A student at The University of Western Australia with a passion for research is one of 17 leading postgraduate students Australia-wide to be named a Westpac Future Leaders Scholar.
Tiana Caccetta, who is undertaking a PhD in Psychology, said she had rediscovered her love of research after taking a year away from her studies while working within the autism community.
The Shelley resident said she had uncovered a “huge amount of talent and potential” that was yet to be unlocked and was seeking to combine this with a desire to understand the anxiety experiences of autistic adults.
“The Westpac scholarship is empowering as it gives me a platform to have my voice and more importantly, the voice of the autism community heard by a bigger and broader spectrum of people,” Tiana said.
“I have always been drawn to working with people, giving them a voice and enabling their potential. So it comes as no surprise that I want to understand the human mind and behaviour to help others.”
UWA Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) Professor David Sadler congratulated Tiana on her achievement.
“Tiana is an outstanding example of a young leader who seeks to improve the lives of those living with autism,” Professor Sadler said.
“Her work will no-doubt leave a permanent, prominent and positive impact on our society for the foreseeable future.”
Each scholarship recipient receives up to $120,000 to cover their postgraduate studies, a nine-month leadership development program and the opportunity to study abroad.
Every Westpac Future Leaders Scholar also gains lifelong access to the Westpac 100 Scholars Network. Growing by 100 scholars a year across the Westpac Scholars Trust’s five scholarship programs, the network connects a community of people from all walks of life with the ideas and drive to help shape a better future for all Australians.
The Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship is offered in partnership with The University of Adelaide, The Australian National University, The University of Melbourne, Monash University, The University of Queensland, The University of Sydney, University of Tasmania, University of New South Wales and The University of Western Australia.
