World-leading researchers in hypertension, mitochondrial genomics and disease, and plant genetics are among 18 finalists from The University of Western Australia in this year’s Premier’s Science Awards.
Three of the four finalists in the WA Scientist of the Year category are affiliated with UWA: Professor Aleksandra Filipovska, Professor Jacqueline Batley and Professor Markus Schlaich.
Professor Filipovska from UWA’s Medical School, is the inaugural Louis Landau Chair in Child Health Research at The Kids Research Institute Australia and Deputy Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology. She has developed technologies that have led to new treatments and improved diagnosis for patients with genetic disorders.
A highly cited researcher from UWA’s School of Biological Sciences, theme leader for The UWA Institute of Agriculture’s research theme Sustainable Cropping Systems and an Australian Laureate Fellowship recipient, Professor Batley’s research focuses on crop genetics and genomics to strengthen and improve food security and sustainability, helping develop more disease-resistant plants.
Professor Schlaich, the inaugural Dobney Chair in Clinical Research at UWA’s Medical School and Royal Perth Hospital, is a kidney doctor and specialist in high-blood pressure. He has brought to the clinic ground-breaking new treatments for hypertension, the world’s leading cause of death.
Associate Professor Gina Ravenscroft, Associate Professor Elisabete da Cunha and Associate Professor Sascha Schediwy are finalists in the Mid-Career Scientist of the Year category.
Associate Professor Ravenscroft, from UWA’s Medical School and the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, researches the genetic causes of rare but serious neuromuscular diseases.
Associate Professor da Cunha and Associate Professor Schediwy are based at the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR). Associate Professor da Cunha aims to understand how galaxies formed and evolved in the past 13 billion years while Associate Professor Schediwy studies high-precision astronomy and space instrumentation and works in the emerging field of coherent free-space laser link research.
Dr Kieran Mulroney, Dr Neil Robinson and Dr Lucy Furfaro are finalists in the Early Career Scientist of the Year category.
Dr Mulroney, a Forrest Foundation Prospect Fellow from UWA’s Medical School and based at Perkins, co-invented and developed technology to identify the best antibiotic to quickly treat life-threatening infections.
Forrest Fellow Dr Robinson, from UWA’s Department of Chemical Engineering, works on designing porous materials for energy and decarbonisation applications, including the transformation of hydrogen into easily transportable liquids, and the production of low-carbon fuels from waste.
NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow Dr Furfaro, from UWA’s Medical School, leads research to tackle infections during pregnancy and early-life by using the natural predators of bacteria known as bacteriophages.
Four PhD students — researching ways to prevent the spread of Strep A, tackling treatment-resistant cancers, the aging process and neurodegenerative diseases and improving ear health in Aboriginal communities — were announced as Student Scientist of the Year finalists.
Stephanie Enkel, from UWA and The Kids Research Institute Australia, aims to understand and find effective ways to prevent the spread of Strep A in Aboriginal communities. Tamara Veselinović, from UWA and The Kids Research Institute Australia, has developed a research program to improve Aboriginal ear health. Nicola Principe, from UWA and the Perkins, has helped develop strategies to tackle treatment-resistant cancers. Somayra Mamsa, from UWA's School of Molecular Sciences, is exploring the natural aging process as a risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases by studying changes to the blood vessels in the brain and their ability to transport key metals and nutrients.
UWA’s Jaida Penny, from The Kids Research Institute Australia, Amos Smith and Dakota Winter are finalists for Aboriginal STEM Student of the Year.
Dr Jyoti Kaur, from UWA’s School of Physics, Mathematics and Computing, is a Science Engagement Initiative of the Year finalist for the Einstein-First project.
Dr Pejman Rowshan Farzad, from UWA’s School of Physics, Mathematics and Computing, is a STEM Educator of the Year – Tertiary finalist.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony on August 19 at Optus Stadium.
Image top: Professors Jacqueline Batley, Markus Schlaich and Aleksandra Filipovska.