Welcome to the September 2026 ASCEPT newsletter
Associate Professor Nicola J. Smith
President – ASCEPT
In this edition
Announcing the ASCEPT Online Research Symposium 2026
We’re thrilled to announce that we have been making significant progress in planning for the ASCEPT Online Research Symposium 2026, running online from 23–26 November 2026. Designed to showcase the latest science from research leaders and our student members, it will be a supportive space to present your research, connect across the discipline and build presentation experience.
The program spans four themed days, each aligned with our SIGs and covering all the major topics that we would associate with our in-person ASM: Education & EDI (Mon 23), Clinical Sciences (Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacogenomics, Pharmacoepidemiology – Tue 24), Disease Mechanisms (Cardiovascular, Respiratory & Inflammation, Neuropharmacology, and Urogenital & Gastrointestinal – Wed 25), and Drug Discovery & Safety (Drug Discovery, Drug Deposition & Response, Toxicology, and Innovation & industry – Thu 26)
The symposium is open to abstract submissions from all current financial ASCEPT members who are undergraduate, Honours and PhD students and medical trainees who are ASCEPT members. There’s plenty to compete for, too:
- Student presentation cash prizes
- SIG Prizes
- Selection of the Neville Percy Prize (Higher Degree Research Students) and the Robert Whelan Prize (Honours Students) finalists.
Education Forum and EDI presentations are also welcome (see below for EDI details).
Abstract submissions are opening soon and will close on Friday 9 October 2026. Keep an eye out for a call for abstract submissions email.
With thanks – Luke Grundy, Chantal Donovan, Simon Foster, Nicola Smith
ASCEPT Awards Opening This Month - apply now!
ASCEPT-AMH Felix Bochner Award
Tony Smith Quality Use of Medicines Award
Gillian Shenfield Early Educator Award
The Gillian Shenfield Early Educator Award recognises exceptional early-career educators whose innovative teaching scholarship has advanced pharmacology and toxicology education, with the recipient invited to showcase their work to the ASCEPT community ahead of the 2026 online Annual General Meeting.
What does it mean to win the ASCEPT-AMH Felix Bochner Award? Hear from 2025 winner Dr Mouna Sawan
Join the ASCEPT Board: Nominations are now open
- President Elect (2027, progressing to President in 2028-29),
- Board Secretary (2027-28), and
- Member Elected Director (2027-28, up to three positions available).
Successful candidates will commence their terms on 1 January 2027, with elections to be held in mid-October 2026.
President Elect
The President Elect serves in the role for one year, providing support to the Board and gaining experience before transitioning to President for a two-year term, followed by one year as Immediate Past President.
As President, the individual provides leadership to the Board and Executive Committee, helping to guide the Society’s strategic direction, governance and overall success. The role works collaboratively with Board members and stakeholders to support the effective management and ongoing development of the Society.
Board Secretary
The Board Secretary works closely with the Executive Officer to support effective governance and record keeping across ASCEPT. Together, they help ensure that accurate, reliable records are maintained to meet legal requirements, support informed decision-making, preserve organisational knowledge and provide transparency and accountability in the Society’s operations.
The role plays an important part in ensuring that Board activities, decisions, and governance processes are appropriately documented and accessible to authorised stakeholders.
Member Elected Director (up to three positions available)
Board members contribute to the effective governance and stewardship of ASCEPT. Working collaboratively with fellow directors, they help oversee the Society’s activities, resources and strategic direction, ensuring decisions are made in the best interests of the organisation and its members.
The role supports responsible oversight, informed decision-making, and the long-term sustainability and success of ASCEPT.
SIG Chair profiles - meet the people behind the scenes
Associate Professor Celine Valant
Associate Professor Celine Valant, co-chair of the Neuropharmacology SIG and co-leader of the Analytical & Structural Neuropharmacology Laboratory at Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, is an internationally recognised expert in neuropharmacology, drug discovery and GPCR pharmacology, with a focus on muscarinic acetylcholine receptors and novel ligand development.
Dr George Tan
George Tan, BPharm (Hons), PhD is an Adjunct Research Fellow at Monash University's Centre for Medicine Use and Safety (CMUS). His research focuses on pharmacoepidemiology, real-world data, drug repurposing, and target trial emulation. He is also a practising pharmacist, a Pharmacy Board of Australia examiner, a market access professional in the medical technology industry, and Chair of the ASCEPT Pharmacoepidemiology Special Interest Group.
Dr Paris Papagianis
Dr Paris Papagianis is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Respiratory Pharmacology Lab at Monash University. Paris’ research focus is on lung diseases spanning early life to adulthood including those initiated by inflammation and tissue remodelling.
Associate Professor Sophie Stocker
Associate Professor Sophie Stocker is an Associate Professor at the University of Sydney whose research focuses on pharmacogenomics and precision medicine. She is Chair of the ASCEPT Pharmacogenomics SIG and Co-Chair of the RCPA National Pharmacogenomics Working Group. Her work aims to integrate genetic information into routine healthcare to improve medication selection and dosing.
ASCEPT EMCR Achievers spotlight
The ASCEPT EMCR Achievers spotlight series celebrates emerging researchers who are shaping the future of pharmacology through innovative, interdisciplinary work. This month we are featuring Dr Katie Burns.
Dr Katie Burns
Dr Katie Burns is a Senior Lecturer (Above the Bar) in the Department of Pharmacology & Clinical Pharmacology at Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland. Her research investigates the molecular basis of variation in drug response, with a focus on drug transport, metabolism, treatment effectiveness, and medicine-related toxicity.
KAITIAKITANGA: Guardianship of the sky, the sea and the land
Still not on Mighty networks? You’ve missed these updates:
- Revision of the Liver Disorders and Psychotropic topics in Therapeutic Guidelines
- Superstars of STEM applications
- National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) Regulations 2017 being remade
- EOI for Chair of CATAG
- Connect with your SIG groups
- NZF – 2026 AGM documents
- CP – Vale Robert Moulds
- CP – Making NAD, NAD+,NADH or NMN representations for listed medicines
- EF – IUPHAR-Ed newsletter items
- EF – BPS webinar – Ethnicity in Pharmacology Education
Remember to engage with your SIGs on Mighty Networks – like, comment, and share! It’s the only way we know the content is reaching members. Don’t forget to turn on your email notifications in settings to stay up to date.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
ASCEPT Online Research Symposium 2026
We are thrilled to announce that the ASCEPT Online Research Symposium will have a session dedicated to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)! The EDI session is scheduled for Monday 23 November. Save the date in your calendar here.
An abstract submission portal will open shortly. We encourage all ASCEPT members that have lived experience in the EDI space or are involved in EDI initiatives (either within or outside of ASCEPT) to submit an abstract and share their story.
If you’re unsure whether you fit the criteria to present in this session, please email Brendan Wilkins (b.wilkins@unsw.edu.au).
We look forward to seeing you there!
Days of significance
Below are days of significance observed in September. Click the links to learn more about each observance.
Save the date! ASCEPT Annual General Meeting and Neville Percy and Robert Whelan Prize sessions
We are pleased to announce that the ASCEPT Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held online on Friday 11 December 2026.
Please see the schedule for the day below.
All times are in AEST (Australian Eastern Standard Time).
- 11:00 AM – 12:15 PM: Prize Session 1
- 12:30 PM – 1:45 PM: Prize Session 2
- 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Further information, including joining details, will be provided soon.
Important dates for your calendars
- Save the date: ASCEPT AGM - Friday 11 December 2026
- ASCEPT Online Research Symposium - 23–26 November 2026
Other events
IUPHAR - World Smart Medication Day
The IUPHAR World Smart Medication Day aims to promote clinical pharmacology internationally, with a webinar and student poster competition around an annual theme. The 2026 World Smart Medication Day on ‘Race, ethnicity and socioeconomic factors in clinical pharmacology’ is summarised in this publication, with three ASCEPT members amongst the international authors.
The theme for World Smart Medication Day on 6 May 2027 is ‘Clinically relevant drug interactions’. Advertisement for the competition for student and research posters on this theme is coming soon. We encourage you and your students to get involved!
Job opportunities
ASCEPT is excited to connect our members with the latest career opportunities in pharmacology and toxicology. Don’t miss the chance to explore roles that could shape the next step in your professional journey.
If you would like to advertise a position, please contact us at ascept@ascept.org.
Opportunities at The University of Sydney:
- 2 x Associate Lecturer (Level A) fixed term 1-year positions (The University of Sydney)
Associate Lecturer (Education focused)
Closing: 25 September - 2 x Lecturer (Level B) continuing positions (The University of Sydney)
Lecturer (Teaching and Research)
Closing: 20 September
Opportunities at UNSW Sydney:
- 1 x Associate Lecturer (Level A)/Lecturer (Level B) fixed term position in the Department of Pharmacology
Associate Lecturer/Lecturer in Pharmacology (Education focused)
Closing: 22 September
What's new with our society network
Stay connected with the wider scientific and medical community. Below you can find a round-up of recent bulletins, policy updates, funding opportunities and events from partner organisations and international networks. Explore the latest news, grants and resources to support your work and keep you in the loop.
All of these newsletters are also shared in the general channel on Mighty Networks. Make sure to join here and turn on your email notifications to stay up to date!
STA provides members with regular updates on news, policy, events and funding opportunities, including grants, for professionals in science and technology.
Research Australia provides member only exclusive updates to help keep you informed and in the know!
The Royal Society Te Apārangi newsletters share scientific updates, research highlights, awards, events and opportunities to keep the Aotearoa New Zealand research community informed and connected.
The National Rural Health Alliance publishes a fortnightly email newsletter with updates from the alliance and rural health sector.
AusBiotech is the peak industry body and national not-for-profit organization representing Australia’s life sciences and biotechnology sector.
The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) connects, represents and trains Physicians and trainee physicians across Australia and New Zealand.
The International Union of Toxicology update highlights global toxicology initiatives, including upcoming meetings, training and funding opportunities and efforts to advance international collaboration, education and research to improve human and environmental health.
The International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (IUPHAR) unites pharmacology societies worldwide to advance research, education, and global health.
Facilitating Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) within Australia’s public hospitals, area health services and state/territory health systems.
The Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) acts as the peak professional voice for health and medical researchers across Australia.
The International Science Council acts as the global voice for science, uniting natural and social sciences to address major issues affecting science and society.
Feedback and suggestions
Have any feedback or suggestions, email the ASCEPT Secretariat here or by completing the form below.