STEM Explorer award recognises a woman who has demonstrated outstanding expertise and leadership in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) within the ANZ packaging industry. This award celebrates individuals who have applied STEM knowledge to drive innovation, improve packaging technologies, enhance sustainability, or solve industry challenges.
The 2025 finalists are:
Fiona Facey, Macquarie University
Fiona Facey, a PhD candidate at Macquarie University, is pioneering innovative solutions to address the global packaging waste crisis. Her research focuses on biodegradation of plastic using insects and microbes, specifically studying how the greater wax moth and its gut microbes break down low-density polyethylene (LDPE) food packaging. Her findings, confirmed through scanning electron microscopy, show that these microbes significantly weaken the plastic, providing a potential method for recycling multi-layer plastics. Fiona’s work is crucial in the search for sustainable alternatives to traditional recycling methods, especially as packaging waste continues to grow.
Fiona’s research has the potential to revolutionise how the packaging industry tackles plastic waste, aligning with the Australian Plastic Covenant’s 2025 target to make all packaging reusable, recyclable, or compostable. Beyond her scientific contributions, Fiona is a mentor and advocate for STEM careers, guiding the next generation of researchers in the packaging sector and inspiring them to pursue innovative solutions for sustainability. Her work, in collaboration with organisations like CSIRO and Circularity Australia, is positioning her as a leader in the quest for sustainable packaging solutions.
Melinda Nguyen, The University of Adelaide
Melinda Nguyen, a PhD candidate at The University of Adelaide, is leading groundbreaking research into sustainable food packaging by developing a novel bioplastic made from food processing waste. Her project addresses the dual challenges of food waste and unsustainable plastic packaging by turning discarded biopolymers into biodegradable and, in some cases, edible packaging materials. These innovations are designed to replace petrochemical-based plastics, offering a circular economy solution.
Mel's research spans multiple STEM disciplines, including chemical synthesis, engineering, data analytics, and microbiology. Her work has already attracted funding from the End Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre and collaboration with the South Australian Rural Development Institute to evaluate food safety and shelf life. Notably, Mel has filed an Australian provisional patent for her bioplastic and published a well-regarded review article in a top Chemical Engineering journal. Mel also excels in scientific communication, winning multiple awards for her ability to convey complex research to the public. Her contributions are attracting global attention, inspiring future students, and fostering collaborations across countries.
Payal Patel, Pilz Australia
Payal Patel, Safety Consultant at Pilz Australia, is a leader in machinery safety within the packaging industry. With over 12 years of experience, including four years as an industrial safety expert, Payal has driven safety innovations in packaging machinery, focusing on risk assessments, CE marking, and Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) systems. Her contributions have significantly improved safety and efficiency across the Australian and New Zealand packaging sectors. Payal's work has resulted in a 25 per cent reduction in workplace accidents in major manufacturing facilities through advanced safety protocols for automated packaging machinery. As a TUV Nord-certified expert, she not only ensures compliance with ISO 12100 and AS 4024.1 standards but also actively educates and mentors the next generation of engineers through Pilz’s graduate program. Payal is the only female industrial machinery safety consultant in Australia and is committed to promoting STEM careers, particularly in industrial safety, while advocating for diversity in the sector. Her work is advancing both the safety and sustainability of packaging operations, ensuring that manufacturers meet rigorous safety standards while driving innovation.
Rebecca Kersey, APCO
Rebecca Kersey, Senior Packaging Technologist at APCO, has been instrumental in driving sustainable packaging innovation across Australia and New Zealand. Her leadership in developing the Soft Plastics Roadmap has provided a strategic framework to tackle the challenges of flexible plastic recovery, including evaluating technologies like optical sortation and mechanical reprocessing. Her technical expertise has guided companies such as Sealed Air and Amcor in aligning their packaging designs with global best practices.
Rebecca’s work extends to the development of recyclability assessments for soft plastics and her involvement in creating eco-modulation frameworks that influence national policy. She has also played a key role in the Label Material Stewardship Committee, addressing the challenge of label waste and promoting circular recovery systems. Her ability to translate complex scientific principles into actionable industry strategies has significantly advanced the packaging sector's sustainability goals. Through her work, Rebecca is bridging the gap between technical feasibility and policy, driving industry-wide improvements in material stewardship, recycling, and packaging sustainability.
Supriya Suhale, Beckhoff Automation Australia
Supriya Suhale, Category Manager – Connectivity at Beckhoff Automation Australia, is a champion of practical, STEM-driven sustainability in the packaging industry. Supriya works with packaging manufacturers to enhance energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact. A key area of her focus is promoting the use of high-efficiency power supplies, which can increase energy savings and reduce CO2 emissions. She also advocates for One Cable Automation (OCA), a technology that integrates power and data into a single cable, reducing copper usage, installation complexity, and environmental footprint.
Supriya goes beyond hardware by driving energy monitoring systems in packaging plants, empowering manufacturers to track energy consumption and identify inefficiencies. Through her work, she has helped the industry move from token sustainability gestures to real, long-term changes. Supriya is also dedicated to mentoring and advocating for women in STEM, volunteering with local schools and universities to increase access and visibility for young women interested in engineering and automation careers. Her leadership and commitment to smarter, sustainable solutions are helping reshape the future of packaging.
The 2025 winners will be announced at the PKN Women in Packaging Awards Lunch on 27 June, to be held at 12-Micron, Barangaroo – a fitting setting to honour a group of exceptional professionals who are reshaping the packaging landscape. Tickets are on sale here, with limited space at the venue it is advisable to book soon as we anticipate a sold-out event.
