Aquaculture scientist recognised for mentoring women in science
Shellfish researcher Natali Delorme from the Cawthron Institute has been recognised for her mentoring of women in science with this year’s Dell Award.
The Dame Miriam Dell Award for Excellence in Science Mentoring is a biennial award presented by the Association for Women in the Sciences (AWIS) to a person who supports recruitment and retention of women in any area of the sciences in New Zealand.
Natali’s research focuses on the physiology of marine invertebrates, specifically how shellfish react and adapt to stress in aquaculture settings. Originally from Chile, she came to New Zealand in 2010 to study marine science. Throughout her career, she has supervised and mentored female postgraduate students of diverse backgrounds, including wahine Māori and Pasifika, pākehā New Zealanders and Latin American (Brazil, Peru). She is an active member of AWIS and of the newly formed Women of Aquaculture Aotearoa.
Dr Joanna Copedo, who nominated Natali for the Award, says she is an empowering mentor who fosters confidence, growth, and excellence in women in science, helping to shape a more inclusive and high-achieving scientific community.
“Natali has always been positive and encouraging,” says Joanna. “She has been an amazing mentor, providing unique perspective and imparting her science knowledge and passion for the work. Natali demonstrates positive, inclusive and supportive aspects that are well respected by her mentees. She guides them to achieve personal and professional goals and provides feedback to foster career development. I’m incredibly honoured to have benefited from Natali’s support, and pleased this is being recognised with the Dell Award.”
The Award Judges were impressed with Natali’s mentorship in the workplace and her active involvement in women’s organisation’s outside of her paid role. Her nomination demonstrated both the skills for mentoring and passion for supporting women in science careers.
The Dame Miriam Dell Award for Excellence in Science Mentoring was introduced in 2013 and is awarded on a biennial basis to someone who demonstrates outstanding mentoring efforts to retain females in science, mathematics or technology. Nominees can be from any part of the science system – including lecturers or supervisors at universities or other tertiary education organisations, or from commercial science-based organisations. They may have mentored, formally or informally, females at any stage in their career from tertiary education to the science workforce.
The Award is named for Dame Miriam Dell (1924-2022), Patron of AWIS, botanist, secondary school teacher and advocate for women’s advancement. Previous recipients are Judith O’Brien from the University of Auckland (2013), Dr Roslyn Kemp from the University of Otago (2015), Professor Vivien Kirk from the University of Auckland (2017), Professor Abigail Smith from the University of Otago (2019), Dr Di Tracey from NIWA (2021) and Dr Cate Macinnis-Ng from the University of Auckland (2023).