Florey Postgraduate Research Conference
Discover the extraordinary variety of research undertaken by the faculty's Higher Degree by Research (HDR) candidates at the annual Florey Postgraduate Research Conference.
About the conference
The Florey Postgraduate Research Conference will be held on Wednesday 21 September 2022 at the Adelaide Convention Centre. The conference is a highlight for the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences and a chance to showcase outstanding research activity.
The conference, now in its 16th year, gives HDR students the opportunity to discuss their research with fellow students, academics, industry partners, and other major stakeholders of the University. It is a chance to recognise excellent in research and hear from distinguished speakers on specialised topics, beneficial to ongoing professional and personal development.
The 2022 Florey Public Lecture Speaker is Professor Fabienne Mackay, Director and CEO of QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Brisbane.
The 2022 Florey Postgraduate Research Conference program will be available shortly.

Professor Fabienne Mackay
Professor Fabienne Mackay is the Director and CEO of QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute. She joined QIMR Berghofer in May 2020.
She studied Medicine and Biomedical Engineering before obtaining her PhD in Molecular Biology and Immunology from Louis Pasteur University in Strasbourg, France. Professor Mackay started her research career in the biotech industry at Biogen Inc. in Boston. In 1999 she joined the Garvan Institute in Sydney and became Director of the Autoimmunity Research Unit in 2006. In 2009 she was recruited as Head of the Department of Immunology at Monash University. In 2015 she became the inaugural Head of the School of Biomedical Sciences and Head of the Department of Pathology in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, at the University of Melbourne.
Her highly cited pioneer work on the factor BAFF provided the knowledge foundation for the development of belimumab (Benlystaâ, a BAFF inhibitor), as the first new treatment for lupus in over 50 years. Professor Mackay is the world most highly cited scientist in the BAFF field.
Professor Mackay is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences, a Council member of AAHMS, Board member of AAMRI, Board member of JDRF, and a member of the NHMRC Research Committee.
Her major research interest relates to autoimmune diseases such as lupus and leukemia.

Lord Howard Florey
Florey Medical Foundation
Named after Lord Howard Florey, a University of Adelaide graduate who shared a Nobel Prize for his development of penicillin, the Florey Medical Research Foundation raises funds for postgraduate research scholarships and early-career postdoctoral research fellowships within the medical degree.
Lord Florey and his team of scientists changed the course of history when they developed penicillin into a life-saving antibiotic treatment. Today, through the foundation that bears his name, Florey's achievements continue to inspire Adelaide students and researchers alike.
The foundation is based within the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences.
2022 Florey Postgraduate Research Conference Prizes
Prize | Description |
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The Florey Medical Research Foundation (Basic) |
1 Prize for Basic category $1,700 |
The Florey Medical Research Foundation (Applied) |
1 Prize for Applied category $1,700 |
Northern Communities Health Foundation | $300 |
Northern Communities Health Foundation | $700 |
School of Biomedicine - Department of Medical Sciences | $400 |
Adelaide Medical School - Department of Medical Specialties | $400 |
Adelaide Medical School - Department of Surgical Specialties | $400 |
Adelaide Medical School - Department of Women's and Children's Health | $400 |
School of Psychology | $500 |
School of Public Health | $500 |
Adelaide Dental School | $500 |
Adelaide Nursing School | $500 |
School of Allied Health Science and Practice | $500 |
The John Barker Bequest | $300 |
The John Barker Bequest | $700 |
The Vernon Roy East Bequest | $300 |
The Vernon Roy East Bequest | $700 |
Executive Dean to the Faculty | $600 |
Robinson Research Institute | $250 |
Robinson Research Institute | $250 |
CMAX (Clinical) | $200 |
People's Choice | $100 Myer Gift Card |
Innovation & Commercialisation Services | $100 |
Innovation & Commercialisation Services | $100 |
Innovation & Commercialisation Services | $100 |
Peter Couche Foundation | $250 |
Peter Couche Foundation | $250 |
Lions Medical Research Foundation | $300 |
Lions Medical Research Foundation | $300 |
Tips, FAQs and further information
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Venue
Adelaide Convention Centre, North Terrace, Adelaide.
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Transport
You can catch the tram from the city to the Adelaide Convention Centre free of charge. The closest tram stop to the venue is the Adelaide Railway Station stop.
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Dress code
Neat clothing. No shorts, thongs or singlets
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Key dates
Poster abstract submissions will be accepted no later than Monday 11 July.
The 2022 Florey Postgraduate Research Conference will be held on Wednesday 21 September at the Adelaide Convention Centre.
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Poster size
841 x 1189 mm (A0). If you have already prepared a poster and it is not the preferred size for this conference, you will still be able to present, provided the poster does not exceed 1200mm in width and 1800mm in height. Each poster board is setup vertically and horizontal posters will not be accepted.
For consistency, we suggest you use the University of Adelaide A0 Poster template.
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Presentation criteria
Students are required to stand at their own poster (a proxy is not permitted) until they have been assessed. If you are not at your poster at the allocated session time, you will not be eligible for a prize.
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Font, layout and design
Use simple fonts in an easy to read size. Ensure font, image and figure colours are contrasting. Keep titles simple and include a figure caption and legend where required.
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Poster printing
If you require poster printing, you can contact Snap Adelaide Flinders Street via adelaidecbdeast@snap.com.au as they offer a University of Adelaide rate of $27.50 per AO poster on 80gsm bond.
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Presentation structure
You will be given five minutes to present your poster, with an additional two to three minutes of Q&A time. You will be assessed by a group of two to three assessors. It is important to highlight the essential parts of your poster and use clear, concise language.
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Poster presentation assessment criteria
Poster presentations will be assessed according to the criteria below, with a score out of 10 provided for each category:
- Quality and clarity of presentation and poster
- Scientific merit
- Quality of data/results/significance
- General understanding and ability to answer questions
- Overall poster rating
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CaRST points
HDR students presenting a poster at the conference will be eligible to receive three CaRST accredited points in Domain D. HDR students attending the conference who do not present a poster are eligible for two CaRST accredited points in Domain B. Attendance at the Professional Development Session will also provide 3 CaRST accredited points in Domain D, however students must attend the entire duration of the professional development session to be eligible.
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Register for the professional development session
Are you seeking insights into career opportunities following completion of your PhD?
Poster presenters at this year’s conference are invited to attend the Professional Development session “Preparation for life post PhD". Run in round table format, the session will cover early career planning and the transition process from study to the workplace and feature guest speakers from the following four potential career pathways:- Research
- Teaching
- Industry
- Clinical/Professional.
Speakers will share their career journey and experiences, answer questions and facilitate discussion at their table. Participants will nominate their two preferred career areas for 2 x 45 minute sessions with the remaining time allocated for discussion in the other two areas.
For further details, please contact agrsfacultysupp@adelaide.edu.au
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Registration for presenting students
The registration desk will be open from 8.30 am to 9.10 am. Each student will be provided with a name tag, program, wrist band for lunch, and Velcro to hold up their poster on the day.