Four researchers from The Australian National University (ANU) have been announced as 2025 Westpac Future Leaders Scholars and Research Fellow.

Early-career researcher Dr Eve Warburton has been awarded a 2025 Westpac Research Fellowship for her postdoctoral work on emerging critical minerals markets in the Asia Pacific. 

PhD candidates Benjamin Silke, Stephanie Gorman and Rebecca Majchrzak have been named 2025 Westpac Future Leaders Scholars, receiving support for their PhD research in food security, public health and sustainable energy use.

Sponsored by the Westpac Scholars Trust established in 2017, the Westpac Research Fellowship and the Future Leaders Scholarship provide funding for remarkable postdoctoral and postgraduate researchers working in areas of sustainability, technology and innovation, social change and Australia’s relationship with Asia, inspiring the next generation of researchers and leaders.

Dr Eve Warburton, from the Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs, studies the role of critical minerals - like nickel and lithium - in the global economy. 

During the five-year fellowship program, Warburton’s research will examine how the new critical minerals markets are reshaping the Asia-Pacific economics and politics and how Australia and its neighbours can collaborate to prevent social and environmental harms caused by extractive projects.

“The fellowship means an opportunity to rethink the way I conduct my research,” Warburton says.

“The program will allow me to not only dedicate more time and energy to my project on critical minerals, but also help me grow a new network of collaborators and reach new audiences.” 

Benjamin Silke, PhD candidate at the Research School of Biology, works at the intersection between fungal pathogens and plant biology.

His PhD research seeks to expand our understanding of how plants fight disease to enhance food security in Australia and around the globe.

“Food security is one of the most pressing issues of our time,” Silke says. 

“Fungal pathogens cause substantial crop losses every year.

“I hope to apply my understanding of these plant pathogen interactions to better protect our critical crops now, and into the future.”

PhD candidate Stephanie Gorman is a public health practitioner.

Driven by her career in public health, her work aims to tackle structural injustices by building trust-based communities and ensuring healthcare is inclusive and accessible for all.

Rebecca Majchrzak, PhD candidate in chemistry, is dedicated to addressing issues resulting from climate change to create a sustainable future.

Her research aims to reduce our dependence on crude oil by developing renewable alternatives such as carbon dioxide.

“Transitioning to more sustainable methods is imperative as crude oil is a finite resource rapidly depleting,” Majchrzak says.

“We need to limit the damage done to the planet during these processes and reduce Australia’s environmental footprint.”

Amy Lyden, CEO of Westpac Scholars Trust, says the work these researchers are undertaking is vital to our nation’s progress.

“By investing in them, we’re investing in Australia’s future,” she says.

More details at the Westpac Scholars website (2025 Future Leaders Scholars and 2025 Research Fellows).