红桃视频 researchers have taken home three major honours at the WA Premier鈥檚 Science Awards 2026, winning the Mid-Career Scientist, Early Career Scientist and Tertiary STEM Educator of the Year categories.
Professor Gavin Pereira was named Mid-Career Scientist of the Year, Dr Kit Prendergast was named Early Career Scientist of the Year, and Associate Professor Alison Blyth was named STEM Educator of the Year 鈥� Tertiary.
The three Curtin winners were among five Curtin researchers and one of the University鈥檚 flagship space education programs recognised as finalists in this year鈥檚 awards, which celebrate the outstanding achievements of Western Australia鈥檚 science community.
Curtin Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research congratulated the three winners on their achievements.
鈥淲inning a Premier鈥檚 Science Award is an outstanding recognition of the impact our researchers and educators are having in Western Australia and beyond,鈥� Professor Fitzgerald said.
鈥淧rofessor Pereira, Dr Prendergast and Associate Professor Blyth are each making a significant difference in their fields, from improving health outcomes and protecting our native bees to making science more accessible and inclusive.
鈥淲e are incredibly proud to see three Curtin researchers recognised among WA鈥檚 leading scientists and educators.鈥�
Further details about the Curtin winners are outlined below:
Mid-Career Scientist of the Year: Professor Gavin Pereira
is reducing the risk of stillbirth and early childhood mortality and morbidity nationally and globally. He has analysed millions of births and determined risk factors including the gap between pregnancies, the impact of heat stress during pregnancy and in the first years of life, and the impact of air pollution during pregnancy and the first years of life. His research, published in many high impact papers, has led to WHO briefings, changes to national and international guidelines, and adoption of his approach around the world. He is Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health at 红桃视频.
Early Career Scientist of the Year: Dr Kit Prendergast
Dr Kit Prendergast is a native bee ecologist and an adjunct researcher at Curtin. She has demonstrated excellence through 80 peer-reviewed publications and, in recognition of her achievements to science, the community, and the environment, was awarded the Curtin Young Achiever Alumni in 2024. She has delivered impact by providing the first systematic surveys documenting native bee biodiversity across WA and providing communities with evidence-based guidance for boosting pollinators. She has demonstrated leadership and collaboration through leading Australia-wide citizen science projects, contributing to multi-authored papers, and collaborating with international scientists and local community groups.
STEM Educator of the Year 鈥� Tertiary: Associate Professor Alison Blyth
Thirty years ago, was excluded from studying science due to her disability. Now, the Associate Professor, palaeontologist and environmental scientist is an educational leader driving systemic change in how science is taught and who gets to access it. Associate Professor Blyth shapes curriculum and mentors colleagues across and beyond STEM to create access, empower student success, and embed science and scientific literacy into real-world application. Beyond the university, she is changing the landscape of prison education, co-leading Australia鈥檚 largest science-based prison outreach program and creating STEM pathways that empower people to reimagine what learning, and science, can be.
The Premier鈥檚 Science Awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of WA鈥檚 science community by acknowledging the State鈥檚 leading researchers, innovators and science communicators across a range of award categories. Further information about the Premier鈥檚 Science Awards can be .
