2014 Women in Science Fellowship winners announced

The winners of the 2014 L’Oréal for Women in Science Fellowships have been announced. The fellowships provide $25,000 to early-career female scientists to support them in their specialist area of research.

Materials scientist Dr Cara Doherty, a research scientist from CSIRO, is developing crystal sponges that could transform water filters, batteries and biomedical implants, and clean up carbon emissions. Dr Doherty will use her fellowship to investigate how to develop the 3D structures that would be needed for a smart water filter.

Evolutionary biologist Dr Vanessa Kellermann, from Monash University, is working to find out how vulnerable species cope with climate change. She has already demonstrated that tropical flies are more vulnerable to change in the long term, and will now use her fellowship to explore how flexible fruit flies are in the short term.

Geneticist Dr Elena Tucker, from Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, has used DNA sequencing to find the genes responsible for some rare diseases. Dr Tucker will look at hundreds of individual genomes to determine the genetic causes of sex development disorders.

Australian Research Council (ARC) CEO Professor Aidan Byrne congratulated the three recipients on their fellowships. He extended special congratulations to Dr Doherty and Dr Kellerman, who recently received funding through the ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) scheme.

“I’m delighted that these dedicated researchers, proudly supported by the ARC during the crucial early-research years, have received these fellowships,” Professor Byrne said. “This support will allow them to continue making great progress on the research front and in their careers in general.

“I commend all three researchers for the valuable contribution they have - and will continue to make - toward the advancement of science and research in Australia.”

The L’Oréal for Women in Science Fellowship is the only national Australian and New Zealand award for female scientists, offering critical support for women researchers at a crucial time in their career. This year the fellowship received more than 180 applicants.