Excellence Recognised at Wounds Australia

Heather Russell, a PhD candidate at the University of Western Australia’s Burn Injury Research Unit (BIRU), supervised by Fiona Wood Foundation researchers Dr Lucy Barrett and Dr Andrew Stevenson, received an oral research presentation award at the 2026 Wounds Australia Conference, held at the Adelaide Convention Centre in August.

Heather received the Winner – Oral Research Presentation Award for her presentation on human dermal fibroblast plasticity and its implications for future wound healing treatments.

Her presentation explored how human dermal fibroblasts can transition between different functional states, rather than remaining committed to a fibrotic identity. The findings contribute to understanding the mechanisms underlying scarring and fibrosis, with potential implications for future wound healing treatments.

The conference provided an opportunity to share research findings, exchange knowledge and engage with researchers and clinicians working in wound healing and tissue repair.

Congratulations to Heather on receiving this award in recognition of her outstanding oral research presentation.