Associate Professor Parwinder Kaur

IMG_Parwinder_KAUR

Associate Professor Parwinder Kaur

Associate Professor and Director, DNA Zoo Australia

The University of Western Australia

Dr Parwinder Kaur is an award-winning scientist, a passionate leader, inspiring pioneer and positive role model in biotechnology with 15+ years of initiating and delivering research outcomes across a wide range of fields. Major experience lies in leading cross disciplinary research for innovation, research translation – both as an academic and entrepreneur.

Dr Kaur’s journey has been inspired by problem solving and breaking barriers of disciplines. She leads an innovative DNA Lab that enables research to span the spectrum of scientific activities beyond the traditional ‘Lab-to-Landscape’ model. With DNA Zoo Australia she is on a mission to provide genomic empowerment to unique Australian biodiversity facilitating conservation efforts for the threatened and endangered species.

She has made substantial contributions to the field of biotechnology and received the prestigious “Science and Innovation Award” by the Australian Academy of Sciences in 2013 for studies providing a new paradigm for reducing the environmental footprint of ruminants. For DNA Zoo innovative work developments, she won the Microsoft's AI for Earth award for 2019-20.

Her multidisciplinary work has been pioneering on the front line of innovations with novel solutions for translational science. Dr Kaur is a passionate science communicator. She embraces every opportunity to talk about research to general audience and is motivated to help solve the worlds’ biggest problems with science and determined to bring STEM into everyday life through compelling and effective science communication. A budding entrepreneur in the fastest growing Biotechnology sector with the recent launch of Ex Planta Pty Ltd., a spin-out company merging tech with her research to develop bio-engineering solutions, natural compounds for human and animal health products. She is an active mentor for gender equity, a Women in Technology WA Role Model and GirlsXTech international ambassador working to close the gender gap in technology.

Her guiding mantra is “Never be afraid to achieve, afraid to learn and explore new dimensions in life. Everything is simple if you break it down.”