Winners Revealed: 2023 Youth STEM Matters Volunteer Awards
Our Youth STEM Matters Volunteer Awards recognise the achievements of the 90+ youth who lead our global youth scientific journal - and flagship project - Youth STEM Matters.
From a shortlist of 34 young people, 6 teams, and 8 Volunteer of the Year nominees, Interim Editor-In-Chief, Kimberly Anindo, and Founder & CEO, Mhairi McCann, had the challenge of selecting each of the category winners, which were revealed in our Awards Ceremony at the Youth STEM Matters Research Conference. Congratulations to our winners!
Extra Mile Award
Winner - Iona Finney
Awarded in recognition of consistently going over and above what their role asks of them in their contributions to Youth STEM Matters.
Shortlisted:
Julia Gardiner
Lizzie Bourn
Luna Ramírez
Leader Award
Winner - Madeleine Perry
Winner - Kimberly Anindo
Awarded in recognition of exceptional leadership - in the broadest possible sense - at Youth STEM Matters.
Shortlisted:
Kavina Uthayakumaran
Safiya Liyawudeen
Inspiration Award
Winner - Shahed Debiat
Awarded in recognition of the person who most impresses the rest of the Youth STEM Matters Team with their attitude and skills.
Shortlisted:
Abbie Fitzsimmons
Luis Ortega
Samiksha Manoharan
Victor Olufemi
Mentor Award
Winner - Shalini Sellam
Awarded in recognition of someone who has taken time to help others, and pass on their knowledge/skills. They can have done this in any format, whether 1-1 advice, group sessions, training or through helping others on Slack.
Shortlisted:
Anne-Rosa Bilal
Dimple Amitha Garuadapuri
Nina Khera
Growth Award
Winner - Mahdia Mohseni
Winner - Mojolaoluwa Dada
Awarded in recognition of someone who has grown during their time on the Youth STEM Matters Team. Both personal growth and growth in skills are equally valid nomination reasons for this award.
Shortlisted:
James Duffy
Ruby Elliot
Changemaker of the Year Award
Winner - Josh Heng
Winner - Research Editors
Awarded in recognition of someone who has driven positive change within the Youth STEM Matters Team. The change can be big or small, but through their efforts, the experience of authors and/or volunteers and/or readers has been enhanced.
Shortlisted:
Samiksha Manoharan
Yara Obeidi
Unsung Hero
Winner - Izzy Johnson
Awarded in recognition of someoner who has made a valuable contribution to the team, but may not previously have been recognised for their efforts. This award is the chance to make sure they get the recognition they deserve!
Shortlisted:
Alice Cameron
Bryce Merrill
Mathani Ahmed
Youth STEM Matters Champion
Winner - Diya Lalloo-McGurk & Olivia Johnson
Winner - Luis Ortega
Awarded in recognition of someone who has made a substantial outreach contribution to Youth STEM Matters. They have embodied the journal's ethos and championed Youth STEM Matters. This recognition can be for any medium of outreach, including social media, events/talks, outreach to schools/organisations, and local outreach.
Shortlisted:
Anika Dugal
Shahed Debiat & Madeleine Perry
Community Award
Winner - Jahnavi Giridhar
Awarded in recognition of someone who has made an excellent contribution to the Youth STEM Matters Volunteer Team community. They play a key role in the team by driving forward the Youth STEM Matters community spirit.
Shortlisted:
Bryce Merrill
Nina Khera
Shahed Debiat
Rising Star Award
Winner - Luna Ramírez
Awarded in recognition of someone who, based on their current contributions to the team, we can see even bigger things ahead in their future at Youth STEM Matters.
Shortlisted:
Alfie Davis
Emmanuel Randle
Mahdia Mohseni
Safiya Liyawudeen
Yaren Yurt
Team of the Year
Winner - Operational Leads Action Learning Set: Dimple Amitha Garuadapuri, Izzy Johnson, Kavina Uthayakumaran, Luis Ortega, Luna Ramírez, Madeleine Perry, Ruby Elliott, Samiksha Manoharan & Shalini Sellam
Winner - Skills Development Power Up Graduates: Alice Cameron, Alys Jiménez, Diya Lalloo-McGurk, James Duffy, Mahdia Mohseni, Mojolaoluwa Dada, Ruby Elliott, Safiya Liyawudeen & Yaren Yurt
Awarded in recognition of a team within the journal who have made an exceptional collective contribution to Youth STEM Matters. The team may be a group who have worked together year-round, or a group of volunteers who came together over a shorter time period to work on a specific project.
Shortlisted:
2023 Research Conference Organisers: Alice Cameron, Anika Dugal, Luis Ortega, Mahdia Mohseni, Mojolaoluwa Dada & Shahed Debiat
Executive Team: Bryce Merrill, Iona Finney, Josh Heng, Kimberly Anindo, Victor Olufemi & Yara Obeidi
Kavina Uthayakumaran & Madeleine Perry
Transcribe-a-thon Team: 20+ volunteers, led by Kimberly Anindo & Josh Heng
Special Recognition for Achievement
Awarded to the Research Conference Organisers
This Special Recognition was awarded to the Research Conference Organisers in recognition of an exceptional achievement within the Youth STEM Matters team. Well done to Alice Cameron, Anika Dugal, Luis Ortega, Mahdia Mohseni, Mojolaoluwa Dada & Shahed Debiat!
Volunteer of the Year
Winner - Kavina Uthayakumaran
In recognition of an exceptional team member, who has embodied the Youth STEM Matters ethos, and made an outstanding contribution to the journal, as voted for by the entire Youth STEM Matters Team.
Shortlisted:
Emmanuel Randle
Iona Finney
Jahnavi Giridhar
Kimberly Anindo
Luis Ortega
Madeleine Perry
Victor Olufemi
Congratulations to all of the winners and shortlistees on your achievements!
