Professor Robert Newton from ECU.
Camera IconProfessor Robert Newton from ECU. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Top Stem researchers and students win science awards

Kristie LimWestern Suburbs Weekly

WA’s finest researchers and students have been recognised for their work in the Stem field at the 2019 Premier’s Science Awards.

Six individual winners were announced at an awards ceremony on August 13.

Astrofest and Perth Observatory were joint winners of the Chevron Science Engagement Initiative of the Year title.

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Curtin University earth and planetary sciences Professor Phil Band, of Rossmoyne, and Edith Cowan University medical and exercise sciences Associate Dean Robert Newton, of Mullaloo, were named joint winners of the Scientist of the Year title.

Yokine resident Dr Adam Cross from the ARC Centre for Mine Site Restoration in Curtin’s School of Molecular and Life Sciences, won the Early Career Scientist of the Year award.

Dr Adam Cross from Curtin University.
Camera IconDr Adam Cross from Curtin University. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Curtin deputy Vice-Chancellor Chris Moran said Professor Brand and Dr Cross made their mark on the world stage and inspired the next generations of scientists to consider a career in Stem.

Professor Newton said the award brought recognition to his work in exercise oncology and highlighted the internationally competitive clinical practice of cancer care in WA.

“With this acknowledgement and award funds, I could do so much more to embed exercise medicine into best practice cancer care in the state, nationally and internationally, fulfilling my two-decade goal of quality exercise medicine being available to all people going through a cancer journey,” he said.

Meanwhile, University of Western Australia molecular sciences PhD candidate Jessica Kretzmann, of Wembley, won the Student Scientist of the Year and the Telethon Kids Institute PhD candidate Sharynne Hamilton, of Halls Head, was named the inaugural Aboriginal Stem Student of the Year.

Telethon Kids Institute senior principal research fellow Professor Carol Bower, of Shenton Park, was inducted into the Science Hall of Fame for her lifelong contribution to child health and particularly her research on folate and neural tube defects.

Sharynne Hamilton from the Telethon Kids Institute.
Camera IconSharynne Hamilton from the Telethon Kids Institute. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Telethon Kids Institute director Jonathan Carapetis said the institute was proud of Professor Bower’s contribution to health research and her passion for involving consumers and community members in the process.

UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Dawn Freshwater said it was particularly pleasing to see Ms Hamilton take out the Aboriginal Stem Student of the Year, which was a new award category this year.

Science Minister Dave Kelly said Ms Hamilton served as a role model for increasing diversity in Stem education and careers.

For information, visit www.jtsi.wa.gov.au/ScienceAwards

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