ANSTO researcher receives WiN Global Award

The annual Women in Nuclear (WiN) Global Award has been won by Dr Margaret Elcombe of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) - the first Australian ever to receive the award.

Dr Elcombe is a world-leading pioneer in the design, development, building and operation of neutron scattering instruments, which are used to measure and test material composition of common objects - from food particles to long-life batteries, railway tracks and aircraft wings.

For 41 years Dr Elcombe has worked at ANSTO, using neutron scattering and X-ray techniques to solve complex challenges across Australian industry. Despite officially entering retirement in 2008, she continues her work in the field and regularly visits ANSTO’s Bragg Institute.

Dr Elcombe said she was “taken aback to have been chosen from a group of such brilliant women in this field”, stating, “I simply consider myself a random human particle in the box of life, who hasn’t yet decayed.”

ANSTO Chief Executive Officer Dr Adi Paterson was more forthcoming, praised Dr Elcombe’s commitment to her field and describing her as “a true role model to all scientists at ANSTO and across Australia”.

“She has nurtured the careers of countless students and is a true inspiration for all young women and men in science both here in Australian and internationally,” he said.

“As a pioneer of nuclear science, Dr Elcombe commands the highest international standing, and this award is much deserved.”

The WiN Global Award is the highest honour bestowed by Women in Nuclear Global, an international network of men and women working professionally in peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology. It is presented each year in conjunction with the Annual WiN Global Conference, the premier meeting of WiN Global.