A leading forensics investigator who has brought comfort to Australian families by recovering and identifying victims of the Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 tragedy has been honoured as UTS’s newest Luminary.
Dr Simon Walsh received the highest accolade at the 2014 UTS Alumni Awards - the Chancellor's Award for Excellence for unparalleled contribution to forensic science. He is now counted among a select number of brilliant UTS alumni as a Luminary of the University.
In addition to his extraordinary research output, Dr Walsh was responsible for developing Australia’s first bachelor degree in forensic biology at UTS.
Today he is widely regarded as one of the nation’s foremost forensic authorities. As Chief Scientist, Forensics for the Australian Federal Police (AFP), he has led reforms and initiatives that have significantly expanded the nation’s capabilities in the field and contributed greatly to growing capability elsewhere in the region.
More than 150 alumni, staff and UTS Luminaries attended the Awards that featured ABC Walkley Award-winning journalist Sarah Dingle as Master of Ceremonies. The annual event recognises UTS alumni whose qualities of innovation, leadership and compassion shape the world around us for the better.
UTS Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International and Advancement) Professor William Purcell said the collective impact and influence of this year’s award recipients was immense.
“Among their ranks are captains of industry, innovators in technology, fashion and the arts, and those who have dedicated their careers and their lives to ensuring access to justice, health care and basic human rights for the communities they serve,” Professor Purcell said.
The full list of Alumni Award recipients follows, with details of recipients available on the UTS Alumni home page
UTS Community Alumni Award 2014
Father Peter Maher OAM, Master of Education (Adult Education), 2001
UTS Young Alumni Award 2014
Chris Zaharia, Bachelor of Business Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, 2010
UTS International Alumni Award 2014, Sponsored by UTS: INSEARCH
Lihua Tong, Master of Laws, 2004
UTS Alumni Award for Excellence 2014 - UTS Business School
Jacqui Feeney, Grad Dip Business Administration, 2000
UTS Alumni Award for Excellence 2014 - Faculty of Design, Architecture & Building
Rebecca Cooper and Bridget Yorston (co-recipients), Bachelor of Design Fashion & Textiles (Hons), 2004
UTS Alumni Award for Excellence 2014 - Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences
Jemma Birrell, Bachelor of Arts Communication, 1999; Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Communication, 2003
UTS Alumni Award for Excellence 2014 - Faculty of Engineering & Information Technology
Richard Tamba, Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering), 1988
UTS Alumni Award for Excellence 2014 - Faculty of Health
Leona McGrath, Bachelor of Midwifery, 2009
UTS Alumni Award for Excellence 2014 - Faculty of Law
Margaret Cunneen SC, Bachelor of Laws, 1982
UTS Alumni Award for Excellence 2014 - Faculty of Science
Dr Simon Walsh, Doctor of Philosophy in Science, 2009
- 2014 UTS alumni award recipients have paid tribute to the University that helped shape career achievements
- Science alumnus & Australian Federal Police forensic investigator Dr Simon Walsh hailed with the Chancellor's Award for Excellence
- Details of recipients available on the UTS Alumni home page