It has been a few decades in the making, but Associate Professor Voula Gaganis from Adelaide, South Australia has been guided by her yiayia’s own dream of a career in science.
As a youngster she grew up knowing her maternal yiayia Voula had hoped of becoming a doctor, but in those times, women were not always encouraged to study.
Her maternal grandparents were both from the island of Ayios Efstratios, often referred to as ‘Ai Stratis.’
“My grandparents, particularly my grandmother Yiayia Voula inspired my science path,” A/Prof Gaganis said.
“As a young girl in Ai Strati she dreamed of becoming a doctor, but as was the case during those times for many women, her family did not allow it.
“She spent as much time as she could helping at the local clinic. Though she never had the chance to become a doctor, she shared many stories with me about those times and through those stories I found my own passion for science.”
At the age of 21, A/Prof Gaganis began studying for her PhD at Flinders University in 1998. After her studies she worked as a post-doctoral researcher on clinical trials with her then-supervisors Professors Kathie Knights and Arduino Mangoni in cardiovascular pharmacology at the Flinders Medical Centre.
“While I loved researching and discovering new things, what I really loved was teaching,” she said.
“As a PhD student I had tutored in the Flinders Foundation Studies Program and various undergraduate topics from Biochemistry to Skills for Medical Scientists.
“Our college also offered problem-based learning in the graduate entry medical program, and I really wanted to move into teaching.
“At that time, I recognised that I had a passion for teaching and students’ feedback was that I helped them understand complex concepts, and with that validation I decided to take on more varied teaching roles including teaching in the medical course.
“I was also offered a lecturing role in the medical science program which was an incredible opportunity for me and opened the doors for me to develop my career as an educator in medical science.”
Late last year A/Prof Gaganis was recognised nationally by Universities Australia and awarded with the prestigious and highly sought after award: Australian Awards for University Teaching (AAUT)- Teaching Excellence in Health.
“Transforming medical science education has been a journey led by collaboration, innovation and a shared commitment to student success,” she said.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to help shape meaningful learning experiences that prepare students for their graduate careers in health.
“This award motivates me to continue striving for excellence in education and to empower the next generation of medical scientists.”
A/Prof Gaganis is also the recipient of the South Australian Science Excellence and Innovation Awards – STEMM Educator of the Year, which recognises her commitment to teaching the next generation of health graduates. She has a passion for active learning using innovative teaching techniques that includes using cloud-based learning technology in the medical science physiology topics.
“It was very special for me on the night because I had my family around me supporting me,” she said.
“I couldn’t believe it when they called my name; I felt proud that I was showing my daughters that I love what I do – I have put in many years of work across multiple layers of tertiary education to benefit current and future students, and that you are never too old to get an award!”
Her current role is the Associate Professor in Physiology at Flinders University, Program Coordinator of the Bachelor of Medical Science (Laboratory Medicine) Program and the Teaching Program Director for Clinical Programs – Doctor of Medicine, Paramedicine, Clinical Education and Counselling.
“Communication and respecting students are both incredibly important,” she said.
“I believe that the values I have grown up with in my family have been those same values that students see in me and trust me with their learning experience.
“I have also been lucky enough to experience those same values with my PhD supervisor.”
