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

2026 Award Recipient

Matthew Clemson

University of Sydney

My biochemistry journey began at UNSW, Sydney, where I completed a Bachelor of Science (Honours, Class 1) in 2002, investigating a novel application of the enzyme gamma-glutamyl transferase to synthesise the glutathione precursor gamma-glutamyl-cysteine – work that was later patented and commercialised. Intrigued by projects that could positively impact human health, I pursued a PhD and postdoctoral research exploring the genetic and epigenetic determinants of human diseases. However, even within the research environment, I found myself consistently gravitating toward teaching – helping students design experiments, interpret data, and develop their scientific instincts. Whenever teaching or outreach opportunities arose, I was eager to be involved.

When I joined The University of Sydney in 2020 as Coordinator of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, I found the role that allowed me to pursue that calling fully. My teaching philosophy centres on creating a welcoming, inspiring environment where biochemistry becomes accessible and relevant to every student. I have redesigned large-cohort lectures to incorporate active learning, peer interaction, and scaffolded support. These approaches, grounded in cognitive science, have resulted in sustained improvements in student experience and learning. This commitment extends beyond the lecture theatre to mentoring a large, diverse team of casual academics, knowing that every student’s experience depends on the people working closely with them.

Metabolism is considered one of the most daunting areas of biochemistry and tackling that perception has become a personal mission. The development of Dr MattTabolism (a custom AI Socratic tutor trained on biochemistry content and evidence-informed pedagogy) has enabled tens of thousands of personalised student-AI conversations, fostering deeper engagement with complex concepts. Alongside this, I have co-developed online laboratory simulators that replicate authentic experimental variability, published in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education, giving students meaningful opportunities to engage with practical skills beyond the timetabled lab.

My leadership in the ethical and effective use of generative AI in teaching and assessment has grown to national and international significance. I lead conversations on adapting teaching practice to the challenges and opportunities of generative AI, sharing this work at FAOBMB in Korea, the FEBS Education Training Conference in Turkey, universities across Australia, and through the ASBMB Education SIG Committee.

Receiving the 2026 ASBMB SDR Scientific Education Award is a tremendous honour, and I am sincerely grateful to SDR Scientific for their generous support of biochemistry education in Australia. This recognition belongs equally to the incredible students, colleagues, and collaborators within the ASBMB Education SIG who have shaped and inspired this work. I look forward to sharing my journey at ComBio 2026 and believe the approaches being pioneered here position Australia as a world leader in biochemistry and molecular biology education – and I welcome this award as an opportunity to share our innovations more broadly.