Fellowships and scholarships support women in science

The L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science initiative last week celebrated five trailblazing female scientists from Australia and New Zealand, awarding these standout early-career researchers prestigious fellowships and vital funding to fuel their groundbreaking work.

Since 1998, the L’Oréal-UNESCO Global For Women in Science Awards have recognised 4100 female researchers globally and 74 locally, with 500 scientific experts involved in the selection worldwide. This year’s five fellows are as follows:

• Dr Leah Smith, from the University of Otago, aims to discover the genetic characteristics of phages (viruses that only infect bacteria). Identifying these traits will hopefully allow scientists to pinpoint which natural phages are optimal for treating complicated bacterial infections, offering a solution to the antimicrobial resistance crisis.
• Dr Brittany Mitchell, from the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, aims to create individualised genetic risk scores capturing a person’s likelihood of developing depression and predicting which antidepressants are most likely to work for them. She is working from personal experience, following her own diagnosis and treatment journey at age 16.
• Dr Mengyu Li, from The University of Sydney, has developed advanced quantitative computer modelling to track the flow of goods through international supply chains, revealing the consequences of wealth-driven consumption on communities and the environments in poorer regions. Her goal is to find a path towards a resilient and environmentally sustainable future for all members of society.
• Dr Kaye Minkyung Kang, also from The University of Sydney, aims to discover how we can convert our carbon waste into more useful chemicals, by making the conversion process more efficient through the use of solar energy. Her research utilises nanotechnology — microscopic equipment that scratches surfaces to induce colourful reactions in certain elements.
• Dr Emily Roycroft, from the Australian National University, aims to understand the role that genetic factors have played in past Australian extinctions and to help design better conservation strategies for surviving species. Her research investigates the genetic health of small remnant populations, to assess their risk of extinction and their suitability to ‘rewild’ or rehome in habitats on mainland Australia.
   

“These five outstanding female researchers show why supporting more women to progress in their scientific career is so important — we do not want to miss out on these great minds and the changes they are making for the world,” said Marnie Carroll, Chief Corporate Affairs & Engagement Officer at L’Oréal Australia & New Zealand.

Separately to this, the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) last week announced more than 250 scholarship recipients of the nationally recognised Elevate: Boosting diversity in STEM program for 2025. The scholars will receive support to access science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) university education at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, enabling them to contribute to growing the diverse STEM workforce needed to deliver on Australia’s national priorities over the coming decades.

Originally launched in 2022 as Elevate: Boosting women in STEM, the program aims to increase access to tertiary STEM education for women and non-binary people, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from regional, rural and remote areas, people from low socioeconomic backgrounds, and other groups traditionally under-represented in STEM. Scholars are offered support including financial assistance, 24-hour psychosocial support, networking, mentoring and skills-building workshops, setting them up to thrive throughout their studies.

ATSE CEO Kylie Walker said with more than 1500 applications competing in a rigorous selection process, the highly motivated 2025 scholars will no doubt make waves as they move into STEM industries in coming years.

“ATSE is incredibly proud to welcome the 2025 Elevate scholars,” Walker said. “We’re ready to invest in their personal and professional growth and support them to thrive in STEM-powered careers as they become Australian innovators and make vital contributions in critical sectors.”

ATSE and its partners are combining to deliver more than 500 scholarships over the life of the program, which was recently extended to 2032. Applications for the 2026 scholarships will open in May next year.

Image caption: The L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Fellows — Dr Mengyu Li, Dr Leah Smith, Dr Emily Roycroft, Dr Kaye Minkyung Kang and Dr Brittany Mitchell.