Sixteen researchers linked to The University of Western Australia have been named finalists for the 2025 Premier’s Science Awards. The field spans oceanography, plant genomics, infectious diseases, space science, cancer research, and science engagement, with UWA figures leading three of the headline categories. It is a compelling snapshot of Western Australia’s research strength and a rare moment where one institution sets the pace across so many fronts. (Mirage News)
The awards include 38 finalists across 10 categories. They recognise work that improves health, grows jobs, protects ecosystems, and inspires students. This year adds a People’s Choice vote, so community voices will help shape the story. Readers can scan the shortlist, learn what each project delivers, and back a finalist who can drive impact in WA and beyond. (Mirage News)
Who made the shortlist and why it matters
Three UWA leaders are up for Scientist of the Year. Coastal oceanographer Professor Charitha Pattiaratchi has reshaped how WA reads the sea. His teams used ocean gliders and moorings to map shelf water flows, sea level swings, and the power of the Leeuwin Current. These insights help ports, fisheries, coastal planners, and disaster agencies plan for storm surge and tsunami risk. They also inform offshore energy projects where currents, waves, and safety margins set costs. (Mirage News)
Plant genomics expert Professor Jacqueline Batley is cited for discoveries that boost disease resistance in canola. Her work links genome diversity to traits growers need, such as yield stability and resilience. That translates to better food security and stronger returns in WA’s grains belt. Marine ecologist Professor Thomas Wernberg is recognised for research on kelp forests and the heatwaves that damage them. His findings explain how climate shocks ripple through biodiversity and tourism, and what recovery needs to look like. Together, these programs show how blue economy science and agricultural genomics can lift regional jobs while guarding natural assets. (Mirage News)
How this year’s awards broaden impact
Two UWA-affiliated leaders are finalists for the new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scientist of the Year category. Associate Professor Glenn Pearson is noted for First Nations health and equity research and for co-leading the Australian Strep-A Vaccine Alliance. Dr Jessica Buck, a Kamilaroi researcher, heads the First Nations Childhood Cancer Research team and is building programs that close outcome gaps for kids with cancer. These nominations highlight a major shift. Excellence now includes how research is done with communities, not only for them. (Mirage News)
A strong UWA mid-career cohort also features. Professor Sascha Schediwy leads the laser timing system for the Square Kilometre Array and a WA laser ground station network that ties space to the ground with precision clocks. Clinical Professor Asha Bowen OAM drives skin infection control in remote communities, with practice change that follows evidence. Professor Nick Golding develops epidemic models that feed into policy, from COVID response in Australia to Ebola planning in the UK. Early-career finalists Dr Jessica Kretzmann and Dr Kai Chen bring frontier tools to medicine, from DNA-origami drug carriers to live imaging of nutrient flow inside bone. These are the platforms that seed new clinics, startups, and skilled jobs. (Mirage News)
What readers can do before winners are named
- Visit the official awards site to understand the categories, timelines, and criteria.
- Read the finalist summaries and watch short videos where available.
- Cast a People’s Choice vote and share the link with classmates, colleagues, and networks.
- If you run a school or community group, pick a finalist to follow and turn their work into a class project, club talk, or public talk.
- If you are in industry, note which projects could solve a near-term problem in your operations. Reach out through tech-transfer channels. (Western Australian Government)
The engagement story to watch
Seadragon Search is a finalist for Science Engagement Initiative of the Year. The project blends community diving, phone cameras, and AI matching to track wild seadragons. Its large, quality-checked dataset helped trigger a reassessment of the weedy seadragon’s conservation status, which is now listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. It shows how citizen science can shift policy when data are robust and open. It also arrives during a hard season for seadragons, with mass mortality recorded in South Australia during an extended algal bloom. That makes this work urgent and public. (Mirage News)
Finalists at a glance
| Category | UWA-affiliated finalist | Focus | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scientist of the Year | Prof Charitha Pattiaratchi | Coastal oceanography, Indian Ocean dynamics | Better coastal safety, ports planning, offshore energy maps. (Mirage News) |
| Scientist of the Year | Prof Jacqueline Batley | Canola genomics and plant-pathogen resistance | More resilient crops, stronger farm margins, food security. (Mirage News) |
| Scientist of the Year | Prof Thomas Wernberg | Kelp forests and marine heatwaves | Restores habitats that support fisheries and tourism. (Mirage News) |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scientist of the Year | Assoc Prof Glenn Pearson | First Nations health, Strep-A vaccine alliance | Health equity and community-led research models. (Mirage News) |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scientist of the Year | Dr Jessica Buck | First Nations childhood cancer research | Better cancer outcomes for kids through tailored care. (Mirage News) |
| Mid-Career Scientist of the Year | Prof Sascha Schediwy | Space laser timing, SKA timing systems | Precision infrastructure for space and radio astronomy. (Mirage News) |
| Mid-Career Scientist of the Year | Clin Prof Asha Bowen OAM | Skin infection control in remote communities | Cuts hospitalisations and costs with prevention. (Mirage News) |
| Mid-Career Scientist of the Year | Prof Nick Golding | Infectious disease modelling | Faster, smarter public health action in outbreaks. (Mirage News) |
| Early-Career Scientist | Dr Jessica Kretzmann | DNA-origami nanomedicine | Targeted drugs that minimise side effects. (Mirage News) |
| Early-Career Scientist | Dr Kai Chen | Live bone and marrow imaging | New paths for treating bone cancer and arthritis. (Mirage News) |
| Science Engagement Initiative | Seadragon Search | Citizen science plus AI for seadragons | Data that move species listings and guide recovery. (seadragonsearch.org) |
How the awards work and when to expect results
The Premier’s Science Awards are run by the WA Government. The program is now in its 25th year and covers all fields of science and engineering. Panels look for excellence, clear benefits, and engagement. The prize pool has risen to support more categories, including recognition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander excellence and government science. Winners, including the People’s Choice award, will be announced in November. (Western Australian Government)
What this means for WA’s economy and skills
These finalists map to WA’s growth engines. Oceans research informs ports, aquaculture, offshore wind, and coastal protection. Crop genomics backs a global export sector. Infectious disease modelling keeps workforces and classrooms open during outbreaks. Space laser timing and SKA systems give WA a role in the next wave of deep-tech. The engagement work around seadragons shows how local biodiversity and tourism can benefit from data and community pride. If you hire, partner, or invest in WA, these are pipelines you can draw from. (Mirage News)
Trending FAQ
Who runs the Premier’s Science Awards and what is new in 2025?
The WA Government runs the awards with independent panels. The 2025 program expanded the prize pool and added an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scientist of the Year category. A People’s Choice vote also runs alongside the judging. (Western Australian Government)
Why are so many UWA researchers on the shortlist this year?
UWA hosts major institutes across oceans, plant genomics, and health, and leads national facilities. The shortlist reflects that multi-disciplinary scale and long investment in big science programs. (The University of Western Australia)
How do I vote for People’s Choice and when do winners get named?
Check the official WA Government awards page for finalists and voting links. Winners are due to be announced in November. (Western Australian Government)
What is Seadragon Search and why is it a finalist?
It is a citizen science and AI project that tracks seadragon populations using photos and computer vision. The dataset helped inform an IUCN status shift for the weedy seadragon to Vulnerable, which supports stronger protections. (seadragonsearch.org)
Is the weedy seadragon status change linked to recent die-offs?
The Vulnerable listing concerns long-term risk. Recent mass mortalities during an algal bloom in South Australia underscore the pressures these species face and the value of robust monitoring. (IUCN Seahorse, Pipefish & Seadragon)
Where can I learn more about the Scientist of the Year finalists’ work?
University profile pages and institute sites give accessible summaries and outputs, such as Pattiaratchi’s oceanography portfolio and public articles. These pages show the breadth of projects that feed WA’s blue economy and safety planning. (The University of Western Australia)
What makes these awards useful for industry and schools?
They spotlight ready partners. Businesses can find lab groups aligned to real problems. Schools can connect students to local role models and design classroom projects around live WA research. The process turns science news into action plans for hiring, curriculum, and site visits. (Western Australian Government)
