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Eureka Moment Minute with Matilda-Jane Oke
Monday, February 14, 2011
1. What doors opened for you as a result of winning your Eureka Prize?
There is nothing quite like having a Eureka Prize on your CV! Being a winner has given me an advantage when applying for scholarships and prizes (both for my undergraduate degree and PhD), as well as providing weight to my UWA Advanced Science Program application as an undergraduate. The award also helped me to get my current part-time job as a science communicator and theatre demonstrator at the science centre Scitech. In all of these cases, having a Eureka prize impressed and showed that I had a real interest in science and was capable of doing successful research.
2. Where do you keep your trophy?
My trophy is kept on top of the bookshelf in my study. It's where I keep all of my most prized possessions!
3. What do you do when you are not doing science?
I love to read and to cook. Western Australia is beautiful in the summer, and during this time I love to be at the beach with my friends and family.
4. What is your favourite book?
‘Cloudstreet' by Tim Winton. He is such a beautiful writer and the book is a pleasure to read. It is easily the best book about Western Australia around, and I recommend it to anyone keen to find out more about it.
5. If you had to convince someone about the value of science what would you say in 25 words or less?
Science allows us to understand the world we live in and gives us the means to solve the world's problems and to progress.
Matilda-Jane will deliver the 2011 Eureka Moments Address on 16 March at the Australian Museum. Watch last year's inspiring Eureka Moments Address delivered by Professor Michael Good.
