Dr McGaughey’s work is based at the ANU’s Research School of Biology.
08 August 2025
In brief:
- The 2025 ACT Emerging Scientist of the Year Award has been awarded to Dr Samantha McGaughey.
- Dr McGaughey is a wastewater innovation scientist based at the ANU’s Research School of Biology.
- Her research focuses on harvesting clean water from wastewater.
Dr Samantha McGaughey has been named the 2025 ACT Emerging Scientist of the Year.
Dr McGaughey is a postdoctoral research scientist. She has been recognised for her pioneering work in wastewater technology.
Her research focuses on creating new technologies that can safely and efficiently recover clean water – including valuable nutrients and minerals – from wastewater.
Her work is based at the ANU’s Research School of Biology.
‘It’s a great honour to be named the ACT Emerging Scientist of the Year, and to be able to represent the incredible research and biotechnological innovation happening in the ACT,’ Dr McGaughey said.
‘My research aims to leverage nature’s extraordinary capabilities to develop technology to harvest clean water and critical resources from wastewater.’
About the award
The ACT Emerging Scientist of the Year Award celebrates up-and-coming scientists.
The award:
- recognises local scientists’ excellence in research and innovation
- celebrates work shaping a more sustainable future
- reflects the ACT’s shared commitment to building a more resilient and knowledge-driven future
- build’s on the ACT’s strong history of scientific excellence.
Recipients often inspire students and young people to choose a career in:
- science
- technology
- engineering
- mathematics.
The award highlights the important role of research in improving everyday lives.
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