Curtin University researchers, teachers and students have been acknowledged among the best in Western Australia, winning big at the annual Premier\u2019s Science Awards \u2014 including jointly taking out the event\u2019s most prestigious prize.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At a gala ceremony at Optus Stadium last night, John Curtin Distinguished Professor Sharon Parker<\/a> was awarded the evening\u2019s top honour, being named co-winner of the Scientist of the Year category for her work at the Future of Work Institute<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Professor Parker also won the event\u2019s People\u2019s Choice Award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Professor Morten Allentoft<\/a> and Dr Alexandra Yeung<\/a> from the School of Molecular and Life Sciences were named Mid-Career Scientist of the Year and STEM Educator of the Year \u2013 Tertiary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also from the School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Brodie O\u2019Breza was named Aboriginal STEM Student of the Year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne<\/a> congratulated Curtin\u2019s award winners and finalists and said it was a wonderful evening for the University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe WA Premier\u2019s Science Awards are one of the state\u2019s most prestigious accolades,\u201d Professor Hayne said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWinning multiple categories \u2013 including the event\u2019s major award \u2013 is a fantastic acknowledgement of not just the individual winners, but the many world-class science programs happening at Curtin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCongratulations to all, especially Professor Parker, Professor Allentoft, Dr Yeung and Ms O\u2019Breza \u2013 you are worthy winners and the Curtin community is very proud.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Professor Parker was named joint Scientist of the Year for equipping Australian organisations to evolve and flourish in the technology-driven innovation age as Director of the Centre for Transformative Work Design at the Future of Work Institute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Professor Parker said it was an honour to receive the award and have her team\u2019s work recognised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWork design may not sound exciting, but the quality of our research has a profound and lasting effect on people\u2019s lives, given the average person spends 90,000 hours of their life working,\u201d Professor Parker said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell-designed work promotes connection, learning, and meaning and supports our health and wellbeing, but poorly designed work causes burnout, accidents, alienation and even premature mortality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI thank my family, friends and the large team of colleagues, collaborators and partners that this award reflects and who have helped to bring science to the study of work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n From Curtin\u2019s Trace and Environmental DNA Laboratory<\/a> (TrEnD Lab), Professor Allentoft\u2019s research into our ancient ancestors, the world in which they lived and what we can learn from it, has been widely published in highly regarded journals \u2014 including five papers in Nature this year alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Professor Allentoft said the award was a tremendous honour and he was humbled by the acknowledgement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMy colleagues have provided such a welcoming and stimulating environment since I arrived here a few years ago,\u201d Professor Allentoft said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe School of Molecular and Life Sciences and BHP’s social Investment Fund have been incredibly supportive of our research to improve biodiversity monitoring in Australia and elsewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr Yeung said she was honoured to have her passion for chemistry education recognised on the evening and thanked her mentors, colleagues, students, friends and family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMy broad aim is to improve students\u2019 perceptions and understanding of chemistry through science inquiry activities, Dr Yeung said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis is achieved by investigating how students learn chemistry, ways to foster student engagement and ways to improve their learning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ms O\u2019Breza is currently in Fiji furthering her Coastal and Marine Science and Environmental Management studies by spending a semester at the University of the South Pacific as a New Colombo Scholar<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A proud Torres Strait Islander from Saibai Island, Ms O\u2019Breza is also undertaking an internship focusing on conserving the marine areas around the country\u2019s various islands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m incredibly proud to win this award and represent my home,\u201d Ms O\u2019Breza said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m extremely grateful to so many people from Curtin for their encouragement and for continuously pushing me to step out of my comfort zone and allowing me to see how much I can actually achieve.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Premier\u2019s Science Awards recognise and celebrate the outstanding scientific research and engagement taking place in WA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n