Medical Forum
Autism researcher named WA Scientist of the Year
A number of West Australians working within health and medicine have been recognised for their outstanding scientific research and engagement.
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Medical Forum
Understandings around autism, stillbirth and early childhood mortality, childhood respiratory infections, inclusive models of social and emotional wellbeing and antidepressant prescribing have been improved thanks to those named in the 2026 Premier's Science Awards.
Professor Andrew Whitehouse from The Kids Research Institute Australia was named Scientist of the Year 2026.
He was recognised for his work in autism care, with his research providing new understandings, diagnosis, and clinical support for autistic children.
He is the Angela Wright Bennett Chair of Autism Research, Deputy Executive Director at The Kids Research Institute Australia, and Director of CliniKids.
Over two decades, Prof Whitehouse has pioneered early autism intervention approaches that have been implemented globally and has led the development of Australia's National Clinical Guidelines.
He said the recognition reflected a collective effort toward improving the lives of autistic people and their families.
“I’m very grateful to everyone who has been part of the journey. I particularly want to acknowledge the families I’ve been lucky enough to work with over the years," Prof Whitehouse said.
"I’m also incredibly fortunate to work alongside so many talented researchers, clinicians and community members who are committed to understanding children who develop differently, their families and those who love them, how we can best support them and how they can go on to live the lives they want to live."
Winners from The Kids Research Institute Australia, Associate Professor Lea-Ann Kirkham and Professor Andrew Whitehouse.
Elsewhere, Associate Professor Lea-Ann Kirkham and Professor Gavin Pereira were both recognised in the Mid-Career Scientist of the Year award category.
A/Prof Kirkham from The Kids Research Institute Australia leads a multidisciplinary team developing innovative ways to prevent and treat childhood respiratory infections.
Her work has shaped vaccination policy and clinical practice in Australia and neighbouring countries.
A/Prof Kirkham is the inventor of Spritz-OM, a novel nasal therapy to prevent childhood ear infections, and Founder and Chief Executive of Oto Medicines, a spin-out company advancing this WA innovation towards global impact.
Her mentoring of the next generation of scientists, and delivery of globally relevant advances in child health is recognised as having strengthened WA's research ecosystem.
Professor Pereira, a Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health at Curtin University has worked to reduce the risk of stillbirth and early childhood mortality and morbidity both nationally and globally.
He has analysed millions of births and determined risk factors including the gap between pregnancies, the impact of heat stress during pregnancy and in the first years of life, and the impact of air pollution during pregnancy and the first years of life.
Prof Pereira’s research, published in many high impact papers, has led to World Health Organization briefings, changes to national and international guidelines, and adoption of his approach around the world
Transforming services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Professor Pat Dudgeon, director of the Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention at UWA was named 2026 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scientist of the Year.
Prof Dudgeon leads innovative research into the inclusive concept of social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB), which more fully aligns with Indigenous people’s experience.
Through her advocacy, the SEWB model is now widely accepted, transforming services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Pharmacogenetic research
PhD candidate Bradley Roberts’ work at the forefront of youth-focused pharmacogenetic research in Australia saw him named Student Scientist of the Year.
Mr Roberts is a PhD candidate at the Perron Institute and UWA. His research focuses on improving antidepressant prescribing for young people with depression and is helping shift mental healthcare beyond trial and error prescribing towards more personalised, evidence-based treatment.
Mr Roberts' research has attracted major funding, and international collaborations, while supporting the translation of precision medicine into WA clinical practice through partnerships with local industry and healthcare providers.
Acting Premier Rita Saffioti congratulated all of the winners.
"Our scientists and researchers are tackling real-world challenges, supporting new industries and strengthening Western Australia's reputation as a global centre for science and innovation," she said.