Barry Preston Award
Established Researcher Award
The Barry Preston Award recognises an outstanding leader in the matrix biology field distinguished by a sustained record of achievement, commitment to mentoring junior researchers and exceptional communication skills.
This award is named after Barry Preston who made contributions to the understanding of the transport and properties of extracellular matrix molecules. He was an enthusiastic teacher and mentor to younger researchers. He established the Connective Tissue Society of Australia and New Zealand, as MBSANZ was then known, in 1975 and was the inaugural president.
Eligibility requirements
Any Australian or New Zealand researcher in the matrix biology field currently at a national or international research institution who exemplifies the same passion for discovery and mentorship that Barry typified is eligible to be nominated. The awardee must be available to deliver a plenary lecture at the society conference on their research.
Application Requirements
A call for nominations for this award will occur prior to a society meeting. Current members of the Society may nominate candidates for this award by providing a supporting statement and brief CV for the nominee. The awardee will deliver a plenary lecture at the society conference on their research.
Award review committee
The award is determined by the selection committee chaired by the President.
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2022 Awardee
Megan Lord is Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering at UNSW Sydney. She attained a Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering, Master of Biomedical Engineering and First-class Honours degree in Chemical Engineering from UNSW. She leads a research program in biomaterials design to direct cell responses for applications in tissue repair and drug delivery. She is recognised as a leader in the field of biomaterials and specifically the engineering of biomaterial cell interactions for applications in tissue repair, drug delivery and cell technologies.
Megan’s research has been published in more than 90 peer reviewed publications and she has trained 16 PhD/MPhil candidates as primary supervisor. Her research has been supported by national grants including a prestigious ARC Future Fellowship and has been recognised by an NSW Young Tall Poppy Award.