Ida Browne Early Career Medal
The Ida Browne Medal was established by the Council in 2023 in honour of Ida Browne DSc, palaeontologist and first woman President of the Royal Society of NSW, serving from 1953–1954.
It is awarded for the most meritorious contributions to knowledge and society in Australia or its territories made mainly in New South Wales, together with signs of emerging leadership. The recipient may be resident in Australia or elsewhere. Applicants are expected to have been awarded a doctorate or equivalent postgraduate degree. In addition, since this is an early academic career award, applicants are expected to be in the first few years of their career. To be eligible they must have published their first research paper no more than 6 years ago (that is the date that the publication was formally accepted, as shown on the formal publication — not electronic pre-print, should be no more than 5 years prior to the close of applications, normally 30 September.
Ida Browne Early Career Medal 2024
The winner of the Ida Browne Early Career Medal for 2024 is Dr Xuan Li an ARC DECRA Fellow, Lecturer, and Chancellor’s Research Fellow in the Centre for Technology and Wastewater at the University of Technology Sydney.
Xuan Li is a leading figure in environmental engineering, renowned for her innovative work in corrosion mitigation, wastewater-based infectious disease surveillance, and energy-efficient wastewater treatment. Her corrosion-resistant concrete extends sewer lifespan by 40%, reducing costs and maintenance needs, while delivering substantial economic and environmental benefits. She was an early contributor to wastewater-based COVID-19 surveillance, demonstrating its reliability and establishing the first accurate predictive system for infection and hospitalisation numbers, surpassing existing models in lead time and precision. Additionally, she has pioneered waste-driven technologies that enhance energy recovery in wastewater treatment, significantly benefiting water utilities.
Ida Browne Early Career Medal 2023
The winner of the Ida Browne Early Career Medal for 2023 is Dr Brendan Nuen of the Royal North Shore Hospital and the George Institute of UNSW Sydney.
Brendon Neuen is a Nephrologist and Director of the Kidney Trials Unit at Royal North Shore Hospital, and a Senior Research Fellow at The George Institute for Global Health, UNSW Sydney. He is widely recognised for his expertise in cardio-renal-metabolic medicine. Dr Neuen established the SGLT2 Meta-Analysis Cardio-Renal Trialists’ Consortium, bringing together data on more than 90,000 patients to better understand the effects of this class of medicines on different types of patients. His work has directly informed more than 25 major international and national guidelines, position papers, and scientific statements that provide optimal care for people with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease.
List of Past Recipients of the RSNSW Ida Browne Early Career Medal
| Year | Recipient |
| 2023 | Brendan Nuen |
| 2024 | Xuan Li |