Kirsten Benkendorff
Kirsten Benkendorff (marine biologist) is a marine scientist, working on molluscs, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory properties and cancer fighting properties. She was awarded Young Australian of the Year, in 2000, and a Dorothy Hill Medal for Science in 2011. Early life and career. Benkendorff obtained a Bachelor of Science from Macquarie University in 1994, followed by a PhD at the University of Wollongong in 1999. She was a career consultant for the Shellharbour Council in New South Wales, before becoming a lecturer in Marine Biology at Flinders University in South Australia, from 2006 to 2010, and then working at  Southern Cross University. Benkendorff has conducted research on a combination of medical and marine research, investigating the anti-cancer extracts from the Australian marine life including the whelk. Benkendorff is a Professor of Marine Science, and the Co-Deputy Director of the Marine Ecology Research Centre at Southern Cross University. She is also a Councillor, within the Malacological Society of Australasia as well as an Associate Editor Scientific Reports and Marine Drugs. In 2011 she was awarded the Dorothy Hill Medal for her research on marine science, molluscs and their medicinal properties. She was awarded the Young Australian of the  Year, in 2000, for Science and Technology and NSW Australian of the year, in 2001, for her contributions to the environment. Benkendorff has research projects on studying the effectsf of pesticides on both prawns and oysters. She also has a research project on the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties within marine mollusc extracts. She has a reseach project investigating the inflence of ocean climate change stressors on the quality of seafood and marine invertebrates and their lipid profiles. Publications. Select examples of Benkendorff's publications are as follows: Media. Berkendorff has published in the Sydney Morning Herald, and The  Conversation, on her research into the cancer fighting properties of molluscs.