2020 Best Research Paper Awarded

14 December 2020

After reviewing the competitively high standard of research papers undertaken in 2020, NICM Health Research Institute has announced the Best Research Paper Awards. In addition, this year the awards also recognised early career research; Higher Degree Research supervision; and partnerships.

Congratulations to the 2020 award recipients:

• Best Publication by a Higher Degree Researcher: Maz Ali
• Best Publication by an Emerging Researcher: Dr Diana Karamacoska and Dr Angelo Sabag
• Excellence as an Early Career Researcher: Dr Deep Bhuyan
• Excellence in Research Supervision and Training: Dr Mike Armour
• Excellence in Research Through Partnership: Dr Carolyn Ee

Higher Degree Research student, Maz Ali’s co-authored paper involved a literature review of analytical approaches and methods looking at cannabis. The review provided a short overview of the major cannabinodis and some of their physiological actions.

Dr Karamacoska was recognised for her paper and research findings clarify the electrophysiology underlying decision‐making processes in executive function, and providing a platform for further research assessing performance outcomes in larger samples and in developmental/clinical contexts.

Dr Sabag’s paper looked at intensity training involving 12 minutes of weekly high-intensity aerobic exercise which may improve liver fat, glycemia, and cardiorespiratory fitness in people with type 2 diabetes in the absence of weight loss. His paper concluded that further studies are needed to explain the relationship between exercise-induced reductions in liver fat and improvements in glycemia.

Dr Bhuyan was awarded for his high level of productivity, achievement of great research impact and reach through traditional and non-traditional media sources, and his impressive network of international collaborators, since completing his PhD in 2018.

Dr Armour received numerous heart-felt nominations for his role as Higher Degree Researcher (HDR) Coordinator. He was commended for leading by example and service, showing attention to detail and an emphasis on teamwork, supporting HDR students overcome difficulties whilst achieving outputs, and the extensive efforts he puts into guiding, training and mentoring the students.

Dr Ee was recognised for her collaborations with the Western Sydney Local Health District, Diabetes NSW, and the Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine. Dr Ee’s strong research partnerships have resulted in numerous publications, research funding, conference presentation invitations and the creation of PhD projects.

Full citation:

• Abd-Elsalam WH, Alsherbiny MA, Kung JY, Pate DW, Löbenberg R. LC–MS/MS quantitation of phytocannabinoids and their metabolites in biological matrices. Talanta. 2019 Nov 1;204:846-67.
• Karamacoska D, Barry RJ, Steiner GZ. Resting state intrinsic EEG impacts on go stimulus‐response processes. Psychophysiology. 2017 Jun;54(6):894-903.
• Sabag A, Way KL, Sultana RN, Keating SE, Gerofi JA, Chuter VH, Byrne NM, Baker MK, George J, Caterson ID, Twigg SM. The effect of a novel low-volume aerobic exercise intervention on liver fat in type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled trial. Diabetes care. 2020 Oct 1;43(10):2371-8.