Dr Suzi Claflin of Launceston will receive the prestigious YoungTallPoppyScienceaward at a ceremony in November. Dr Claflin is a researcher at the University of Tasmania’s Menzies Institute for Medical Research and is being recognised for her work in helping the community better understand multiple sclerosis.
She has led the development of a free online course about MS, the Understanding MS Massive Open Online Course, and she is investigating how it affects participants and increases their quality of life.
“I am especially proud of the Understanding MS online course, which has seen 32,000 people enrol from 130 countries.” The open online course was developed by the University of Tasmania and anyone can undertake the course. The course covers topics such as what MS is, what is happening in the body, and the symptoms and how they affect aspects of the person’s life. The course has successfully raised awareness and understanding about MS in the wider community.
The Tall Poppy Campaign was created in 1998 by the Australian Institute of Policy and Science (AIPS) to recognise and celebrate Australian intellectual and scientific excellence and to encourage younger Australians to follow in the footsteps of our outstanding achievers. It has made significant achievements towards building a more publicly engaged scientific leadership in Australia. Since 1998 it has awarded over 700 of Australia’s best young scientists, in every state and territory, helping to promote and grow our current science leaders, and the leaders of tomorrow.
Read more about Dr Clafin and her award here