The University of Western Australia has a continual roll call of awards, scholarships and prizes presented to staff and students.

To recognise these achievements, an article is published on the UWA news page on the website and in UWA Forward on the first week of every month. If you know of great awards or achievements across the University please email [email protected].

Name: UWA Library

Achievement:  UWA Library is a finalist for the Clarivate Library Innovation Awards in the category Academic Libraries International for UWA Collected, which brings together diverse and unique cultural, historical and research collections from across the University. The initiative stores, manages and preserves collections to ensure their security and longevity for communities and researchers into the future The awards are designed to recognise and support innovation by academic, national and public libraries worldwide. The awards highlight the resilience, creativity, and impact of library professionals and celebrate inspiring projects, innovations, or transformational initiatives that have made a tangible impact on librarians, patrons, students or communities. Finalists in each category will receive all-expenses-paid attendance for two library staff members at Clarivate international user group conferences in 2026, where they will be announced and recognised on stage.

Name: Jovanna Cervantes Guzmán

Achievement:  Dr Jovanna Cervantes Guzmán, from UWA Business School, has been recognised as a Top Voice in Higher Education 2026. Dr Guzmán is a doctoral candidate and higher education professional who has contributed to curriculum design, student success and educational innovation. Her work focuses on inclusive curriculum innovation, gender equity, global education and industry-engaged learning. Dr Guzmán work integrates real-world experience, entrepreneurship and access-driven design to ensure higher education is future-focused and socially responsive. Top 50 Voices in Higher Education highlights thought leaders, innovators and changemakers whose ideas are shaping the future of teaching, learning and student engagement. The voices stand out not only for their expertise, but for the way they spark dialogue, influence policy and practice and represent diverse perspectives across higher education.

Name:  Asha de Vos

Achievement:  UWA graduate and marine biologist Asha de Vos was recognised at the United Nations, with her portrait featured at the opening of the UN General Assembly, in conjunction with International Women’s Day 2026. Dr de Vos was acknowledged for her groundbreaking contribution to ocean science and her impact on global conservation.  Alongside her portrait, Dr de Vos shared the message: “They told me I was not capable, so I made a discovery that changed the world.” During the Commission on the Status of Women sessions, her leadership and scientific contributions were highlighted. Dr de Vos’ research on blue whale migration challenged assumptions and redefined marine science in the Northern Indian Ocean.

Name:  Anna Faber

Achievement: Forrest research Foundation scholar Anna Faber, from UWA's School of Molecular Sciences, is one of nine early-career researchers from Australia who will head to Lindau, Germany to attend a prestigious annual gathering of Nobel Prize-winning researchers.  Ms Faber is a synthetic biologist who engineers marine bacteria to break down plastic and create biodegradable alternatives. The meeting will provide an opportunity for the early-career scientists to share their research, experiences and ideas, and gain inspiration from fellow emerging scientists and Nobel Laureates. The 75th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting is on from June 28 to July 3, 2026, and is expected to bring together around 75 Nobel Laureates and 636 young scientists from 88 countries.

Name: Lisa Stinson

Achievement: Dr Lisa Stinson, from UWA's School of Molecular Sciences and The Australian Preterm Birth Prevention Alliance, was recognised with two awards at the 2026 Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand congress. The Research Fellow at the Centre for Human Lactation Research and Translation was awarded the ‘best new investigator oral presentation for discovery science’ and the ‘President’s award for best new investigator oral presentation of the meeting’. Dr Stinson’s work specialises in the establishment and development of the microbiome in early life and its impact on lifelong health. Her research explores microbial exposures from pregnancy through infancy, with a particular focus on how human milk shapes infant microbial ecology.

Congratulations UWA staff, alumni and students.