QUT researcher Katrina Wruck has been awarded the Judges Award at the 2022 Queensland Women in STEM Prize.
Investigating environmentally friendly ways to convert mining waste products into synthetic zeolite has been the focus of Ms Wruck’s PhD research project, which she has been working on for four years.
This research into green energy conversion technologies has the potential to provide significant benefits for industries around the world that rely on the manufacture of synthetic zeolite by enabling the use of the mining waste to drive the industry towards a circular economy.
QUT Executive Dean Faculty of Science Troy Farrell said Ms Wruck was an incredibly worthy winner of this award and has 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.
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 Alise Fox, a Fisheries Scientist and Johanna Nalau, an Adaptation Scientist.
More than 50 Queensland women entered this year’s awards.
