At a sparkly gala awards dinner last night at the Ritz-Carlton, world-renowned botanist Professor Kadambot Siddique from UWA was awarded Western Australia’s Scientist of the Year 2023.
Seven category winners in all walked off with a share of the $100K prize pool.
Prof Siddique’s 35-year research and novel agricultural techniques have made 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 also 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.
Since 2002, more than 110 awards have been given to the State’s best and brightest researchers, students and communicators.
“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,” said Premier Roger Cook, in a pre-recorded message last night.
“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.
Premier Roger Cook MLA
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
Standing in for the Premier on the night was Minister for Innovation and Science, Stephen Dawson MLC.
“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,” he said.
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For more information on the awards and more information on the winners see Premier’s Science Awards (www.wa.gov.au)
All photos: JTSI
