Released 08/08/2025
Postdoctoral research scientist Dr Samantha McGaughey has been awarded the 2025 ACT Emerging Scientist of the Year Award.
Dr McGaughey a Postdoctoral Research Scientist at the Australian National University Research School of Biology, she researches innovative wastewater technologies that aim to advance global efforts in environmental sustainability, water security and resource recovery.
“I would like to congratulate Dr McGaughey on the outstanding achievement of being named ACT Emerging Scientist of the Year, and for her important work that is making real-world differences,” said Chief Minister Andrew Barr.
“Her research focuses on learning from nature’s processes for harvesting and separating water and critical resources, with the goal of developing new membrane separation technologies to efficiently and safely harvest clean water and valuable nutrients, minerals and metals from wastewater.”
“Canberra has been the home of many significant scientific achievements, and it is important we acknowledge the work scientists do for the benefit of our community.”
“Research and innovation play a key role in shaping how we move into the future, and the ACT Government is committed to recognising our up-and-coming scientists.”
Quotes attributable to 2025 ACT Emerging Scientist of the Year Dr Samantha McGaughey:
“It’s a great honour to be named the ACT Emerging Scientist of the Year, and to be able to represent the incredible research and biotechnological innovation happening in the ACT. “
“Water and resource security are significant challenges felt locally and globally, but nature has evolved solutions to many of the problems we face. My research aims to leverage nature’s extraordinary capabilities to develop technology to harvest clean water and critical resources from wastewater.”
“This achievement is made possible thanks to the incredible support and collaboration across our research community, and it reflects the ACT’s shared commitment to building a more sustainable, resilient, and knowledge-driven future.”
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Andrew Barr, MLA | Media Releases