News Archive

Research into a gas trail close to the Milky Way, metal-based anticancer drugs and nesting flatback turtles has enabled three young scientists from The University of Western Australia to be in the running for a $20,000 science prize to be announced soon.

Astronomy and Astrophysics student Jacinta Delhaize of Mandurah, Advanced Science student Matilda-Jane Oke of Subiaco, and Conservation Biology and Management student Claire Foster of Bickley are the three finalists in the Premier's Science Awards Science Student of the Year category.

As well as an interest in radio astronomy and the Magellanic Stream, which is an extensive trail of gas close to the Milky Way, Jacinta has been involved in developing an astronomer-at-large program for high schools.

Matilda-Jane is completing honours in the field of metal-based anticancer drugs.  She spent some months at Warwick University in England recently, working with Professor Peter Sadler, the world's leading researcher in this area.

Claire has finished a research project on nest success of flatback turtles on Barrow Island off the Pilbara Coast and hopes to travel to South America next year to do volunteer work in wildlife research.

Researchers, teachers and students at The University of Western Australia have filled every available place in the final nominations for the WA Premier's Science Awards.

The categories applying to universities - Scientist of the Year, Young Scientist of the Year, Excellence in Science Communication Outside the Classroom; and Science Student of the Year: University -  have a total of 11 finalists, all from UWA.

The winners will be announced on December 4.

Media references

Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 5563  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716