Call for Nominations: Mark Fear Mentor Award – Celebrating Excellence in Mentorship
Nominations are now open for the inaugural Mark Fear Mentor Award, honouring the life and legacy of Dr Mark Fear.
The award recognises an exceptional mentor who has made an outstanding contribution to the development of future scientists and clinicians through guidance, encouragement and leadership.
About the Award
Associate Professor Mark Fear was a Senior Scientist at the Fiona Wood Foundation and an Associate Professor at UWA’s Burn Injury Research Unit. He played a central role in establishing UWA’s basic science – Burn Injury Research Unit, in burns and scarring. His work led to advances in wound treatment and scar reduction.
Mark was a mentor of quiet strength and commitment, supporting the development of future scientists and clinicians. He guided and encouraged dozens of research students, many of whom now lead important work in science and medicine. His collaborative approach brought together researchers from universities, hospitals and industry to progress burn and wound healing research.
He worked closely with Fiona Wood, united by a shared focus on improving outcomes for people recovering from burn injury. In the lab, he led by example — encouraging those around him to think critically, to aim high and stay focused on work that would make a difference. Students and colleagues will remember his insight, curiosity and the care he brought to each project and conversation.
Who Can Be Nominated?
The award is open to an exceptional mentor from any discipline.
Nominations must:
- Be submitted by a senior executive or research leader.
- Be endorsed by at least two Early- and Mid-Career Researchers (EMCRs) who have been formally or informally mentored by the nominee.
Nomination Deadline: 25th August 2026
Download the Nomination Form Here
Completed nomination forms must be submitted to Sue Fletcher at s.fletcher@murdoch.edu.au.
NEW FOR CBSM 2026 – Two New Investigator Prizes (AUD $2,000 each)
CBSM is pleased to introduce two New Investigator Prizes, each valued at AUD $2,000, recognising outstanding emerging researchers in the biological and biomedical sciences.
Eligibility
- Open to all postgraduate students and early career scientists.
- Applicants must have less than five years of postdoctoral experience at the time of application.
How to Apply
- Register to attend the Combined Biological Sciences Meeting.
- Download and complete the Abstract Template.
- Submit their abstract via the Submit Abstract page, selecting “New Investigator” as the author type.
- Download and complete the New Investigator Application Form.
- Email the completed application form to cbsmwa@gmail.com.
All application materials must be submitted by the abstract submission deadline listed on the Submit Abstract page.
Poster and Oral Presentation Prizes
The CBSM committee gratefully acknowledges the generous support received from the professional societies and organisations listed below in making these prizes possible.
To be eligible for these prizes, please ensure you have submitted your abstract by the deadline.
This year we are pleased to offer a Student Oral Presentation Award valued at $500 on behalf of Fisher Biotec.
The Centre for Crop and Disease Management has generously sponsored a $500 Student Oral Presentation Prize for CBSM 2026.
We would like to thank The Australia and New Zealand Society for Cell and Developmental Biology (ANZSCDB) for kindly providing $500 Student Presentation Prize and a $300 Poster Prize for CBSM 2026.
We would like to thank Sapphire Bioscience for kindly sponsoring a Poster Prize valued at $300 for CBSM 2026 .
We’re excited to offer a Student Oral Presentation Prize valued at $500 and a $300 Poster Prize made possible by the generous sponsorship of The Australian Society for Microbiology!
We gratefully acknowledge the Pakair for their support in offering a Poster Prize valued at $300.
Our sincere thanks to ASI for their valued sponsorship of a $300 Poster Prize for CBSM 2026.
We would like to thank the New Phytologist Foundation for their generous sponsorship of a $300 Poster prize for CBSM 2026.
CBSM gratefully acknowledges Plants For Space for its valued sponsorship of the $300 Poster Prize for CBSM 2026
We would like to thank the Australasian Gene and Cell Therapy Society for generously providing a $300 Poster Prize.
CBSM is proud to announce a Best Image Award for CBSM 2026, recognising outstanding scientific images in biological research.