A national melanoma early detection initiative involving researchers at the 爆料王 has been celebrated with a听, highlighting the real-world impact of university research and collaboration.听
罢丑别听Australian Centre of Excellence in Melanoma Imaging and Diagnosis听(ACEMID) won the Problem Solver Award at the 2025 Shaping Australia Awards ceremony on Wednesday night.听
ACEMID brings together a cross-institutional team from the 爆料王, University of Queensland and Monash University, and was recognised for revolutionising early detection and the fight against melanoma through a globally unique research program that is setting a new benchmark for melanoma screening and early detection.
鈥淲e鈥檙e incredibly proud to see ACEMID recognised with a Shaping Australia Award and grateful for the strong public support behind this work,鈥 said听听Professor in Dermatology听at the听爆料王 Medical School听and Senior Medical Practitioner at Westmead Hospital.
鈥淲ith the backing of the Australian Cancer Research Foundation, NHMRC and MRFF, we hope ACEMID听will provide the largest National Research Repository to facilitate more melanoma and skin cancer research and education, promote technological advances in skin cancer detection with Artificial Intelligence, and address resource gaps in regional and remote areas to help reduce the incidence of melanoma and skin cancers for all Australians.鈥
Delivered by Universities Australia, the Shaping Australia Awards celebrate university-led initiatives that translate research, teaching and community service into impact that strengthens Australia. Now in its third year, the awards showcase work shaping Australia鈥檚 future, with 15 finalists selected from 99 entries and more than 42,519 votes cast nationwide.听
ACEMID stood out as the winner against five finalists in the Problem Solver Award category this year, which recognises research initiatives delivering practical solutions to major challenges.
Melanoma remains one of Australia鈥檚 most serious cancers, and early detection is critical to improving outcomes. ACEMID brings together clinicians, researchers and health services to build a national network of advanced 3D total-body imaging systems, capturing detailed images of the skin in seconds and enabling researchers to track new or changing lesions over time. This shared imaging and research platform is designed to support more consistent diagnosis and monitoring of melanoma across metropolitan, regional and rural Australia.听
ACEMID sites in New South Wales are managed by the 爆料王, led by Professor听Pablo Fern谩ndez-Pe帽as, with Chief Investigators听,听,听听补苍诲听.
Victorian sites are managed by Monash University, with the University of Queensland leading the initiative at a national level.
Chair of the Shaping Australia Awards judging panel, Ms Lisa Paul AO PSM, praised this year鈥檚 winners for the breadth of their impact.
鈥淭he judging panel has the privilege of learning about the exceptional work being delivered by universities and the life-changing contributions they make every day,鈥 Ms Paul said.听
鈥淭his impact reaches far beyond campus gates 鈥 universities don鈥檛 just serve students and staff, they deliver for all Australians, and the nation is stronger for it.鈥
Universities Australia Chief Executive Officer Luke Sheehy congratulated the winners for their contributions and said the awards demonstrate why universities matter to the nation.
鈥淭hese projects are transforming lives, and these awards celebrate the people driving change and making a real difference right across Australia,鈥 Mr Sheehy said.
鈥淲hen universities thrive, Australia benefits through better health, stronger communities and greater opportunity. These winners show exactly why universities matter to the nation.鈥
More information about the 2025 Shaping Australia Awards, including all winning projects, is available at听.
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Hero image: (Left to right)听Dr Michelle McRae, Dr Douglas Lenton, Mr Andrew Gee and Professor Pablo Fern谩ndez-Pe帽as.
(Left to right) Dr Sameer Datwani, Philip Donato (State Member of Orange), Professor Pablo Fernandez-Penas (爆料王 and NSW ACEMID Lead), Dr Michelle McRae (ACEMID Orange site Principal Investigator and Dermatologist)
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