Six leading Curtin researchers and two of the University’s powerful science engagement programs have been named finalists in the 2023 Premier’s Science Awards, which recognise the State’s brightest experts in their fields.
Image Credit: Curtin University
Ground-breaking Alzheimer’s researcher John Curtin Distinguished Professor John Mamo, the Director of the Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, is in the running to be named the coveted Scientist of the Year.
Planetary scientist Associate Professor Katarina Miljkovic, from Curtin’s Space Science and Technology Centre, and electrochemistry researcher Professor Debbie Silvester-Dean, from Curtin’s School of Molecular and Life Sciences, are finalists in the Mid-Career Scientist of the Year.
Ear science researcher Dr Rebecca Bennett, from the Curtin Medical School, and clinical psychologist Dr David Preece, from the Curtin School of Population Health and Curtin’s enAble Institute, have been recognised in the Early Career Scientist of the Year category.
Curtin and Telethon Kids Institute PhD student Denby Evans, whose research focuses on improving the lung health of premature babies, was selected for the Student Scientist of the Year category.
Curtin’s BASF Kids’ Lab, a program that seeks to inspire the next generation of scientists among primary school children, and the University’s Missions Connect project, which uses new tools including virtual reality to share WA’s Stolen Generations history, were named finalists in the Science Engagement Initiative of the Year.
Curtin University Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research Professor Lindy Fitzgerald congratulated the Curtin finalists on being acknowledged among WA’s leaders in science and engagement.
“Each finalist has played a critical role in raising the profile of STEM in Western Australia with their significant contributions helping to inspire the leaders of tomorrow in their fields,” Professor Fitzgerald said.
“The calibre of research and engagement being recognised among Curtin’s finalists this year reflect the real-world difference their efforts are making to local, national and international communities.”
The Premier’s Science Awards recognise and celebrate the outstanding scientific research and engagement taking place in WA across six award categories.
The winners will be announced at a gala ceremony in September.