Advancing a legacy: 2025 Natasha Linard scholars announced
Named after one of The Australian National University’s (ANU) first female engineering graduates and early PhD recipient, Dr Natasha Linard, the scholarship honours Natasha’s trailblazing contributions to engineering and her lifelong dedication to mentoring women in the field.
The Natasha Linard Scholarship for Women in Engineering and Technology was created to support outstanding female students at a pivotal time in their journey — their final year of undergraduate study. In 2025, the scholarship has been awarded to Eve Visser and Amy McWilliams, two exceptional students continuing Natasha's legacy in their own meaningful ways.
Eve Visser
For Eve, the Scholarship came during a period of personal difficulty. Recovering from pneumonia while managing the demands of final-year study and part-time work, the support provided a much-needed reprieve.
"This award lifted a significant weight off my shoulders—it has allowed me to cover hospital bills without added stress and to take some much-needed time off work to focus on my recovery." says Eve.
A final-year engineering student, Eve has already made an impact beyond the classroom. She recently presented a project on reusable menstrual products at the Engineers Without Borders Timor-Leste Design Summit, where she collaborated with local communities and fellow students, including a past recipient of this same scholarship.
Receiving this award means so much to me, as I have been mentored by some of the previous recipients—individuals I deeply admire and look up to. It is truly an honour to now share this award with them.
— Eve Visser, 2025 recipient of the Natasha Linard Scholarship for Women in Engineering and Technology
Eve hopes to continue mentoring young women in engineering, inspired by the support she has received.
Amy McWilliams
Amy McWilliams describes the moment she received the Natasha Linard Scholarship as one of joy and affirmation.
"I was so excited when I learnt about this award, and I immediately texted my whole family to tell them too!” says Amy.
Originally from Singapore and fluent in French and Russian, Amy is completing a double degree in computer science and linguistics. She has a keen interest in language and technology, and her work in software engineering is informed by a global perspective and a love of learning.
Amy is also a dedicated STEM outreach volunteer. She recently led a team of eight girls to compete in the FIRST Robotics Competition in Sydney, designing and operating a full-sized robot against international teams.
"While the experience was absolutely exhausting, hearing the kids talk non-stop about all their new ideas and engineering goals for the next year in the car ride back to Canberra was an unbeatable experience." Amy shares.
Amy plans to continue volunteering after graduation, offering hands-on STEM experiences to school students in the ACT and beyond.
Natasha Linard Endowment
This Scholarship is part of the Natasha Linard Endowment, established in 2014 through the support of Natasha’s family, friends, colleagues and fellow ANU alumni. Each year, the scholarship honours Natasha’s values by helping students build the technical and leadership skills needed to thrive in the engineering and technology sectors.
