Firefly Children’s Foundation is proud to announce the recipients of the 2027 Firefly Annual Grants, investing $1.67 million into 21 South Australian projects that will advance knowledge across child health, education and welfare.
Firefly Class of 2027
Known as the Firefly Class of 2027, this year’s recipients represent some of South Australia’s most promising thinkers, innovators and changemakers. Their projects span the full spectrum of childhood, from supporting healthier beginnings before birth through to improving learning outcomes, strengthening child safety and addressing complex challenges facing children, young people and families.
The 2027 funding round marks an important milestone for the Foundation as the first Annual Grants program delivered under the Firefly Children’s Foundation name. While the organisation has entered a new chapter, its purpose remains deeply connected to a proud South Australian legacy spanning more than 50 years.
For five decades, Firefly and its predecessor organisations have invested in local pioneers whose work has expanded knowledge, improved outcomes and opened new possibilities for children and families across the state. The Firefly Class of 2027 continues that tradition, bringing together projects that will contribute to healthier futures, stronger communities and brighter opportunities for the next generation.
The Foundation celebrated the announcement at a special event recognising excellence across South Australia’s research and innovation community. Firefly Children’s Foundation extends its sincere thanks to Event Partner Ord Minnett for helping bring the evening to life and supporting the recognition of this outstanding group of recipients.
As these projects progress, Firefly looks forward to sharing the discoveries, insights and outcomes that emerge from this year’s cohort and the difference they will make for children, families and communities across South Australia.
Congratulations to all recipients of the 2027 Firefly Annual Grants.
This year’s recipients represent some of South Australia’s most promising thinkers, innovators and changemakers.
The 2027 Firefly Annual Grant recipients
Twenty-one projects across health, education and welfare, led by researchers at Adelaide University, Flinders University and SAHMRI.
Health · 16 projects
Annual Grant · $99,974
Margarita Tsiros
Adelaide University
‘Healthy Moves’: a co-designed, co-ordinated, interprofessional, community-based healthy lifestyle program empowering children, families and future health professionals
Annual Grant · $100,000
Hanif Haidari
Flinders University
A Non Invasive Biosensor Patch for Early Detection of Paediatric Infection
Early Career Grant · $40,000
Rachel Elovaris
SAHMRI
Addressing anaemia among young Aboriginal children living in South Australia – a feasibility and acceptability study
Early Career Grant · $40,000
Cathal King
Adelaide University
Decoding anti-tumour immune responses in childhood PFA ependymoma through spatial transcriptomics
Annual Grant · $93,185
Alan Brook
Adelaide University
Developmental abnormalities of the mouth and face in children: Increasing understanding of congenitally missing teeth to improve orofacial clinical outcomes
Early Career Grant · $38,901
Jacquelina Stasinopoulos
Flinders University
Does periconceptional GLP-1 receptor agonist increase risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes?
Annual Grant · $89,133
Tim Green
Flinders University
Does Stopping Folic Acid After the First Trimester Affect Early Child Development? A Randomised Controlled Follow Up Study
Annual Grant · $99,867
Peter Catcheside
Flinders University
Improved sleep disordered breathing diagnostic accuracy in children by augmenting current single night diagnostic tests with multi-night in-home breathing and snoring assessments without worn sensors.
Annual Grant · $99,493
Luke Grzeskowiak
Flinders University
IRONKIDS: Identifying new strategies for the primary prevention of iron deficiency in early-life to optimise brain development and improve future mental health and wellbeing for children and adolescents
Early Career Grant · $40,000
Kelly Lim
Adelaide University
Mapping dynamic CBL mutant protein interactions in childhood leukaemia to unlock targeted therapies
Annual Grant · $99,515
Sally Robinson
Flinders University
Preventing and addressing everyday harm of school students with disability
Early Career Grant · $91,473
Lucy Simmonds
Flinders University
Reducing harm to children from the effect of nutraceutical product misinformation on parents
Annual Grant · $98,764
Bronni Simpson
Flinders University
Supporting Early Lactation After Preterm Birth: Co-Design and Pilot Testing of a Parent-Facing Digital Aid for Documenting Breast Milk Expression
Annual Grant · $100,000
Wendy Ingman
Adelaide University
The impact of environmental pollutants in breastmilk on pre-term neonatal development
Early Career Grant · $39,623
Jacqueline Rehn
SAHMRI
Uncovering novel contributors to disease in children and adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Annual Grant · $98,947
Ashley Hopkins
Flinders University
Vision-enabled AI medication assistance tool to improve medication safety in the neonatal unit
Education · 4 projects
Annual Grant · $100,000
Ivanka Prichard
Flinders University
Evaluating Food is Fuel as the future of food and nutrition education
Early Career Grant · $72,996
Thushari Atapattu
Adelaide University
Evaluating Youth Exposure to AI-Generated Misinformation and Manipulative Content Using Simulated Interaction Patterns
Annual Grant · $99,842
Nathan Caruana
Flinders University
Reading Robots in Remote SA Schools to Support Literacy and Emotional Wellbeing
Early Career Grant · $39,910
Tom Porta
Adelaide University
What Helps Me Learn? Autistic Primary Students Sharing What Works in Their Classroom
Welfare · 1 project
Annual Grant · $84,607
Pat Thomson
Adelaide University
Meeting Children’s Needs: Mapping and Improving Care Capacities in South Australian Public Primary Schools
