Queensland Women in STEM Prize
About the Queensland Women in STEM Prize
The Queensland Women in STEM Prize celebrates the exceptional contributions of Queensland's women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Now in its tenth year, the Queensland Women in STEM Prize aims to foster passion and drive among women and girls, encouraging their active participation and leadership within STEM, including the social sciences. By highlighting the achievements of these emerging leaders, we not only honour their remarkable work but also promote gender equity, diversity, and inclusion in Queensland's scientific and technological sectors.
Queensland's STEM community plays a vital role in driving economic prosperity, sustainability, and community well-being. While advancements in gender equality have opened doors for more women and girls, there remains a need to elevate women's visibility and recognition in leadership roles across STEM disciplines.
Help us to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders and pave the way for transformative change in Queensland's scientific and technological landscape – because when women succeed, we all benefit.
2024 Queensland Women in STEM Prize Winners
The 2025 Queensland Women in STEM Prize is a statewide competition for women within the first 10 years of their STEM careers and who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and impact to Queensland.
Nominations are now closed.
Please note: Nominations for the 2025 Queensland Women in STEM Prize are collected and managed via the Award Force online platform. Personal Information provided in nominations may be stored outside of Australia. By submitting a nomination, you agree to such transfer. Further information on treatment of personal information is available on Award Force’s website.
Meet the finalists: 2025 Queensland Women in STEM Prize
The remarkable achievements of fourteen Queensland women working in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) fields have been recognised with the announcement of the finalists for the 2025 Queensland Women in STEM Prize.
The 2025 finalists have been selected for their outstanding commitment, ingenuity, and an unwavering drive to push the boundaries of what is possible.
Winners will be announced on 13 November 2025 at an Awards Ceremony in Brisbane.
Dr Lily Bentley
Tracking ocean migrants to support international conservation actionsDr Lily Bentley is an interdisciplinary marine conservation researcher at The University of Queensland, harnessing cutting-edge tracking technologies and data syntheses to protect iconic migratory species like seabirds, sharks, and turtles.
Through global collaborations with WWF, policy-focused initiatives like the MiCO database, and her Queensland-Smithsonian Fellowship, Dr Bentley delivers the science required to set biodiversity targets and design marine protected areas, while inspiring the next generation of scientists through mentorship, advocacy, and dynamic public engagement.
Associate Professor Nathalie Bock
Mother, carer and biomedical engineerAssociate Professor Nathalie Bock is a biomedical engineer and Deputy Director of the Max Planck Queensland Centre, whose groundbreaking research merges materials science and cancer biology to improve outcomes for people living with incurable cancer. Leading the Bone & Tumour Bioengineering Research Group at QUT, she develops human-like tissue models that reveal how tumour environments impact treatment success, driving innovation in personalised medicine and Queensland’s biotech sector.
A passionate advocate for diversity in STEM, Associate Professor Bock mentors women and underrepresented groups, fosters international collaboration, and champions inclusive science through public engagement and leadership. Her work is transforming cancer research while inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders.
Dr Sabrina Chakori
Sustainability in action: from science to social impactDr Sabrina Chakori is a distinguished scientist, educator, policy advisor, and award-winning social entrepreneur whose work is transforming Australia’s circular economy and sustainability landscape.
From influencing legislation to ban single-use plastic bags and contributing to Queensland’s E-Products Action Plan, to founding Queensland’s first tool library, Sabrina bridges science, policy, and community action to drive impactful change. Her integrated scientific and practitioner approach pioneers’ solutions for a more sustainable socio-economic post-growth model. Her leadership champions the next generation of female leaders in STEM.
Sabrina’s national and international outreach, groundbreaking initiatives, and public and policy engagement exemplify how science can create lasting social and environmental impact.
Dr Somayeh Hussaini
Advancing brain-inspired AI for robotics and championing an inclusive STEM futureDr Somayeh Hussaini is a postdoctoral research fellow at the QUT Centre for Robotics, whose groundbreaking work in brain-inspired artificial intelligence is advancing robotics and autonomous navigation in unpredictable environments.
Born in Iran to Afghan parents and arriving in Australia as a refugee with no formal education, she has overcome extraordinary challenges to become a leader in robotics research and a passionate advocate for diversity in STEM. Through high-impact research, global collaborations, and extensive outreach, she inspires women and girls from diverse and regional backgrounds to pursue careers in science and technology, helping to shape a more inclusive and innovative future for Queensland.
Dr Caitie Kuempel
Empowering Queensland’s blue economy: Sustaining seafood and biodiversity in a changing climateDr Caitlin Kuempel is a conservation scientist at Griffith University whose pioneering research addresses sustainability challenges in Queensland’s Blue Economy, including aquaculture, coastal development, and biodiversity conservation. Her work has informed climate-resilient planning for industries like prawn farming, supported coexistence between aquaculture and endangered shorebirds, and advanced sustainable seafood practices.
A passionate advocate for women in STEM, Dr Kuempel mentors the next generation of scientists, co-organises Soapbox Science Brisbane to challenge public perceptions of women in STEM, and engages diverse audiences through public talks, media, and outreach initiatives. Her dedication to collaboration, inclusivity, and impactful research is shaping a sustainable future for Queensland’s environment and communities.
Dr Miaomiao Liu
Driving innovation in mass spectrometry for drug discoveryDr Miaomiao Liu, an NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow at Griffith University, is a trailblazer in developing advanced mass spectrometry technologies to accelerate drug discovery for infectious and neurodegenerative diseases.
With 53 publications, 3 patents, and over $4.5 million in funding, their groundbreaking work has positioned Queensland as a global leader in biomedical innovation, while her dedication to mentoring and STEM outreach empowers women, culturally diverse students, and the next generation of scientists to thrive in research and industry.
Dr Maddy McAllister
From reef to research: Championing Queensland’s maritime past for future generationsDr Maddy McAllister is a maritime archaeologist, Senior Lecturer at James Cook University, and Senior Curator at Queensland Museum, whose groundbreaking work documents, interprets, and protects Queensland’s shipwreck heritage, including the iconic HMS Pandora.
Combining archaeology, chemical science, and cutting-edge digital technologies, she has advanced the understanding of shipwrecks as both cultural and ecological treasures. A passionate science communicator and mentor, Maddy connects communities with Queensland’s maritime history through exhibitions, public talks, and her acclaimed podcast The Ocean Lounge. Her dedication to preserving underwater heritage, inspiring women in STEM, and engaging the public ensures Queensland’s ocean past is celebrated and safeguarded for future generations.
Dr Rebecca McElroy
The dramatic lives of galaxiesDr McElroy is a world-leading expert in galactic astronomy, using the world’s most powerful telescopes to study the dramatic lives of galaxies like the Milky Way, including black hole activity and galactic collisions.
As a Women in STEMM Fellow at UniSQ, she leads international collaborations, inspires students from diverse backgrounds, and has built a global media presence, reaching over 350 million people in the last 18 months. A passionate science communicator and advocate for equity, Dr McElroy engages with schools, rural communities, and public audiences, breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field and inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders.
Dr Bridie Mulholland
Embedding and elevating First Nations perspectives in health sciences and medicineDr Bridie Mullholland is a proud Jingili woman, cellular bone and cancer biologist, and Assistant Professor at Bond University, leading transformative reforms to embed First Nations perspectives into health sciences and medicine. Dr Mulholland’s work is reshaping health education through culturally safe, strengths-based approaches to curriculum, research, and governance.
She advocates for health and biomedical research reform to ensure First Nations knowledge and data sovereignty are respected, and to improve First Nations representation in all aspects of research and knowledge translation. Bridie promotes STEM as a culturally relevant and empowering career path for First Nations students by rewriting the narrative of who belongs in science. Through her leadership, Dr Mulholland is building a more inclusive and equitable STEM ecosystem in Queensland and cultivating a new generation of First Nations scientists and health leaders.
Dr Abbi Scott
Connecting communities and science to protect the Great Barrier ReefDr Abbi Scott is a marine scientist at TropWATER James Cook University, whose collaborative research and community partnerships are driving real-world solutions to protect the Great Barrier Reef.
Specialising in seagrass and coral reef monitoring, restoration, and stewardship, Dr Scott works closely with Traditional Owners, First Nations Rangers, and local organisations to deliver evidence-based outcomes that reflect Queensland’s values and priorities. A passionate science communicator, Dr Scott has hosted the Wild Science segment on ABC local Radio, brought the Pint of Science festival to Cairns, and engaged thousands through public talks, media appearances, and school outreach. Through her leadership in research, mentoring, and public engagement, Dr Scott is inspiring the next generation of scientists while championing the health of Queensland’s marine ecosystems.
Dr Hana Starobova
From lab bench to lifeline: Innovating pain relief after chemotherapyDr Hana Starobova is an emerging leader in neuropharmacology at the University of Queensland, whose groundbreaking research addresses the debilitating side effects of cancer treatments, improving outcomes for patients and advancing targeted therapies.
An NHMRC Investigator Fellow (2024–2029), Dr Starobova has published extensively, secured over $2 million in funding, and collaborates with global leaders in academia and industry. Beyond their research, Dr Starobova is a passionate advocate for gender equity in STEM, mentoring emerging scientists, championing women’s participation, and inspiring the next generation through extensive outreach and public engagement. Their work is transforming cancer care while fostering a more inclusive and innovative scientific community in Queensland.
Dr Alice Twomey
Engineering ecosystems: from wetlands to wavesDr Alice Twomey is revolutionising coastal protection as an Ecological Engineer at The University of Queensland, pioneering nature-based solutions like mangrove and seagrass restoration to tackle climate change-induced flooding and erosion.
With a bold vision for sustainable coastal resilience and a thriving blue carbon economy, Dr Twomey combines groundbreaking research, dynamic public engagement, and dedicated mentorship to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders while driving real-world impact for Queensland’s environment and communities.
Dr Michelle Ward
Building integrity in the nature positive promiseDr Michelle Ward is a globally recognised conservation scientist whose groundbreaking research has transformed our understanding of humanity’s impact on ecosystems, and shaped environmental policy at state, national, and international levels. From revealing the alarming extent of habitat loss and climate change impacts to developing innovative decision-support tools used by governments and NGOs, Dr Wards work has directly influenced conservation strategies, regional planning, and biodiversity protection.
A passionate advocate for women in STEM, Michelle mentors the next generation of scientists and fosters inclusive leadership, while their dynamic public engagement – spanning media, community events, and policy briefings – ensures their science drives real-world change. Through their visionary efforts, they are safeguarding Queensland’s biodiversity and inspiring a global movement towards a nature-positive future.
Associate Professor Joy Wolfram
Bridging science and society through innovation in nanomedicineAssociate Professor Joy Wolfram is a globally recognised leader in nanomedicine and extracellular vesicle research, driving innovation in next-generation therapeutics with a strong focus on clinical translation and public impact. Since joining The University of Queensland in 2022, Associate Professor Wolfram has led projects attracting more than $7.3 million in external research funding and has played a key leadership role in collaborative programs exceeding $100 million. She has published more than 100 peer-reviewed papers and co-founded the Centre for Extracellular Vesicle Nanomedicine, positioning Queensland as a global hub for biomedical innovation.
A passionate educator and advocate for diversity in STEM, Associate Professor Wolfram has transformed teaching programs and developed outreach initiatives such as the Nanomedicine Workshop to inspire underrepresented groups. Through groundbreaking research, inclusive mentorship, and impactful public engagement, she is advancing Queensland’s leadership in science, education, and equity.
Important information
View our important information by clicking each of the below headings.
The Queensland Women in STEM Prize recognises individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and impact to Queensland across three awards:
The Judges’ Award ($10,000 excl GST total prize money): open to emerging leaders in STEM who identify as a woman and have been working in their field for no more than 10 years in total.
First Nations STEM Award ($10,000 excl GST prize money): open to emerging leaders in STEM who identify as a woman and have been working in their field for no more than 10 years in total, and:
- are of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage;
- identify as an Aboriginal and /or Torres Strait Islander person; and
- are accepted as such by the communities in which live or have lived.
Breaking Barriers Award ($10,000 excl GST prize money): open to emerging leaders in STEM who identify as a woman and have been working in their field for no more than 10 years in total, and:
- are an individual who has settled in Queensland as a refugee (as defined under the Migration Act 1958); and/or
- have a disability (as defined under the Disability Services Act 2006); and/or
- are a carer (as defined under the Carers (Recognition) Act 2008).
Winning recipients must use their Prize Money for professional development i.e., conference attendance, STEM-communication training, career-enhancing courses, research field trips, internships, purchasing new software etc.
Winners and Highly Commended recipients will also receive a promotional package comprising:
- access to professional photo/s of the receipts at the Award Ceremony and professional head shots taken at the Award Ceremony,
- a professional video package highlighting the achievements of the winners and highly commended recipients,
- inclusion in Queensland Women in STEM Prize media releases and social media activity distributed by Queensland Museum, Department of the Environment, Tourism, Innovation and Science and Office for Women following the Awards Ceremony.
Submissions open: Friday 4 July 2025
Submissions close: Friday 8 August 2025 (5pm AEST)
All entrants contacted and finalists announced: October 2025
Award ceremony and announcement of prize recipients: Thursday 13 November 2025
The 2025 Queensland Women in STEM Prize is presented by Queensland Museum and the Queensland Government through the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Innovation and Science, and the Office for Women.
Applications for the 2025 Queensland Women in STEM Prize are now closed.
FAQs
The 2025 Queensland Women in STEM Prize is open to any person who:
- identifies as a woman;
- works in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) field including the social sciences, professionals, scientists, researchers or students from any company, institute, government, university, not-for-profit or educational institution;
- resides and undertakes STEM activities or research in Queensland;
- is an emerging STEM leader with up to 10 years of work experience in a STEM-related field (not inclusive of time spent in undergraduate or post-graduate training).
Applicants may include professionals, scientists, researchers, educators or students from any company, institute, government, university, not-for-profit or educational institution. Students are also eligible to apply.
No. Applicants are not required to hold a STEM qualification to apply.
Yes. You can nominate yourself or you can nominate someone you know.
If you are nominating someone you know, please ensure that they consent to their personal information being submitted as part of their nomination.
The Prize is open to women with up to 10 years of work experience in a STEM-related field.
The following will be considered towards 10 years of STEM career:
- paid work in a STEM role,
- volunteer work experience in a STEM role.
The following is not included in the 10 years in STEM career calculation:
- time spent on leave, career breaks and study/work outside a STEM field,
- time spent undertaking any formal STEM education or research, including TAFE, undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications, including PhD.
To be eligible for the First Nations STEM Award, nominees must also:
- be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage;
- identify as Aboriginal and /or Torres Strait Islander; and
- be accepted as such by the communities in which they live or have lived.
To be eligible for the Breaking Barriers Award, nominees must also:
- identify as having a disability (as defined under the Disability Services Act 2006); or
- be a carer (as defined under the Carers (Recognition) Act 2008); or
- be an individual who has settled in Queensland as a refugee (as defined under the Migration Act 1958).
Nominations can only be submitted online.
Receipt of all nominations will be acknowledged via an automatically generated email from Award Force. Please ensure you provide a correct email address on your nomination form. If you do not receive a confirmation email within two business days after submitting your nomination, please notify the organiser via email or telephone (07) 3153 3000. No responsibility will be taken for nominations that do not receive a confirmation email.
You may be contacted after submitting a nomination and asked to provide further details.
Nominations must be received by 5pm Friday 8 August 2025.
Late nominations will not be considered. No responsibility will be taken for nominations that are not received by the closing date.
Applications must be submitted by an individual. Teams are ineligible to apply. Entrants working as part of a team are encouraged to apply as an individual by focusing their application on their contribution to the team project.
Previous winners of the Queensland Women in STEM Prize are ineligible. If you have entered a previous Queensland Women in STEM Prize, but did not receive an award, you are welcome (and encouraged!) to enter again.
Eligible entries will be judged by a panel of experts in September 2025.
Nominations will be assessed on:
- a well-articulated summary of the Nominee’s contribution to or impact to Queensland through STEM;
- a clear demonstration, with practical examples, of how the Nominee has acted as a positive role model and provided support to women and girls aspiring to work in STEM; and
- the evidence of the Nominee’s engagement in promoting STEM to a wider audience.
All questions must be completed, and CV uploaded, in order to progress through to judging. When answering the questions, it is important to provide specific examples of your / the Nominee’s achievements, or significant contribution to Queensland through STEM.
The awards will be determined by a panel of judges, including representatives from Queensland Museum and the Queensland science community, the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation and the Office for Women, Department of Women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Multiculturalism.
Members of the judging panel will be required to declare any conflicts of interest that may arise from a personal or professional relationship with the nominees. Where a direct conflict of interest with a nominee exists, the judging member will abstain from ranking, scoring or voting for the nominee during judging panel deliberations.
Winning recipients must use their Prize Money for professional development i.e., conference attendance, STEM-communication training, career-enhancing courses, research field trips, internships, purchasing new software etc.
Winning recipients are required to acquit their prize within 12-months, providing evidence of what professional development activity their prize money was spent on.
Winners and Highly Commended recipients will also receive a promotional package comprising:
- access to professional photo/s of the receipts at the Award Ceremony and professional head shots taken at the Award Ceremony,
- a professional video package highlighting the achievements of the winners and highly commended recipients, to be filmed by the Office for Women following the Awards Ceremony,
- inclusion in Queensland Women in STEM Prize media releases and social media activity distributed by Queensland Museum, Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation and the Office for Women, Department of Women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Multiculturalism following the Awards Ceremony.
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Aerospace Engineer
Taylah uses her unique platform to promote the value and possibilities of STEM education with First Nations students, young women and girls.
Social Scientist
Jillian is particularly passionate in championing the development of infrastructure that fosters social value for marginalised groups, including women, youth, First Nations people and people with disabilities.
Biostatistician and Epidemiologist
Susanna advocates for girls to choose a career in statistics through extensive community outreach and the development of an award-winning video series that explains complex statistical concepts to young audiences.
Biotechnologist
As a leader in her community, Keely is a committed participant in numerous STEM educational programs, events and engagement initiatives.
Composite Materials Engineer
Tatheer is a passionate advocate of women and girls from diverse backgrounds to engage in STEM education, leading numerous award-wining community outreach and education programs.
Biomedical Engineer
A world leader in the field of osteoarthritis, Laura is founding Deputy Director of the Australian Centre for Precision Health and Technology. She also leads numerous high-profile programs and partnerships dedicated to closing the gender gap in STEM fields.
Advancing research on Queensland’s marine life during environmental change
Using artificial intelligence (AI) to prevent mental illness
Rubble vs Recovery: Predicting where too much rubble could hurt the Great Barrier Reef
Digital foot models paving the future for precision healthcare
2022 winners
Depolymerisation of waste natural zeolite rock and green conversion to synthetic zeolite
Transforming Spaces in STEM through Play and Purpose
Plenty of fish in the sea? Using mathematics to save the ocean, educate, and communicate with the masses.
The unexpected value of climate change adaptation heuristics
2021 winners
From molecules to the mind: using big data towards earlier autism diagnosis
Securing food for future generations
Inspiring tomorrow's innovators
Impacts of biochar on soil carbon pools and nitrogen transformation in viticulture of South East QLD
Taking Cutting-Edge STEM out of the labs and onto the streets!
2020 winners
Fighting creepy with crawly: using spider venoms to make next-generation antiparasitic drugs
Trimming the Fat: targeting novel genetic factors and molecules that drive obesity
Indigenous climate change adaptation
2019 winners
Fishing for plastics: from ocean to plate
Taming weeds without herbicides
People in focus: protecting the eyesight of people with diabetes
2018 winners
Sustainable livestock production and gender equity, hand in hand
Mission inflammation: guarding against collateral damage in infection
2017 winners
Spinifex grass: hidden gold in the Australian landscape
Investigating the effect snake venom has on our blood to help develop new life-changing medicines
2016 winners
Saving the ageing brain
STEM education and engagement
Sticky toffee causing power "outages" in diabetes
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