Why this neuroscientist says lauding unsung Aussie achievers is a no-brainer
A senior lecturer in biomedical sciences at the University of Tasmania and vice president of Science and Technology Australia, she's previously been declared a "superstar of STEM" and anointed a "science superhero" by Australia's Chief Scientist.
Which perhaps explains her other super power: spotting outstanding Australians.
Two people nominated by Dr Landowski for the Australian of the Year Awards have gone on to receive the prestigious honour: scientist Dr Katrina Wruck, who is the 2025 Young Australian of the Year; and performer Naarah, Tasmania's Young Australian of the Year in 2024.
Dr Landowski has been nominating people for the Australian of the Year Awards for a decade. She says the awards are the ideal platform for shining a spotlight on the country's unsung achievers.
A Tasmanian nominee for the awards in 2015, Dr Landowski said she was motivated to nominate Naarah because she believed the First Nations actor and musician had "continuously pushed boundaries, challenged norms and created work that is not only artistically captivating but also socially relevant".
"It is a very rare thing to meet someone and have an instant sense of knowing that one day they will change the world," she said.
"Since meeting her, I have only grown more certain of my initial impression. Her performances and advocacy has moved audiences and sparked important conversations about Indigenous culture, identity, and representation."
Dr Landowski nominated Indigenous Queensland scientist Dr Wruck for her work in remote Aboriginal communities and leadership in the field of industrial chemistry and materials for environmental remediation.
"She's an awesome role model," she said of Dr Wruck, who is a member of Science and Technology Australia's diversity equity and inclusion committee.
"She was once paid to give a talk - a rarity in science - and instead of spending the money on herself, she used it to travel on Country and teach science to kids in a remote Indigenous community. In a profession where the hours are long, the pay is modest and personal sacrifices are common ... choosing to spend a rare financial win to give back like that is an extraordinary act of generosity."
Dr Landowski said the Australian of the Year Awards were "a platform for extraordinary individuals to amplify their voices, share their stories and create broader social impact".
"The recognition validates their efforts and helps them reach wider audiences with their important work," she said. "If we pay attention and lift each other up, we'll diversify who gets seen and who gets celebrated.
CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE NOW!
"As someone from a marginalised background and disadvantaged upbringing, my life could have turned out very differently. Having people who believed in me and think that I was doing things that were important, and acknowledging me for that, I can't explain how important that was to me as a person."
Dr Landowski said the awards showcased a diversity of voices: "These are people who have overcome hardship, people with this insatiable drive to succeed, or people who have done something that is really unusual. They've tried to make their lives into something bigger than it could be".
The impact of the recognition went far beyond the recipient.
"It will inspire others through elevating diverse representations of leadership and authenticity," she said. "Just like the people who nominated me in the past changed my life, we have the power to do the same for others."
Dr Landowski: "I nominate people for awards because it fills me with joy and a deep sense of gratitude. It costs nothing but time, and it can change a life. Every time I help someone else, I'm reminded of the people who once did that for me.
"Everyone I have nominated has something about them that has struck me, which forms the basis of their story in the application. A spark. A drive. A quirky passion project that turned into something bigger. A sacrifice. Overcoming adversity. That's the foundation of their story. What is it about the nominee that makes their journey different?"
Help find the 2025 Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Australia's Local Hero by nominating someone you admire.
The only way someone can be considered for the annual awards, which were first presented in 1960, is if a member of the public nominates them.
Nominate online at australianoftheyear.org.au. Nominations close at midnight on July 31.
Neuroscientist Lila Landowski is considered a leading voice in science, technology, engineering and mathematics advocacy.
A senior lecturer in biomedical sciences at the University of Tasmania and vice president of Science and Technology Australia, she's previously been declared a "superstar of STEM" and anointed a "science superhero" by Australia's Chief Scientist.
Which perhaps explains her other super power: spotting outstanding Australians.
Two people nominated by Dr Landowski for the Australian of the Year Awards have gone on to receive the prestigious honour: scientist Dr Katrina Wruck, who is the 2025 Young Australian of the Year; and performer Naarah, Tasmania's Young Australian of the Year in 2024.
Dr Landowski has been nominating people for the Australian of the Year Awards for a decade. She says the awards are the ideal platform for shining a spotlight on the country's unsung achievers.
A Tasmanian nominee for the awards in 2015, Dr Landowski said she was motivated to nominate Naarah because she believed the First Nations actor and musician had "continuously pushed boundaries, challenged norms and created work that is not only artistically captivating but also socially relevant".
"It is a very rare thing to meet someone and have an instant sense of knowing that one day they will change the world," she said.
"Since meeting her, I have only grown more certain of my initial impression. Her performances and advocacy has moved audiences and sparked important conversations about Indigenous culture, identity, and representation."
Dr Landowski nominated Indigenous Queensland scientist Dr Wruck for her work in remote Aboriginal communities and leadership in the field of industrial chemistry and materials for environmental remediation.
"She's an awesome role model," she said of Dr Wruck, who is a member of Science and Technology Australia's diversity equity and inclusion committee.
"She was once paid to give a talk - a rarity in science - and instead of spending the money on herself, she used it to travel on Country and teach science to kids in a remote Indigenous community. In a profession where the hours are long, the pay is modest and personal sacrifices are common ... choosing to spend a rare financial win to give back like that is an extraordinary act of generosity."
Dr Landowski said the Australian of the Year Awards were "a platform for extraordinary individuals to amplify their voices, share their stories and create broader social impact".
"The recognition validates their efforts and helps them reach wider audiences with their important work," she said. "If we pay attention and lift each other up, we'll diversify who gets seen and who gets celebrated.
CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE NOW!
"As someone from a marginalised background and disadvantaged upbringing, my life could have turned out very differently. Having people who believed in me and think that I was doing things that were important, and acknowledging me for that, I can't explain how important that was to me as a person."
Dr Landowski said the awards showcased a diversity of voices: "These are people who have overcome hardship, people with this insatiable drive to succeed, or people who have done something that is really unusual. They've tried to make their lives into something bigger than it could be".
The impact of the recognition went far beyond the recipient.
"It will inspire others through elevating diverse representations of leadership and authenticity," she said. "Just like the people who nominated me in the past changed my life, we have the power to do the same for others."
Dr Landowski: "I nominate people for awards because it fills me with joy and a deep sense of gratitude. It costs nothing but time, and it can change a life. Every time I help someone else, I'm reminded of the people who once did that for me.
"Everyone I have nominated has something about them that has struck me, which forms the basis of their story in the application. A spark. A drive. A quirky passion project that turned into something bigger. A sacrifice. Overcoming adversity. That's the foundation of their story. What is it about the nominee that makes their journey different?"
Help find the 2025 Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Australia's Local Hero by nominating someone you admire.
The only way someone can be considered for the annual awards, which were first presented in 1960, is if a member of the public nominates them.
Nominate online at australianoftheyear.org.au. Nominations close at midnight on July 31.
Neuroscientist Lila Landowski is considered a leading voice in science, technology, engineering and mathematics advocacy.
A senior lecturer in biomedical sciences at the University of Tasmania and vice president of Science and Technology Australia, she's previously been declared a "superstar of STEM" and anointed a "science superhero" by Australia's Chief Scientist.
Which perhaps explains her other super power: spotting outstanding Australians.
Two people nominated by Dr Landowski for the Australian of the Year Awards have gone on to receive the prestigious honour: scientist Dr Katrina Wruck, who is the 2025 Young Australian of the Year; and performer Naarah, Tasmania's Young Australian of the Year in 2024.
Dr Landowski has been nominating people for the Australian of the Year Awards for a decade. She says the awards are the ideal platform for shining a spotlight on the country's unsung achievers.
A Tasmanian nominee for the awards in 2015, Dr Landowski said she was motivated to nominate Naarah because she believed the First Nations actor and musician had "continuously pushed boundaries, challenged norms and created work that is not only artistically captivating but also socially relevant".
"It is a very rare thing to meet someone and have an instant sense of knowing that one day they will change the world," she said.
"Since meeting her, I have only grown more certain of my initial impression. Her performances and advocacy has moved audiences and sparked important conversations about Indigenous culture, identity, and representation."
Dr Landowski nominated Indigenous Queensland scientist Dr Wruck for her work in remote Aboriginal communities and leadership in the field of industrial chemistry and materials for environmental remediation.
"She's an awesome role model," she said of Dr Wruck, who is a member of Science and Technology Australia's diversity equity and inclusion committee.
"She was once paid to give a talk - a rarity in science - and instead of spending the money on herself, she used it to travel on Country and teach science to kids in a remote Indigenous community. In a profession where the hours are long, the pay is modest and personal sacrifices are common ... choosing to spend a rare financial win to give back like that is an extraordinary act of generosity."
Dr Landowski said the Australian of the Year Awards were "a platform for extraordinary individuals to amplify their voices, share their stories and create broader social impact".
"The recognition validates their efforts and helps them reach wider audiences with their important work," she said. "If we pay attention and lift each other up, we'll diversify who gets seen and who gets celebrated.
CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE NOW!
"As someone from a marginalised background and disadvantaged upbringing, my life could have turned out very differently. Having people who believed in me and think that I was doing things that were important, and acknowledging me for that, I can't explain how important that was to me as a person."
Dr Landowski said the awards showcased a diversity of voices: "These are people who have overcome hardship, people with this insatiable drive to succeed, or people who have done something that is really unusual. They've tried to make their lives into something bigger than it could be".
The impact of the recognition went far beyond the recipient.
"It will inspire others through elevating diverse representations of leadership and authenticity," she said. "Just like the people who nominated me in the past changed my life, we have the power to do the same for others."
Dr Landowski: "I nominate people for awards because it fills me with joy and a deep sense of gratitude. It costs nothing but time, and it can change a life. Every time I help someone else, I'm reminded of the people who once did that for me.
"Everyone I have nominated has something about them that has struck me, which forms the basis of their story in the application. A spark. A drive. A quirky passion project that turned into something bigger. A sacrifice. Overcoming adversity. That's the foundation of their story. What is it about the nominee that makes their journey different?"
Help find the 2025 Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Australia's Local Hero by nominating someone you admire.
The only way someone can be considered for the annual awards, which were first presented in 1960, is if a member of the public nominates them.
Nominate online at australianoftheyear.org.au. Nominations close at midnight on July 31.
Neuroscientist Lila Landowski is considered a leading voice in science, technology, engineering and mathematics advocacy.
A senior lecturer in biomedical sciences at the University of Tasmania and vice president of Science and Technology Australia, she's previously been declared a "superstar of STEM" and anointed a "science superhero" by Australia's Chief Scientist.
Which perhaps explains her other super power: spotting outstanding Australians.
Two people nominated by Dr Landowski for the Australian of the Year Awards have gone on to receive the prestigious honour: scientist Dr Katrina Wruck, who is the 2025 Young Australian of the Year; and performer Naarah, Tasmania's Young Australian of the Year in 2024.
Dr Landowski has been nominating people for the Australian of the Year Awards for a decade. She says the awards are the ideal platform for shining a spotlight on the country's unsung achievers.
A Tasmanian nominee for the awards in 2015, Dr Landowski said she was motivated to nominate Naarah because she believed the First Nations actor and musician had "continuously pushed boundaries, challenged norms and created work that is not only artistically captivating but also socially relevant".
"It is a very rare thing to meet someone and have an instant sense of knowing that one day they will change the world," she said.
"Since meeting her, I have only grown more certain of my initial impression. Her performances and advocacy has moved audiences and sparked important conversations about Indigenous culture, identity, and representation."
Dr Landowski nominated Indigenous Queensland scientist Dr Wruck for her work in remote Aboriginal communities and leadership in the field of industrial chemistry and materials for environmental remediation.
"She's an awesome role model," she said of Dr Wruck, who is a member of Science and Technology Australia's diversity equity and inclusion committee.
"She was once paid to give a talk - a rarity in science - and instead of spending the money on herself, she used it to travel on Country and teach science to kids in a remote Indigenous community. In a profession where the hours are long, the pay is modest and personal sacrifices are common ... choosing to spend a rare financial win to give back like that is an extraordinary act of generosity."
Dr Landowski said the Australian of the Year Awards were "a platform for extraordinary individuals to amplify their voices, share their stories and create broader social impact".
"The recognition validates their efforts and helps them reach wider audiences with their important work," she said. "If we pay attention and lift each other up, we'll diversify who gets seen and who gets celebrated.
CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE NOW!
"As someone from a marginalised background and disadvantaged upbringing, my life could have turned out very differently. Having people who believed in me and think that I was doing things that were important, and acknowledging me for that, I can't explain how important that was to me as a person."
Dr Landowski said the awards showcased a diversity of voices: "These are people who have overcome hardship, people with this insatiable drive to succeed, or people who have done something that is really unusual. They've tried to make their lives into something bigger than it could be".
The impact of the recognition went far beyond the recipient.
"It will inspire others through elevating diverse representations of leadership and authenticity," she said. "Just like the people who nominated me in the past changed my life, we have the power to do the same for others."
Dr Landowski: "I nominate people for awards because it fills me with joy and a deep sense of gratitude. It costs nothing but time, and it can change a life. Every time I help someone else, I'm reminded of the people who once did that for me.
"Everyone I have nominated has something about them that has struck me, which forms the basis of their story in the application. A spark. A drive. A quirky passion project that turned into something bigger. A sacrifice. Overcoming adversity. That's the foundation of their story. What is it about the nominee that makes their journey different?"
Help find the 2025 Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Australia's Local Hero by nominating someone you admire.
The only way someone can be considered for the annual awards, which were first presented in 1960, is if a member of the public nominates them.
Nominate online at australianoftheyear.org.au. Nominations close at midnight on July 31.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
25 minutes ago
- Perth Now
Rare frogs hop back into wild to stop species croaking
More than 500 critically endangered frogs have been released in a national park as part of efforts to save them from extinction. The northern corroboree frogs were bred at Sydney's Taronga Zoo before being released in Brindabella National Park, west of Canberra. It's estimated as few as 1200 of the frogs remain in the wild, with 544 bred in captivity before being released in the park. They weigh about three grams and are roughly the size of a paperclip, but the black and yellow amphibians play an important role in Australia's sub-alpine ecosystem. The calls of previously released frogs have been heard in the wild, proof they can thrive after leaving their captive-breeding environment. "This is the largest frog release within this population to date," Taronga Conservation Society Australia conservation officer Michael McFadden said. Future releases are planned to help bolster the survival of the species, which is only found between 750-1800m above sea level along mountain ranges in NSW and the ACT. The frogs were bred as part of NSW government program to prevent endangered species from going extinct and is among other "rewilding" efforts taking place around the nation. The process involves restoring habitats and re-introducing captive-bred threatened species to the wild in a bid to reduce biodiversity loss. Quolls previously extinct on mainland Australia have been re-introduced in feral-free sanctuary zones, as well as Tasmanian devils. Platypuses, bettongs and bilbies have also been reintroduced in recent years to areas where they previously become extinct.
Perth Now
38 minutes ago
- Perth Now
'We're here': Australia joins the race for US academics
Australia hopes to bring America's brightest minds Down Under as Donald Trump's research cuts spark a US brain drain. The US president has taken a chainsaw to science funding, slashing thousands of government grants and transforming the global state of research. Former Labor leader Bill Shorten, now vice-chancellor of the University of Canberra, said efforts by the Australian Academy of Science to attract American talent was good national co-ordination. "I'm very pro-American, but if their current government doesn't want some of their best to brightest minds, why should we let them go to Europe or Asia?" he told AAP. "We haven't invented this challenging environment for American higher education ... but that doesn't mean that we should sit back and watch the French, the Germans, the Asian nations, recruit these clever people without at least Australia saying 'we're here too'." The academy has designed a relocation package which includes research funding, access to facilities, family relocation support and visa acceleration in a bid to recruit leading US scientists and Australians returning home. About 70 people have already indicated interest. Some were directly impacted by the Trump administration's budget cuts and lost either their positions or support for their areas of research. Though there have been cuts across a range of disciplines, some of the more significant slashes have been applied to areas such as virology and immunology, alongside cuts to the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration which enables researchers to forecast weather and model climate change. Other interested researchers have seen the havoc wreaked on American academia and become "disillusioned or despairing" of their ability to pursue their interests in the US, Australian Academy of Science chief executive Anna-Maria Arabia said. By comparison, Australia's research landscape is more stable and less politically driven. "Whilst it's a volatile situation and quite an unfortunate one that we are experiencing, there is a tremendous opportunity for Australia," she told AAP. By bringing more to Australia, they can contribute to research and development which can eventually open up new economic sectors, new trade potential and a plethora of other benefits, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering chief executive Kylie Walker said. "You're looking at a decade or more to show benefits from that investment, but when they come - my goodness - they come," she told AAP. Australia isn't the only nation hoping to capitalise on Mr Trump's attack on academia. His cuts have ignited a "global race" for science and technology talent, and Australia's universities, research organisations and agencies such as the CSIRO are all trying to attract them. Almost half of the academy's fellows, which are Australia's most distinguished scientists, were born overseas and many had a multiplier effect when they arrived in Australia as they trained the next generation and helped seed industries. "This is the Australian story, this is what science is in Australia," Ms Arabia said. "It's multicultural, it's of the highest standard, it's undertaken in a supportive environment and in a democratic environment where we nurture science and our scientists."
The Advertiser
15 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Why this neuroscientist says lauding unsung Aussie achievers is a no-brainer
Neuroscientist Lila Landowski is considered a leading voice in science, technology, engineering and mathematics advocacy. A senior lecturer in biomedical sciences at the University of Tasmania and vice president of Science and Technology Australia, she's previously been declared a "superstar of STEM" and anointed a "science superhero" by Australia's Chief Scientist. Which perhaps explains her other super power: spotting outstanding Australians. Two people nominated by Dr Landowski for the Australian of the Year Awards have gone on to receive the prestigious honour: scientist Dr Katrina Wruck, who is the 2025 Young Australian of the Year; and performer Naarah, Tasmania's Young Australian of the Year in 2024. Dr Landowski has been nominating people for the Australian of the Year Awards for a decade. She says the awards are the ideal platform for shining a spotlight on the country's unsung achievers. A Tasmanian nominee for the awards in 2015, Dr Landowski said she was motivated to nominate Naarah because she believed the First Nations actor and musician had "continuously pushed boundaries, challenged norms and created work that is not only artistically captivating but also socially relevant". "It is a very rare thing to meet someone and have an instant sense of knowing that one day they will change the world," she said. "Since meeting her, I have only grown more certain of my initial impression. Her performances and advocacy has moved audiences and sparked important conversations about Indigenous culture, identity, and representation." Dr Landowski nominated Indigenous Queensland scientist Dr Wruck for her work in remote Aboriginal communities and leadership in the field of industrial chemistry and materials for environmental remediation. "She's an awesome role model," she said of Dr Wruck, who is a member of Science and Technology Australia's diversity equity and inclusion committee. "She was once paid to give a talk - a rarity in science - and instead of spending the money on herself, she used it to travel on Country and teach science to kids in a remote Indigenous community. In a profession where the hours are long, the pay is modest and personal sacrifices are common ... choosing to spend a rare financial win to give back like that is an extraordinary act of generosity." Dr Landowski said the Australian of the Year Awards were "a platform for extraordinary individuals to amplify their voices, share their stories and create broader social impact". "The recognition validates their efforts and helps them reach wider audiences with their important work," she said. "If we pay attention and lift each other up, we'll diversify who gets seen and who gets celebrated. CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE NOW! "As someone from a marginalised background and disadvantaged upbringing, my life could have turned out very differently. Having people who believed in me and think that I was doing things that were important, and acknowledging me for that, I can't explain how important that was to me as a person." Dr Landowski said the awards showcased a diversity of voices: "These are people who have overcome hardship, people with this insatiable drive to succeed, or people who have done something that is really unusual. They've tried to make their lives into something bigger than it could be". The impact of the recognition went far beyond the recipient. "It will inspire others through elevating diverse representations of leadership and authenticity," she said. "Just like the people who nominated me in the past changed my life, we have the power to do the same for others." Dr Landowski: "I nominate people for awards because it fills me with joy and a deep sense of gratitude. It costs nothing but time, and it can change a life. Every time I help someone else, I'm reminded of the people who once did that for me. "Everyone I have nominated has something about them that has struck me, which forms the basis of their story in the application. A spark. A drive. A quirky passion project that turned into something bigger. A sacrifice. Overcoming adversity. That's the foundation of their story. What is it about the nominee that makes their journey different?" Help find the 2025 Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Australia's Local Hero by nominating someone you admire. The only way someone can be considered for the annual awards, which were first presented in 1960, is if a member of the public nominates them. Nominate online at Nominations close at midnight on July 31. Neuroscientist Lila Landowski is considered a leading voice in science, technology, engineering and mathematics advocacy. A senior lecturer in biomedical sciences at the University of Tasmania and vice president of Science and Technology Australia, she's previously been declared a "superstar of STEM" and anointed a "science superhero" by Australia's Chief Scientist. Which perhaps explains her other super power: spotting outstanding Australians. Two people nominated by Dr Landowski for the Australian of the Year Awards have gone on to receive the prestigious honour: scientist Dr Katrina Wruck, who is the 2025 Young Australian of the Year; and performer Naarah, Tasmania's Young Australian of the Year in 2024. Dr Landowski has been nominating people for the Australian of the Year Awards for a decade. She says the awards are the ideal platform for shining a spotlight on the country's unsung achievers. A Tasmanian nominee for the awards in 2015, Dr Landowski said she was motivated to nominate Naarah because she believed the First Nations actor and musician had "continuously pushed boundaries, challenged norms and created work that is not only artistically captivating but also socially relevant". "It is a very rare thing to meet someone and have an instant sense of knowing that one day they will change the world," she said. "Since meeting her, I have only grown more certain of my initial impression. Her performances and advocacy has moved audiences and sparked important conversations about Indigenous culture, identity, and representation." Dr Landowski nominated Indigenous Queensland scientist Dr Wruck for her work in remote Aboriginal communities and leadership in the field of industrial chemistry and materials for environmental remediation. "She's an awesome role model," she said of Dr Wruck, who is a member of Science and Technology Australia's diversity equity and inclusion committee. "She was once paid to give a talk - a rarity in science - and instead of spending the money on herself, she used it to travel on Country and teach science to kids in a remote Indigenous community. In a profession where the hours are long, the pay is modest and personal sacrifices are common ... choosing to spend a rare financial win to give back like that is an extraordinary act of generosity." Dr Landowski said the Australian of the Year Awards were "a platform for extraordinary individuals to amplify their voices, share their stories and create broader social impact". "The recognition validates their efforts and helps them reach wider audiences with their important work," she said. "If we pay attention and lift each other up, we'll diversify who gets seen and who gets celebrated. CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE NOW! "As someone from a marginalised background and disadvantaged upbringing, my life could have turned out very differently. Having people who believed in me and think that I was doing things that were important, and acknowledging me for that, I can't explain how important that was to me as a person." Dr Landowski said the awards showcased a diversity of voices: "These are people who have overcome hardship, people with this insatiable drive to succeed, or people who have done something that is really unusual. They've tried to make their lives into something bigger than it could be". The impact of the recognition went far beyond the recipient. "It will inspire others through elevating diverse representations of leadership and authenticity," she said. "Just like the people who nominated me in the past changed my life, we have the power to do the same for others." Dr Landowski: "I nominate people for awards because it fills me with joy and a deep sense of gratitude. It costs nothing but time, and it can change a life. Every time I help someone else, I'm reminded of the people who once did that for me. "Everyone I have nominated has something about them that has struck me, which forms the basis of their story in the application. A spark. A drive. A quirky passion project that turned into something bigger. A sacrifice. Overcoming adversity. That's the foundation of their story. What is it about the nominee that makes their journey different?" Help find the 2025 Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Australia's Local Hero by nominating someone you admire. The only way someone can be considered for the annual awards, which were first presented in 1960, is if a member of the public nominates them. Nominate online at Nominations close at midnight on July 31. Neuroscientist Lila Landowski is considered a leading voice in science, technology, engineering and mathematics advocacy. A senior lecturer in biomedical sciences at the University of Tasmania and vice president of Science and Technology Australia, she's previously been declared a "superstar of STEM" and anointed a "science superhero" by Australia's Chief Scientist. Which perhaps explains her other super power: spotting outstanding Australians. Two people nominated by Dr Landowski for the Australian of the Year Awards have gone on to receive the prestigious honour: scientist Dr Katrina Wruck, who is the 2025 Young Australian of the Year; and performer Naarah, Tasmania's Young Australian of the Year in 2024. Dr Landowski has been nominating people for the Australian of the Year Awards for a decade. She says the awards are the ideal platform for shining a spotlight on the country's unsung achievers. A Tasmanian nominee for the awards in 2015, Dr Landowski said she was motivated to nominate Naarah because she believed the First Nations actor and musician had "continuously pushed boundaries, challenged norms and created work that is not only artistically captivating but also socially relevant". "It is a very rare thing to meet someone and have an instant sense of knowing that one day they will change the world," she said. "Since meeting her, I have only grown more certain of my initial impression. Her performances and advocacy has moved audiences and sparked important conversations about Indigenous culture, identity, and representation." Dr Landowski nominated Indigenous Queensland scientist Dr Wruck for her work in remote Aboriginal communities and leadership in the field of industrial chemistry and materials for environmental remediation. "She's an awesome role model," she said of Dr Wruck, who is a member of Science and Technology Australia's diversity equity and inclusion committee. "She was once paid to give a talk - a rarity in science - and instead of spending the money on herself, she used it to travel on Country and teach science to kids in a remote Indigenous community. In a profession where the hours are long, the pay is modest and personal sacrifices are common ... choosing to spend a rare financial win to give back like that is an extraordinary act of generosity." Dr Landowski said the Australian of the Year Awards were "a platform for extraordinary individuals to amplify their voices, share their stories and create broader social impact". "The recognition validates their efforts and helps them reach wider audiences with their important work," she said. "If we pay attention and lift each other up, we'll diversify who gets seen and who gets celebrated. CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE NOW! "As someone from a marginalised background and disadvantaged upbringing, my life could have turned out very differently. Having people who believed in me and think that I was doing things that were important, and acknowledging me for that, I can't explain how important that was to me as a person." Dr Landowski said the awards showcased a diversity of voices: "These are people who have overcome hardship, people with this insatiable drive to succeed, or people who have done something that is really unusual. They've tried to make their lives into something bigger than it could be". The impact of the recognition went far beyond the recipient. "It will inspire others through elevating diverse representations of leadership and authenticity," she said. "Just like the people who nominated me in the past changed my life, we have the power to do the same for others." Dr Landowski: "I nominate people for awards because it fills me with joy and a deep sense of gratitude. It costs nothing but time, and it can change a life. Every time I help someone else, I'm reminded of the people who once did that for me. "Everyone I have nominated has something about them that has struck me, which forms the basis of their story in the application. A spark. A drive. A quirky passion project that turned into something bigger. A sacrifice. Overcoming adversity. That's the foundation of their story. What is it about the nominee that makes their journey different?" Help find the 2025 Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Australia's Local Hero by nominating someone you admire. The only way someone can be considered for the annual awards, which were first presented in 1960, is if a member of the public nominates them. Nominate online at Nominations close at midnight on July 31. Neuroscientist Lila Landowski is considered a leading voice in science, technology, engineering and mathematics advocacy. A senior lecturer in biomedical sciences at the University of Tasmania and vice president of Science and Technology Australia, she's previously been declared a "superstar of STEM" and anointed a "science superhero" by Australia's Chief Scientist. Which perhaps explains her other super power: spotting outstanding Australians. Two people nominated by Dr Landowski for the Australian of the Year Awards have gone on to receive the prestigious honour: scientist Dr Katrina Wruck, who is the 2025 Young Australian of the Year; and performer Naarah, Tasmania's Young Australian of the Year in 2024. Dr Landowski has been nominating people for the Australian of the Year Awards for a decade. She says the awards are the ideal platform for shining a spotlight on the country's unsung achievers. A Tasmanian nominee for the awards in 2015, Dr Landowski said she was motivated to nominate Naarah because she believed the First Nations actor and musician had "continuously pushed boundaries, challenged norms and created work that is not only artistically captivating but also socially relevant". "It is a very rare thing to meet someone and have an instant sense of knowing that one day they will change the world," she said. "Since meeting her, I have only grown more certain of my initial impression. Her performances and advocacy has moved audiences and sparked important conversations about Indigenous culture, identity, and representation." Dr Landowski nominated Indigenous Queensland scientist Dr Wruck for her work in remote Aboriginal communities and leadership in the field of industrial chemistry and materials for environmental remediation. "She's an awesome role model," she said of Dr Wruck, who is a member of Science and Technology Australia's diversity equity and inclusion committee. "She was once paid to give a talk - a rarity in science - and instead of spending the money on herself, she used it to travel on Country and teach science to kids in a remote Indigenous community. In a profession where the hours are long, the pay is modest and personal sacrifices are common ... choosing to spend a rare financial win to give back like that is an extraordinary act of generosity." Dr Landowski said the Australian of the Year Awards were "a platform for extraordinary individuals to amplify their voices, share their stories and create broader social impact". "The recognition validates their efforts and helps them reach wider audiences with their important work," she said. "If we pay attention and lift each other up, we'll diversify who gets seen and who gets celebrated. CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE NOW! "As someone from a marginalised background and disadvantaged upbringing, my life could have turned out very differently. Having people who believed in me and think that I was doing things that were important, and acknowledging me for that, I can't explain how important that was to me as a person." Dr Landowski said the awards showcased a diversity of voices: "These are people who have overcome hardship, people with this insatiable drive to succeed, or people who have done something that is really unusual. They've tried to make their lives into something bigger than it could be". The impact of the recognition went far beyond the recipient. "It will inspire others through elevating diverse representations of leadership and authenticity," she said. "Just like the people who nominated me in the past changed my life, we have the power to do the same for others." Dr Landowski: "I nominate people for awards because it fills me with joy and a deep sense of gratitude. It costs nothing but time, and it can change a life. Every time I help someone else, I'm reminded of the people who once did that for me. "Everyone I have nominated has something about them that has struck me, which forms the basis of their story in the application. A spark. A drive. A quirky passion project that turned into something bigger. A sacrifice. Overcoming adversity. That's the foundation of their story. What is it about the nominee that makes their journey different?" Help find the 2025 Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Australia's Local Hero by nominating someone you admire. The only way someone can be considered for the annual awards, which were first presented in 1960, is if a member of the public nominates them. Nominate online at Nominations close at midnight on July 31.
