Nicole McDonald, who leads the Queensland Digital Health Centre (QDHeC) Project Management Office, has been recognised with a UQ Research Culture Award in the Research Management and Support category for her outstanding contribution to research excellence and cultural leadership.
As PMO lead at QDHeC, Nicole manages and mentors project managers while overseeing four Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) projects embedding strategic thinking and continuous improvement aligned with UQ’s vision of “knowledge leadership for a better world.”
Nicole's leadership is particularly evident in her management of the $3 million Digital Infrastructure For improving First Nations Maternal and Child Health (DIFFERENCE) project. The DIFFERENCE project showcases Nicole’s collaborative leadership in complex research management. She has united partners across UQ, IUIH, Mater Health, CSIRO, QCIF, and QUT, driving a culturally sensitive approach through governance frameworks that uphold Indigenous Data Sovereignty and Data Governance principles.
"Nicole established clear governance processes that ensured the voices of our Community were privileged and their contributions meaningfully integrated into the project's direction," said Stephanie Moriarty, Research Manager at IUIH. "Her leadership has been instrumental in maintaining trust, managing risk, and delivering high-impact research outcomes."
Beyond DIFFERENCE, Nicole has contributed to several significant QDHeC research initiatives as well as co-leading the QDHeC PMO in Practice community, which encourages knowledge sharing among project managers, research administrators, and students – fostering a collaborative learning environment that extends her impact across the organisation.
The UQ Research Culture Awards recognise individuals who exemplify excellence in research culture, and Nicole's win highlights the critical role that skilled research management plays in delivering meaningful outcomes.
