Bachelor of Applied Science (Applied Chemistry), 1989
Science Award
Tania Notaras is a qualified, skilled, and highly respected analytical chemist. She has made significant and sustained contributions to the chemistry field while taking the time to collaborate with the Royal Australian Chemical Institute. A champion and role model for women in STEM, Tania is determined to break the bias and support the next generation of scientists.
Growing up, Tania's Eastern-European family adhered to more traditional beliefs regarding gender roles. But as she grew older, Tania defied these norms and pushed into the traditionally male-dominated STEM field – starting with her degree at UTS.
While there, she fell in love with the practical elements of learning. Today, she attributes her professional success to hands-on learning experiences – including a year-long industry placement that prepared her for her career. Inspired by these opportunities, Tania wants to ensure all students have the same experience.
Tania began her career with an industry traineeship where she demonstrated a passion and talent for chemistry. Here, she quickly displayed a real understanding of its practical applications in industry. After her traineeship, she progressed through senior technical and management roles in the profession and has emerged as a successful business leader in her field, locally and overseas.
Notably, Tania has made an impact by establishing and growing a successful commercial enterprise with laboratories across Australia and New Zealand known as the Envirolab Group. Tania and her team’s reliable and quality services are sought after thanks to their expert technical advice which is provided to industry and government body decision-makers. These services have also extended to assisting in setting industry standards and offering advice on regulations – and they’ve been recognised through nominations for industry awards.
As Managing Director of Envirolab Group, Tania actively creates equal opportunities for students and graduates in the STEM field through the organisation's industry placement programs. Tania plans to continue fostering more industry placements with university programs, opening more opportunities for networking, and gaining real-world experience for students and graduates.
As a woman, it is hard to have it all. A career, family and to give back to society. Support is required for women to provide them with a choice and flexibility to allow them to advance their careers.