Four Flinders University postgraduates are in the running for South Australian Science Excellence Awards this year.

Dr Katherine Moore and Dr Christiaan Ridings, from the School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, and Dr Scott Groom (Biological Sciences) are finalists for their PhD Research Excellence. Dr Maria Parappilly (Chemical and Physical Sciences) is a finalist in the Early Career STEM Educator of the Year – Tertiary Teaching category.

Professor Craig Simmons, Director of the National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training at Flinders University is among four finalists for SA Scientist of the Year.

The other finalists are Professor Nicolas Voelcker, Deputy Director, Mawson Institute, University of South Australia and Dr Michelle Lane, Senior Research Fellow, and Professor Michael McLaughlin, Professorial Research Fellow, both from the University of Adelaide.

South Australia’s Chief Scientist, Flinders PhD graduate Dr Leanna Read, said it was difficult to choose the 17 finalist from this year’s field of high-quality nominees.

Winners in the five award categories will be announced on 13 August.

To vote in the People’s Choice award, and for more information, visit: www.scienceawards.sa.gov.au