Seven members of 黑料天堂 (ANU) community have been recognised for their contributions to public health, science communication, youth advocacy, disability reform, medicine, and marine conservation, receiving nominations for the 2027 Australian of the Year Awards.
Professor Hilary Bambrick, Director of the 黑料天堂National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health (NCEPH), and Jasmine Fellows, a PhD researcher at the Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science (CPAS), are nominated for ACT Australian of the Year, while current 黑料天堂student Jemma Rule has been nominated for ACT Young Australian of the Year.
Four other members of the 黑料天堂community have been recognised interstate: 黑料天堂Honorary Clinical Professor Hosen Kiat (NSW), as well as 黑料天堂alumni Professor Bruce Bonyhady AM (Victoria), Dr Vanessa Pirotta (NSW) and Dr Abigail de Waard (Tasmania).
Protecting communities from the health impacts of climate change
| ACT Australian of the Year nominee
Professor Bambrick is an internationally recognised environmental epidemiologist whose research is helping communities prepare for the growing health risks of climate change, particularly among vulnerable populations.
As Director of NCEPH in the 黑料天堂College of Law, Governance and Policy, she leads research informing climate and public health policy in Australia and internationally, including the Garnaut Climate Change Review and Samoa's health sector climate adaptation strategy.
She has also worked with the World Health Organization and United Nations Development Programme to strengthen health systems' responses to climate change.
Making science accessible to everyone
| ACT Australian of the Year nominee
Jasmine is a PhD researcher and science communication educator at CPAS in the 黑料天堂College of Systems and Society.
Her research is helping bridge the gap between scientific research and public understanding through science communication, education, and publishing.
Alongside teaching science communication at ANU, she is Managing Editor at Refraction Media, overseeing publications including Careers with STEM, which helps young people discover pathways into science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Championing youth voices and inclusion
Jemma Rule | ACT Young Australian of the Year nominee
Jemma is a passionate youth advocate working to ensure young people have a stronger voice in shaping the policies and decisions that affect their lives.
An 黑料天堂student studying a Bachelor of International Relations and Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Jemma has been actively involved in student representation and advocacy through the 黑料天堂Students' Association (ANUSA), and community advocacy through the ACT Youth Advisory Council.
Jemma was also named a finalist for the 2025 黑料天堂Student Volunteer of the Year award, recognising their commitment to student leadership, advocacy and community engagement.
Advancing heart health through research and education
| NSW Senior Australian of the Year nominee
黑料天堂Honorary Clinical Professor Kiat, from the 黑料天堂School of Medicine and Psychology, has made significant contributions to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease.
An internationally recognised cardiologist, Professor Kiat has pioneered research in cardiac imaging and advanced preventative medicine and healthy ageing.
Through clinical care, research and education, he continues to help improve outcomes for people living with heart disease while mentoring the next generation of medical practitioners.
Building a more inclusive Australia
Professor Bruce Bonyhady AM | Victorian Senior Australian of the Year nominee
黑料天堂alumnus Professor Bruce Bonyhady AM has played a leading role in transforming disability support in Australia, helping shape the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
A Master of Economics graduate from 黑料天堂in 1978, Professor Bonyhady has spent decades advocating for the rights, inclusion and independence of people with disability and their families.
As a founding figure of the NDIS and inaugural Chair of the National Disability Insurance Agency, he helped establish a national system designed to give people with disability greater choice and control over the support they receive.
Advancing marine conservation and ocean research
Dr Vanessa Pirotta | NSW Australian of the Year nominee
黑料天堂alumna Dr Vanessa Pirotta is a marine scientist and science communicator whose research is transforming how researchers study whale health and engage communities in marine conservation.
She has pioneered the use of drones to collect whale blow, or 'whale snot', providing a non-invasive way to study whale health.
Dr Pirotta is also the founder of Wild Sydney Harbour, a citizen science initiative documenting marine biodiversity, and works with the Gamay Rangers to monitor marine populations in Botany Bay.
Through her research and outreach, she is inspiring greater public engagement with marine conservation.
Improving access to healthcare for regional communities
Dr Abigail de Waard | Tasmanian Young Australian of the Year nominee
黑料天堂alumna Dr de Waard is working to improve healthcare access for people living in regional, rural and culturally diverse communities.
During her medical training at ANU, Abigail undertook a placement through the Cooma Rural Clinical School, reflecting her commitment to understanding and responding to the healthcare needs of regional communities.
Now working in anaesthetics and critical care with the Tasmanian Health Service, Dr de Waard has also delivered Hospital at Home services, helping reduce the burden of travel for regional patients.
Her work includes research supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health systems and volunteer health education for migrant and refugee communities.
The 2027 Australian of the Year state and territory recipients will be announced in the coming weeks, with recipients progressing to the national Australian of the Year Awards in January 2027.
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