February 28, 2023

Molecular Horizons accepts donation from the Michael Tynan Challenge

Donation will support scientific discoveries and students’ learning goals

The University of Wollongong’s (UOW) highly advanced research facility Molecular Horizons accepted a donation of $46,000 from the Michael Tynan Challenge on Monday 27 February 2023.

UOW and the Michael Tynan Challenge celebrated the fifth year of their partnership with a gift presentation from the Tynan Family to UOW. The two organisations share the same values and vision of making an impact on the lives of the people through medical research and by creating healthy communities.

The combined amount of donations received from the Michael Tynan Challenge (including this year’s donation) has totalled to approx. $197,000.

Every year the donation received goes towards supporting the development taking place in the medical research facilities at UOW and providing scholarships to Honours students. Eligible students can apply for a scholarship on the UOW’s Tynan Family Molecular Horizons Honours Scholarship page.

Deputy Director Molecular Horizons (Community Outreach) Associate Professor Katrina Green welcomed the attendees at the event. She also led the selection process and thanked the assessment panel and congratulated all the students and supervisors on their excellent applications.

This year, the Scholarship was awarded to nine outstanding students: Justine Kissane, Bachelor of Medical and Health Science (Honours); Zoe Giller, Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology (Honours) (Dean's Scholar); Kira Lowe, Bachelor of Conservation Biology (Honours) (Dean's Scholar); Joshua Trowbridge, Bachelor of Science (Honours); Athena Kinnas, Bachelor of Medical and Health Science (Honours); Emma De Costa, Bachelor of Science (Honours); Siobhan Suters, Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology (Honours) (Dean's Scholar); Ella Parkes, Bachelor of Medical and Health Science (Honours); Georgia Lewis, Bachelor of Science (Honours).

_{Tynan Motors Group Director Madeline Tynan presenting 2023 scholarships to students}

Liam Robinson is the 2022 recipient of the Tynan Family Molecular Horizons Scholarship. He is studying a Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology (Honours) said: “My Honours year has been a challenging yet unforgettable experience, I have learnt and experienced more this year than the past three years of university combined.  

_{2022 Tynan Scholarship winner Liam Robinson sharing his experience at the event.}

“My research focused on brain inflammation and motor neurone disease (MND), a devastating neurodegenerative condition for which no effective treatments currently exist. In my project I generated brain cells from the skin cells of a MND patient and found that these MND brain cells responded differently to inflammation vs healthy brain cells.

“The scholarship also eased a lot of personal stress and allowed me to focus on my project. Furthermore, the scholarship has also enabled me to attend a conference in Wollongong that boasts prestigious attendees from universities all over the globe. This will be an excellent opportunity to build my professional network with potential collaborators and present my research.”

The 2023 Tynan Family Molecular Horizons Honours Scholarship will provide $2,000 for outstanding honours students and $4,000 to their primary research supervisor to support the student's project costs.

Tynan Motors Group Director Madeline Tynan said the Tynan family is committed to supporting UOW’s vision to provide world-class health and medical facilities for the people of the Illawarra.

“We are delighted to extend our support to UOW as they make life-changing discoveries and medical research for the betterment of communities,” Ms Tynan said.

“Through proceeds from the Michael Tynan Challenge, we want to give it back to the community, and supporting students’ educational aspirations, where they can make a positive change in medical research.”

UOW Executive Dean Science, Medicine and Health Professor Eileen McLaughlin said the philanthropic efforts by the Tynan family has greatly supported medical research in the region.

“I am grateful to Ms Tynan who has supported UOW’s vision of providing world-class medical research and providing opportunities to local students,” Professor McLaughlin said.

“The Michael Tynan Challenge is a great social cause and is changing lives through cutting edge research and supporting the goals of our students.

“I look forward to working closely with Tynan family for many years to come and work on shared values and ambitions for the Illawarra region.”

About Molecular Horizons:

Molecular Horizons is a world-class medical research facility at UOW, dedicated to solving real-world health problems in our community – from the level of single molecules to the entire body. We also nurture and train the next generation of leaders in medical research.

Read more about Molecular Horizons 

About Michael Tynan Challenge: 

The Michael Tynan Challenge (MTC) was started in 2016 as a celebration of the life and achievements of philanthropic businessman Michael Tynan, who was a proponent of giving back to the community and supporting medical research. 

Since then, over one million dollars has been raised by the MTC to fund local medical research over the past seven years. The MTC holds annual events that allow anyone to be involved. From our Race Day to a 30km Coastal Walk, a Drive day or Walk to Work we have something for everyone. Major event sponsors from 2022 include: Suzuki Australia, St George Illawarra Dragons, Subaru Australia, Kia Australia, Carsales, ANSTO, Highland Property, Optus, Castrol, ACM, Cronulla Sharks, GoodDrop.com.au, The Disability Trust, and many more.

Read more about Michael Tynan Challenge