Five scientists from The University of Western Australia have received a WA Young Tall Poppy Science Award for their outstanding early career research.
The recipients are Dr Jessica Kretzmann, from UWA’s School of Molecular Sciences; Dr Karen Lee- Waddell, from the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) and CSIRO Space and Astronomy; Professor Chan Cheah, from UWA Medical School and Sir Charles Gardiner Hospital; Dr Dona Jayakody, from UWA Medical School and Ear Science Institute Australia; and Forrest Fellow Dr David Gozzard, from ICRAR.
UWA Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Anna Nowak said it was pleasing to see so many researchers recognised.
“The awards are a reflection of the high standard of innovative research under way at UWA,” Professor Nowak said.
“The passion these researchers share for science will help save lives and solve some of the mysteries of the universe while inspiring the next generation of STEM researchers.”
Professor Cheah designs and conducts innovative clinical trials to offer patients with blood cancers access to potentially life-saving novel therapies.
“In 2018, I founded a charity, Blood Cancer Research WA, which gives people access to new ways of treating blood cancer – cellular therapies, bispecific antibodies, small molecule inhibitors – at no cost to the patient,” Professor Cheah said.
“I am humbled by the nomination and shortlisting, which I consider a testament to the hard work of my entire team.”
Dr Lee-Waddell is leading the Australian effort to build computing and data intensive research capabilities to support astronomers using current and next generation radio telescopes.
She is also project scientist for WALLABY, the all-sky survey that aims to detect and image the gas distribution in hundreds of thousands of galaxies using CSIRO’s ASKAP telescope.
“I'm passionate about science education and sharing STEM research with society, hoping to inspire the next generation of scientists,” Dr Lee-Waddell.
Forrest Fellow Dr Kretzmann, a former WA Student Scientist of the Year and Fulbright Scholar, designs and evaluates new materials for the delivery of gene therapies and the rapid detection and diagnosis of disease conditions.
“Gene therapies have the potential to revolutionise treatment of diseases such as cancer, avoiding traditional chemotherapy side-effects, but currently there are no safe and efficient methods to get these therapies inside the cancerous cells,” Dr Kretzmann said.
Dr Kretzmann said the award recognised the importance of excellence in science and of inspiring young people to be inquisitive and engaged with STEM.
“I am honoured to be recognised with this award especially amongst such a talented and accomplished cohort of fellow Tall Poppies,” she said.
Dr Gozzard focuses on the development of high-precision laser sensors and high-bandwidth laser communication systems.
“My work will help to revolutionise science and communications using satellites, which will bring benefits to fields ranging from the study of fundamental laws of physics, to resource exploration and disaster response,” Dr Gozzard said.
Dr Jayakody’s research focuses on the impact of hearing loss on older Australians and training audiologists, memory clinic health professionals and GPs to support the elderly with hearing and cognitive impairment.
“If cognitive decline can be delayed and mental and psychosocial well-being can be improved it will positively impact the Australian economy and lessen the burden on family and caregivers,” Dr Jayakody said.
“I am very grateful to receive the WA Tall Poppy Award it is a testament to excellence in research and supporting the next generation of STEM scientists.”
Western Australian Tall Poppies awardees will be recognised at a ceremony in October, where the WA Young Tall Poppy Scientist of the Year will also be announced.
Pictured above: Professor Chan Cheah, Dr Dona Jayakody and Dr Jessica Kretzmann.