Two Greek Australian women have been acknowledged in the 2022 SA Science Excellence and Innovation Awards held at the SA Film Corporation’s Glenside studios on Saturday attended by 400 guests.
The awards recognise South Australians excelling at Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM), while showcasing the importance of science, research and innovation.
“With winners representing health, education, geology—as well as the cutting-edge fields of quantum physics and marine bioproducts—our future looks bright!” SA’s Deputy Premier and Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Susan Close, said before announcing the awards.
Professor Maria Makrides from the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) and artist Niki Sperou from the Centre for Marine Bioproducts Development (CMBD) at Flinders University have both taken out important distinctions.
Professor Makrides was named SA Scientist of the Year award for her life’s work on nutrition focusing on the needs of pregnant women and young children. Prof. Makrides has delved into ground-braking research that has helped change international food laws and nutrition recommendations worldwide.
Taking to Twitter SAHMRI, wrote: “Congratulations to SA’s 2022 Scientist of the Year, Professor Maria Makrides 🏆!!! Maria has done such an amazing job over many years leading the SAHMRI Women & Kids team in pursuing ground-breaking research into preterm birth and other perinatal health issues.
Ms Sperou won the Excellence in Science and Industry Collaboration award as part of the Centre for Marine Bioproducts Development (CMBD) team, led by Professor Wei Zhang.
The team transforms sustainable materials into high-value products such as medicines, biodegradable plastics, bio-inks, nutrition drinks, and eco-friendly fertilisers. Ms Sperou’s knowledge of the Greek language helps understand deeper scientific connections between ingredients and materials.
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