Telethon Kids Institute researcher, Niamh Troy, has been named a joint winner of the Exxon Mobile Student Scientist of the Year award at the Premier’s Science Awards, announced in Perth last night.
Ms Troy is a PhD candidate and researcher at The University of Western Australia and the Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre – a powerhouse partnership between Telethon Kids, Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation and Perth Children’s Hospital.
Her research uses cutting-edge bioinformatics to better understand the immune response to respiratory viral infections in asthma and how we can use bacterial therapeutics to harness the immune system to protect against severe lung infections in infants.
Ms Troy’s work has the potential to place Western Australia at the forefront of the race to identify safe treatments for respiratory infections in babies.
Telethon Kids Institute Director, Professor Jonathan Carapetis, said the award recognises the impressive potential of Ms Troy’s work.
“It’s so encouraging to see young researchers of this calibre, who are making genuinely game-changing contributions to medical science,” he said.
Niamh’s work has the potential to change the way we treat respiratory infections in babies to keep them out of hospital and home with their families
Professor Carapetis said Ms Troy’s achievements were all the more impressive, given she had her first child while completing her PhD.
Ms Troy was one of four Telethon Kids Institute researchers named as finalists for the Premier’s Science Awards.
Professor Britta Regli-von Ungern-Sternberg – of The University of Western Australia and Perth Children’s Hospital - was named a finalist for Scientist of the Year 2021 for her work to reduce the risk of complications linked to anaesthesia in children.
PhD Candidate Katherine Landwehr - of the Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre and Curtin University - was a finalist for ExxonMobil Student Scientist of the Year for her research into the toxic health impacts of exposure to biodiesel fuel.
And emerging child health researcher and Whadyuk Yued woman from the Noongar Nation, Danielle Headland, was a finalist for Shell Aboriginal STEM student of the year.
Professor Carapetis congratulated all four of the Institute’s finalists.
“These awards showcase the best and brightest scientific minds in Western Australia,” he said.
It’s a real honour for our researchers to be among such an impressive list of finalists
Winners of the 2021 Premier's Science Awards and the Western Australian Science Hall of Fame inductee were announced at a ceremony at WA Museum Boola Bardip as part of National Science Week, which runs from August 14-22.
For more information on the Premier’s Science Awards, please visit: http://www.jtsi.wa.gov.au/scienceawards.
First published Tuesday 17 August 2021.
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About Telethon Kids Institute
Telethon Kids Institute is one of the largest and most successful medical research institutes in Australia. We've created a bold blueprint that brings together community, researchers, practitioners, policy makers and funders, who share our vision to improve the health and wellbeing of children through excellence in research.
The Institute is headed by leading paediatrician and infectious diseases expert Professor Jonathan Carapetis, with Founding Director Professor Fiona Stanley now Patron.
Telethon Kids is independent and not-for-profit. The majority of funding comes from our success in winning national and international competitive research grants. We also receive significant philanthropic support from corporate Australia and the community.
About the Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre
The Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre is a global epicentre for paediatric respiratory research informing advancements in clinical practice, driving a new research agenda for childhood lung health. Bringing together clinicians, scientists and the community, as well as the brightest minds from around the globe, the Centre aims to prevent and cure respiratory illness in children and ensure that all children have healthy lungs for life.
The Centre has a 30-year legacy of globally competitive research from diverse groups of internationally acclaimed researchers in Western Australia, working in the area of paediatric respiratory research. A powerhouse partnership between the Telethon Kids Institute, Perth Children’s Hospital and the Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation ensures that the Centre will lead paediatric research in Australia and contribute significantly to global efforts to improve the lives of children with respiratory conditions and their families.