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 The BinarX Future Workforce Development Program<\/a> (BinarX) is a science engagement initiative delivered by Curtin\u2019s Binar Space Program. Operating since 2021, participants progress from foundational electronics and coding to developing flight-ready hardware and software integrated into the Binar 5 satellite, now assembled, tested and awaiting launch into space in late 2026. BinarX has expanded beyond high school delivery to include tailored programs for neurodivergent teenagers, primary students and regional communities. By connecting participants to end-to-end space missions, BinarX builds confidence, capability and awareness of pathways into STEM study, research and industry across WA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Premier's Science Awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of WA's science community by acknowledging the State's leading researchers, innovators and science communicators across a range of award categories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The winners will be announced at a special gala ceremony held later this year. Further information about the Premier's Science Awards can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","post_title":"Curtin University finalists named in the 2026 Premier's Science Awards","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"curtin-university-finalists-named-in-the-2026-premiers-science-awards","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2026-07-30 12:26:25","post_modified_gmt":"2026-07-30 04:26:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/?post_type=media-release&p=31760","menu_order":0,"post_type":"media-release","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":31751,"post_author":"4457","post_date":"2026-07-29 09:44:18","post_date_gmt":"2026-07-29 01:44:18","post_content":"\n Curtin University researchers will tackle global issues such as child and youth wellbeing, infectious diseases, mental health and long\u2011term disease prevention, after being awarded significant funding through the National Health and Medical Research Council\u2019s (NHMRC) 2026 Investigator Grants scheme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The program supports research aiming to improve health outcomes in Australia and around the world, with the five Curtin projects\u2019 $6.4 million in total funding further evidence of Curtin\u2019s strengthening reputation for high\u2011impact health and medical research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Curtin Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research Professor Melinda Fitzgerald<\/a> said the grants recognised both research excellence and real\u2011world relevance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThese Investigator Grants recognise the quality and leadership of Curtin\u2019s researchers and the importance of their work,\u201d Professor Fitzgerald said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe funded projects focus on some of the most significant health challenges facing our communities, from chronic disease and mental health to emerging global health threats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis research will help shape better healthcare, inform policy and improve lives locally and internationally.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Curtin University NHMRC 2026 Investigator Grant projects<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Associate Professor Shannon Simpson<\/strong><\/a>, Curtin School of Allied Health and The Kids Research Institute Australia<\/strong> Associate Professor Kefyalew Alene<\/strong><\/a>, School of Population Health and The Kids Research Institute Australia<\/strong> Dr Richard Lee, Curtin Medical School and The Kids Research Institute Australia<\/strong> Dr Samantha Colledge\u2011Frisby<\/strong><\/a>, National Drug Research Institute<\/strong> Dr Berihun Dachew<\/strong><\/a>, School of Population Health<\/strong> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Curtin researchers win $6.4 million to improve health worldwide","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"curtin-researchers-win-6-4-million-to-improve-health-worldwide","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2026-07-29 09:44:22","post_modified_gmt":"2026-07-29 01:44:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/?post_type=media-release&p=31751","menu_order":0,"post_type":"media-release","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":31733,"post_author":"4490","post_date":"2026-07-29 09:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2026-07-29 01:00:00","post_content":"\n Children who attend preschool before starting school are significantly more likely to arrive ready to learn, according to a major Curtin University study of more than 123,000 Western Australian children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Western Australia \u2014 preschool, commonly known as kindergarten or 'kindy' \u2014 is the early learning program offered in the year before compulsory school (pre-primary). Researchers say the findings provide some of the strongest population level evidence to date that supports the role of preschool in helping children build the skills they need to succeed at school and later in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lead author and Curtin University PhD candidate Kendalem Atalell said the results showed just how important the year before school can be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \"The message is simple: preschool matters,\" Mr Atalell said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \"Children who attended preschool were less likely to start school struggling and showed stronger development across every area we measured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \"The early years are when the foundations for learning, health and wellbeing are built. Giving children access to preschool can help set them up for success long before they walk into their first classroom.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n The study analysed data from 123,256 Western Australian children who participated in the Australian Early Development Census between 2009 and 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Senior author Associate Professor Gizachew Tessema<\/a>, from Curtin's School of Population Health<\/a> and the enAble Institute<\/a>, said the findings were particularly significant because too many children were still arriving at school without the skills they needed to thrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \"More than one in five Australian children start school developmentally vulnerable, which can affect their learning, wellbeing and future opportunities,\" Associate Professor Tessema said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \"Our findings show preschool was associated with better developmental outcomes, helping children develop the social, emotional, physical and communication skills they need before they start formal schooling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \"What is especially concerning is that children from disadvantaged communities were less likely to attend early childhood education programs, despite often standing to gain the most from it.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n Associate Professor Tessema said improving access to high-quality preschool programs could be an important way to give every child a fair start in life. \"Improving access to preschool is an investment in children's futures. It could help support school readiness, reduce inequalities and create benefits that extend well beyond the early years.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n Co-author Professor Gavin Pereira<\/a>, also from Curtin\u2019s School of Population Health<\/a>, said the findings added to growing evidence that early childhood education plays a vital role in shaping children's development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \"School readiness is about much more than knowing letters and numbers,\" Professor Pereira said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \"It's about developing the social, emotional and communication skills that help children engage, learn and flourish throughout their education.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n The study also found more mixed results for daycare attendance. Daycare was linked to lower developmental vulnerability in language, cognitive and communication domains, but higher vulnerability in social competence and emotional maturity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While the exact reason for the daycare result is not known, the authors pointed to several possible explanations for the daycare pattern, including the age at which children start care, how long and how intensively they attend, and differences in family circumstances. For example, starting group care earlier and for longer hours may also reduce opportunities for the stable, responsive interactions that support social and emotional development during a sensitive period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The researchers said these findings should be interpreted carefully and may reflect differences in children\u2019s attendance patterns, timing and duration of care, family circumstances, and the type of early childhood setting, and should be explored further.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The researchers say expanding access to effective preschool, particularly in disadvantaged and remote communities, could help ensure more Western Australian children start school ready to learn and reach their full potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Improving the lifelong lung health of infants born prematurely<\/em>
Associate Professor Simpson\u2019s research looks at why many people born prematurely develop long\u2011term lung problems. By tracking lung health over time and testing early treatments, the project aims to improve breathing health from infancy through adulthood and reduce chronic lung disease later in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Geospatial analytics to accelerate global tuberculosis elimination efforts<\/em>
Associate Professor Alene\u2019s project uses mapping and data analysis to better understand where tuberculosis (TB) is most common and where drug\u2011resistant TB is emerging. The research will help governments and health agencies target resources more effectively and strengthen efforts to reduce TB worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ether lipids for treating mitochondrial disease<\/em>
Dr Lee\u2019s research explores a new way to treat mitochondrial diseases, which are serious genetic conditions with no current cure. The project aims to test whether restoring certain fats in cells can improve how mitochondria work and lead to future treatments for affected children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Preventing injecting\u2011related bacterial infections in people who inject drugs<\/em>
Dr Colledge\u2011Frisby\u2019s research focuses on the growing number of serious bacterial infections among people who inject drugs. The project aims to better understand why these infections are increasing and to develop practical prevention strategies to reduce hospitalisations and improve health outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The mental health impacts of climate change on children and youth<\/em>
Dr Dachew\u2019s project examines how climate\u2011related events such as heatwaves, bushfires and drought affect the mental health and learning of children and young people. Using large Australian datasets, the research will identify which groups are most at risk and help guide future mental health planning and policy.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The study found preschool attendance was linked to better outcomes across every area of child development and a substantially lower risk of children starting school developmentally vulnerable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"No child should begin school already at a disadvantage,\" he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n