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Western Australia‘s innovation and intellectual might has been showcased at the Business Events Perth 2020 Aspire Awards today.

From a molecular geneticist investigating motor neurone disease, to an engineer developing autonomous systems for space stations, the 16 Aspire Award winners personify the very best of Western Australian research and leadership.

Now in its 21st year, Business Events Perth’s Aspire Awards sponsor local academics and researchers to attend (and often present at) a relevant international conference in their discipline, to further their professional development and profile Western Australia internationally.

Business Events Perth Chief Executive Officer Gareth Martin said the organisation was honoured to support the ongoing professional development of such diverse and outstanding individuals.

“This year’s winners are an exceptional group of academics, medical researchers and professionals, many of whom are mid-career,” Mr Martin said.

“Attending business events like international conferences, help experts like this year’s Aspire Award winners collaborate and exchange knowledge with others in their field, generating ideas and fostering long-lasting global partnerships.

“By traveling to international conferences, these individuals connect with global experts and promote world-leading research taking place right here in Western Australia, showcasing us to the world.”

Mr Martin said while international travel was not available, the winners would have three years to use the sponsorship to attend the conference of their choice.

Business Events Perth partners with 12 organisations to run the annual Aspire Awards program and in recent years, has helped attract a number of conferences to Perth, representing $53 million for Western Australian economy, including the 25th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, which comes to Perth in December 2023.

Tourism Minister Paul Papalia said the Aspire Awards did a fantastic job of supporting the brightest minds in their respective fields and promoting professional development across multiple industries.

“The Aspire Awards look for world leading researchers and businesspeople, and provide them with an opportunity to go overseas, experience the conference and, hopefully, bring that event to Western Australia,” the Minister said.

“What business events do is provide a platform for our small business operators and our researchers to speak to the world.”

The full list of winners can be found below.

Partner organisation Winner Field Media Release, video, images
Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science Dr Alex Tang Neuroscience and brain stimulation Perron Institute nation-leading neuroscientist wins 2020 Business Events Perth Aspire Award
Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research DUAL WIN

1. Dr Saskia Freytag

2. Dr Elizabeth Johnstone

1. Bioinformatics: human brain studies, epilepsy

2. Diabetic and rare kidney diseases, DMX-200

Dual win sees two Harry Perkins researchers awarded in 2020 Business Events Perth Aspire Awards
Telethon Kids Institute Two awards available
1. Dr Gail Alvares

2. Miss Bec Nguyen

1. Autism and mental health, early intervention

2. App development

Telethon Kids Institute researcher and digital health professional win in 2020 Business Events Perth Aspire Awards
City of Perth DUAL WIN

1. Mr Craig McIntosh

2. Mrs Kristin Ham

1. Neuroscience: motor neuron disease and Huntington’s disease

2. Neuroscience: muscular dystrophy and epidermolysis bullosa

Dual win sees two neuroscientists awarded in Business Events Perth’s Aspire Awards, in partnership with the City of Perth
City of Fremantle Dr Ramya Raman Women’s health: post-natal care, “the fourth trimester” Family doctor wins 2020 Business Events Perth Aspire Award, in partnership with City of Fremantle
Defence West Mr Jason Coleman Space and remote operations: autonomous systems Autonomous systems expert recognised in Business Events Perth Aspire Awards, in partnership with Defence West
Curtin University Dr Sharon Smart Paediatric health: tongue tie, AKA ankyloglossia Curtin researcher receives Business Events Perth 2020 Aspire Award
Murdoch University Mrs Katherine Cresey University professional services, women in leadership Murdoch University professional wins Business Events Perth 2020 Aspire Award
University of Notre Dame Australia Mrs Michelle Katavatis Nursing, online learning at universities University of Notre Dame nursing teacher wins 2020 Business Events Perth Aspire Award
University of Western Australia Dr Sae Chi Transport economics Nation-leading researcher wins in 2020 Business Events Perth Aspire Awards, in partnership with The University of Western Australia
Edith Cowan University Dr Mohiuddin Ahmed Cyber security Edith Cowan University cyber security expert wins 2020 Business Events Perth Aspire Award
Business Events Perth Regional Award DUAL WIN

1. Dr Stephanie Godrich

2. Dr Naomi Godden

1. Food security among children in rural communities

2. Climate justice and social movements

Inaugural Regional Aspire Award sees dual win for regionally based acad