Memorial fund supports young science minds

A fund created in memory of a bright, young Western Australian scientist is encouraging WA regional high school students to consider a career in science. High school students from Peel and the South-West will have the chance to experience life as a University of Western Australia (UWA) student, thanks to the memorial fund established by Alcoa of Australia.

The fund was created to honour a talented and community-minded graduate of The University of Western Australia and former Alcoa employee, Chanelle Carter, who tragically died in a cycling accident in Spain last year. Alcoa has committed $35,000 to the fund over the next six years.

The Chanelle Carter Memorial Fund will enable six students each year to travel to Perth and participate in National Science Week activities, while staying at UWA’s Trinity College.

Carter won the Royal Australian Chemical Institute Prize while completing a BSc (Hons) in Chemistry. She was held in great esteem at Alcoa where she worked as a Senior Research Scientist with the company’s global Technology Delivery Group.

Through her commitment to environmental issues and human rights, she became a passionate supporter of Oxfam, dedicating her time, money and talents to help disadvantaged people around the world, including cycling through Laos in 2006.

Keen to sponsor a project that would embody Carter’s principles, her Alcoa colleagues approached UWA about their idea.

“She genuinely wanted to make a difference in life and put a great deal of her energy into the community,” said Dr Ian Harrison, Alcoa’s Director of Research and Development Global Refining. “Chanelle was unquestionably one of the most talented people I have ever worked with. She was also committed to developing young scientists and was a fantastic mentor.”

Associate Professor Jan Dook, from UWA’s Centre for Learning Technology, said: “This fund will help to generate interest in a career in science for young people from the country, especially girls. Programs such as these raise awareness of what it takes to go to university, the opportunities available to the students and what they can achieve.”

The program for high school students, under the Chanelle Carter Memorial Fund, will be jointly coordinated by Associate Professor Dook and Dr Joanne Castelli (Director, UWA Science Experience).

The first cohort of year 10 girls from Pinjarra and Newton Moore Senior High Schools will arrive at UWA in August.