Five leading Curtin University researchers and one of the University\u2019s flagship space education programs have been named finalists in the prestigious 2026 Premier’s Science Awards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
John Curtin Distinguished Professor Penelope Hasking, a Stan Perron Fellow in the Curtin School of Population Health, was today named a finalist in the prestigious Scientist of the Year category of the annual awards, which recognise the outstanding achievements of WA\u2019s science community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Professor Gavin Pereira, also from the Curtin School of Population Health, is a finalist in the Mid-Career Scientist of the Year category and Associate Professor Alison Blyth, from Curtin\u2019s Faculty of Science and Engineering, was recognised in the STEM Educator of the Year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr Eleanor Dunlop, an Accredited Practising Dietitian, Research Fellow at Deakin University and an Adjunct Research Fellow at Curtin, and Dr Kit Prendergast, a native bee ecologist and adjunct researcher at Curtin, were both named finalists in the Early Career Scientist of the Year category.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The science engagement initiative delivered by Curtin\u2019s Binar Space Program, the BinarX Future Workforce Development Program (BinarX), was also acknowledged in the Science Engagement Initiative of the Year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Curtin Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research Professor Melinda Fitzgerald<\/a> congratulated the Curtin finalists on being named among the State\u2019s best and brightest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Being recognised as a finalist in the Premier’s Science Awards is a remarkable achievement and reflects the exceptional talent, dedication and impact of Curtin’s researchers and educators,” Professor Fitzgerald said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “From improving mental health outcomes and reducing infant mortality to protecting biodiversity, advancing nutrition science and inspiring the next generation through space education, these finalists are tackling some of society’s most pressing challenges and delivering real benefits for communities in Western Australia and around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “We are incredibly proud to see Curtin so strongly represented across this year’s awards and congratulate all of our finalists on this well-deserved recognition.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Further details about the Curtin finalists are outlined below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scientist of the Year<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n John Curtin Distinguished Professor Penelope Hasking<\/p>\n\n\n\n Suicide is the leading cause of death among young Australians. Professor Penelope Hasking<\/a> is transforming how Australia responds to non-suicidal self-injury and suicide among young people. Her research has shown that our approaches to these issues need to change. So, she created programs to support students at Curtin University and then took them national and globally \u2013 training mentors, counsellors, emergency nurses, teachers and others, and guiding policy change. The data shows her work is changing and saving lives. She is a John Curtin Distinguished Professor and Stan Perron Fellow in Curtin University\u2019s School of Population Health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mid-Career Scientist of the Year<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Professor Gavin Pereira<\/p>\n\n\n\n Professor Gavin Pereira<\/a> is reducing the risk of stillbirth and early childhood mortality and morbidity nationally and globally. He has analysed millions of births and determined risk factors including the gap between pregnancies, the impact of heat stress during pregnancy and in the first years of life, and the impact of air pollution during pregnancy and the first years of life. His research, published in many high impact papers, has led to WHO briefings, changes to national and international guidelines, and adoption of his approach around the world. He is Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health at Curtin University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n STEM Educator of the Year (Tertiary)<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Associate Professor Alison Blyth<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thirty years ago, Alison Blyth<\/a> was excluded from studying science due to her disability. Now, the Associate Professor, palaeontologist and environmental scientist is an educational leader driving systemic change in how science is taught and who gets to access it. Associate Professor Blyth shapes curriculum and mentors colleagues across and beyond STEM to create access, empower student success, and embed science and scientific literacy into real-world application. Beyond the university, she is changing the landscape of prison education, co-leading Australia\u2019s largest science-based prison outreach program and creating STEM pathways that empower people to reimagine what learning, and science, can be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Early Career Scientist of the Year<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr Eleanor Dunlop<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr Eleanor Dunlop<\/a> is an Accredited Practising Dietitian and Research Fellow at Deakin University, and an Adjunct Research Fellow at Curtin University. Her research focuses on dietary vitamins D and K, food composition, traditional foods and the role of diet in multiple sclerosis. She has produced world-leading data on dietary vitamin D, new food composition data that underpin nutrition science research, conducted the largest meta-analysis of data on vitamin D status worldwide to date and is collaborating with Western Australian Aboriginal communities to promote traditional foods and connection to Country for health and wellbeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Early Career Scientist of the Year<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr Kit Prendergast<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr Kit Prendergast is a native bee ecologist and an adjunct researcher at Curtin. She has demonstrated excellence through 80 peer-reviewed publications and, in recognition of her achievements to science, the community, and the environment, was awarded the Curtin Young Achiever Alumni in 2024. She has delivered impact by providing the first systematic surveys documenting native bee biodiversity across WA and providing communities with evidence-based guidance for boosting pollinators. She has demonstrated leadership and collaboration through leading Australia-wide citizen science projects, contributing to multi-authored papers, and collaborating with international scientists and local community groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Science Engagement Initiative of the Year<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n BinarX Future Workforce Development Program<\/p>\n\n\n\n