UQ has again been successful at the Smart Women Smart State Awards, scooping prizes in four of the 13 categories.
The Awards, run by the Queensland Government’s Office for Women, recognise women who have made outstanding contributions in the areas of science, engineering, and information and communications technology (ICT).
Professor Alan Lawson, Dean of the UQ Graduate School, said the Smart Women Smart State Awards provided an opportunity to acknowledge the high quality of women researchers at UQ in the areas of science, engineering and ICT.
"As a recognised employer of choice for women, UQ has been particularly keen to encourage and develop the abilities and talents of women across the whole of the UQ community,” he said.
Alecia Carter, an Honours student in the School of Integrative Biology was successful in the Undergraduate Students (Science) category.
Alecia’s research involved designing a computer program which uncovered the benefits of relationships developed between female grey kangaroos.
Professor Jenny Stow, from the Institute for Molecular Bioscience, received the award for Women in Industry/Business (Science).
This follows the success of her IMB colleagues, Professor Melissa Little in 2006 and Professor Jennifer Martin in 2005.
Professor Stow’s research potentially means cheaper alternatives to current treatments for chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.
The award for Women in Community/Public Sector (Science) went to Professor Linda Blackall, whose research on wastewater management will maximise Australia’s ability to control environmental pollution, recycle water and use and generate energy.
Finally, the award for Postgraduate Students (Science) went to a group of UQ PhD students.
Jennifer Firn, Nikki Sims, Megan Ward and Alice Yeates, who are supported by the CSIRO, were awarded for their investigation into the mechanisms behind costly and environmentally destructive weeds.
The awards ceremony was held on August 29 at the State Library of Queensland.
Media: Further information, Penny Robinson, telephone 07 3365 2339.
