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The Chanelle Carter Memorial Fund has been established by Alcoa of Australia to honour the memory of UWA graduate Chanelle Carter, who died tragically in a cycling accident in 2010.

Chanelle was a distinguished alumna, winning the Royal Australian Chemical Institute Prize and completing a BSc (Hons) in Chemistry at UWA. She was held in great esteem at Alcoa where she worked as a Senior Research Scientist.

Chanelle had a strong commitment to environmental issues and human rights. She also had a passion for developing young scientists and was a mentor to a number of people both within Alcoa and externally. Alcoa were keen to sponsor a project which will embody Chanelle's principles and feel they are reflected in this award.

In consultation with Chanelle's parents, Mike and Yve Carter, a program has been developed to encourage disadvantaged female students from regional WA to consider science as a career. Alcoa have committed in excess of $30,000 over the next six years to enable three students per annum from each of two South-west schools to experience life as a UWA science student. The fund will also cover the costs for one teacher per school to accompany the students and receive professional development training with SPICE.

The students will be accommodated at Trinity College and attend National Science Week activities both on and off-campus. The first cohort from Pinjarra and Newton Moore Senior High Schools will arrive on the University's Open Day, Sunday, August 14, 2011.