Gallipoli Medical Research’s Manager—Research Engagement and Development, Associate Professor Miranda Van Hooff, has been named a finalist in the Academic/Researcher of the Year category at the 2026 Australian Defence Industry Awards.

The annual premier awards ceremony identifies the top executives, Indigenous and female leaders, students, scientists, academics and technicians, and other high-performing leaders in the defence industry across the nation.

For more than two decades, Miranda has dedicated her career to advancing mental health and wellbeing for veterans and their families. Miranda is an international leader in veteran mental health research and has secured $15m funding and supervised 25+ higher degree students to completion.

Assoc Prof Van Hooff joins researchers from Adelaide University, University of Canberra, University of Technology Sydney, Deakin University, Australian Strategic Policy Institute, DefenSight and the University of New South Wales at the Australian Defence Force Academy.

The Australian Defence Industry Awards winners will be announced at the black-tie gala awards night on 16 July in Canberra.