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SeaStock Named Finalist in Western Australia’s Innovators of the Year Awards

SeaStock

01/08/2024

SeaStock is thrilled to announce that it has been named a finalist in Western Australia’s prestigious Innovators of the Year (WAIOTY) awards for 2024! This recognition places SeaStock among some of the most innovative companies in Western Australia.

This year, the WAIOTY awards have seen a record number of applications, highlighting the growing spirit of innovation across WA. Applications reached an all-time high of 89, spanning a diverse range of industries. The judges have now narrowed this impressive field down to 19 finalists, a significant increase from last year’s 74 applications and 17 finalists.

SeaStock is proud to be a finalist in the Rio Tinto Emerging category alongside remarkable companies including VetChip, Tape Ark, AMLab, RaptorTech, Protect Devices, Materia Health, Hermes and Soteria, and fellow seaweed innovators at Uluu. This diverse group represents the cutting-edge of innovation, pushing boundaries and setting new standards across various sectors.

Winners in each category will share an increased prize fund worth $240,000, with each category winner taking home $60,000. Additionally, there will be prize funds for two runners-up and three platinum award categories. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony in October.

As SeaStock moves forward, the company remains dedicated to driving innovation and sustainability in its field. Being named a finalist in the WAIOTY awards reinforces SeaStock’s resolve to continue developing cutting-edge seaweed-based solutions that contribute to a greener future.

Tom Puddy, Managing Director of SeaStock, commented, “We are honoured to be recognised among such a distinguished group of innovators. This nomination is a testament to our recent achievements in Asparagopsis extraction and cultivation, solidifying our role as leaders in the seaweed industry. Our success in pharmaceutical-grade pigment extraction and the isolation of bromoform exemplifies the efficacy of our dual extraction technology, highlighting our commitment to providing cost-effective and sustainable solutions for the agricultural sector. I’d like to extend a personal congratulations to all of the finalists nominated and we look forward to seeing them at the awards ceremony in October.”

For more information about the WAIOTY awards and the New Industries Fund, please visit the New Industries Fund: Western Australia’s Innovators of the Year page – https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-jobs-tourism-science-and-innovation/western-australias-innovators-of-the-year-2024-application-information

DR SANJANA SENTHILKuMaR

Research Scientist

Dr Sanjana Senthilkumar is a Ph.D. graduate of Philosophy in Biosciences and Bioengineering, from the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, and holds a Bachelor of Technology in biochemistry from Sathyabama University, in India. During this time Sanjana gained vast research knowledge on plant secondary metabolites and their physiochemical properties. Her nearly decade-long experience spans across plant tissue culture, natural product chemistry, photo-physics, and various analytical techniques. She possesses skill in experimental design, research review, execution, data analysis, and scientific writing. She has led and executed a research entrepreneurship project, which involved design, development, and patenting of an innovative apparatus for use in chemistry laboratories. Additionally, she has undertaken several roles as a trainer, teaching assistant, supervisor, instrument operator, and laboratory demonstrator. Sanjana has been appointed to the position of Research Scientist to support the next phase of the Company’s commercial growth. Tasked specifically with helping establish a scientific approach to developing sustainable and commercially viable biomass growth of macro algae.

Zoe HOpKINSON

Production Technician

In 2023 Zoe completed a Bachelors in Coastal and Marine Science at Curtin University. During her study Zoe also gained work experience as an aquaculture volunteer, including roles with PhD students and Department Primary Industry Resource Development (DPIRD).  In addition Zoe worked at the Geraldton TAFE commercial hatchery, which introduced her knowledge to cultivate Asparagopsis seaweed and aquaculture operations.
Within completing Zoe's degree, she also completed field work studies on fish behaviours and interacted with multiple marine based professionals.  Zoe had access to innovative technology that made her learning & experiences much more immersive and accessible, enabling her to gain experience in technologies, equipment and platforms used within the aquaculture research industry.  Zoe is thrilled to be a part of the Seastock science team, which has further ignited her passion for the ocean and participating in work which will benefit the state of our climate. Working towards a more positive future for all.