- Professor Kadambot Siddique has been named Scientist of the
Year at the 2023 Premier's Science Awards
- All seven award category winners share in a total prize pool
of $100,000
- Leading bullying prevention expert inducted into the WA
Science Hall of Fame
A
world renowned botanist has been honoured as Western Australia's Scientist of
the Year at this year's Premier's Science Awards ceremony held last night.
Hackett
Professor Kadambot Siddique AM CitWA FTSE, Director at The University of
Western Australia's Institute of Agriculture, has dedicated his 35-year career
to research, training, technology exchange and industry development.
His
research and novel agricultural techniques have an important impact on Western
Australian cereal and grain legume production in our increasingly arid dryland
environments and in addressing world food security.
As
part of the ceremony, Emeritus Professor Donna Cross OAM was inducted into the
Western Australian Science Hall of Fame.
Across
a 40-year career, Professor Cross's research has been instrumental in shaping
all major school bullying prevention programs in Australia, as well as many school
wellbeing policies and curricula.
Other
winners at the Awards night included:
- Professor Britta Regli-von Ungern-Sternberg from
Telethon Kids Institute and The University of Western Australia; and Professor
Hongqi Sun from The University of Western Australia – Mid-Career Scientist of
the Year (Joint Winners);
- Dr David Gozzard from The University of Western
Australia – Early Career Scientist of the Year;
- Denby Evans from Telethon Kids Institute and
Curtin University – Student Scientist of the Year;
- Rebecca Famlonga from Murdoch University and
Telethon Kids Institute – Aboriginal STEM Student of the Year; and
- MissionsConnect from Curtin University – Science
Engagement Initiative of the Year.
Each
Award recipient will share in the total prize pool of $100,000, including
$50,000 for the Scientist of the Year, chosen from finalists from all fields of
science.
Since 2002, more than 110 awards have been given to the
State's best and brightest researchers, students and communicators.
The
Premier's Science Awards are proudly sponsored by gold sponsors, Shell and
Woodside; silver sponsor, DUG; and bronze sponsors, CSIRO and the Pawsey Supercomputing
Research Centre.
The
Awards are also supported by sector sponsor Telethon Kids Institute; community
partners Scitech and the Western Australian Museum; media partner The West
Australian; and Western Australia's five universities, Curtin University, Edith
Cowan University, Murdoch University, The University of Notre Dame and The
University of Western Australia.
For
more information on the awards and more information on the winners see Premier's Science Awards (www.wa.gov.au)
Comments
attributed to Premier Roger Cook:
"A
huge congratulations to all the winners at the Premier's Science Awards,
including Scientist of the Year Professor Kadambot Siddique for his world class
agricultural research.
"Each
year the WA Science Hall of Fame sees a new addition and I am delighted to see
Professor Donna Cross recognised for her impactful outcomes for children.
"Last
night's winners show that science is fundamental to our health and quality of
life, our environment and our current and future economy.
"I
know each award recipient will go on to be amazing ambassadors for STEM in
Western Australia and no doubt encourage many to follow in their footsteps."
Comments
attributed to Science Minister Stephen Dawson:
"I
am in awe of all the winners of the Premier's Science Awards, who prove without
a doubt that WA has some of the best scientific minds in the country.
"Our
2023 Premier's Science Awards finalists and winners demonstrate Western
Australia's key strengths across a range of STEM areas, from radio astronomy,
space operations and remote technologies, to marine science, medical sciences,
food security, and more.
"The
Cook Government is committed to establishing Western Australia as a global hub
for science and technology development, and I look forward to seeing our award
winners drive future scientific breakthroughs across the State."
