Anniversary in 2006. The Awards recognise alumni who have distinguished themselves in one or more of the ways listed under the selection criteria.
- Early Career Alumni Award: Established in 2020, it recognises graduates who are achieving great success early in their careers.
2026 Alumni Award recipients
Convocation Medallist
Professor Huji Xu
Doctor of Philosophy 1995
Awarded for outstanding leadership in pioneering world-first allogeneic CAR-T cell therapy for autoimmune diseases.
John Moriarty AM Impact Award
Professor Lester-Irabinna Rigney AM
Doctor of Philosophy 2007
Awarded for exceptional leadership in Indigenous education, advancing influential research, policy and practice to strengthen cultural knowledge, empower communities and address educational inequality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Distinguished Alumni Awardees
- Durkhanai Ayubi(Bachelor of Science in Medicinal Chemistry, Bachelor of Science with Honours 2007): Awarded for distinguished contribution to hospitality and literature, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Afghanistan & working for greater narrative diversity, through food and storytelling.
- Professor John Beltrame AM(Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery 1986): Awarded for distinguished contribution to cardiovascular medicine, research and education, through sustained clinical care, internationally recognised research and academic leadership.
- Dr Susan Close (Bachelor of Arts 1989, Bachelor of Arts with Honours 1991, Doctor of Philosophy 1998): Awarded for distinguished leadership in public service, advancing environmental reform and social progress through evidence‑based policy and sustained impact for the South Australian community.
- Dr Felix Ho ASM OAM (Doctor of Medicine 2015): Awarded for distinguished service to community health and humanitarian leadership through lifelong volunteering and medical practice, aiming to improve outcomes across local, national and international communities.
Early Career Alumni Awardees
- Mali Isabel (Bachelor of Education (Primary R-7) and Bachelor of Arts 2021): Awarded for significant contribution to contemporary First Nations art and cultural expression, using bold, distinctive practice to celebrate identity, advance representation and foster connection across communities.
- Samnang Chan (Master of Speech Pathology 2021): Awarded for significant contributions to speech pathology and community health, building professional capacity and advancing culturally responsive care to improve communication outcomes for children and families in Cambodia.
- Adrienne Gooden (Bachelor of Science with Honours 2022): Awarded for significant contribution to marine science, advancing understanding of white shark behaviour and habitat through innovative research, while strengthening STEM engagement and partnerships with Indigenous communities and youth in regional Australia.
- Dr Lauren Jones (Bachelor of Medical Science 2016, Honours Degree of Bachelor of Science 2017, Doctor of Philosophy (Medicine) 2022): Awarded for significant contributions to biomedical science, advancing innovative research on the gut–brain axis and fostering STEM engagement to inspire future generations of scientists.
