Talk about going out with a bang. As we bid farewell to Research Governance and Compliance manager, Deb McKay, retiring after decades of service to NeuRA, it was announced that she has been awarded the Unimutual Excellence Awards Risk Management Professional of the Year 2025.

The award is a fitting tribute, recognising Deb’s contribution to effective risk management, including in creating exceptional risk management strategies and innovative solutions.

That barely covers the long and diverse career Deb has had with NeuRA, during which her commitment to continual upskilling delivered her qualifications in pathology, biomedical electron microscopy, health administration, contracts, workplace safety and more.

Deb retired on May 1, making more time for her many other interests, including her family, Masters athletics, bushwalking, hip hop, photography and travel.

​“The fact Deb was nominated last year for NSW Volunteer of the Year indicates how busy she is likely to be in ​‘retirement’,” said NeuRA CEO, Professor Matthew Kiernan.

​“Being recognised for extraordinary efforts in risk management shows the levels of dedication and professional insight Deb brought to NeuRA literally to the day she stepped down.

​“Many researchers have reason to be grateful for the guidance and understanding she brought to the demanding task of ensuring trial approvals, grants protocols and ethics requirements were all met.”