In conversation with the 2025 Young Australian of the Year – Scientist, Dr Katrina Wruck

The Australian National University, in partnership with the National Australia Day Committee, brings you an opportunity to meet and hear from winner of the Young Australian of the Year.

The Australian National University is the proud cultural sponsor of the Australian of the Year (AoTY) Awards. The physical trophy is designed and produced by the College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS) School of Art and Design, before being presented to the state, territory, and national winners.

The awards were first designed and made in 2017 at the ANU Glass Workshop for the 2018 AoTY ceremony and CASS have been producing the trophies ever since.

Dr Katrina Wruck will be giving a keynote followed by Q&A moderated by Professor Caitlin Byrt, Co-Founder of Membrane Transport Engineers (MBE), ANU.

Dr Katrina Wruck founder of Nguki Kula Green Labs, will share how her groundbreaking profit-for-purpose venture is set to revolutionise the consumer goods industry. Using the power of green chemistry, Dr Wruck is tackling harmful ‘forever chemicals’ and paving the way for a safer, more sustainable future. 

Often described as “the first Indigenous scientist I've ever met,” Dr Wruck is a proud Mabuigilaig and Goemulgal woman, deeply passionate about community and dedicated to empowering the next generation to pursue careers in STEM.   

Don’t miss this chance to hear her remarkable story. 

Professor Caitlin Byrt, Co-founder of Membrane Transporter Engineers (MTE). MTE develops protein components for highly specific element and nutrient separation from complex solutions and for crop improvement purposes. MTE have designed novel protein components and tested the function of hundreds of naturally occurring diverse membrane proteins using cutting-edge and highly specialised approaches. MTE engineers value-adding components for advancing membrane separation technologies and improving plant productivity in challenging environments. The components MTE creates can be embedded in membrane-based filtration systems for gaining new functions and used in critical mineral processing, and MTE deliver components that can be incorporated in plant cell membranes for improving crop performance.

Additional information:

Registration is required for this event.

Accessible parking spaces are available around campus should you require them.

To help keep everyone safe, please ensure that you are familiar with, and follow, the advice from  ACT Health regarding COVID-19.

If you do not feel well, please refrain from attending this event.

By registering for this event, you are accepting our privacy policy.

TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12002 (Australian University) | CRICOS Provider Code: 00120C