Story by Michael Timms, ACRS NSW Chapter Chair
The second annual PhD Invitational honouring Dr Prasannah Prabhakharan was held last Thursday 21 May 2026 at the University of New South Wales Kensington campus.
The evening culminated in the awarding of the inaugural Dr Prasannah Prabhakharan Scholarship (DPPS) to Ms Amahnee Rogan, Transport for NSW Precinct Safety Officer based in Parkes.
PhD Invitational Wrap
The PhD Invitational is a collaboration between ACRS NSW Chapter and UNSW School of Aviation established to honour the legacy of the Late Dr Prasannah Prabhakharan. As well as being the immediate past NSW Chapter Chair, Prasannah was a student and human factors lecturer at the UNSW School of Aviation.
“The Invitational again offered four PhD candidates the opportunity to tell a live audience about their studies with a strict time limit and Q&A panel session afterwards,” ACRS NSW Chapter Chair Mr Mick Timms said.
“How appropriate, with the theme of this year’s Australasian Road Safety Conference being ‘From Evidence to Action – Shaping a brighter future’, that we heard from young researchers who will be taking us on that journey.
The four presenters were:
- Kardina Nawassa Setyo Ayuningtyas – UNSW, Fatality Risk and Change in Velocity from Head-On Car to Car Crashes, Frontal Car with Fixed Object Crashes, and Side-Impact Car Crashes: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
- Nan Ma – UNSW, Improving novice drivers’ hazard perception through implicit training.
- Osa-mud-iamen Omosumwen (Ossie) – ACU, Human and Artificial Intelligence Collaboration in Automation in Road Safety.
- Boripat Ratchaneepun (Max) – UNSW, Integrated training intervention to improve young novice drivers’ hazard management and speed management
The 36 people in attendance included Prasannah’s wife, Felice, who gave a response on behalf of the Prabhakharan family. Felice spoke about the past year and thanks the presenters. Dr Joanne Bennett joined Felice on stage for the DPPS announcement.
Finally, Mr Bernard Carlon PSM, TfNSW Chief of Road Safety and Maritime Safety, was called to the stage to receive an ACRS Certificate of Appreciation from Mr Timms. The PhD Invitational is the last Chapter event before Mr Carlon retires from TfNSW after a distinguished public sector career.
“Bernard is a personal member of ACRS, a great supporter of the NSW Chapter, and most importantly, a champion for road safety. I’m grateful to ACRS President, Ms Teresa Williams, and CEO, Dr Ingrid Johnston for counter-signing the Certificate of Appreciation for Bernard.
In what has been a very busy month for the NSW Chapter, the PhD Invitational came only weeks after the chapter presented the NSW Parliamentary Friends of Road Safety kick-off event.
“On display at the PhD Invitational was our NSW Parliamentary Friends of Road Safety Commitment to Road Trauma Reduction signed by MPs from across the aisle,” Mr Timms said.
The PhD Invitational was filmed by UNSW and will be made available for ACRS members soon.
“Prasannah was a big Star Wars fan, hence the references throughout the night, and we are talking with UNSW about holding next year’s event on May the fourth,” Mr Timms said.
“If anyone is aware of potential PhD Candidates for 2027, please email me at nsw@acrs.org.au.
Dr Prasannah Prabhakharan Scholarship Recipient Announced
Dr Prasannah Prabhakharan Scholarship Recipient Announced
Ms Amahnee Rogan, Transport for NSW Precinct Safety Officer based in Parkes, is the inaugural recipient of the Dr Prasannah Prabhakharan Scholarship (DPPS).
Established in honour of its benefactor, the late Dr. Prasannah Prabhakharan and supported by the NRMA, the DPPS allows an emerging road safety specialist from regional New South Wales to attend the annual Australasian Road Safety Conference (ARSC).
The announcement was made by Prasannah’s close friend and colleague, Dr Joanne Bennett, in the presence of Prasannah’s wife Felice, his brother Prakash, and his father.
The DPPS consists of paid delegate registration to the Australasian Road Safety Conference, 12-months complimentary ACRS membership, and, thanks to the NRMA, a $1,250 reimbursement for travel and accommodation and related expenses.
In her application for the scholarship, Ms Rogan said she is “at a point in my career where I want to build a deeper strategic understanding of how safety, planning, and operational decision‑making come together”
“Attending the ARSC will help me build the technical knowledge and connections I need to grow as a regional road safety leader,” Ms Rogan said.
ACRS NSW Chapter Chair, Mr Mick Timms, said the Prabhakharan family worked tirelessly with the chapter on the DPPS.
“The family agreed on the name of the scholarship, a logo, and worked with me, Tasha Prabhakar, David Wakelin, and Joanne Bennett, to realise Prasannah’s final gift to road safety,” Mr Timms said.
“I’m grateful to Mr Robert Giltinan, NRMA Director of Policy and Public Affairs, for sharing Prasannah’s vision and sponsoring the DPPS.
“I also acknowledge our ACRS CEO, Dr Ingrid Johnston, for helping us navigate the corporate governance issues associated with scholarships, sponsorships and bequests.
“The applications were of a high standard which augers well for the future of NSW regional road safety. To those who missed out, please consider applying again next year should your still fit the criteria when the time comes.
Commitment to Road Trauma Reduction
