QUT researcher Katrina Wruck has been awarded the Judges' Award at the 2022 Queensland Women in STEM Prize.
Ms Wruck has been investigating environmentally friendly ways to convert mining waste products into synthetic zeolite for her PhD research project for the last four years.
Her research could provide significant benefits for industries around the world that rely on manufacturing synthetic zeolite as it would allow them to use mining waste to drive the industry towards a circular economy.
QUT Faculty of Science Executive Dean Professor Troy Farrell, said Ms Wruck was an incredibly worthy winner of this award and had been chosen from an outstanding field of nominees.
“Her work as an early career researcher on green conversion technologies is important and impactful, and she is an inspirational and passionate advocate who works tirelessly to encourage girls and First Nations students to consider a future in STEM,” Professor Farrell said.
Ms Wruck said she was honoured to have been recognised for her research and school outreach work.
"This would not have been possible without the incredible support of my First Nations community, QUT colleagues, friends and family. In particular, I would like to thank Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Strategy) Angela Leitch and my PhD supervisor Professor Graeme Millar for their unwavering support," she said.
Now in its seventh year and presented by Queensland Museum Network and the Queensland Government, the prize recognises women who are making a difference to the world in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) fields.
Four Queensland STEM professionals, including Ms Wruck, were recognised for their work on green energy technology, nurturing diversity in STEM spaces, future-proofing the climate, and protecting ocean health through mathematics and communication.
The four STEM professionals were awarded across three categories: Judges’ Award, Breaking Barriers Award and Highly Commended, with a total of $15,000 going towards helping support their work.
The Breaking Barriers Award was awarded to Jennifer Leigh Campbell from Griffith University while Highly Commended Awards were presented to fisheries scientist Alise Fox and adaptation scientist Johanna Nalau.
More than 50 Queensland women entered this year’s awards.
Media contact:
Madeline Healy, QUT Media, 0407 625 870, m5.healy@qut.edu.au
