Lyn Beazley facts for kids

Lyn Beazley (born in 1944) is a brilliant scientist who studies the brain and nervous system. This field is called neuroscience. She is also a passionate educator. Lyn lives in Perth, Western Australia.

She is an Honorary Distinguished Fellow at the Institute of Advanced Studies at the University of Western Australia. She is also the Sir Walter Murdoch Distinguished Professor of Science at Murdoch University. Lyn has received many important awards. These include being named an Officer of the Order of Australia. This award recognized her great work in medical science. She is also a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering and a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science.

Education and Early Research

Lyn Beazley studied zoology at the famous University of Oxford in the UK. After that, she earned her PhD from the University of Edinburgh. Her PhD research focused on how vision develops. She also studied how vision can recover after an injury.

Setting Up Her Research Group

In 1976, Lyn started her own research group. This was at the University of Western Australia. She worked as a research fellow for the National Health and Medical Research Council. She held this important position until 1994. Then, she became a professor.

Helping Babies with New Discoveries

Lyn's research group worked with Professor John Newnham. Together, they made a big discovery. Their work changed how doctors helped women who might have their babies too early. They found that giving certain medicines, called corticosteroids, could help. These medicines helped the babies' lungs develop better before birth. This improved the breathing of babies born too soon.

Lyn Beazley's Role as Chief Scientist

From 2006 to 2013, Lyn Beazley was Western Australia's Chief Scientist. This was a very important job. She advised the government on science, new ideas, and technology.

Key Projects as Chief Scientist

• Helping School Labs: She created a special phone line for laboratory technicians in schools across Australia. This helped them get support and advice.
• Protecting Waterways: Lyn helped start "Dolphin Watch." This program worked to make waterways healthier for dolphins and other animals.
• Bringing Big Science to WA: She successfully helped Western Australia become the host for a huge telescope project. This was the low-frequency part of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA-low). It is located at the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory. This project helps scientists study the universe.

Encouraging Science Education

Lyn Beazley is also well-known for her work in education. She taught at universities. But she also worked hard to get school children excited about science. She is a Fellow of the Australian College of Educators. This shows her dedication to teaching.

Awards and Recognition

Lyn Beazley has received many honors for her amazing contributions to science and education.

• 2009: She was awarded Officer of the Order of Australia. This was for her services to medical science.
• 2009: She became a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering.
• 2011: She was inducted into the Western Australian Women's Hall of Fame.
• 2012: She received the Governor's Award for Giving.
• 2013: She was inducted into the WA Science Hall of Fame.
• 2014: She was named a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International.
• 2015: She was named WA Australian of the Year.
• 2015: She received Honorary Bragg Membership from the RiAus.
• 2018: She received an Honorary Doctor of Science from ANU.
• 2019: She became a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science.

A Sponge Named After Her!

In 2009, a brand new species of sponge was found. It was discovered in the Perth Canyon, near Rottnest Island. Scientists named this new sponge Manihinea lynbeazleyae in her honor!