University Medallist Joel Tinetti with the Food Science and Nutrition team

The School of Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences recently celebrated its annual awards ceremony, in a very welcoming breakfast function. This year’s event shone a spotlight on academic excellence, with thirteen outstanding undergraduate scholars receiving top honours for their achievements across diverse disciplines. The ceremony was not only a tribute to these prize winners but also a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion that define our student community.

MMFS Academic Prize Winners

The MMFS School warmly congratulates the following undergraduate prize recipients for their exceptional academic performance:

• Ashtyn Deverell, Jamie Lornie, and Cara MacKenzie – Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Prize
• Ronen Sturrock – Australian Society of Parasitology Prize
• Madeline Amos – Rozlyn Tilbury Prize in Forensic Toxicology
• Jess Scott – Ann Osborn Memorial Prize in Molecular Biology
• Souad Ahmed – AIMS WIL Performance Prize in Laboratory Medicine
• Breanna Underdown – Award for Clinical Laboratory Medicine
• Ashley Burston – Award for Forensic Biology
• Danielle Wharrie – Award for Genetics and Molecular Biology
• Carissa Lim – Award for Laboratory Medicine
• Avril Wilder – Distinguished Professor Patrick H M Loh Award in Biomedical Science

• Joel Tinetti - Award for Food Science and Nutrition 

University Medallist - Joel Tinetti 

Among the new graduates, Joel Tinetti was the recipient of the Prize in Food Science and Nutrition and a prestigious University Medal, one of ten such awards for the top graduating students across the university.

Joel’s journey is a remarkable story of perseverance and growth. Entering university from a chef background, Joel was initially driven by a desire to pursue new product development. However, within weeks of commencing his studies, exposure to the diverse topics within the course sparked a genuine fascination for the science underpinning food and nutrition.

“As the degree progressed, the dots began to join across different units and I was awestruck by the beauty and majesty of how all these diverse fields fit together. Molecular processes in taste and texture, spoilage protection, digestion, absorption and all the way through to metabolism left me with a sense of wonder at it all. Learning wasn’t a chore, it was exciting.”

As a mature-age student, Joel brought a wealth of life experience to the classroom, quickly translating it into academic value. He became engrossed in his studies not simply for the marks, but out of curiosity for how and why those processes work in real world applications. Site visits organised as part of the course offered Joel a unique perspective on commercial food preparation, from boutique to mass production, revealing the complex challenges faced by food businesses. 

Joel’s academic growth was marked by important lessons, including the value of collaboration and listening in group projects. He learned to trust his colleagues and recognised the significance of allowing space for diverse perspectives. Facing a major personal challenge—a cardiac arrest in July 2025—Joel’s determination to complete his degree only strengthened. With one semester remaining, he found unwavering support from Murdoch staff, including Wendy Hunt, Andrew Tilley, Clare Woods, Garth Maker, and Jason Terpollili, enabling him to focus on his studies.

Joel’s achievements are a testament to the supportive and inclusive environment fostered by the MMFS School. The staff’s compassion and flexibility played a pivotal role in Joel’s success, highlighting the school’s commitment to student wellbeing. Their encouragement and practical assistance during difficult times ensured Joel could continue his studies and graduate among the top ten students of his cohort.

In 2026, Joel returns to Murdoch for a one-year honours project investigating oat milk composition from different oat varieties. With newfound breadth and depth in food science, Joel’s future in research holds endless possibilities. As the faculty encourages big dreams for his ongoing work, Joel remains excited to see where opportunity and curiosity will lead him next.

You can read more about our courses here