Thirteen researchers and a program to inspire female students to take up STEM careers have been named finalists in this year’s Premier’s Science Awards.
UWA’s Scientist of the Year finalists are Hackett Professor Kadambot Siddique AM, Director of The UWA Institute of Agriculture; Professor Wendy Erber, a haematologist from the UWA School of Biomedical Sciences; and Professor Andrew Whitehouse, from UWA Medical School and the Angela Wright Bennett Professor of Autism Research and Director of CliniKids at Telethon Kids Institute.
“Science is a vehicle through which we can understand the world as it is, and also as it could be,” Professor Whitehouse said.
“It is a life’s dream to be able to work on these goals, and truly humbling to be recognised for it.”
Professor Erber said she was driven by the excitement of research and the creation of new knowledge.
“My inspiration comes from patients with blood diseases and a desire to improve their care and outcomes,” Professor Erber said.
“I work with fantastic colleagues without whose support this recognition would not have been possible and gain immense pleasure from seeing the development of students through teaching and supervision – they are our future. I am truly honoured.”
Professor Siddique said he was honoured to be a Scientist of the Year finalist for the second year running.
“This recognition is a tremendous opportunity to shine a light on WA as a national and world leader in the field of agricultural science,” Professor Siddique said.
“I am very thankful to my research colleagues at UWA and around the globe, postgraduate students, and WA’s tightknit agriculture industry and farming communities for their support and collaboration throughout my career.”
UWA Girls in Engineering is a finalist in the Science Engagement Initiative of the Year category. Through school workshops, community events and industry partnerships, the program supports the next generation and champions diversity in STEM.
The three finalists in Mid-Career Scientist of the Year category are Professor Hongqi Sun, from the UWA School of Molecular Sciences; Professor Britta Regli-von Ungern-Sternberg, foundation Chair of Paediatric Anaesthesia at UWA, co-lead of the Perioperative Medicine research program at Telethon Kids Institute and a specialist paediatric anaesthetist at Perth Children’s Hospital; and Professor Ashleigh Lin, from UWA Medical School and Program Head of Mental Health and Youth at the Telethon Kids Institute.
Dr David Gozzard, from the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research, and Dr Kieran Mulroney, a Forrest Foundation Prospect Fellow from UWA Medical School and Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, were named Early Career Scientist of the Year finalists.
Student Scientist of the Year nominees include research associate Ingrid Stacey, from UWA’s School of Population and Global Health, Joshua Bonesso, from UWA Oceans Institute, and PhD candidate Somayra Mamsa, from UWA’s School of Molecular Sciences.
Aboriginal STEM Student of the Year finalists are Benjamin Ninyett, from UWA’s School of Indigenous Studies, and Lianne Gilchrist, from the UWA Medical School.
Winners will be announced at a ceremony on Monday 11 September.
Image above: Professor Wendy Erber, Hackett Professor Kadambot Siddique and Professor Andrew Whitehouse.
