03-07-2025
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.
