An academic whose research tackles artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and online misinformation will attend a conference in Japan after receiving a Business Events Perth 2026 Aspire Award.
Dr Mehwish Nasim, who received The University of Western Australia Aspire Award, is a senior lecturer in computer science at UWA and founder of the Network Analysis and Social Influence and Modelling (NASIM) Lab at UWA’s School of Physics, Mathematics and Computing.
Her research brings together AI, computational social science and behavioural science to understand how people interact with information, technology and AI.
Her work has explored misinformation and social influence, human-centred and trustworthy AI, large language models, cybersecurity and decision-making in complex social and security settings.
“I’m particularly interested in how large language models interface and influence human personality and behaviour. This understanding will help us develop AI systems that are safer, reliable, and trustworthy,” Dr Nasim said.
The award will allow Dr Nasim to attend the 65th Annual Meeting of the Association for Computational Linguistics in Kyoto, Japan in 2027.
Image: Dr Mehwish Nasim
Professor Anna Nowak, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), said Dr Nasim’s research was tackling some of the world’s most pressing modern challenges.
“Her work couldn’t be more relevant and essential at a time when we are seeking to understand and keep up with rapidly changing technology that is affecting every aspect of our lives, from the everyday and personal all the way through to decisions of global import,” Professor Nowak said.
Dr Mehwish was one of 10 WA researchers, academics and professionals recognised at the 2026 Business Events Perth Aspire Awards, including four associated with UWA.
Rare diseases researcher Professor Gina Ravenscroft from UWA and the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research received the Harry Perkins Institute Aspire Award.
Professor Ravenscroft – who was appointed the inaugural Patricia Kailis Chair in Rare Diseases at UWA this year and leads the Rare Diseases Genetics and Functional Genomics group at Perkins – was recognised for her research focused on disease gene discovery and characterisation for neuromuscular and neurogenetic diseases that present across the lifespan.
She has a particular interest in disorders that present before or at birth, and her team has been responsible for the discovery and characterisation of more than 40 novel rare disease genes.
Clinical Professor Nicholas Pachter, a clinical geneticist at UWA’s Medical School and Genetic Health WA, received the Charlies Foundation for Research Aspire Award.
Professor Pachter’s clinical and research interests focus on the diagnosis and management of inherited cancer and inherited cardiac disorders.
He has worked collaboratively on high-profile genetics research projects that have attracted national and international recognition, including Mackenzie’s Mission – an internationally acclaimed research project piloting the implementation of a national reproductive carrier screening program for rare genetic disorders.
He was also the clinical lead of a team that helped establish universal testing of colorectal cancers for Lynch syndrome in WA – one of the first jurisdictions in the world to do so.
Adjunct Associate Professor Alma Fulurija, from the UWA School of Biomedical Sciences and The Kids Research Institute Australia, won The Kids Research Institute Australia Aspire Award.
Associate Professor Fulurija, who is Head of the Strep A Vaccines program at The Kids, works in immunology and vaccines research with a focus on translating scientific discoveries into vaccines and immunotherapies.
She is leading work to accelerate Strep A vaccine development and understand immune responses to Strep A infection to inform the development of vaccines to prevent rheumatic heart disease.
The Aspire Awards give WA experts the opportunity to share knowledge, connect and collaborate with industry leaders at business events around the globe.
Successful recipients receive travel funding to attend a conference of their choice, providing the opportunity to connect with peers, showcase their discoveries and strengthen global engagement.
The program highlights WA expertise on an international stage and creates pathways for these events to be hosted in our State in future years.