Susan Clark Award for Research Excellence
About the Award
The Susan Clark Award for Research Excellence recognises outstanding contributions to epigenetics research across Australasia. The award celebrates researchers who have demonstrated excellence in research, leadership and advocacy, and who are helping to strengthen the epigenetics research community through their work.
The award particularly recognises active researchers whose contributions are shaping the future of the field, including mid to senior-stage researchers and those in the early stages of solidifying their research careers. It reflects AEpiA’s commitment to supporting excellence, collaboration and leadership in epigenetics research.
Award Details
The Susan Clark Award is presented approximately every two years at the AEpiA conference. Up to two awards may be presented in each award year, with consideration given to diversity, including gender, ethnicity and career stage.
Award recipients receive a plaque presented by the conference convener, a certificate, lifetime membership of AEpiA, and a speaking opportunity at the conference in the year of the award. The award focuses on supporting active scientists and recognising their ongoing contribution to epigenetics research, rather than serving solely as a lifetime achievement award.
About Professor Susan Clark
Professor Susan Clark FAA FAHMS is internationally recognised for her pioneering contributions to epigenetics, particularly in Australia. Her trailblazing work helped establish the first DNA methylation bisulphite sequencing studies, which have been fundamental to understanding DNA methylation patterns in normal and cancer genomes.
Over more than three decades, Professor Clark’s research has shaped key paradigms in epigenetics, influencing how scientists understand normal development, disease and cancer biology. Her leadership has also been central to advancing epigenomics technologies, particularly DNA methylation sequencing, which remains an essential tool across basic, translational and clinical research. Professor Clark has made a singular contribution to the epigenetics research community in Australia.
In 2008, she helped establish the Australian Epigenetics Alliance, now the Australasian Epigenetics Alliance. Through this work, she helped bring epigenetics researchers together across the region and strengthen Australia’s international standing in the field. Her influence extends globally through her involvement in major international initiatives, including the European Epigenome Network of Excellence, the NIH Epigenomics Roadmap Program and the International Human Epigenome Consortium. Her research excellence and leadership have been recognised through numerous honours, including election as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences.
Applications for 2026
Applications Now Open
Applications for the 2026 Susan Clark Award for Research Excellence are now open.
Applications must be submitted by 11.59 pm on 14 May 2026 to aepia@asnevents.net.au.
Applicants are required to submit a three-page application, including a cover page addressing eligibility criteria and career disruption, plus up to two additional pages addressing the selection criteria.
Applicants must also provide evidence of their PhD completion date.
Eligibility
Applicants must be at least seven years post-PhD, or equivalent full-time research experience relative to significant career interruptions, by the closing date.
Applicants must be current AEpiA members, reside in and conduct the bulk of their research within Australasia, and register and submit an abstract to the AEpiA conference in the year they are applying.
Applicants may self-nominate or be nominated by a current AEpiA member. Previous Susan Clark Award winners and current AEpiA committee members are not eligible.
Assessment Criteria
Quality and impact of research: 40%
Evidence of leadership: 30%
Communication, outreach and advocacy: 30%
Applications will be assessed relative to opportunity. Selection criteria include research impact in any area of epigenetics research, contributions to the field that demonstrate leadership, communication and advocacy activities that support research culture, and the applicant’s top five publications.
Full application requirements and assessment details are available in the award guidelines.
Previous Recipient
Professor Nir Eynon -Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University
Professor Nir Eynon was awarded the 2024 Australian Epigenetics Alliance Susan Clark Award for Research Excellence in recognition of his outstanding contributions to epigenetics research, leadership and advocacy. Professor Eynon is a Professor and Group Leader at the Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute at Monash University.
His research focuses on epigenetics, ageing and exercise, with a particular interest in the discovery of sex-specific molecular markers associated with exercise and healthy ageing. The Eynon Lab combines wet-lab and bioinformatics approaches, with a focus on ‘omics datasets including DNA methylation, transcription factors, transcriptomics and proteomics.
Professor Eynon’s expertise has been recognised through a number of national fellowships and honours, including selection to the ARC College of Experts, NHMRC and ARC fellowships, and the Young Tall Poppy Award.
Past Recipients
Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University
Year
2024
Recipient
Professor Nir Eynon