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  8. arrow_forward_ios Kate Cole OAM

Kate Cole OAM

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  • Alumni Award recipients
    • 2024
      • arrow_forward Adjunct Associate Professor Patricia Bradd
      • arrow_forward David Hobson
      • arrow_forward Dr Michael Camit
      • arrow_forward Jessica Washington
      • arrow_forward Kate Cole OAM
      • arrow_forward Noora Niasari
      • arrow_forward Peter O’Brien
      • arrow_forward Pham Thi Bich Ngoc
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      • arrow_forward Warren Sharpe OAM
    • 2023
      • arrow_forward Antoinette Lattouf | Faculty Award of Excellence: Arts and Social Sciences
      • arrow_forward Ben Newsome | Faculty of Science
      • arrow_forward Associate Professor Bradley Moggridge | Indigenous Australian Alumni Award
      • arrow_forward Catherine Hinwood | UTS Faculty of Law
      • arrow_forward Dr. Shannon Lin, Faculty Award of Excellence: Health
      • arrow_forward Julie McCrossin | Community Alumni Award
      • arrow_forward Nawid Cina
      • arrow_forward Pat Cummins | Faculty Award of Excellence: UTS Business School
      • arrow_forward Professor Nurul Barizah | Faculty Of Law
      • arrow_forward Shaun Carter | Design, Architecture and Building award
      • arrow_forward Thomas Da Jose | UTS Faculty of Engineering
    • 2022
      • arrow_forward Aisha Jalil | UTS International Alumni Award
      • arrow_forward Angelique Wan | UTS Young Alumni Award
      • arrow_forward Belinda Bentley | UTS Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building Alumni Award
      • arrow_forward Clarence Slockee | UTS Indigenous Australian Alumni Award
      • arrow_forward Dr Sabera Turkmani | UTS Health Alumni Award
      • arrow_forward Jaime Cheuk I UTS Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology Alumni Award
      • arrow_forward Nicky Sparshott | UTS Business School Alumni Award
      • arrow_forward Professor Jack Beetson | UTS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Alumni Award
      • arrow_forward Rebecca Dominguez | UTS Law Alumni Award
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      • arrow_forward Tania Notaras | UTS Science Alumni Award
    • 2021
      • arrow_forward Alana Valentine | Arts and Social Sciences Alumni Award
      • arrow_forward Amani Haydar | UTS Law Alumni Award
      • arrow_forward David Brennan | UTS Young Alumni Award
      • arrow_forward Don Koch | UTS Business Alumni Award
      • arrow_forward Dr Rolanda Lam | UTS International Alumni Award
      • arrow_forward Dr Sarah Benson PSM | UTS Science Alumni Award
      • arrow_forward El Gibbs | Community Alumni Award
      • arrow_forward Emma Foster-Geering | UTS Design, Architecture and Building Alumni Award
      • arrow_forward Karen Mundine | UTS Indigenous Australian Alumni Award
      • arrow_forward Larry Diamond | UTS Engineering and Information Technology Alumni Award
      • arrow_forward Melanie Briggs | UTS Health Alumni Award
    • 2020
      • arrow_forward Angelo Candalepas
      • arrow_forward Associate Professor Leanne (Lulu) Zalapa
      • arrow_forward Dominic Woolrych
      • arrow_forward Dr Paul Beinat
      • arrow_forward Emma Watkins
      • arrow_forward Geoffrey McNamara AM
      • arrow_forward George Savvides AM
      • arrow_forward Madhavi Shankar
      • arrow_forward Mayrah Sonter
      • arrow_forward Phillipa McDermott
      • arrow_forward Professor Darren Martin
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Woman with short light hair smiling and looking at the camera wearing a navy blue jacket

Bachelor of Applied Science (Biotechnology), 1999; Master of Environmental Engineering Management, 2000

Faculty of Science Award

Growing up, Kate Cole spent a lot of time around trades and construction sites with her electrician dad. From a young age she was drawn to science by an urge to make sense of the unknown and be involved in new discoveries. 

Today, Kate is at the forefront of new discoveries as a multiple award-winning scientist and engineer. Her main focus is on the control of respirable crystalline silica (also known as silica dust) and advocating for the health of construction workers across Australia. 

Named as an AFR top 100 woman of Influence and one of Science and Technology Australia’s Superstars of STEM, Kate is a leading advocate for the recent ban on engineered stone in Australia and new legislation to protect workers.  

During COVID, Kate also advised state and federal governments on ventilation management and solutions, including respiratory protection and general health and safety. Her incredible impact on worker health and safety led to her being recognised in the COVID-19 Honour Roll in 2022 and receiving a Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in the 2022 Australia Day Honours.  

None of her many achievements would have come about without collaboration with other professionals and institutions. It’s a skill she developed during her time studying science and engineering at UTS. Her undergraduate degree was the first time Kate had experienced working with people from completely different cultures and backgrounds to solve problems together and the friendships and networks she developed during her time at UTS are still a big part of her life today. 

After 20+ years working in the industry, Kate set up her independent consultancy Cole Health. She continues to work with organisations as an occupational hygienist to help prevent worker illness and fatalities across construction sectors and land remediation. Her overarching goal is to eliminate preventable dust diseases in workers across multiple industries in Australia within the next 10 years.

My job is to push through the grey areas, gather as much evidence as I can and make the best decisions with the information I have to do good in society.

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation and the Boorooberongal People of the Dharug Nation upon whose ancestral lands our campuses now stand. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands. 

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