Kiama Rotary Club has awarded PHD student Anna Kulaga with a $2000 prize as the winner of the 2023 Bill Wheeler Award.

Kulaga is researching ways to use cutting edge 3D bioprinting technology to develop treatments for people with type 1 diabetes, especially those with severe hypoglycaemia.

The prize money will help support Anna when she presents her findings at a major world medical conference in San Diego, California later this year, as well as network with other diabetes researchers around the world.

The Bill Wheeler Symposium and Award is an annual event held at the University of Wollongong’s Innovation Campus that pays tribute to late Kiama Rotarian Bill Wheeler OAM, who was an ardent supporter of Professor Gordon Wallace, executive director of the Australian Research Council Centre and the Intelligent Polymer Research Institute. He also held a fund-raising event in 2003 for Professor Graeme Clarke, whose work contributed to developing the first cochlear implant. Kiama Rotary Club contributes $1000 to the award each year, along with funding from UOW, Lexie Wheeler and the community.

The Bill Wheeler Award is given to a PHD student who is using biomedical research at the ARC Center of Excellence, allowing them to further their research overseas.

“Thank you to the Kiama Rotary Club for sponsoring this award and supporting students in their research,” Kulaga told Kiama Rotary Club. “Also thank you to Gordon Wallace AO and the Intelligent Polymer Research Institute team for this support and opportunities”.

President of Kiama Rotary Errol Chopping added: “We were delighted when Anna won this prestigious award last year and were impressed when she made a presentation of her research at our last meeting. She has proven to be a wonderful awardee and a worthy ambassador for the university.”