ASBMB

The SDR Scientific Education Award

The SDR Scientific Education Award rewards outstanding achievement in education in biochemistry or molecular biology, especially innovation and creativity in education, with a view to fostering leadership in this important area of the Society’s objectives. The Award will enable the recipient to participate in an international conference with a significant focus on education, or to spend a period of time at another institution (in Australia or overseas) for the purposes of undertaking developments in education in biochemistry and molecular biology. The recipient will present a lecture within the Education Symposium at the annual ASBMB conference. Applicants must have been members of the Society for at least 2 years before the year in which the Award application is to be considered. The contribution to travel expenses is provided through the courtesy of SDR Scientific.

For a list of previous award winners please click here

Application Information
- All applicants should have been members of the ASBMB for a minimum of 2 years
- All applications should include at least 2 supporters who should have been members of the ASBMB for a minimum of 2 years
- Applicants should prepare an application document to include all information detailed on the SDR Scientific Education Award Application Template. This document should be saved as a single PDF file ready to be uploaded as part of the online application form.
- Applicants should have a letter of reference for each of your 2 supporters saved ready to be uploaded as part of the online application form.

When you are ready to begin your application, please click the button below.

The SDR Scientific Education Award Application

2025 Award Recipient

Amber Willems-Jones

University of Melbourne

I am an education-focused academic in the Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology at the University of Melbourne. Two decades ago, I began my biochemistry journey by embarking on a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree at the University of Melbourne and then completing my PhD investigating the ‘Molecular Interactions of the TyrR Bacterial Regulatory Protein’ in the then Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne.

For my first (and only, as it turned out) postdoctoral position, I worked as a molecular biologist research fellow with the familial breast cancer consortium, kConFab at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. During the seven years in this role, I had the amazing opportunity to meet my science hero, Professor Joe Sambrook, who became a most valuable mentor, giving me sage advice on all things research, from analysing data to preparing manuscripts. We also spent a lot of time talking footy as he too was a Carlton Blues fan.

In 2012, I returned to the University of Melbourne to assume the role of subject coordinator for the second-year practical biochemistry subject, Techniques in Molecular Science. It is in this role that I found my true calling and my passion for education. I have had the joy of guiding and inspiring students towards building a foundation of laboratorybased biochemistry and molecular biology skills from which to pursue their biochemistry journey. As coordinator, I have introduced inquiry-based learning modules to develop troubleshooting skills and critical thinking, and I also foster skill development in scientific writing. More recently, I have been privileged to be part of the teaching team for the first-year Bachelor of Biomedicine core subjects, Discovering Biomedicine and Exploring Biomedicine, working and sharing expertise with amazing colleagues.

My research interests lie in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. I am passionate about ensuring students acquire the requisite skills and understanding of key concepts that lay at the foundation of practical biochemistry and molecular biology. My research is directed at improving student understanding, as well as promoting the importance of self-regulated learning processes and strategies, alongside the development of skills in academic literacy and academic judgement. I also have a keen interest in exploring the quantitative literacy skills of university students, inspired by research from the 2024 ASBMB SDR Scientific Education Award recipient, Dr Julian Pakay.

I am a life-long learner who regularly reflects on my teaching practice and incorporates new approaches to continue to stay curious and to integrate the latest advancements to my teaching. I apply my own research findings to make improvements to my craft and relish opportunities to learning through peer collaborations.

I am honoured to have been recognised for the 2025 ASBMB SDR Scientific Education Award by my peers and will continue to work to inspire budding young biochemists of the future.