Three researchers from The Kids Research Institute Australia were recognised as being among Western Australia’s brightest and most innovative scientific minds at last night’s 24th Premier's Science Awards.
Professor Asha Bowen OAM won the Mid-Career Scientist of the Year category, Shakara Liddelow-Hunt claimed the Student Scientist of the Year title and Taleah Ugle was named the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander STEM Student of the Year.
It was a phenomenal result for The Kids, which had an Institute-record nine finalists vying for honours at the gala event held at The Westin Hotel.
Professor Asha Bowen OAM – Head of the Healthy Skin & ARF Prevention team at The Kids Wesfarmers Centre for Vaccines and Infectious Diseases (WCVID) and a Paediatric Infectious Diseases Specialist at Perth Children’s Hospital – was recognised for her dedicated work focused on reducing the burden of skin infections for Aboriginal children in Australia.
Her research has transformed the understanding, treatment and prevention of skin infections in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, particularly in remote communities where the global burden is highest. Her pioneering clinical trials have reshaped international treatment guidelines, reduced skin sore prevalence in remote communities, and provided families with more effective and culturally acceptable care.
Shakara Liddelow-Hunt – a proud Wajarri person completing their PhD at The University of Western Australia while working as a Research Assistant within The Kids Youth Mental Health Team – claimed the Student Scientist of the Year gong for their work as a national leader in research focused on the mental health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQA+ young people.
Shakara led a landmark study documenting the experiences of Indigenous LGBTQA+ young people, delivering the first and only survey to apply an Aboriginal model of social and emotional wellbeing to LGBTQA+ populations. Their research revealed a confronting reality: half of the Indigenous LGBTQA+ young people surveyed had attempted suicide. Importantly, the study also identified strengths-based protective factors — including acceptance from family, community, and Elders — could significantly reduce this risk.
They later released these findings in a community report and went on to lead the co-design of a comprehensive roadmap to support Indigenous LGBTQA+ young people to thrive. Developed in partnership with 50 Elders, youth, community members and service representatives, this roadmap is now informing the upcoming WA LGBTIQA+ Inclusion Strategy.
Taleah Ugle, a proud Menang-Ballardong Noongar woman, claimed the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander STEM Student of the Year award on the back of her dedication to her studies and community contributions while pursuing her dream of becoming a doctor.
Her academic success was recognised through several competitive scholarships, including the Polly Farmer Motorola STEM Award (2023, 2024), the Indigenous Nationals BP Scholarship (2025), and the MADALAH Scholarship (2024). She also received a New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant (2024), which enabled her to study in Bali as part of her second major.
Her commitment to improving health outcomes for Aboriginal communities has been evident through two internships at The Kids, which led to a part-time role as an Aboriginal Research Assistant with the WCVID’s Healthy Skin Team, where she is now a valued contributor to the Moorditj Marp (Strong Skin) project. Through this work, Taleah has helped elevate community voices and strengthen culturally relevant skin health resources, all while deepening her understanding of the health gaps faced by Aboriginal people.
The Kids Executive Director Professor Jonathan Carapetis, congratulated the trio on their success.
“Seeing Asha, Shakara and Taleah recognised among Western Australia’s brightest scientific minds is a powerful endorsement of the impact-driven research happening at The Kids,” Professor Carapetis said.
“Their achievements also reflect our commitment to nurturing the next generation of researchers who will shape a healthier, fairer future for children everywhere.”
- Associate Professor Glenn Pearson - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scientist of the Year.
- Dr Jessica Buck - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scientist of the Year.
- Professor Nick Golding - Mid-Career Scientist of the Year.
- Dr Stephanie Enkel, - Student Scientist of the Year.
- Mr Michael Dymock - Student Scientist of the Year.
- The Broome STEM Festival - Science Engagement Initiative of the Year.
“We are incredibly proud of all our finalists — and having nine recognised from The Kids in a total field of just 38 is an extraordinary achievement,” Professor Carapetis said.
For more information on this year’s WA Premier’s Science Awards winners, click here to read Premier Roger Cook and Science and Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson’s media release.