Cardiff academic celebrated as finalist in Wales STEM Awards 2026
16 October 2026
Dr Katerina Kaouri of the School of Computational and Mathematical Sciences has been recognised as a finalist in the STEM Woman of the Year category at the Wales STEM Awards 2026.
Dr Kaouri, a Reader in Applied Mathematics, was among seven women shortlisted for the award, which celebrates inspirational women working in STEM and their contributions as ambassadors for the sector.
Dr Kaouri uses maths to address real-life challenges and build collaborations across academia, government, healthcare and industry. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she led Welsh Government-funded research into airborne virus transmission and contributed evidence to the Welsh Government’s Technical Advisory Group. She subsequently co-developed VIRIS, an epidemic-preparedness framework and web app created by a Cardiff University team spanning Mathematics and Architecture. She also initiated and co-led inFer, an interdisciplinary academia–clinic network working to improve IVF success rates.
As Director of Impact and Engagement in the former School of Mathematics, Dr Kaouri founded Cardiff’s annual Maths for Industry Day, connecting researchers and students with more than 40 external organisations. She also established and chaired a Mathematics Industrial Advisory Board comprising 22 experts from business, government and non-profit organisations.
"I am deeply grateful to the colleagues, collaborators, students and external partners whose expertise, ideas and enthusiasm have made this work possible."
Public engagement and inspiring future generations are also central to her work. She initiated Cardiff’s Maths Adventures Day for children, families and the public. Before joining Cardiff, she co-founded the Mediterranean Science Festival (15,000 visitors), and produced a TED-Ed mathematics animation (5.2 million views). In 2026, she served as President of the Mathematical Sciences Section of the British Science Festival.
Her work was recognised nationally in 2025 when the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications awarded her the Hedy Lamarr Prize for Knowledge Exchange in Mathematics and its Applications.
Dr Kaouri said: “Being recognised as a finalist means a great deal to me. My work is driven by a belief that mathematics can make a tangible difference to government, healthcare, business, industry and society. I am committed to bringing people together to address important challenges, developing future talent and inspiring young people to see STEM as a path through which they can make a difference.”
The 2026 ceremony at Techniquest in Cardiff brought together representatives from industry, education, research and technology. Martin McHugh, Chair of Judges, described being shortlisted as “an achievement in itself”, highlighting the strength and diversity represented among this year’s finalists.
