Travel grant honours Catherine McLean

This article featured in Illuminate Newsletter Autumn ‘26

Travel grant honours Catherine McLean

This article featured in Illuminate Newsletter Autumn ‘26

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Catherine McLean was a much-loved division coordinator at WEHI for over 20 years and a valued contributor to our community.

After her sudden death in 2022, Catherine’s family decided to establish a perpetual award at WEHI to create a legacy that would reflect Catherine’s interests. Her parents, Dr Vin and Mrs Rosemary Massaro, shared that “it seemed appropriate to find a way of remembering her that was also connected to WEHI”.

Valued at up to $10,000, the annual Catherine McLean Travel Grant assists female postdoctoral researchers to present their work at an international conference, giving them the opportunity to advance their career. The award not only recognises scientific excellence but also recipients’ positive contribution to WEHI’s culture.

Catherine’s family created the travel grant through a generous gift to establish a permanent fund (perpetual endowment), which will support the Catherine McLean Travel Grant every year.

Supporting female researchers

The travel grant reflects Catherine’s values. She was known for her strong sense of social justice and was aware of the challenges facing young women in science, especially in fields where they remain underrepresented.

Administered by the WEHI Postdoctoral Association, the grant is open to postdoctoral researchers who identify as women, genderqueer or non-binary, within 10 years of completing their PhD.

Late last year the inaugural grant was awarded to Dr Georgia Atkin‑Smith and Dr Rachel Joyce, outstanding postdoctoral scientists recognised for their scientific accomplishments and contributions to the WEHI community.

In a message to grant recipients, Catherine’s family said: “We hope that the grant will be of significant benefit in advancing your career and that it will ultimately contribute to advancing medical research.”

Anyone wishing to honour Catherine’s legacy and support emerging researchers can also contribute to this fund via the online donation page by selecting Catherine McLean Travel Grant from the drop-down menu.