Congratulations to all our 2024 WiT Awards finalists
These passionate and driven women are spearheading transformative change for Queenslanders across diverse fields:
- Co-creating and delivering community-led sleep health programs that blend traditional knowledge with modern sleep science. These initiatives are not only improving sleep health and overall well-being in Indigenous communities but are also opening new career pathways for community members to become certified sleep coaches.
- Harnessing the power of AI to protect communities from air pollution, ensuring cleaner air and healthier lives.
- Merging big data with groundbreaking innovations to save endangered species and safeguard our reefs and oceans from the impacts of climate change.
- Sparking curiosity and a love for STEM among young minds in regional Queensland through real-world, innovative education programs and immersive learning experiences.
- Utilizing digital tools to provide millions of Australians with actionable insights for enhancing brain health, challenging societal norms, and shifting attitudes toward mental well-being.
- Strengthening cyber security to protect the personal data of millions of Australians and safeguarding businesses from digital threats.
- Creating innovation hubs and community networks that empower people from all walks of life to transform their ideas into impactful ventures.
- Contributing to global peace by using cutting-edge technology for nuclear safeguards.
And that’s just the beginning.
These remarkable women are not only making significant contributions to their workplaces, industries, and communities, but they are also inspiring their peers and the next generation—especially women, girls, and underrepresented groups—to unlock their potential in STEM. Their work is creating a ripple effect, driving us toward a more equitable and thriving future for all.
Join Us at the WiT Awards
Meet our 2024 WiT Awards finalists
2024 Excellence in Research Award - Finalists
Flavia Medeiros Savi
As a tissue engineering researcher, I have used technology to push the boundaries of biomedical research, particularly in developing innovative histological, optical and quantification methods to evaluate 3D printed implant to reconstruct bone and breast tissues. I perform pre-implantation studies to analyse implant architecture and degradation, and post-implantation preclinical studies in large animal models to evaluate how cells behave around these 3D implants. My methods enable the understanding of cell behaviour and biomaterial interactions, and the quantification of regenerated tissue. In doing so, implant design and biocompatibility can be improved. One of my pivotal contributions to the research community is the establishment a preclinical large-animal model for evaluating critical-size load-bearing bone defect reconstruction, published in Nature Protocols, which was successfully implemented in a world-first patient case, reconstructing the largest bone defect (36 cm) to date. My commitment to ethical excellence in the planning, execution, and reporting of preclinical studies has led me to the analysis of breast implants, which are currently in clinical trials. This excellence in research to advance understanding and solve real-word problems was only possible through collaboration with multidisciplinary experts including engineers, clinicians, biologists. We [scientists, engineers and clinicians together] restore, rebuild, and make whole those parts which nature hath given, but which fortune has taken away; Not so much that it may delight the eye, but that it might buoy the spirit, and help the mind of the afflicted [patient] (Gaspare Tagliacozzi 1597).
Moe Thandar Wynn
As a professor of Information Technology specialising in data and process science, I develop foundational knowledge and innovative data-driven algorithms to support the digital transformation of organisations. I lead the Process Science research group and co-lead QUT’s Centre for Data Science Data for Discovery Theme. My current research investigates theories and techniques in data quality management and process intelligence so that ethical and unbiased insights are generated from digital trails left by process executions. I am working on integrating process technology with artificial intelligence and data mining to revolutionize how organizations adapt their processes in real-time and respond to external threats by continuously sensing from process digital trails. My research takes a process-centric lens to design data science methods that visualize, automate and innovate processes. I have more than 15 years of experience in interdisciplinary research with 25+ Australian partners. My research findings have been applied in diverse business contexts, visualising road trauma patients’ end-to-end journeys from roadside to bedside, undertaking privacy-preserving data analysis of Australian electronic health records, predicting agri-food supply chain risks, pinpointing bottlenecks in insurance claims, and modelling truck movements across Australia using Telematics data. As Vice Chair and steering committee member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (IEEE) Taskforce on Process Mining (2019 – 2023), I revised an IEEE event data format standard, ran a global survey of process mining professionals to advance data quality approaches, facilitated the certification of process mining tools, and promoted process mining research for wider industry adoption.
2024 Public Sector Excellence Award - Finalists
Cynthia Nolan
The project I lead is the ICT Gateway to Industry Schools Program, which is a collaboration between the Qld Gov and the Australian Computer Society. The program is designed to bring industry and students together. Currently in the program I have a portfolio of 62 schools ranging from public, private, and dioceses. They are located in Regional, and metro locations as well as some schools in remote Queensland and through the homeschool network. A key part of the program is to help all stakeholders involved in student’s life to understand what a pathway into the technology sector could look like. Key stakeholders include the student themselves, the parents (who often do not know what a tech career could be), teachers and career advisors. In the video I mention one of the interventions I ran for Girls in ICT Day, where we had 13 schools host workshops and panels of tech professionals talking about what a tech career looks like; reaching 500 girls across Queensland. For this intervention, we had “day in the life of” discussions, and stories shared from a group of Young Tech Ambassadors (YTA) (who are early career tech professionals), again to help model what the audience could be doing in the not too distant future. YTA typically are aged in their early 20s. In 2023, the program reached 4801 students, 419 teachers, 53 schools, 116 Industry partners and ran 63 events. By June 30 2024, the program has already reached 3275 stakeholders with 62 schools.
Robyn Littlewood
I am the CEO of Health and Wellbeing Queensland, the state’s first dedicated prevention agency, and I have created Podsquad – a play-based wellbeing app to support families to sleep well, eat better, and move more. Podsquad is a free, interactive app where kids learn about good nutrition, fun exercises, and the importance of sleep through bite-sized lessons, tailored to their wellbeing goals. In the Podsquad App, children explore the world of Imago where they discover its colourful inhabitants, the Epipods. Children help the Epipods restore their vitality by engaging with in-app learning content like games, quizzes, and animations. Most importantly, children help their Epipods – and build their own healthy habits – by taking on real-life quests to put their learnings into practice. Parents and carers can access information and resources, including videos and podcasts, that encourage positive role modelling and create a supportive environment in alignment with the child’s learning experience. Families earn rewards for their online activities, but more importantly for completing offline, real-life quests that the whole family can do together. Parents and carers can also choose to receive notifications and email updates on their child’s progress with lessons and quests tailored to their wellbeing goals. Since the launch in July 2023, Podsquad has been downloaded more than 14,000 times and maintained a high 4.7 star rating, its content has extended into colouring books, a theatre production at Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) and EKKA annual agricultural show of Queensland, and episodes of a cooking show.
Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy
The Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy is a groundbreaking initiative that empowers young Indigenous women to excel in STEM education and pursue careers in the field. Recognised as the world’s first program of its kind, it received the prestigious CSIRO’s 2023 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Engagement Impact Excellence Medal. This initiative strategically invests in a generation of Indigenous female leaders, role models, and innovators in technology. The Academy provides tailored support from high school through various tertiary pathways, including university and into graduate employment. Its impact is profound, reaching participants, their families, and communities: • Over 650 total participants, exceeding its initial target of 600 • Achieving an impressive 96% retention rate from Year 8 to Year 12, significantly higher than the national average of 63% for Indigenous female students, and 92% retention in the Northern Territory for Year 8 to 11, compared to the 33% for Indigenous females in the Northern Territory • Delivered by predominantly Indigenous female staff, including those in leadership positions • Providing access to quality STEM opportunities for young women living in regional and remote communities As Australia has a target of 1.2 million tech-related jobs by 2030, our greatest impact is securing young Indigenous women’s prosperity and economic standing, not only for themselves, families and communities but for future generations, thus creating generational change. The Academy exemplifies the potential for young Indigenous women to harness their innate curiosity and passion, transforming them into thriving careers in technology and shaping future leaders and innovators.
2024 Lifting Communities Award - Finalists
Alka Kothari
As an obstetrician and gynaecologist deeply committed to uplifting others, particularly women in STEM, I challenge medical norms with courage and respect, advocating evidence-based care for pregnant women and families. Throughout my career, I’ve mentored numerous medical students, junior doctors, and researchers, emphasising career decisions and work-life balance, drawing from my clinical experiences and life journey. My research in obstetrics includes digital health solutions during COVID-19 and integrating pharmacists into antenatal care. My PhD research on ‘Forgotten Fathers in Pregnancy and Childbirth’ revealed significant mental health consequences like PTSD in fathers, influencing family dynamics and inter-generational health. As a Metro-North Clinician Research Fellow, I lead consumer-co-designed translational research on birth trauma, advocating for compassionate care of birthing families. As a leading expert in Birth Trauma, I was invited to provide evidence at the 2023 Select Committee on Birth Trauma Inquiry for the New South Wales Parliament. My research has catalysed national and international change in obstetric care. I influence national policy in various governance roles, on clinical advisory committees and boards of advocacy organisations, guiding community-supporting projects, and fostering inclusive healthcare practices. I serve on multiple state committees (Queensland Maternal and Perinatal Quality Council, UQ Medical School Research Committee). Recognised as an expert, I have given invited presentations and keynote addresses at major national and international conferences. I have received research excellence awards in Metro-North and at the RCOG World Congress, London 2019. I contribute as a media expert on perinatal mental health, advocating for evidence-based patient-centric care.
Cynthia Nolan
The project I lead is the ICT Gateway to Industry Schools Program, which is a collaboration between the Qld Gov and the Australian Computer Society. The program is designed to bring industry and students together. Currently in the program I have a portfolio of 62 schools ranging from public, private, and dioceses. They are located in Regional, and metro locations as well as some schools in remote Queensland and through the homeschool network. A key part of the program is to help all stakeholders involved in student’s life to understand what a pathway into the technology sector could look like. Key stakeholders include the student themselves, the parents (who often do not know what a tech career could be), teachers and career advisors. In the video I mention one of the interventions I ran for Girls in ICT Day, where we had 13 schools host workshops and panels of tech professionals talking about what a tech career looks like; reaching 500 girls across Queensland. For this intervention, we had “day in the life of” discussions, and stories shared from a group of Young Tech Ambassadors (YTA) (who are early career tech professionals), again to help model what the audience could be doing in the not too distant future. YTA typically are aged in their early 20s. In 2023, the program reached 4801 students, 419 teachers, 53 schools, 116 Industry partners and ran 63 events. By June 30 2024, the program has already reached 3275 stakeholders with 62 schools.
Katherine Andrews
The philosophy of the That’s RAD! Science project is that “you can’t be what you can’t see!”. Our aim is to inspire children and bring STEM careers alive through simple and engaging books written by amazing women-in-STEM. We believe that by featuring women as role models, children (especially girls who are underrepresented in many STEM areas) will see that anyone can aspire to a STEM career – mums, aunts, sisters and grandmothers work in STEM areas! Our women-in-STEM authors have written five children’s books on parasites (Prof Katherine Andrews), nanotechnology (Prof Qin Li), forensic science (QLD Police Inspector Donna Stewart), protein science (Prof Jenny Martin) and engineering (industry professional Tamara Champ). An important part of our project is a cross-disciplinary and inclusive approach, with members from STEM, education and art disciplines, and different career stages. The project has included expert education professionals to ensure the books are aligned with the Australian curriculum (Prof Donna Pendergast AM, Dr Mia O’Brien; Prof Georgina Barton), two PhD students (now graduated) to design the hand-on science activities (Dr Megan Cross) and to manage social media (Dr Heidi Walkden), ~10 undergraduate students to design the website, logo and layouts for each book, a cartoonist and direct engagement with children. Over the past two years we have used these books as powerful STEM engagement tools, distributing >14,000 hard copies at STEM events and to schools and libraries. We estimate that >35,000 children and adults around Australia have been reached by our project, including rural/remote areas.
Leonie Sanderson
I lead a team of passionate changemakers dedicated to creating immersive virtual reality experiences that foster better understanding and improved workplace culture. Our PTR VR experiences aim to reduce discrimination and bias while enhancing empathy and inclusion. Built on lived experiences and a robust co-design approach, our VR reflects our core values: trust, community, creativity, and excellence. PTR VR experiences go beyond raising awareness about bias and its impact; they actively challenge stereotypes. They also offer practical and safe opportunities to learn and practice behaviours that improve empathy and counteract bias and discrimination. Our VR experiences give you a chance to walk in someone else’s shoes; replace role-playing with innovative tech; and create safe spaces to practice challenging conversations. And it works – 96% of users felt prepared to act in the workplace, and 99% understood what discrimination felt like after their experiences. In a typical VR experience, you’ll be guided by our VR assistant, Rosie. Rosie will help you get used to your new persona (embodiment) and navigate the interactive elements of the app. You’ll then enter a scenario in this new role, experiencing what it’s like to be someone else – a manager, a job seeker, or even a person with a disability. You’ll explore different conversational pathways and observe their varied outcomes. Finally, you’ll reconvene with Rosie to reflect on your choices and the experience. Our collaborations include esteemed organisations such as Viacom CBS, Google, Optus, Mayo Clinic, University of Chicago, and Mater.
2024 First Nations Change Maker Award - Finalists
Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy
The Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy is a groundbreaking initiative that empowers young Indigenous women to excel in STEM education and pursue careers in the field. Recognised as the world’s first program of its kind, it received the prestigious CSIRO’s 2023 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Engagement Impact Excellence Medal. This initiative strategically invests in a generation of Indigenous female leaders, role models, and innovators in technology. The Academy provides tailored support from high school through various tertiary pathways, including university and into graduate employment. Its impact is profound, reaching participants, their families, and communities: • Over 650 total participants, exceeding its initial target of 600 • Achieving an impressive 96% retention rate from Year 8 to Year 12, significantly higher than the national average of 63% for Indigenous female students, and 92% retention in the Northern Territory for Year 8 to 11, compared to the 33% for Indigenous females in the Northern Territory • Delivered by predominantly Indigenous female staff, including those in leadership positions • Providing access to quality STEM opportunities for young women living in regional and remote communities As Australia has a target of 1.2 million tech-related jobs by 2030, our greatest impact is securing young Indigenous women’s prosperity and economic standing, not only for themselves, families and communities but for future generations, thus creating generational change. The Academy exemplifies the potential for young Indigenous women to harness their innate curiosity and passion, transforming them into thriving careers in technology and shaping future leaders and innovators.
2024 Excellence in Industry Leadership Award - Finalists
Felicity Furey
An award-winning business leader, engineer and entrepreneur, Felicity Furey has made a career out of making the ‘impossible’, possible. Named Boss Magazine’s Young Executive of The Year and one of AFR’s 100 Women of Influence, Felicity has a background in Civil Engineering and Project Mangement, led multi-million dollar infrastructure projects across Australia, founded five successful businesses and held a range of board and C-Suite roles. Currently Felicity is the Co-Founder and CEO of WeAspire, holds board positions with three companies and is undertaking her PhD in leadership. Felicity applies the design principles learnt in her professional career to engineer a better society. Work to date has included: Volunteering for 12 years to co-found and lead Power of Engineering to inspire over 15,000 high school students about engineering careers, focusing on women and regional Australians Raising over $1 million to fund Power of Engineering Creating a team of 100s of volunteers across Australia to deliver Power of Engineering’s programs Co-founding and leading Machinam for 7 years which rewrote the mathematics text book for year 9 and 10 students to be relevant to the real world and rolled out nationally to over 35 schools across Australia Launching the Promoted Podcast in 2023 to support early career STEM professionals to get promoted and be great when they get there 15 years experience in engineering, predominantly on mega infrastructure projects, Felicity led Power of Engineering while working a day job as an engineer and took just one year off to scale Machinam.
Nathalie Piperidis
I work for Sugar Research Australia (SRA) in Mackay, a beautiful country town in QLD. SRA is a non-profit organisation owned by growers and millers, dedicated in promoting, fostering and adopting cutting-edge research solutions for the Australian sugarcane industry while focusing on agricultural profitability and sustainability. My role involves channeling top-notch genetic research and innovative biotechnological approaches into the breeding programs. By applying advanced genomics, I aim to enhance sugarcane varieties by increasing their genetic gain and increasing their resistance to pest and diseases. The research impact not only boosts yields, increase diversity but also promotes eco-friendly agriculture. Collaborating with national and international research institutions, I ensure that biotechnologies benefit the sugarcane industry meaningfully. This year, my colleagues and I published the whole sequence of a sugarcane cultivar in the prestigious journal Nature. This achievement, which took over 10 years of combined biotechnological methods and expertise, has provided researchers worldwide with a complete genetic code of sugarcane. My contribution was developing the first cytogenetic method capable of providing the complete set of chromosomes of this highly complex crop, the number of copies and their species origin, guiding and confirming the genomic sequencing endeavours. The release of the sugarcane sequence is a fundamental output for new research projects aimed at providing farmers with enhanced sugarcane varieties. My goal is to leverage innovative genetic research to revolutionise the sugarcane industry while championing gender inclusivity and sustainable agricultural practices, contributing to SRA’s impact on increasing profitability and sustainability for agricultural sugarcane.
Sarah-Jane Peterschlingmann
My company, ATech, delivers cloud hosting, cyber security and web development for mission critical web systems. “Mission critical” means that if the website goes offline or has a cyber security breach, then it’s a disaster that could impact revenue, reputation, privacy or even health and safety. Our impressive list of high calibre clients includes Virgin Australia, Brisbane City Council, Seqwater, The South Australian Government, and Airservices Australia. Every Australian relies on ATech even though they don’t know it. Our systems ensure the safety of over 11% of the world’s airspace, and we hold sensitive data records for millions of Australians. Our systems are so critical that they are covered by the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018. If our systems go offline, people could literally die. I’ve carved out a niche strategy of ‘mission critical’ services, demonstrating it’s possible for a female-owned and led, Brisbane-based company to compete with global giants like Amazon, Microsoft and Google. I’ve done this through technical excellence in the space of high scalability, high availability, and highly secure systems capable of handling millions of users, coupled with a commitment to service excellence. In addition to my work at ATech, I’m passionately involved in the wider ecosystem of women in STEM and innovation. I regularly speak and mentor on topics of entrepreneurship, technology, innovation, diversity, and leadership as well as speaking to girls and women in primary, high school and university about STEM careers. I also serve as Vice Chair of the Australian Computer Society Queensland.
CSIRO ON Innovation Program
The ON Innovation Program exists to help translate Australian research into market-ready innovations, moving discoveries from the lab to where it can create lasting real-world impact. The program supports national growth of key industries like agriculture, healthcare, and biotechnology to name a few. ON achieves this through two free programs offered to any publicly funded research teams: ON Prime which helps research teams to explore and validate their research in-market; and ON Accelerate, designed to launch research-driven ventures. ON provides access to a network of experts, advisors, and investors to test and validate ideas as commercial ventures. It allows researchers to gain commercial experience, raise funds, and build companies. All IP and equity remain with the teams and their respective research or home university organisations. To date, the ON Innovation Program has been instrumental in forming over 75 new companies, raising more than $361 million in investment capital, creating over 700 jobs, and securing over $320 million in commercialisation grants. The ON Innovation Program equips scientists and researchers with the skills and confidence needed to translate their innovations into significant economic, environmental, and social impact.
2024 Emerging Science Star - Finalists
Hana Starobova
Each year, about 1000 Australian children are diagnosed with cancer and treated with life-saving cancer therapies. Most of these children will survive. However, these cancer survivors must live with the debilitating impacts of toxic cancer therapies for the rest of their lives. These are called toxic and late effects and include neuropathies, pain and motor and cognitive disabilities. Due to these toxic effects, paediatric cancer survivors have a high likelihood of developing anxiety and depression and age prematurely. Unfortunately, there are no treatments or strategies that would control or prevent these terrible toxic effects. This is due to the lack of understanding of these toxic effects and due to a lack of interest and advocacy for this small patient group. Another issue is that newly developed cancer treatments are never tested pre-clinically for long-term toxic effects, and these are discovered only during or after clinical studies when patients develop symptoms. Therefore, my research advocates for this under-recognised patient population and focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of cancer therapy-induced toxic and late effects. I am using a range of scientific methodologies, including adult and juvenile preclinical models, to model cancer therapy-induced long-term toxicities and to develop strategies for prevention. Additionally, I collaborate with world-leading children’s hospitals, including the St. Jude’s Hospital (Memphis) and the Telethon Kids Institute (Perth), to test newly developed paediatric cancer regimens for long-term toxicities, driving the change towards safe paediatric cancer treatments.
Kate Kingston
In Southeast Queensland we have a small but vibrant viticulture industry who have established themselves in the most unlikely of regions to produce beautiful wine. However, it is a state that is bombarded by extreme climatic events like flood, heat and drought which affects grape quality and yield but makes it an excellent location to study viticultural complications to prepare for the vineyards of the future. Through my PhD with the Centre of Planetary Health and Food Security at Griffith University, my research is invested in supporting our local vineyards endure these challenges by investigating the adoptation of climate-smart regenerative viticulture by the application of biochar and under vine nitrogen fixing vegetation. This research is supported by numerous local vineyards and the prestigious Wine Australia Dr Tony Jordan OAM PhD Top-Up Scholarship. Using laboratory research and establishing Queensland first vineyard trials in the South Burnett and Granite Belt regions, I research how biochar can impact soil microbial led nitrogen cycling in southeast Queensland vineyards using novel and innovative stable isotope and biomolecular technologies. These methods quantify the complex and dynamic biochemical cycles of carbon and nitrogen as well as hydrological cycle in the context of climate change and innovative soil-plant systems that underpin the future productivity and sustainability of regenerative viticulture in Queensland and nationally. Through my research I have spearheaded novel and innovative industry-based research at Griffith University, supporting upcoming undergraduate female scientists whilst being a representative for scientists with a disability.
Zeinab Khalil
Antibiotic resistance is a critical global health threat, potentially leading to epidemics of bacterial diseases. My research focuses on innovative approaches to discovering new antibiotics from untapped sources like soil microbes. Historically, microbes have been pivotal in combating infections, and now, the search extends to diverse environments, including soil, where unique antibiotic-producing bacteria reside. My work involves mining the genomes of these microbes, targeting silent genes that harbour potential new antibiotics. As the leader of the Bio-discovery facility, the Antimicrobial Resistance, and Soils for Science programs, I spearhead Australia’s first comprehensive initiative to develop new medicines from the country’s microbial community. Utilising advanced genomic and chemical techniques, my team identifies novel compounds for life-saving antibiotics. Through Soils for Science, we collaborate with schools, developing a curriculum for Grade 6 students to explore soil microbial diversity. This initiative fosters scientific curiosity and raises awareness about the vital role of soil microbes in antibiotic discovery. Our research addresses the urgent need for new antibiotics while contributing to societal and environmental goals. Economically, developing new antibiotics can lead to significant healthcare cost savings and stimulate pharmaceutical innovation. Socially, our work enhances public health and educates the community about microbial biodiversity. Environmentally, focusing on natural products from soil microbes promotes sustainable practices in antibiotic discovery, reducing reliance on synthetic compounds. Through these efforts, we aim to harness the microscopic world of microbes to save lives and combat the growing threat of antibiotic resistance.
2024 Emerging Tech Star Award - Finalists
Amena Khatun
As the lead of quantum machine learning at CSIRO’s Data61, I spearhead cutting-edge research to tackle complex societal challenges using advanced technologies. I innovate solutions to improve patient outcomes, enhance medical diagnoses, and advance healthcare accessibility. By developing quantum AI techniques for medical data analysis, image generation, and disease prediction, I provide healthcare professionals with powerful tools for informed decision-making. Collaborations with leading institutions like MITRE and Cleveland Clinic, U.S. highlight the impact of our work, as medical experts leverage our high-quality quantum AI-generated images for disease diagnosis and patient outcome prediction. My research does not stop here. I develop quantum adversarial AI algorithms to defend against data manipulation attacks, enhancing the resilience of AI systems and protecting critical infrastructure from malicious threats. My contributions extend to public safety, where I have created AI algorithms for face recognition, person search, and identification. These technologies have significantly improved the ability to track individuals involved in criminal activities and locate missing persons, particularly vulnerable populations like children and the elderly. Notably, some of these AI algorithms have been successfully deployed in Brisbane Airport’s surveillance and security systems. At CSIRO’s Data61, I am committed to advancing STEM fields by pioneering innovative quantum AI solutions, fostering industry and government collaborations, and mentoring the next generation of researchers. Through these efforts, I aim to drive significant social, economic, and environmental impacts, revolutionising the integration of AI and quantum technologies for the betterment of society.
Kate Lomas
I co-founded Hemideina in 2017, a MedTech start-up inspired by ancient insect hearing systems to revolutionise the treatment of severe-to-profound hearing loss. Drawing on my extensive research from my PhD and postdoctoral positions, I translated ecological and biological insights into a tangible TRL4 commercial device. As the founding Director and Chief Science Officer, I played a pivotal role in Hemideina’s success, securing over $20 million in equity capital and non-dilutive grants, recruiting an independent Board, and establishing an Advisory Board. I managed a multidisciplinary team, prioritising mentorship and aligning performance indicators with company objectives. My strategic planning for future product portfolios and navigating the regulatory landscape in the Class III medical devices field were crucial to our mission of redesigning cochlear implants. I effectively communicated with and negotiated terms with diverse stakeholders, translating complex technology into understandable terms, and raising significant funds. As I embark on the next career phase, I am enthusiastic about exploring opportunities where my skills can make a meaningful impact. My time in the MedTech startup sector has been marked by significant achievements and invaluable experiences that have honed my skills in innovation, problem-solving, and leadership. However, my passion for research, education, and the pursuit of knowledge has always been a driving force in my professional journey, which has been the driving factor for my return to academia.
Lauren Hanson
I led the hardware design and development of the Multi-Resolution Scanner (MRS) payload, a ground-breaking sensing payload developed at CSIRO in collaboration with Boeing and NASA. Launched to the International Space Station in March 2024, the MRS integrates CSIRO’s world-leading Wildcat SLAM and stereo depth fusion technologies for the first time, significantly enhancing data accuracy for precise mapping inside the space station. Over the past two years, I have led the hardware development and delivery of the MRS, overcoming challenges to ensure the payload was fit for flight. This involved making the hardware durable to launch loads and vibrations and ensuring it passed international safety standards and posed no harm to astronauts. The integrated sensing technologies onboard currently support critical applications on earth in robotics, mining and manufacturing industries, and combining these to increase our data accuracy and mapping abilities has clear potential to provide benefit on earth as well as in space. Our goal is to demonstrate the MRS payloads capability to produce reliable data, contributing to the growth of the Australian space industry with world-leading scanning technology. Potential future uses include external hull integrity scanning and inspection for damage from micrometeorites and monitoring inventory to enhance operational efficiency and safety aboard spacecraft, as well as deployment on off-world missions on exploration rovers. Working with experts at CSIRO, NASA and Boeing, I successfully delivered the hardware for CSIRO’s first payload to the ISS, uniting us in a common passion for advancing the space industry.
2024 Consumer Strength Champion - Finalists
EASY Health Project Team (Katie Brooker)
Our health staff receive little training on working with people with intellectual disability and autistic people and this contributes to poor health outcomes for these populations. We wanted to develop education tools for staff to fill this knowledge gap and challenge the unconscious bias many health professionals hold towards people with disability. We employed two team members with intellectual disability and conducted qualitative interviews with 59 consumers, and their support people, about what they wanted their health staff to know about disability. Using that information, we worked with an inclusive arts company to co-design scripts with consumers and employ people with lived experience as actors to create videos. This centred our training tools around consumers and used their experiences as teaching methods to challenge views about disability. Our education had input and was reviewed by consumers throughout the development process. When it came to sharing our education with staff, our team members with intellectual disability played fundamental roles in promotional events and encouraging staff to do the education. Our impact evaluation showed we improved staff knowledge, confidence and attitudes around working with people with intellectual disability and autistic people after they completed the education and maintained these changes three months afterwards. Importantly, almost 80% of staff also reported changing the way they work with consumers with intellectual disability or autism in their service at the three-month mark. Our team members with intellectual disability have played an active role in sharing our findings by co-presenting at events and conferences.
Paige Little
Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) affects up to 5% of children worldwide, equivalent to about five children per grade in a typical state primary school. Regular follow-up is crucial because, if left untreated, scoliosis can worsen rapidly, leading to severe deformities and respiratory issues that may require extensive spinal fusion surgery. In Queensland, northern NSW, and the NT, essential scoliosis care is provided by the Qld Children’s Hospital. However, accessing this care is challenging for children in rural and remote areas. Parents must take time off work, arrange childcare, and organise travel and accommodation in Brisbane, making it difficult for rural patients to receive timely diagnosis and treatment. I have led development of an innovative solution, myScoliosis, which eliminates these barriers, ensuring equitable scoliosis care for rural patients. This digital technology virtually connects spinal specialists at the Qld Children’s Hospital with patients in remote areas. The parent-facing part of myScoliosis guides parents in taking photos of their child’s back, which are converted into a 3D model. Inbuilt algorithms automatically measure clinically important metrics from the model. Surgeons in Brisbane review the patient’s 3D deformity and scoliosis metrics and provide virtual point-of-care for the patient in their own home. Preliminary validation showed no significant differences in treatment plans between in-clinic and virtual care. myScoliosis has the potential to revolutionise pediatric spinal care by reducing specialist consultation times and improving patient wait times. This technology offers immense relief to families in regional Queensland, enabling them to receive care in their own home.
Your Track (Wei Liu, Dianne Shanley, Erinn Hawkins)
Over 1 million Australian children have neurodevelopmental disorders like ADHD, Autism and FASD. These disorders cost Australia over $50 billion dollars/year. 4 out of 5 parents don’t get the help they need. Specialists, who diagnose these disorders, have waitlists of 1-3 years. Adding more specialists, the most scarce and costly healthcare resource, is not viable. We solved this problem by harnessing the power of everyday health providers. We took the specialist’s comprehensive assessment, broke it into 6 parts, and found that non-specialists could do 5 of the 6 parts. Then, we built a digital platform that stitched these parts back together. Kids could be seen in 6 months not 3 years right in primary care, close to home. We built our system through 5 years of co-design. We validated it with over 700 children from a remote community, and know that it works. Children are 4 times more likely to be identified and 6 times more likely to be supported close to home. Unlike other systems, ours works from birth through adolescence, and we are building in the algorithms to help health practitioners make evidence-based decisions about diagnosis and support. Right now, over 20 healthcare practices in Australia are waiting to use our product. We plan to reach 7000 nationwide GP practices through practice management software distribution channels. Then expand to non-specialist settings like schools, early learning, youth justice and child protection. Eventually we will reach the 400 million children with neurodevelopmental concerns worldwide, so no child is left behind.
2024 Raising the Regions Award - Finalists
AIMS Reefworks (Melanie Olsen)
ReefWorks, established by the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) with Queensland Government support, is a groundbreaking tropical marine technology test range that enables development, testing and deployment of emerging technologies such as autonomous marine systems. By providing access to world-class facilities and expertise, ReefWorks is helping drive Australian innovation in artificially intelligent marine robotics, fostering a sustainable tropical marine future, and positioning Australia at the forefront of marine technology. Tropical marine Australia is one of the harshest environments in the world with predators, remote ocean expanses, heat and climatic extremes. The impacts of climate change are increasing marine monitoring requirements temporally and spatially. Autonomous systems-augmented operations are crucial to meeting this growing demand but are challenging to develop due to limited testing facilities, unclear regulatory pathways and expensive support requirements. ReefWorks brings a new test and evaluation capability to Australia essential for certifying and commissioning autonomous marine systems into operational service. ReefWorks provides innovators with a safe, secure facility and dedicated expertise to test and evaluate emerging technologies such as artificially intelligent autonomous marine systems and new sensors in a real-world, tropical marine environment. ReefWorks is also a collaborative hub, engaging and sharing lessons learnt with industry, regulators, government and academic innovators in Australia and internationally. ReefWorks offers unparalleled opportunities for testing marine technology, fostering a sustainable future and reinforcing Australia’s position as a rising star in the global technology arena.
Gladstone Healthy Harbour Partnership (Kirsten McMahon)
The Gladstone Healthy Harbour Partnership (GHHP) envisions a thriving and sustainable Gladstone Harbour, achieved through four pillars: an annual Gladstone Harbour Report Card, robust scientific research, effective communication, and resilient governance. GHHP collaborates closely with 25 partner organisations, including industry, government, community, First Nations groups and research. These partnerships drive initiatives promoting sustainable practices, enhancing regulatory compliance, and fostering community engagement through education and citizen science. The cornerstone of GHHP’s efforts, the annual Gladstone Harbour Report Card, recently celebrated its tenth year, providing comprehensive, long-term insights into the environmental, social, cultural, and economic health of the harbour. Supported by an independent scientific review, the report aligns with the Australian Government’s Reef 2050 monitoring and reporting goals. GHHP’s recent Ten-Year Review confirms that the Report Card, Technical Report, project documents, and Stewardship Report are utilised to benefit local waterways through environmental stewardship activities, influence decision-making for scientific outcomes, inform monitoring requirements, increase collaboration, and meet environmental, social, and governance (ESG) requirements. It provides a credible source of information that stakeholders can rely on for planning and compliance purposes. Looking ahead, GHHP will continue to pioneer advancements in monitoring technologies, expand educational outreach, and advocate for policies supporting environmental stewardship and biodiversity conservation. Together, these efforts strengthen GHHP’s role in safeguarding Gladstone Harbour’s ecological integrity and ensuring its vitality for generations to come.
Kirra Tully
I have decided to enter the WiT Awards based on my professional journey of nearly a decade. I have diverse experiences and a strong drive for impact, starting from my humble beginnings as a volunteer to my current roles as the Mackay AI Chapter Director and Split Spaces Community Manager. Each step has been motivated by my commitment to fostering advancement, connection, and empowerment. My journey has been defined by transformative experiences, from coordinating volunteers with Whitsundays Marketing and Development Limited to supporting startups and small businesses at Split Spaces. These experiences have instilled in me a deep appreciation for the power of community-driven initiatives and the importance of creating inclusive environments where everyone feels valued and supported. The nomination for the WiT Awards is not just an acknowledgment of my contributions, but also a celebration of the collective efforts of those I’ve had the privilege to collaborate with. It reaffirms my belief in the transformative power of diversity and inclusion to drive innovation and change lives. As I reflect on my journey, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunities I’ve had to make a meaningful impact in the fields of technology and community development. The WiT Awards represent an opportunity to amplify our voices, inspire others, and catalyze even greater advancements in STEM. I am honoured to be considered for this prestigious award and I am deeply committed to continuing my efforts to empower women and girls in STEM, driving positive change for years to come.
2024 Future Focused Business Achiever - Finalists
Anjali Henders & Leanne Wallace
The Human Studies unit at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB), University of Queensland, is a pioneering unit dedicated to supporting research unravelling the complexities of human biology and disease. HSU fosters a collaborative environment, bringing together experts from various disciplines to tackle complex biological problems, thereby driving innovation and enhancing the quality and impact of their research. We currently support 25 ground-breaking research programmes across 34 sites in Queensland and around Australia, by providing an end-to-end digital solution for human genetic and genomic research, fostering innovation in responding to changes in technology and participant engagement. HSU is the conduit between the clinic and research by providing purpose designed and built infrastructure compliant with ethical and legal regulations to manage participant recruitment, data capture and the appropriate collection, processing and storage of biological samples. We understand the importance of courage in leadership and are passionate about developing and executing strategic initiatives that align with HSU’s overall goals. HSU champions diversity within the scientific community, actively promoting the involvement and advancement of women in STEM fields and this commitment is reflected in our mentorship programs and inclusive work culture. The unit actively engages with the broader community, sharing their findings through public lectures, educational programs, and partnerships with industry and healthcare organisations, thereby bridging the gap between research and practical applications. HSU is the first organisation in Queensland to receive international bio banking accreditation from the CTR-Network and is currently progressing our Greenlab certification demonstrating our commitment to sustainable laboratory environmental practices.
Anjali Henders & Leanne Wallace
The Human Studies unit at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB), University of Queensland, is a pioneering unit dedicated to supporting research unravelling the complexities of human biology and disease. HSU fosters a collaborative environment, bringing together experts from various disciplines to tackle complex biological problems, thereby driving innovation and enhancing the quality and impact of their research. We currently support 25 ground-breaking research programmes across 34 sites in Queensland and around Australia, by providing an end-to-end digital solution for human genetic and genomic research, fostering innovation in responding to changes in technology and participant engagement. HSU is the conduit between the clinic and research by providing purpose designed and built infrastructure compliant with ethical and legal regulations to manage participant recruitment, data capture and the appropriate collection, processing and storage of biological samples. We understand the importance of courage in leadership and are passionate about developing and executing strategic initiatives that align with HSU’s overall goals. HSU champions diversity within the scientific community, actively promoting the involvement and advancement of women in STEM fields and this commitment is reflected in our mentorship programs and inclusive work culture. The unit actively engages with the broader community, sharing their findings through public lectures, educational programs, and partnerships with industry and healthcare organisations, thereby bridging the gap between research and practical applications. HSU is the first organisation in Queensland to receive international bio banking accreditation from the CTR-Network and is currently progressing our Greenlab certification demonstrating our commitment to sustainable laboratory environmental practices.
Emily Bailey
My approach to my work rests on four pillars as platform for business excellence: do the basics better, join the dots, grow my people, and focus on what’s next. – When we do the basics better, we sense check our ‘why’ and ‘how’, and we’re willing and excited to change things that don’t work. – When we join the dots, we find and fill the gaps in our processes which prevent our own success. – When we grow our people, we enable everyone to achieve their best in their roles. For my team, that means that our work enables Mater’s scientists get on with their best in the lab – When we focus on what’s next, we understand what’s on the horizon in our sector, and we proactively shift our approach to ensure we remain future focused. This is how I work in everything I do –in my working life, on my local school P&C, with my committed and passionate mums’ group (together we fundraise for childhood brain cancer research), and in any other professional or semi-professional settings I’m in.
Felicity Furey
An award-winning business leader, engineer and entrepreneur, Felicity Furey has made a career out of making the ‘impossible’, possible. Named Boss Magazine’s Young Executive of The Year and one of AFR’s 100 Women of Influence, Felicity has a background in Civil Engineering and Project Management, led multi-million dollar infrastructure projects across Australia, founded five successful businesses and held a range of board and C-Suite roles. Currently Felicity is the Co-Founder and CEO of WeAspire, holds board positions with three companies and is undertaking her PhD in leadership. Felicity applies the design principles learnt in her professional career to engineer a better society. Work to date has included Volunteering for 12 years to co-found and lead Power of Engineering to inspire over 15,000 high school students about engineering careers, focusing on women and regional Australians Raising over $1 million to fund Power of Engineering Creating a team of 100s of volunteers across Australia to deliver Power of Engineering’s programs Co-founding and leading Machinam for 7 years which rewrote the mathematics text book for year 9 and 10 students to be relevant to the real world and rolled out nationally to over 35 schools across Australia Launching the Promoted Podcast in 2023 to support early career STEM professionals to get promoted and be great when they get there 15 years experience in engineering, predominantly on mega infrastructure projects, Felicity led Power of Engineering while working a day job as an engineer and took just one year off to scale Machinam.
2024 Employer of Change Award - Finalists
Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) Program Team (Kaya Edwards & Rachel Hunt)
UniSQ is a subscribing member of the national Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) organisation, joining over 50% of Australia’s higher education and research sector institutions on the journey to transformational change. UniSQ’s SAGE program is one of the largest gender equity programs undertaken at the University. UniSQ started its SAGE journey in 2017, when it began a three-year self-assessment process to determine the climate of gender diversity and equity at the University. This highlighted the primary issues and challenges for underrepresented cohorts and in particular women in STEMM, who were underrepresented at the highest levels of the academic career ladder. The self-assessment process resulted in the development of the SAGE Action Plan, which has been implemented over a four-year period (2021-2024) with the aim to build a sustainable foundation for diversity and inclusion in STEMM careers at UniSQ. Over 2021-2024, UniSQ has rolled out many programs and initiatives to address these inequities and provide greater support and encouragement to women in STEMM in its five key priority areas of recruitment, onboarding, the STEMM pipeline, career development, and parental leave. These initiatives to date have included increasing staff bias literacy; improving recruitment and onboarding processes; providing dedicated budget for scholarships and postdoctoral fellowship positions for women in STEMM; supporting women in STEMM to engage with career development opportunities; delivering new academic development programs; improving parental leave entitlements; encouraging a diverse and inclusive University culture; and much more.
GroundProbe (Kylie Robinson)
GroundProbe is a global technology leader specialising in real-time solutions for measuring and monitoring geohazards. Trusted by mining and civil operators worldwide, we provide the certainty needed for making critical decisions with confidence. For over 20 years, we have developed state-of-the-art technologies and software that deliver precise and reliable information to our customers, helping them manage risk, maintain operations and production, and ensure the safety of people and communities. With the broadest range of technologies and services and a global support network, GroundProbe offers complete, tailored solutions. We foster a supportive, inclusive, and non-judgmental environment where diversity is celebrated. Our team thrives on challenging, stimulating, and rewarding work, collaborating with diverse and talented individuals globally, creating a dynamic and enriching workplace for everyone. At GroundProbe, we embrace the Women in Technology values by encouraging innovation through diverse perspectives and making sure everyone’s voice is heard and valued. We support our community by promoting both professional and personal growth and making community involvement a key part of our identity. We encourage our staff to participate in community efforts that align with our environmental, social, and governance (ESG) commitments, reflecting our belief in lifting each other up. Our dedication to fairness and respect shows our commitment to acting with integrity. We create a collaborative and inclusive environment where knowledge is shared freely. At GroundProbe, we are not just watching the future unfold; we are actively building it with meaningful actions, ensuring every employee has the opportunity to grow and make a difference.
GWI (Gemma Blucher)
GWI is a highly regarded management consultancy specialising in using data, information and technology to solve complex business problems. We are trusted by governments, businesses and communities to transform customer experiences, improve operations, and deliver real results. Our experience spans financial services, aged care, healthcare, education, transport, human services, not-for-profit and environmental agencies. We identify risks and roadblocks for successful operations and program delivery, and use a range of data processes and enabling technologies to make organisations more efficient and productive. Our advisory business is underpinned by rigorous internal quality management processes, including ISO 9001 and we lead with trust and integrity. We are fortunate to have a richly diverse workforce – and we are stronger for it. We support and encourage fully flexible working arrangements around hours and location and we are committed to uplifting our team’s skills through extensive training and development. GWI embodies gender diversity, and we employ team members from every part of the globe. GWI is proudly Great Place to Work® Certified™ and was awarded Women in Technology’s Employer of Choice Award in 2022. We are deeply committed to our community, and contribute to a number of important causes chosen by our team, namely DFVP and Autism Awareness. We are carbon neutral and fund climate restoration programs across the globe. We have been a loyal supporter of the TGMF which supports the next generation of female STEM leaders, and we have sponsored 10 scholarships at CQUniversity.
Flight Centre Travel Group - Leisure Product Management & Engineering Division (Denise Sweeney & Kiara Bergan)
FCTG is headquartered in Brisbane (Australia) and has company-owned leisure and corporate travel business in 24 countries, spanning Australia, New Zealand, the Americas, Europe, the United Kingdom, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates and Asia. The Leisure Product Management & Engineering Division (Leisure PM&E) is responsible for driving the technical evolution of a portfolio of global travel brands powered by a digital ecosystem, generating profitable customer growth and loyalty. Our Global Leisure Tech Ecosystem focuses on five key domains: – Channels: our channels (incl. App, Online, Chat, Phone, Email and Store) view every customer interaction as an opportunity, enhancing efficiency and ensuring consistency across all touchpoints. – Customer: We create memorable experiences for our customers, offering personalized solutions that are easy to use and connect exceptional consultant and advisor service. – Consultant/ Advisor: We empower FCTG agents with intuitive, efficient systems for seamless booking and exceptional service while improving productivity, profitability and well-being through streamlined processes, automation and customer insights. – Product: We support a modernized product services platform, embracing composable commerce based on lightweight shopping services that support tomorrows growing list of modern customer channels. – Loyalty & Data: We support customer loyalty to our brands through a mature data capability, backed by machine learning and artificial intelligence capabilities to increase engaged customer growth and profit per customer. Our mission is to inspire, empower and differentiate through technology.