THE SEAHORSE | 29
INDIGENOUS ALUMNI AWARD FINALISTS
DR SHARNA JAMADAR PhD (Psychology – Science) 2010 Bachelor of Psychology 2004 Dr Sharna Jamadar is a cognitive neuroscientist who uses functional neuroimaging to understand illnesses including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and to characterise the healthy ageing process. She is currently a Research Fellow at Monash Biomedical Imaging and School of Psychology and Psychiatry at Monash University. In her short career Sharna has published in leading scientific journals, presented at international conferences, and established productive collaborations with national and international leaders in her field. Her many honours include the University of Newcastle Medal, Faculty Outstanding Postgraduate Research Student Achievement, and Schizophrenia Research Institute Outstanding Postgraduate Student Award. She has prestigious awards from international societies including the Society for Neuroscience, the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, the Allen Brain Institute and the Cognitive Neuroscience Society, USA. Sharna has taken an active role in community and professional outreach, coordinating neuroimaging workshops for secondary school students, undergraduate students, and international researchers.
DR ALANNA SANDELL
Bachelor of Medicine 2003 Dr Alanna Sandell is the CEO of Monitor: Health Check Solutions. Founded in 2011, it is Australia’s first Indigenous owned and operated occupational health and safety company. The business works in consultation with employers to design, document and implement a suitable Indigenous health program for the successful management of high risk candidates and employees. Alanna has worked across numerous areas including emergency, psychiatry, cardiac stress testing, surgery, orthopaedics, urology, general surgery, and obstetrics and gynaecology. Prior to her venture with Monitor, Alanna developed her expertise in Indigenous health while working as a general practitioner at the Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Medical Centre on the Central Coast of NSW. There she developed and managed chronic disease programs and oversaw a paediatric unit for new mothers and children up to age five. Alanna and her team are currently working with Leighton Contractors and Broad Construction Services, delivering a pre-employment medical service for the Elizabeth Quay project in Perth.
MR NATHAN TOWNEY
Bachelor of Teaching/Bachelor of Health and Physical Education 2004 Mr Nathan Towney is a proud Aboriginal man from Wiradjuri Country in Wellington, NSW. He has worked in the NSW Department of Education and Communities and with various Aboriginal communities to close the educational gap for Aboriginal students. In his role as a Quality Teaching Consultant (Aboriginal Education and Engagement), Nathan’s leadership of the South Western Sydney Aboriginal Education Portfolio team resulted in significant and sustained progress toward the implementation of key national and state policies for Aboriginal education. His contributions and achievements were recognised with the 2011 South Western Sydney Regional Director’s Award for Excellence. Nathan also assisted in the evaluation of, and made recommendations to, the NSW Aboriginal Education Policy. Nathan’s notable projects include implementing an 83km charity walk for Granville Boys High School to improve community perception and engagement; developing the Aboriginal Numeracy Competition with Sarah Redfern High School; and establishing the Deadly Didjz Performance Group, which is designed to embrace Aboriginal culture and bring together students from different schools.