UQ Alumni Awards
2026
UQ Alumni Awards
2026
A Bluey composer, an AFL star-turned-Rhodes Scholar and a Totally Wild legend are among our extraordinary 2026 UQ Alumni Award winners.
This year we recognise 18 alumni who are shaping industries and communities in remarkable ways – from pioneering AI-driven medical innovation to making their mark in the English Premier League.
Our 2026 UQ Alumni Award winners
Follow the links or continue scrolling to read their stories.
UQ ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR
Dr Gabrielle Layton (née Kelly)
VICE-CHANCELLOR’S ALUMNI EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Peta Bistany
Dr Justin Coulson
Professor Sarah Ogilvie
Howard Stack
Dr Joe Twist
INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD
Dr Stephen Corporal
INTERNATIONAL ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR
Dr Vivian (Sze Yue) Chan
COLLEGES’ UQ ALUMNI AWARD
David Muir AM
GATTON GOLD MEDAL
Stacey Thomson (aka Ranger Stacey)
CONTRIBUTION TO SPORT ALUMNI AWARD
Dr Jarred Gillett
DISTINGUISHED YOUNG ALUMNI AWARDS
Dr Justin Clarke
Ashley Hanger
Jamie Howell
Sita Sargeant
Dr Zachary Tan
UQ GRADUATE OF THE YEAR AWARDS
Sophie Renton
Dr Mia Wong
UQ ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR
Created by Alumni Friends
Dr Gabrielle Layton
(née Kelly)
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) 1984, Doctor of Philosophy 1994
Awarded for distinguished achievements in engineering, technology entrepreneurship, public policy and philanthropy, delivering global impact across research, innovation and community leadership.
Dr Gabrielle Layton, UQ’s first female PhD graduate in Mechanical Engineering, has had a remarkable career across 4 decades and 4 fields. Her doctoral research in hypersonic flow and scramjet technology, conducted with UQ’s internationally recognised T4 shock tunnel program, earned the Royal Aeronautical Society Student Paper Award and led to work with NASA. At a time when engineering was heavily male dominated, her work would open doors for women in the field.
After beginning her career in aerospace research, Dr Layton joined McKinsey & Company, advising clients across Australia, Asia and Europe. She later became Vice-President of Product at CitySearch, a startup incubated at Bill Gross’s Idealab. CitySearch merged with Ticketmaster Online and went public in one of the era’s most successful public offerings. The combined company emerged as a pioneering force in the digital marketplace.
Dr Layton has since turned to philanthropy, research advocacy and public policy. Through leadership roles with the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation, Stanford University advisory bodies and the Embarcadero Institute, she has backed early-career cancer researchers and shaped debate on housing and transportation policy.
"An experience I think everyone should have is one most people naturally encounter anyway: setbacks and adversity. Nobody hopes for adversity, but it’s never wasted – it builds empathy, sharpens creativity and makes any eventual win all the more gratifying."
VICE-CHANCELLOR’S ALUMNI EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Peta Bistany
Bachelor of Human Movement Studies 1990, Bachelor of Arts 1991
Awarded for influential leadership in global sport, strengthening governance and community impact at the highest levels of international football.
Peta Bistany has built a distinguished career in international sport, culminating in her appointment as Executive Director of the English Premier League. During her 15-year tenure with the Premier League, she helped guide strategy and business operations during a period of substantial international growth, with revenues increasing from approximately £500 million to more than £3.3 billion.
Bistany previously held senior positions with the England and Wales Cricket Board and the Football Association before joining the Premier League in 2006 and becoming a member of its executive leadership team in 2015.
Since retiring from the Premier League in 2023, she has continued to advise sporting organisations on strategy, international growth and major events while supporting medical research and children’s health charities.
"I love the power that (successful) sports have to make a difference, through investment in community sport and charitable purposes. Sport can be so inspirational and such a driver for change."
Dr Justin Coulson
Bachelor of Psychological Science 2007
Awarded for improving family wellbeing through evidence-based parenting education, research translation and sustained community leadership.
Dr Justin Coulson is one of Australia’s leading parenting and positive psychology experts, whose work has supported families and educators for over a decade. A Research Fellow, public speaker and founder of Happy Families, a leading digital parenting resource platform, he has built a career focused on strengthening parent-child relationships and promoting family wellbeing.
Dr Coulson is a widely recognised media commentator and parenting expert on Channel Nine’s Parental Guidance, translating research-backed insights into practical advice for Australian families.
Through Australia’s most-downloaded parenting podcast and 11 published books, he has helped shape national conversations about parenting and mental health.
"I’m in the remarkable position where people come to me for advice, support and direction on how they can improve the thing that matters most to them: their family. I see my job as being a hope-builder. It’s during times of worry and stress that people ask for my help. I see this as a sacred trust. My job instils me with a colossal sense of purpose."
Professor Sarah Ogilvie
Bachelor of Science 1990
Duchesne College
Awarded for distinguished contributions to lexicography and digital scholarship, advancing global understanding of language and cultural heritage.
Professor Sarah Ogilvie is an internationally recognised lexicographer and computer scientist whose work has shaped the study of language and dictionaries. She has made significant contributions to the digital humanities and held academic appointments at the University of Oxford, Stanford University, the University of Cambridge and the Australian National University.
As a former Editor of the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) and Chief Editor of Oxford Dictionaries Australia, Professor Ogilvie has materially advanced the documentation and public understanding of the English language while furthering scholarship in lexicography. Her book on the early history of the OED, The Dictionary People, was longlisted for the Women’s Prize for non-fiction in 2024.
Professor Ogilvie has also led projects focused on endangered languages and language preservation, and founded the University of Oxford’s Dictionary Lab. When working with Lab126, Amazon’s innovation lab, she was part of the team that developed the Amazon Kindle in international languages.
"I would like to support future generations of students who want to pursue studies in fields that may not lead to lucrative careers but are important because they contribute to what is vital about being human, especially in the Humanities.
Howard Stack
Bachelor of Arts 1966, Bachelor of Laws 1968
Awarded for outstanding leadership in law, corporate governance, education and philanthropy, delivering lasting impact across industry and the community.
Howard Stack has built a distinguished career spanning law, corporate governance, education and philanthropy. He became a partner of Feez Ruthning in 1969 and later served as Managing Partner, leading the firm through significant growth and its merger with Allen, Allen & Hemsley.
Beyond legal practice, Stack has held leadership positions across numerous listed and unlisted companies, chairing Australian National Industries, Data#3, Magnetica, Redflow and Bow Energy, as well as being an inaugural non-executive director of Flight Centre.
He has also served a significant tenure as Chair of the Board of Trustees of Brisbane Grammar School. The school’s 150 Year History records that “Howard Stack’s service as chairman is the longest (29 years), and arguably the most influential in the school’s history.” Recently, he has helped lead the UQ Rugby Clubhouse campaign, which has raised almost $15 million.
"A UQ memory that shaped who I am today is the camaraderie developed on the playing field in cricket, rugby and baseball. Teamwork trumps most things in life."
Dr Joe Twist
Bachelor of Music (Honours) 2003, Doctor of Philosophy 2010
Awarded for outstanding contributions to music across screen, stage and choral performance, combining creative excellence with significant cultural impact.
Dr Joe Twist is one of Australia’s most accomplished composers, arrangers and orchestrators, with a career that has taken him across the worlds of film, television, opera and concert music. His work has featured in major international productions, and he has arranged songs for The Wiggles. He is a long-standing member of the composing team behind the globally successful children’s series Bluey, earning an AACTA Award for his work on the landmark episode, “The Sign”.
Dr Twist’s choral compositions have been commissioned by leading international ensembles. His oratorio Watershed: The Death of Dr Duncan received critical acclaim and was later presented by Opera Australia at the Sydney Opera House. A piece from Watershed will be performed as part of this evening’s ceremony.
A recipient of major international composition awards, Dr Twist has collaborated with leading orchestras, artists and arts organisations across Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom.
"One of my mentors once told me, ‘Always be nice to young people because you never know how famous they’ll become.’ It taught me that people’s abilities and potential can come in many forms and helped me stay open to all kinds of artists, art and expression. You never quite know where the next interesting idea will come from."
INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD
Dr Stephen Corporal
Bachelor of Social Work / Bachelor of Arts 2003
Awarded for advancing Indigenous health, education and data sovereignty through sustained community leadership and capacity building.
Dr Stephen Corporal is an Indigenous leader whose career has spanned community health, higher education, research and governance. Beginning as an Aboriginal health worker, he has spent more than 30 years working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to improve education and health outcomes through community-led approaches.
After graduating from UQ, Dr Corporal helped develop pathways into higher education and the health professions, supporting the recruitment and retention of Indigenous students and contributing to the growth of a stronger Indigenous health workforce.
He has provided longstanding leadership through governance roles including Chair of Gallang Place and board member of Indigenous Allied Health Australia, and has led national initiatives in Indigenous data sovereignty and data literacy.
"What I love about what I do is that I am giving back to the community who have supported me and my family. I like to see people thrive and succeed and reach their full potential."
INTERNATIONAL ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR
Dr Vivian (Sze Yue) Chan
Bachelor of Biotechnology (Honours) 2006
Awarded for advancing global access to scientific knowledge and driving innovation through entrepreneurship and public policy influence.
Dr Vivian (Sze Yue) Chan is an entrepreneur and advocate for scientific innovation whose work has influenced both business and public policy internationally. As co-founder and former CEO of Sparrow (formerly Sparrho), she pioneered a global platform that made emerging scientific research more accessible, reaching more than 1 million users across 150 countries.
Dr Chan has received international recognition, including being named among The Guardian’s 10 People Under 35 Changing the World for the Better, MIT Technology Review’s Innovators Under 35 and the Financial Times Top 100 Minority Ethnic Leaders in Technology.
Beyond entrepreneurship, Dr Chan has contributed to innovation policy through service on the UK Government’s Digital Economy Advisory Group. Today, she advises deeptech and healthtech companies at board level and serves as Entrepreneur-in-Residence for Founders at the University of Cambridge. As founder of Capital Catalyst, she helps technology founder-CEOs accelerate their journeys, working with founders across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Oceania.
"I love being at the point where science, people and possibility come together. I get to work with incredibly smart technical founders who are building things that could genuinely change the world, and help them navigate the commercial, strategic and governance challenges that can determine whether that potential is realised."
COLLEGES’ UQ ALUMNI AWARD
David Muir AM
Bachelor of Economics 1976, Bachelor of Laws 1978
St John’s College
Awarded for transformative community leadership, advancing medical research and building enduring institutions that have strengthened communities across Queensland.
David Muir AM is a philanthropist and community leader whose contributions have shaped Queensland’s civic, charitable and research sectors for more than 4 decades. A retired insurance litigation lawyer and lifelong advocate for human rights, he served as Queensland President and Australian Vice- President of Amnesty International and was a member of both the Queensland Law Society and Australian Law Council human rights committees.
Muir was a Founding Director of CrimeStoppers Queensland and later served as Chair. He was also Founding Director of Foodbank Queensland and served on its board for 30 years, contributing to the growth of one of Australia’s largest food relief organisations.
As Chair of the Clem Jones Foundation, Muir has overseen major philanthropic investments, including endowed scholarships and The Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research at UQ. In recognition of his extensive service to the community, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2020.
"My favourite motto is ‘You make a living by what you get but make a life by what you give’. I’m passionate about creating educational opportunities for the next generation by reducing the barriers to tertiary education through the provision of scholarships."
GATTON GOLD MEDAL
Stacey Thomson
(aka Ranger Stacey)
Associate Diploma in Rural Techniques 1984
Awarded for advancing environmental education and conservation awareness through 4 decades of leadership in media and wildlife advocacy.
Stacey Thomson, widely known as Ranger Stacey, has spent more than 40 years educating Australians about wildlife, biodiversity and environmental conservation. After graduating from the Queensland Agricultural College, she began her career with the Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service before moving into environmental education and communications roles with the Queensland Government.
In 1989, Thomson transitioned into television, where she became a household name through programs including Wombat, Bushbeat, Agro’s Cartoon Connection and Totally Wild. As host of Totally Wild for its 29-year run, she introduced generations of young Australians to nature and conservation, along with an international audience – with the program broadcast in more than 60 countries. Since 2021, Thomson has served as Principal Adviser for Community Education in Environment at Redland City Council.
In recognition of her lifelong commitment to environmental education, 2 species discovered by researchers
have been named in her honour.
"I am passionate about sharing my knowledge, engaging audiences, sparking curiosity and inspiring children to care for the environment. There is something very special when someone tells me how I inspired them to pursue a career as a scientist, vet, researcher or environment educator. I am proud to have raised awareness across generations of Australians."
CONTRIBUTION TO SPORT ALUMNI AWARD
Dr Jarred Gillett
Doctor of Philosophy 2018
Awarded for excellence in elite football refereeing and pioneering research into improving outcomes for people with cerebral palsy.
Dr Jarred Gillett has built an exceptional career spanning elite sport and medical research. Beginning his refereeing career in Queensland, he became one of Australia’s most accomplished football officials, refereeing 5 A-League Grand Finals and receiving the A-League Referee of the Year award 5 times between 2011 and 2018. During this period, he also completed a Doctor of Philosophy at UQ, leading a world-first clinical trial investigating exercise training for people with cerebral palsy.
In 2019, Dr Gillett relocated to the United Kingdom, where he combined postdoctoral research at Liverpool John Moores University with his refereeing career. After officiating more than 60 English Football League matches, he made history in 2021 as the first referee born outside the British Isles to officiate a Premier League match.
Dr Gillett has also been a leader in the adoption of Video Assistant Referee technology, helping implement and develop its use in both Australian and English football. His achievements in refereeing have established him as an internationally recognised leader in his field.
"Trails are only formed because someone, at some time, had the vision to walk the road less travelled. Where the road wasn’t paved and they didn’t necessarily know what was on the other side. I want future generations to have the opportunity to choose their own path in life, whatever that may be."
DISTINGUISHED YOUNG ALUMNI AWARDS
Dr Justin Clarke
Bachelor of Science / Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) 2020
Awarded for transforming personal adversity into influential advocacy, academic excellence and leadership in engineering research.
Dr Justin Clarke is an engineer and concussion-awareness advocate. A former Australian Rules Football (AFL) player for the Brisbane Lions, Dr Clarke’s professional career ended at age 22 following a severe concussion. He has since become a prominent ambassador for UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute, elevating the cultural conversation surrounding concussion and athlete welfare through his public advocacy and lived experience.
After retiring from professional football, Dr Clarke completed a dual degree with honours specialising in mechanical and aerospace engineering and mathematics, earning multiple Dean’s Commendations for Academic Excellence. In 2021, he was selected as a Rhodes Scholar and completed a Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering Science at the University of Oxford. He is currently a postdoctoral researcher with the Oxford Thermofluids Institute.
Dr Clarke has continued to demonstrate leadership through university and elite sport. He served as coach of the Oxford University AFL Club and coached the Australian teams in the AFL ANZAC Cup. He also worked with the Argentinian rugby team in the lead-up to the 2023 World Cup and earned 4 Blues for the University of Oxford Cricket Club, including one as captain.
"By passing on the ability to think creatively and critically, to learn and question the assumptions underpinning our fundamental understanding of the physical behaviour present all around us, we can help the next generation harness the exciting potential of the world while retaining a human ability to challenge existing models."
Ashley Hanger
Bachelor of Journalism / Bachelor of Communication 2015
Awarded for entrepreneurial leadership in improving diabetes care, expanding access to essential supplies and delivering innovative patient education.
Ashley Hanger is the founder of Stripped Supply, Australia’s first diabetes subscription box service, created to simplify access to essential health supplies. Founded in 2021 and launched in 2022, the business now supports over 1,500 patients, having shipped over 30,000 boxes across Australia since inception.
Recognising a gap in support for young people, Hanger built Australia’s largest online community for Gen Z people living with diabetes and launched Stripped Supply Learn, a clinician-backed education platform to make diabetes diagnosis simpler. Her work has also established partnerships with organisations including Breakthrough T1D and the Danii Foundation, with more than 800 clinicians recommending the service to patients.
Hanger’s achievements have been recognised through numerous entrepreneurship awards, including UQ Ventures Entrepreneur of the Year.
"I want to create a diabetes care industry where the next generation doesn’t have to choose between good management and a normal life. Everyone deserves to feel like they’re in control of their own life, on their own terms – even when there’s a chronic condition in the mix."
Jamie Howell
Bachelor of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences 2021
Awarded for outstanding athletic achievements and leadership in advancing inclusion, accessibility and opportunities for Deaf and hard of hearing athletes.
Jamie Howell is a multi-sport athlete who has represented Australia across athletics, touch football and rugby, while helping increase the visibility of Deaf sport nationally. She holds the Australian Deaf Women’s Long Jump record and won gold in the long jump, silver in the 100 metres and bronze in the 200 metres at the 2015 Asia-Pacific Deaf Games. She has since represented Australia at multiple Deaflympics and was named in the 2024 Queensland Australian Football League Women’s (QAFLW) Squad of the Year.
Howell became a prominent advocate for Deaf inclusion through Colgate’s nationally recognised ‘Sound of a Smile’ campaign, translating all 18 AFL club songs into Auslan and helping the campaign reach more than 13 million Australians.
She also contributed to the development of Hear Gear, innovative sporting headgear for athletes with cochlear implants and hearing aids, and has helped deliver the Auslan Footy program for Deaf and hard of hearing children.
"I want to create opportunities for Deaf and hard of hearing children to thrive in both education and sport without feeling limited by communication barriers or low expectations. I hope the next generation grows up believing that being Deaf or hard of hearing is not a barrier to success, but something they can be proud of."
Sita Sargeant
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) 2021
Awarded for elevating women’s histories through innovative storytelling and building a nationally recognised social enterprise that advances gender equity.
Sita Sargeant is the founder and CEO of She Shapes History, a historical tourism company and social enterprise dedicated to uncovering the stories of women whose contributions have been overlooked in Australia’s historical narrative. Founded as a weekly walking tour in Canberra, the organisation now employs 27 casual guides and 4 full-time staff across the country.
More than 15,000 people have participated in She Shapes History tours and events, while their social media platforms deliver accessible historical content that has broadened public awareness of women’s achievements and contributions.
Sargeant also authored the book She Shapes History: Guided Walks and Stories About Great Australian Women, which highlights the often-overlooked stories of more than 250 women across 31 Australian towns and cities. In recognition of her leadership and impact, she was named the 2026 ACT Young Australian of the Year and has become a prominent voice in national conversations around the importance of representation in historical narratives.
"I believe that who we choose to respect from the past shapes who we respect in the present, and that closing that gap is how we build a better tomorrow. She Shapes History has shown that people will show up, engage and pay for women’s history. I really want to use that proof to help build a more inclusive public memory globally."
Dr Zachary Tan
Bachelor of Science / Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery 2015, Graduate Certificate in Business Leadership 2019
Emmanuel College
Awarded for advancing AI-driven medical innovation and improving early disease detection through entrepreneurship, research and global health leadership.
Dr Zachary Tan is a physician, scientist and entrepreneur, bringing together medicine and technology to improve healthcare at scale. During his studies, he was President of the UQ Medical Society. He later developed ROP.AI, one of the world’s first artificial intelligence (AI) screening algorithms for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), a leading cause of childhood blindness.
As Founding President of Optain Health, he uses AI, robotic retinal imaging and teleophthalmology to expand access to preventative screening for vision-threatening disease, including diabetic retinopathy, irrespective of geography or specialist infrastructure. Optain is also harnessing insights from the eye to detect systemic disease using AI. Active across Australia, the United States, Europe and the Middle East, Optain screened almost 150,000 patients in the past year.
Dr Tan was previously a General Partner at Aegis Ventures, founding and investing in healthcare technology companies. He has authored almost 40 publications, was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 Healthcare and Science list and serves on the US Board of The Fred Hollows Foundation.
"What I love most about my work is the ability to make an impact at scale. I trained as a physician, and as a physician you can make an immediate difference to the patient right in front of you. The impact I make today is less direct, but the technology we’re building at Optain reaches patients I’ll never meet."
UQ GRADUATE OF THE YEAR AWARDS
Created by Alumni Friends
Sophie Renton
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) 2025
Awarded for academic achievement and contributions to community disaster readiness and awareness.
Sophie Renton is a graduate metallurgist whose achievements combine academic excellence with sustained community service. Since joining the Queensland State Emergency Service in 2023, Renton has contributed more than 300 hours of operational emergency response and training, as well as more than 800 hours as a Duty Officer, supporting emergency call-outs, training, community education and operational coordination. She has also volunteered with Disaster Relief Australia, assisting communities to prepare for and recover from natural disasters.
Through leadership roles including Treasurer of the Chemical Engineering Student Society, and as a student mentor, Renton has also helped build a connected and supportive student community.
Her contribution has been recognised through the awarding of a University Medal, Dean’s Commendations for Academic Excellence in every semester of her degree, first-class honours and recognition as runner-up for the prestigious Alban Lynch Undergraduate Student Award.
"Working in mining has given me a unique appreciation for where the things we use every day – and often take for granted – actually come from."
Dr Mia Wong
Bachelor of Biomedical Science 2021, Doctor of Medicine 2025
Awarded for academic achievement and efforts towards environmental awareness in medical education.
Dr Mia Wong has demonstrated sustained leadership and impact across medical education and environmental stewardship, as well as student engagement. As lead of UQ’s inaugural Planetary Health Report Card, Dr Wong evaluated the integration of planetary health within the medical curriculum, establishing a student-led mechanism that informed curriculum discussions, contributed to longitudinal recommendations and was shared through an international network of more than 188 medical schools.
As Chair of UQ Doctors for the Environment Australia, she expanded the organisation’s reach across multiple clinical school locations, strengthened engagement between students, clinicians and community organisations and led environmental restoration initiatives with lasting volunteer participation.
Dr Wong also contributed to improvements in rural clinical education through student advocacy, supported peer learning and mentoring, and fostered community connection through major student initiatives. Her leadership has been recognised through a University Medal and multiple academic prizes.
"I like the saying ‘comparison is the thief of joy’ – because everyone shines in their own way, is on their own path, and this diversity should be celebrated."
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