Linda Richards, PhD, was honored at the 2026 Australia Day Gala in January for her outstanding contributions to science and higher education. The gala was held at the Embassy of Australia in Washington D.C., where Richards was recognized alongside eight other Australians living in the United States whose work drives meaningful impact across disciplines and strengthens ties between the two nations.
Kevin Rudd, PhD, Australian Ambassador to the United States, presented Richards with this award. The gala brought together over 200 leaders across sectors to celebrate Australians making admirable impacts in the United States.
Richards was chosen for this award for her research focused on understanding the development, function, and plasticity of the cerebral cortex. Her work has shed light on both how the human brain develops, and how the molecular and cellular drivers of brain function and plasticity can result in birth defects when development is impaired.
Richards also serves as the Chair of the Department of Neuroscience at WashU, and continues to promote public awareness of science and publish in the neuroscience advocacy space.
This was not the first time Richards was recognized for her work by the Australian government. In 2019 she was named an Officer in the Order of Australia, one of the highest awards of the Queens Birthday Honors. This recognition serves as a testament not only to her expertise in the formation of the human brain during development, but also to her continuous service to community engagement and public awareness of science.
Author: Serina DeSalvio, freelance writer supporting the Department of Neuroscience.