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The CVMM Early Career Researcher (ECR) Committee has kicked off the year with renewed energy, welcoming several outstanding new members and coming together for a productive planning workshop focused on initiatives for 2026.

New members

The committee is pleased to welcome:

• Dr Sarah Ashcroft — School of Health Sciences
• Dr Nasir Shah — School of Biomedical Sciences, Prince of Wales Hospital
• Dr Briar McKenzie — The George Institute for Global Health
• Dr Erandi Hewawasam — Centre for Big Data Research in Health
• Mingjuan Zeng — The George Institute for Global Health (PhD representative)

Continuing members

• Dr Lauren Houston — The George Institute for Global Health
• Dr Tamara Milder — School of Population Health
• Dr Sonali Gnanenthiran — The George Institute for Global Health
• Dr James Davies — Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute
• Anupama Thabrew — Centre for Big Data Research in Health (PhD representative)
• Dr Katrina Kissock — The George Institute for Global Health (co-chair)
• Dr Jennifer Snaith — Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, St Vincent's Hospital (co-chair)

2026 Planning Workshop

The planning workshop brought together both new and continuing members for a collaborative session to identify priorities and opportunities for the year ahead. The group discussed a range of ideas, with key priorities emerging around initiatives to enhance the pre-symposium experience, strengthen networking opportunities, and expand learning and professional development activities. Members also shared ideas for creating more engaging forums for researchers to connect across disciplines, showcase their work, and support career progression. The committee looks forward to delivering a valuable program for early career researchers across the CVMM community.