First published 14 March 2023
International air quality expert QUT Distinguished Professor Lidia Morawska has been awarded the Matthew Flinders Medal and Lecture, one of the most prestigious career awards of the Australian Academy of Science.
The Matthew Flinders Medal and Lecture recognises scientific research of the highest standing in the physical sciences.
Australian Research Council (ARC) Laureate Fellow Professor Lidia Morawska is leading an international effort to improve air quality.
“Each of us inhales air 12 times a minute and if we didn't have access to the air, if we wouldn't be able to breathe, in a few minutes we wouldn't be alive,” Professor Morawska said.
“So there's nothing more critical for us as humans as air.
“The importance of indoor air quality is because we spent more than 90% of time indoors, inhaling indoor air.”
Professor Morawska led a group of almost 240 international experts in warning the World Health Organisation on the reality of airborne transmission of COVID-19.
In 2021, Professor Morawska was named in the 2021 TIME100 as one of the 100 most influential people in the world for her role.
Professor Morawska recently led an international group of scientists who outlined the four key steps needed to avoid similar critical mistakes in the future.
She is also leading the $5 million Australian Research Council (ARC) Training Centre for Advanced Building Systems Against Airborne Infection Transmission which aims to reduce airborne infection transmission by improving indoor air quality while maintaining comfort and efficiency.
Professor Morawska said the centre would see Australian building system manufacturing companies, working alongside international companies, as forerunners in establishing air quality standards.
“I firmly believe the centre will be a catalyst for revolution and bring us closer to clean indoor air becoming the norm,” Professor Morawska said.
Professor Morawska from the QUT School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences in the Faculty of Science is director of the International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health (ILAQH).
Media contact:
Rod Chester, QUT Media, 07 3138 9449, rod.chester@qut.edu.au
After hours: 0407 585 901, media@qut.edu.au
