Professor Moe Thandar Wynn and Associate Professor Paige Little have been recognised at the 2024 Women in Technology (WiT) Awards.
The prestigious Queensland awards, which were announced on Friday night, are one of the biggest and longest-running recognition programs for women in STEM in Australia. This year's competition attracted over 300 nominations across 11 categories.
Professor Wynn, group leader of the Process Science academic program at QUT, received the 2024 Excellence in Research Award.
Her research in the field of business process management sees her working with large organisations to analyse and visualise data, and she has contributed several novel algorithms and software tools to help organisations pinpoint inefficiencies and derive concrete performance improvements.
"It is my great honour to be recognised. Thank you to my team, mentors, collaborators and all those I've had the privilege to work with over the years," she said.
"Thank you to QUT for making my research journey possible with its long-standing commitment to champion and sponsor female researchers in STEM, and thank you to WiT for showcasing and highlighting the outstanding and inspirational works of female STEM researchers."
Professor Little, a principal fellow in spine research and research director for the Biomechanics and Spine Research Group and QUT-Sealy Centre for Biomechanics and Sleep Research, received a Highly Commended in the category Consumer Strength Champion.
As a mechanical engineer, she has dedicated the past 18 years of her career to spinal research, particularly focused on spinal deformities, such as the incurable, though treatable, scoliosis in children.
Working in the QUT School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Professor Little is involved in designing bespoke 3D-printed braces for children with the condition, as well as custom mattresses for use during surgery.
"While I was excited to be named a finalist in this year's awards, I'm so thrilled to have received a Highly Commended in this extremely competitive category," she said.
"Thank you to the WiT executive team, the award organisers, and most especially to all the amazing women and men I am lucky to share my days working with – together we challenge the status quo and empower girls and women to be change-makers through a career in STEM."
Dr Flavia Medeiros Savi (Max Planck Queensland Centre) and Dr Kate Lomas (Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy) were also finalists in the respective categories of Excellence in Research and Emerging Tech Star.
WiT Chair Iyari Cevallos said this year's awards theme, We Lift Each Other Up, was one of WiT's core values.
"When we lift each other up, we create a ripple effect of empowerment," she said.
"By supporting and empowering fellow women to succeed, we cultivate thriving workplaces where everyone can flourish. Together, we build a brighter future for women in our workplaces and beyond."
Main image (left to right): Professor Moe Thandar Wynn and Associate Professor Paige Little
