Alumni award for medical researcher
Schools
Dr Fiona Bright was presented with the 2023 St Columba College Alumni Award at a special assembly last month.
Principal Leanne Carr introduced Dr Bright and presented her with the award in front of the Years 6-12 students and staff.
Dr Bright is a postdoctoral research fellow at the Dementia Research Centre within Macquarie University Medical School. She has a background in paediatric neuropathology and expertise in early-onset neurodegenerative diseases, including frontotemporal dementia.
After receiving the award, Dr Bright reflected positively on her time at St Columba College and her pathway into medical research since graduating.
After the assembly, she held a Q&A session with Year 12 Biology students, and participants in the Catholic Education SA/UniSA Girls in STEM program.
She answered questions from students about her experiences getting into university, pathway opportunities, studying overseas and medical research as a career.
Dr Bright said St Columba College provided her with an opportunity to develop key skills that have served her well in academic undertakings beyond school. These include leadership, community engagement, respect, time management and organisation.
“My education at St Columba set me up to be confident, driven, and determined in my career endeavours, to be respectful of others, and to make friends and connections along the way,” she said.
Dr Fiona Bright with Year 11 student Zahra Yousefi.
