Professor Alex Boussioutas is the Associate Dean Graduate Research at the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences (MDHS) at the University of Melbourne. He has a real passion to ensure that both the Faculty and the University, not only produce high quality and timely graduate research completions but also provide graduate researchers with a stimulating environment where they can learn lifelong skills in addition to progressing their academic careers.

Over a long career of outstanding graduate research leadership, his innovations have included the establishment of advisory committee training programs, and academic and professional skills development programs for graduate researchers within the MDHS. Both these programs are now being implemented across the University.

His achievements are even more remarkable given he also maintains an active career as a clinician scientist.

Specifically, Alex has supported strong candidature management across his faculty by
• creating the Graduate Coordinator-led Annual Progress review meetings within the Department of Medicine and then implementing these as mandatory across the whole faculty
• establishing weekly HDR forums and
• instituting minimum requirements for Advisory Committees
Recognising the importance of cohort support networks, Alex introduced the innovative PhD Capstone Program and Thematic programs. Driven by his interest in international relations, he was also instrumental in setting up a Masters of Research program that allowed international graduates to develop research skills prior to their introduction to a PhD.

Alex’s work and graduate research leadership has been commended by students, supervisors and professional staff and managers of the university.

Special Commendation to Associate Professor Nick Hopwood, University of Technology Sydney