Science and Sustainability Award 2025

Global finalists

• University of Aberdeen

  Adaku is an award-winning energy attorney and climate leader, recognised for her transformative work in sustainable energy across Africa. As the first African to lead a Power Africa programme, she advanced climate policies, boosted green investments, and expanded renewable energy access. Currently, she supports international organisations and governments on projects integrating sustainability, energy access, and gender equity. Her work continues to shape global energy systems, while she also serves on the University of Aberdeen’s governing board. 

  Sub-Saharan Africa: Adaku Ufere (Ghana)
• University College London

  H.E. Dr Amal Qattan earned her PhD from the Faculty of Medicine at University College London (UCL) and is a prominent member of Majlis Al-Shura (Saudi Shura Council) in Riyadh. She is a leading scientist in Research and Innovation at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre. Her research focuses on precision medicine through a proactive approach. Dr Qattan authored numerous publications and has been honoured with several international awards, including the prestigious L’Oréal UNESCO Award.

  Middle East and North Africa: Dr Amal Qattan (Saudi Arabia)
• Cranfield University

  Katherine is the first person to represent Australia as an astronaut. Previously, as a Director of Space Technology at the Australian Space Agency she also led key projects, including scoping the "Roo-ver" lunar mission, and Australia's first space capability roadmaps. With nearly 15 years in space systems engineering, Katherine’s career has spanned six countries, advancing space missions from climate science, to space debris solutions, to human and robotic exploration. She is passionate about space exploration and utilisation and inspiring future generations. 

  East Asia: Katherine Bennell-Pegg (Australia)
• University of Essex; Chevening scholar

  Luisa is a strong advocate for Indigenous and territorial rights, focusing on fostering agreements between national authorities and Indigenous governments to combat climate change and protect the Amazon. As Senior Advisor at Gaia Amazonas, she leverages her work to amplify Indigenous governance’s impact on climate action. Awarded the Big Bets Climate Fellowship from the Rockefeller Foundation, Luisa is now scaling her efforts across the Amazon Basin and globally, advancing both Indigenous rights and global climate protection.

  Americas: Luisa Fernanda Bacca (Colombia)
• King's College London, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine; Commonwealth scholar

  Dr Tasdik is a global mental health researcher working on addressing the needs of underserved communities, including refugees and people with disabilities, especially the deaf community. With over 100 peer-reviewed papers and multiple research grants, his work has earned global recognition. He mentors students, advocates for better mental health services, and pioneered a TV show on mental health. His impactful contributions have earned him many awards and recognitions, including the ‘Digital Mental Health Leadership Excellence Award 2024’ in Canada. 

  South Asia: Dr M Tasdik Hasan (Bangladesh)
• University of Oxford

  Robert is the founder and CEO of Klim, a platform accelerating the global transition to regenerative agriculture. Klim has raised over $30M USD in impact investment, built an 80-person team, and partners with leading food companies such as Nestlé to scale regenerative practices. By 2030, Klim aims to remove and reduce 50 million tonnes of CO₂ and help transform agriculture into a climate solution. A climate-tech entrepreneur, Robert previously created widely used sustainability tools like the Sustainable Business Model & Impact Canvas.

  Europe: Dr Robert Gerlach (Germany)
• University of Bristol

  Dr Dumanli Oktar, recipient of the Young Scientist Award (BAGEP) from Turkey’s Science Academy, founded the Boğaziçi University’s Antennas and Bioelectromagnetics Laboratories. She invented a groundbreaking technology for in-body wireless monitoring using engineered cells to detect viruses and bacteria with the potential to transform healthcare. Her work tackles global health issues like HIV and antimicrobial resistance, while she mentors youth in engineering and advocates for equitable healthcare, diversity, and inclusion.

  Wider Europe: Dr Sema Dumanli-Oktar (Turkey)