Dr Emma Foster with her mentors, Professor Terry O’Brien and Professor Patrick Kwan
In addition to this medal the Bethlehem Griffiths Research Foundation awarded the 2024 Emerging Researcher of the Year to Dr Emma Foster, for her work to improve the care and outcomes for the more than 14,000 Australians who experience their first seizure or epilepsy each year. This award recognises our best and brightest young researchers destined to be future leaders in medical research.
An outstanding academic neurologist at The Alfred and Monash University School of Translational Medicine, Dr Foster found the lack of a national strategy for managing first seizures distressing. So she secured over $1.24 million research funding to help establish the cost-effectiveness and evidence-base for optimising first seizure care.
Presenting the award to Dr Foster on behalf of the Foundation, mentor and supervisor Professor of Neurology, Patrick Kwan, Co-Director of the Monash Institute of Medical Engineering,
said Dr Foster’s compelling research results have already been cited internationally and are changing clinical practice. “Dr Foster’s drive, passion for research and innate intelligence make her one of the most promising researchers of her generation. Her many publications and numerous speaking engagements have been achieved while managing extensive clinical commitments and new parenthood, demonstrating her remarkable research, organisational, communication and leadership skills.
