International Women’s Day means many things to many people. For the Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology, we believe this is an important opportunity to both challenge the gender stereotypes and gender imbalances that still exist and also celebrate the achievements of women within our community over the past year.
- Dr Sara Alidoust has cultivated an outstanding network of events for the HDR community while steering the Urban Planning program in a bold and innovative direction.
- Dr Feifei Bai, Representative of IEEE PES Women in Power (WiP) in Australia, has significantly contributed to the field. Under her leadership, her chapter earned multiple accolades, including the IEEE PES Frank Lambert Outstanding Chapter Award (Runner-Up). She was also awarded the IEEE QLD Section Service of the Year Award. Additionally, Feifei is a key contributor to an Australian Renewable Energy Agency grant project ($1.25m) aimed at improving large-scale renewable energy integration.
- Associate Professor Gilda Carvalho has been an outstanding academic leader, securing promotions, obtaining research funding, and building a cohesive research group. She has also extended her service to senior executive roles, particularly as Deputy Director (Education) at ACWEB.
- Dr Cristina Cifuentes, an Adjunct Professor and Vice President of Oracle Software Assurance, received a lifetime achievement award at LABScon2024, recognising her pioneering work in decompilation. She is known as the “Mother of Decompilation,” as modern decompilers trace back to her PhD research.
- Early-to-mid career researchers have made significant strides, including Dr Sahar Daer (AQ Fellowship, leadership in Ferrate research) and Dr Zhiyao Wang (promotion, leadership in nutrient cycling and greenhouse gas research). The female ECR and PhD cohort is exceptionally strong, with a record number of female PhD graduates expected this year.
- Bev Coulter was highly commended for the Student Experience and Development Award at the Chemeca Conference, recognising her dedication to enhancing student learning and development.
- Elizabeth Delgado Alcantarino consistently goes above and beyond, fostering a high-functioning work environment and a strong sense of collegiality. She seamlessly balances planning high-level engagements with VIPs, supporting professional development, and ensuring financial and procedural integrity. Liz’s contributions are invaluable to the centre.
- Krishna Gashi, Centre Manager, has built an effective, cohesive, and diverse support team, ensuring a sustainable financial and scientific foundation while fostering a professional and supportive work environment.
- Professor Rebecca Gravina has taken on a new leadership role as Acting Head of School during HOS absences, continues to lead industry collaboration with the TMR Structural Chair, was featured in the Innovation Insights series from the SmartCrete CRC, and delivered a keynote address at APFIS 2024.
- Professor Maureen Hassall, Director of the Minerals Industry Safety and Health Centre, won the 2024 Australasian Process Safety Award at the Chemeca Conference IChemE Australasian Awards. Her collaboration with Ampol continues to provide UQ students with valuable, industry-focused safety projects.
- Dr Charlotte Kessler has led a critical initiative—the comprehensive curriculum review of undergraduate programs—ensuring its meticulous development and successful implementation.
- Associate Professor Jiwon Kim is a Chief Investigator in a major ARC Discovery Project on safe and efficient eco-driving using connected and automated vehicles. She features in the Women in Transport video series on YouTube and continues to improve HDR procedures as the DHDR in Civil Engineering.
- Dr Nikky LaBranche received the 2024 AusIMM Health and Safety Society Professional Excellence Award for her work in dust characterization and mining safety. She has also been named an AusIMM Fellow, appointed to its Board, and shortlisted for the QRC Women in Mining and Resources Queensland Technical Innovation Award. Despite her achievements, she also completed her PhD in 2024 and secured a Research Fellow position.
- Rialet Le Roux has made an outstanding contribution to the School of Mechanical & Mining Engineering through strengthening external engagement by actively promoting the school's achievements. Her tireless work has enhanced student opportunities, improved inclusivity and elevated the school’s visibility.
- Dr Mingyuan Lu leads a pioneering Australian lab linking advanced manufacturing with nano-characterisation, driving innovative research in additive manufacturing, ARC-funded nanocomposites and brittle materials, all while fostering an inclusive and diverse team.
- Dr Yadan Luo received a UQ Foundation Research Excellence Award for her work in affordable machine learning and AI-driven scientific advancements. She has been recognised with multiple national innovation awards and will serve as ACM Multimedia 2027 Strategy Co-Chair.
- Associate Professor Liza O’Moore continues to lead engineering education across the Faculty and University, tackling challenges related to AI while providing career guidance to top students through the Making an Impact through Engineering employability initiative.
- Dr Lisa Ottenhaus won a Faculty Citizenship Award in December and recently delivered an invited talk at a major international workshop on Hybrid Timber at DTU. They also play a key research role as a Chief Investigator in the ARC Timber Hub.
- Associate Professor Anita Parbhakar-Fox was named to the WIM100 2024 cohort, a biennial recognition by Women in Mining UK celebrating women making the resources industry more inclusive and sustainable.
- Dr Kerstin Pannek received the 2024 Emerging Leadership Award for Human Brain Mapping Australia for her work in data quality and brain development research.
- Dr Denys Villa Gomez is part of the ARC Training Centre in Critical Resources for the Future and co-authored Resource Recovery from Water, the winner of IWA Publishing’s 2024 Best Scientific Book Prize. She is also recognised as the inaugural Chair of the School Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee.
- Dr Monique Tourell secured an ARC Industry Fellowship (in partnership with Siemens Healthineers and Skope Magnetic Resonance Technologies) for her project on pulse sequence development for ultra-high-field MRI.
- Associate Professor Joy Wolfram is the QLD Young Tall Poppy for 2024 and was awarded a Future Leader Fellowship to develop therapeutics to improve the recovery prospects for open-heart surgery.
- Professor Cara Wrigley has successfully secured multiple national research grants, established a cutting-edge laboratory, and played a pivotal role in shaping the vision and strategic direction of the Design program.
- Stephanie Wyeth has led a remarkable suite of engagement initiatives, significantly enhancing the school’s relationships with industry and external stakeholders.
- Dr Miao Xu has demonstrated remarkable dedication to UQ Ally, fostering inclusivity and support across the university.
