University of the Sunshine Coast staff with expertise ranging from crustacean genetics to business engagement have received Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence.

The 11 staff received their $5,000 awards at a ceremony at the USC Chancellery last month.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Hill said the exceptional performances and achievements of the 2014 winners had contributed to high quality teaching, learning and graduate outcomes at USC.

“The University’s strategic plan is ambitious and reaching the goals requires commitment from all staff,” he said.

The recipients were:

• Dr Greg Nash, School of Communication – Award for Excellence in Learning and Teaching. Dr Nash is a USC graduate who rose through the ranks to program leader and made USC’s largest course, Communication and Thought, a success story. He was nominated for his innovative teaching practices focused on student engagement and retention.

• Rosanna Natoli, School of Communication – Award for Excellence in Learning and Teaching for Sessional Staff. Ms Natoli is a long-time member of USC’s sessional teaching staff who has contributed her extensive television industry experience and exemplary academic practices to teach and mentor students of Journalism and Media Communication.

• Professor Paul Salmon, School of Social Sciences – Award for Excellence in Research. Dr Salmon is a Professor of Human Factors and Director of USC Accident Research (USCAR) whose research aims to make the world a safer place through enhancing human performance in complex systems. He is leading two prestigious grants focused on roads and outdoor activities.

• Dr Tomer Ventura, GeneCology Research Centre – Award for Excellence in Research for Early Career Researcher. Dr Ventura is an ARC Research Fellow who started at USC in 2012 after his doctoral studies in Israel helped pioneer sex reversal in crustaceans. He is extending this research at USC to translate scientific results into applicable technologies.

• Brooke Pilat, School of Science and Engineering – Award for Excellence in Service. Ms Pilat is an administration officer who played a key role in the establishment of the School of Science and Engineering, ensuring a smooth transition and successful team environment.

• Two winners of the 2014 Award for Excellence in Engagement:

1. Steven Boyd, School of Business. Mr Boyd is a Lecturer in Property Economics and Development whose engagement within and outside the University is exemplary.

2. The ‘Stories of Practice’ Project Team, School of Education. This team of Associate Professor Deborah Heck, Associate Professor Michael Christie, Dr Sue Simon, research assistant Katrina Higgins and HDR student Jillian Stansfield has worked for two years with the North Coast Region of Education Queensland to provide professional learning for teachers.

— Julie Schomberg