Dr Grace Causer has been recognised as Young Achiever of the Year at the Country Education Foundation of Australia (CEF) inaugural awards presentation.
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CEF announced its alumni awards at an event held at The Grandstand, the University of Sydney campus on Saturday, November 23.
Murrumburrah High School graduate Lee Constable was also recognised receiving the CEF Alumnus of the Year award.
Dr Causer, 28, this year completed a PhD in physics at the University of Wollongong, and is now living in Germany and working at the Technical University of Munich.
She's investigating the electronic and magnetic characteristics of nanoscale materials, and how atomic-scale disruptions could be used to tune the performance of future computing devices.
Asked what advice she would give to young country students aspiring to further education, she says "find what your are passionate about".
"Follow that passion, and persevere through the tough times, because the reward at the end is certainly worth it," Dr Causer said.
Dr Causer completed a Bachelor of Science (Advanced) Physics degree at the University of Wollongong before she undertook a PhD in physics.
Former Murrumburrah High School student Lee Constable, from Galong, picked up the CEF Alumnus of the Year award.
Since completing her Bachelor of Arts and Science and Master of Science Communication at the Australian National University, Lee has started a youth-run radio show and podcast, she founded 'Co-Lab: Science Meets Street Art' where she assists young scientists to collaborate with street artists to create live murals, and she has recently written a kids book called How to Save the Whole Stinkin' Planet.
She was also part of an all-female expedition to Antarctica with 80 women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) from all over the world in 2018.
She resides in Brisbane and works as a television presenter hosting 'Scope', Network Ten's national science television show for kids.
Molly Dennis from Goulburn won the CEF Community Champion award, and Saul Brady from Great Lakes received the CEF Rising Star.
An amazing 31 Alumni student nominations were received from the 44 foundations spread throughout rural and regional areas in five Australian states and territories.
CEF is an education charity offering equity-based financial support for further education to young people aged 16 to 25 years of age.
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