The Kersti Seksel Award

About the Kersti Seksel Student Award

Dr Kersti Seksel

The Kersti Seksel Student Award was established in 2012 by AVBIG (Australian Veterinary Interest Behaviour Group) renamed AVBM (Australian Veterinary Behavioural Medicine Group) in 2023. It is named in honour of Dr Kersti Seksel in recognition of her contribution to veterinary behavioural medicine in Australia.

It is open to final year veterinary students at an Australian veterinary school who demonstrate an interest in behavioural medicine in veterinary practice and a genuine desire to develop this interest upon graduation.

Criteria for 2026

  • The Kersti Seksel Award is open to final year veterinary students (BVSc/BVMS/DVM) currently studying at an Australian university.
  • Winners will be selected from the applications received by the due date.
  • This award focuses on the applicant’s desire and potential capability for a career including behaviour in veterinary practice.
  • Applicants must be a current student member of AVBM. Upon receipt of the applications, membership currency will be checked (as per AVA current member database).
  • The award is not convertible to other benefit.
  • While previous winners of the award are ineligible for the 2026 prize, unsuccessful applicants from previous years are encouraged to apply.
  • The judging panel’s decision is final and no correspondence or other communication about their decision will be entered into.
  • If suitable applicants are not forthcoming for the current round of the award, the AVBM Executive Committee reserves the right to decide to withdraw all or part of the prize as they see fit.

Prize

The winner will receive one year’s New Graduate Membership to the Australian Veterinary Association.

How to apply

All applications must be submitted using the form on this page. Applications close on Tuesday 30 June 2026, 5pm AEST. No late entries will be accepted.

Past winners

2020 – Ebony Crump, Murdoch University

2024 – Rhiannon Simpson, University of Queensland and Derek Wong, University of Melbourne

2025 – Not awarded

This application must be completed in one sitting as progress cannot be saved.

SECTION 1 | Applicant's details

Name(Required)

SECTION 2 | Academic referees

Please provide the name, postal address, email address and phone number of two (2) academic referees. Please ensure your academic referees are aware they may be contacted regarding this application.
Academic referee 1(Required)
Full name
Postal address
Email
Phone
Academic Referee 2(Required)
Full name
Postal address
Email
Phone

SECTION 3 | Application