Chronic pain researcher and University of Queensland graduate Georgia Richards has been named Judges’ Choice in The Australian Women’s Weekly Qantas Women of the Future Award.
The award honours people who are pursuing a dream to help others, and was announced on 31 August at an event in Sydney.
Georgia, 22, graduated from UQ in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science (Biomedical Science) with First Class Honours in Pharmacology, and now works in medical research for Australian military veterans.
“Chronic pain affects 1 in 5 Australians, is the third most costly health condition, and remains the most neglected and underfunded of all major health conditions,” Georgia said.
“As a young female scientist, this scholarship will provide me with the opportunity to form collaborations that will progress my research on chronic pain, and to look further into society’s reliance on prescription medications.”
Georgia plans to use her $20,000 award to travel to University of Oxford, UK, to meet with her potential PhD mentor in the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine.
“With the support of this scholarship and the opportunity to complete my PhD at the University of Oxford, I will have the foundation for a career that will help Australians receive optimal healthcare based on strong supporting evidence,” Georgia said.
“My aim is to translate scientific evidence into clinical practice and raise awareness for the silent epidemic of suffering caused by chronic pain.”
The Women of the Future Award judges were impressed with Georgia’s passion and dedication, and also her determination to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge, patient understanding and medical practice.
Watch Georgia receive her award and explain her research (at 10:09). https://www.facebook.com/WomensWeeklyMag/videos/10154061706553621/
Georgia received her award at a Sydney event hosted by television presenter Lisa Wilkinson and attended by Dame Quentin Bryce, former Queensland Premier Anna Bligh, Sylvia Jeffreys and Jesinta Campbell.
Media: Georgia Richards, georgia.richards2@uq.net.au, 0423 618 619.
 620w.jpg?itok=JSfFXdes "A first edition copy of A.A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh will be among the books for sale at the Rare Book Auction. Credit, UQ")
