2025 Young Australian of the Year celebrates Indigenous scientists and girls in STEM

EducationDaily
Indigenous scientist Dr Katrina Wruck has been named the 2025 Young Australian of the Year.

Dr Katrina Wruck has been named the 2025 Young Australian of the Year – and it’s an honour she hopes will help raise awareness of the achievements of Indigenous scientists.

When Wruck participates in community engagement programs within schools, she says she regularly encounters students who tell her she is the first Indigenous scientist they’ve met.

“This recognition is an incredible honour, not just for me, but for the communities, supporters and mentors who have shaped my journey” she says.

The proud Mabuigilaig and Goemulgal woman is a QUT research fellow in industrial chemistry and lecturer in the School of Chemistry and Physics who advocates for the power of green chemistry.

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Wruck is devoted to developing new materials to address contaminants in water, with an emphasis on sustainable, green solutions. Her business, Nguki Kula Green Labs, aims to transform the consumer goods sector and inspire others to step into STEM. 

Her innovative method of converting mining by-products to zeolite LTA – which can remove water-hardening contaminants – will be commercialised, while her postdoctoral research explores how dangerous ‘forever chemicals’ can be broken down into benign ones.

“As a proud Indigenous scientist, I draw deeply on my heritage and the values of caring for Country in everything I do. I was inspired by the resilience and deep knowledge of my community, and those experiences drive my passion for solving some of the world’s toughest environmental challenges.

“Through my outreach in schools, I see the power of representation and how it can inspire the next generation to dream big. That’s why this work matters – to show young people, especially Indigenous kids, they belong in STEM and can lead the way in shaping a more sustainable and inclusive future.

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“I hope my story inspires others to see that our differences are our strengths. Whether you’re from a small remote community or you’re neurodivergent like me, your unique perspective has the power to create change.”

The national awards were announced on January 25 at a ceremony at Government House in Canberra.

QUT Executive Dean Faculty of Science Troy Farrell describes Wruck as an incredibly worthy winner of this award and says she was chosen from an incredible selection of nominees.

“Her work, as an early career researcher, on green conversion technologies is important and impactful,” he says.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Australians) Angela Barney-Leitch has also congratulated Wruck, whose commitment to research and school outreach work has been widely recognised.

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“Dr Wruck is an inspirational and passionate advocate who has worked tirelessly in supporting girls and Indigenous Australians to push through boundaries and consider a future in STEM,” says Barney-Leitch.

“There was a time when the image of a scientist was a man in a white jacket. Dr Wruck is showing a generation of young girls another image to focus on.”

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