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Friday, 22 November 2013

The University of Western Australia congratulates its staff and students for their outstanding success in the State's annual Science Awards announced last night.

Internationally recognised geotechnical engineer Winthrop Professor Mark Randolph was named 2013 Western Australian Scientist of the Year.

In the other categories, Associate Professor Shazzad Hossain won the Woodside Early Career Scientist of the Year, PhD student and Australian hockey player Tristan Clemons was named ExxonMobil Student Scientist of the Year, Professor Myra Keep won Science Ambassador of the Year and the ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology was named the Chevron Science Engagement Initiative of the Year.

UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Johnson said the award winners were making a major contribution to the WA community, and especially the State's mining, oil and gas industries as well as cancer research.

"Our University has a proud record of contributing to the development of the State through our research," Professor Johnson said.  "It's particularly pleasing that so many of our researchers have been acknowledged for their efforts during our Centenary year."

Based at the Centre for Offshore Foundations and the ARC Centre for Geotechnical Science and Engineering, Professor Randolph has applied his geotechnical expertise to meet the scientific and engineering challenges of the offshore oil and gas industry.  His leadership has established Perth as an internationally recognised hub for excellence in geotechnical engineering and attracted many world-leading companies as well as academics.

Professor Hossain, an ARC Postdoctoral Fellow, is also based at the Centre for Offshore Foundation Systems and the ARC Centre for Geotechnical Science and Engineering, where his research focuses on developing safer foundations and anchoring systems for shallow and deep water offshore oil and gas developments.  He has also pioneered a new field of research contributing to the mining industry in tailings rehabilitation.

Tristan Clemons is undertaking his PhD in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, working on applying nanoparticle technology to treat heart disease, breast and colon cancer and central nervous system injuries.  Tristan combines his research work with sporting excellence, as a goalkeeper for the Australian men's hockey team, the Kookaburras.

Professor Keep, from the School of Earth and Environment, was awarded for her geological research, teaching and outreach activities in East Timor.  During the past 10 years, she has worked with all levels of government, schools and the local community to develop student links between UWA and East Timor, as well as train young geologists, students, government officials and industry workers.

Several students have now returned to East Timor as trained geologists, having completed degrees in Australia and elsewhere.

The winner of Chevron Science Engagement Initiative of the Year - the ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology's Education and Outreach program promotes the importance of science to school students, farmers and industry professionals as well as the public.  The program aims to increase understanding of the significance of plants and their ability to capture, process and convert energy.

Western Australia's Chief Scientist and UWA Professor of Animal Biology Lyn Beazley was also inducted into the WA Science Hall of Fame at last night's awards.

Media references

UWA Public Affairs Media Team  (+61 8)  6488 7977  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716

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