I am a Research Fellow at the University of Sydney within the Australian Centre for Robotics (ACFR). I previously held a Postdoctoral Research Fellow position at Macquarie University and completed my PhD in Computer Systems and Artificial Intelligence at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). I am the research lead on an ACIAR-funded project developing electric and smart two-wheel tractors (e2WT) for smallholder farming contexts, under the supervision of Professor Salah Sukkarieh. The project combines electrification, sensing, and data-driven methods with field-informed design to support safer and more accessible mechanisation. The Georgina Sweet ECR Physics/STEM Parents Award will support collaboration, travel, and dissemination activities to accelerate research translation and strengthen partnerships.

I am a Lecturer and National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Research Fellow at the University of Sydney, where I completed my Honours, Masters and PhD degrees in psychology. My research examines the impact of existential concerns, particularly death anxiety, on mental health across the lifespan, including in individuals with chronic physical illness, mental health conditions, and during the perinatal period. This work has been recognised with multiple awards, including the Australian Psychological Society (APS) national PhD Prize and APS Early Career Research Award. I have published five books on existential issues. In addition to my academic work, I am a clinical psychologist and director of the Menzies Anxiety Centre, which I established to improve access to evidence-based psychological treatment for death anxiety and related concerns.

I am Claire Ovington, a student currently studying at the University of Wollongong, undertaking a Bachelor of Pre-Medicine, Science and Health. I was born and raised in Narooma, a small town on the South Coast of NSW, where I completed Year 12 in 2025. During my time at Narooma High School, I developed a strong interest in science subjects, completing Chemistry, Biology, PDHPE, Aboriginal Studies, Advanced English, and Mathematics. After finishing my undergraduate degree, I plan to undertake a Doctor of Medicine, with the goal of becoming a GP in a rural area in the future.

My name is Ellesha Fergusson  and I live in a very small regional town in northern Victoria called Pyramid Hill. I’ve lived there for about 12 years, spending most of my childhood and schooling years there. My local school only went up to Year 10, so for my VCE I traveled to Cohuna, another small rural town, about 30 minutes away. In Year 12, I studied English, Maths Methods, Physics, Physical Education and History Revolutions. I loved Physics and was inspired to continue this further into tertiary studies. I am now studying at Monash University, doing a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Physics. At the end of my degree, I hope to venture into a career in research in the physics department. I am inspired by so many women in STEM and I am very excited to be a part of that life.

My name is Naomi Dunn and I grew up on my family farm in Bogan Gate, NSW, about 40km west of Parkes. I graduated from Parkes High School in 2025, with dual enrolment at the virtual Aurora College, after studying Biology, Chemistry, English Advanced, Mathematics Advanced, Mathematics Extension 1, and PDHPE for my HSC. This year, I have been accepted into the Joint Medical Program through the University of New England and the University of Newcastle, allowing me to study a Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine at UNE, Armidale over the next 5 years. Upon graduation, I plan to pursue my long-term dream of becoming a paediatrician through further specialist training and then returning to serve regional and remote communities to help address the health inequities prominent in such areas. I am incredibly grateful for this award as it will help alleviate some of the financial burden associated with tertiary studies, allowing me to direct my focus towards becoming the best doctor I can be.