Alumni shine as brightest young achievers
Nicole Foster accepting the University of Adelaide STEM Award.
Five University of Adelaide alumni have taken home accolades in this year’s South Australian 7 News Young Achiever Awards.
Nicole Foster, Nicholas Sanderson, Lily Biggs, Oscar Zi Shao Ong and Yeganeh Soltanpour have all received awards in the competition, which acknowledges, encourages and promotes the positive achievements of young people under the age of 30 throughout Australia.
Each winner was applauded for their positive impact on their local and wider communities.
Nicole Foster - The University of Adelaide STEM Award. Nicole, 26 of Greenwith recently completed her PhD where she developed a molecular approach to analyse environmental DNA buried in the sediment record, uncovering historical changes that have occurred within coastal plant communities in South Australia. This work informs the adaptability and resilience of these important habitats to climate change. Nicole was also the first Scientist in Residence at St Peter’s Girls School. Nicole graduated from the University of Adelaide with a Bachelor of Science Advanced (Honours) in 2016, and a PhD in Environmental Sciences in 2021.
Nicholas Sanderson - First National Real Estate Innovation Award. Nicholas, 25 of Adelaide founded Splose, practice management software that automates admin for NDIS providers, allowing them to spend more time supporting people with a disability. Splose employs seven people, operates out of Lot Fourteen, and is on track to have 10,000 users by mid-2023 and grow to 16 employees. Nicholas graduated from the University of Adelaide with a Bachelor of Commerce in 2018.
Lily Biggs – Websters Lawyers Service to the Community Award. Lily, 24 of Fitzroy co-founded Salty Lips with Nikita Trewartha, 26 of Morphetville. Salty Lips is a community initiative that encourages people in Adelaide to step out of their comfort zone and connect with others. They organise the event every Wednesday morning, which involves a 30-minute yoga flow, followed by jumping in the ocean and ending with a sip of coffee. Around 700 people gather at the beach every week. Lily graduated from the University of Adelaide with a Bachelor of Psychological Science in 2019.
Oscar Zi Shao Ong - Scouts SA Leadership Award. Oscar, 24 of Adelaide is the National President of the Council of International Students Australia and President of Adelaide University Union. Oscar previously held the post of Student Representative Council President at the University of Adelaide. In the Council for International Education, he supports the implementation of the Australian Strategy for International Education 2021-2030. During the initial COVID-19 outbreak, he partnered with multicultural organisations to initiate a food voucher program. Oscar graduated from the University of Adelaide with a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechanical and Aerospace) in 2019.
Yeganeh Soltanpour - Multicultural Youth South Australia Spirit of Resilience Award. Yeganeh, 21 of Lightsview set up a non-profit organisation that provides free career advice, CVs and mental health wellbeing tools to students from various backgrounds. Yeganeh was 17 when she moved to Adelaide to pursue a degree in psychology. After high school, she worked for a year and made $50,000 doing odd jobs to fund her travels and living expenses. In 2020, Yeganeh graduated from the University of Adelaide with a Bachelor of Psychological Science. She currently studying for a Master of Business Administration.
Ten University of Adelaide alumni and one staff member were nominated for this years’ South Australian 7 News Young Achiever Awards.
Category winners each received a trophy and a prize valued at $2,000.
University of Adelaide alumni among the South Australian 7 News Young Achiever Awards winners. Top row: second from left, Oscar Zi Shao Ong, and far right, Nicholas Sanderson. Bottom row: centre, Lily Biggs, second, from right Nicole Foster, and far right, Yeganeh Soltanpour.
Media contact:
Eleanor Danenberg, Media and Communications Assistant, The University of Adelaide. Mobile: +61 (0)427 346 981. Email: eleanor.danenberg@adelaide.edu.au