RECOGNISING CLINICAL TRIALS AND THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE RESEARCH, NHMRC CEO signs off tenure with final co-presenter role at ACTA Trial of the Year Awards
With
Prof Christopher Reid, Board Chair
Australian Clinical Trials Alliance (ACTA)
Professor Steve Wesselingh, CEO
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
Chandana Guha,
Australasian Kidney Trials Network
Dr Menglu Ouyang on behalf of Professor Craig Anderson
Australasian Stroke Trials Network with The George Institute for Global Health
Professor David Curtis
Australasian Leukaemia and Lymphoma Group
Delaine Smith
Chief Executive Officer
Australasian Leukaemia & Lymphoma Group
SEGMENT
Filmed in Sydney | August 2026
Australia’s clinical trials community came together to celebrate outstanding research and recognise the people and teams making a meaningful difference to healthcare at the 2026 ACTA Trial of the Year Awards.
Now in its 10th year, the awards continue to shine a light on investigator-led clinical trials and initiatives that are improving clinical practice, influencing healthcare policy and delivering better outcomes for patients across Australia and beyond.
This year’s awards showcased the breadth and strength of Australia’s clinical trials sector, with achievements recognised across six categories spanning clinical trials, statistics, health economics, implementation science, consumer involvement and clinical quality registries.
ACTA Chair, Professor Chris Reid, highlighted the contribution of the nominees and winners to the broader clinical trials community, noting the expertise, collaboration and commitment demonstrated through their work.
Since their establishment in 2016, the ACTA Trial of the Year Awards have provided an opportunity to recognise the impact of clinical research and celebrate the people behind the trials. The 2026 ceremony continued this tradition, highlighting the important role Australian researchers and collaborators play in advancing healthcare and improving the lives of patients.
Source: ACTA news story 19th August 2026 https://clinicaltrialsalliance.org.au/latest-news/celebrating-outstanding-achievements-in-clinical-trials/
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The desire for primary care nurses to do more, be recognised and valued for the work they do
Denise Lyons is a highly experienced nurse with over 40 years in the profession, including more than 25 years dedicated to primary care. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in the United States in 1985 and, in 2012, became an endorsed Nurse Practitioner in Australia. Currently, she serves as a primary care Nurse Practitioner in General Practice in Newcastle, where she is committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centred care that improves the health and wellbeing of her community.
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Concerning increases in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and colorectal cancer
Dr Kieran Longley is a Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist committed to providing comprehensive, patient-centred care across a broad spectrum of digestive and liver conditions. He completed his medical degree at the University of Tasmania before undertaking physician training at St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney. Furthering his academic and clinical expertise, he obtained a Master of Science in Internal Medicine from the University of Edinburgh.
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Improvements in dental literacy and greater clinical insights through digital technology
Dr. Kenneth Soh is a General Dentist based in Kellyville, New South Wales, a suburb located in northwestern Sydney. Originally from Melbourne, he studied Bachelor of Dental Science (BDSc) at Melbourne University and graduated in 2003. After working for a year in the Mornington Peninsula, Dr. Soh moved to New South Wales, initially thinking it would be temporary; however, he has been there for 19 years. While he has considered specialising, he finds joy in all aspects of dentistry.
