University of Western Australia: Psychology student honoured as Westpac Future Leader

A student at The University of Western Australia with a passion for research is one of 17 leading postgraduate students Australia-wide to be named a Westpac Future Leaders Scholar.

Tiana Caccetta, who is undertaking a PhD in Psychology, said she had rediscovered her love of research after taking a year away from her studies while working within the autism community.

The Shelley resident said she had uncovered a “huge amount of talent and potential” that was yet to be unlocked and was seeking to combine this with a desire to understand the anxiety experiences of autistic adults.

“The Westpac scholarship is empowering as it gives me a platform to have my voice and more importantly, the voice of the autism community heard by a bigger and broader spectrum of people,” Tiana said.


“I have always been drawn to working with people, giving them a voice and enabling their potential. So it comes as no surprise that I want to understand the human mind and behaviour to help others.”

UWA Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) Professor David Sadler congratulated Tiana on her achievement.

“Tiana is an outstanding example of a young leader who seeks to improve the lives of those living with autism,” Professor Sadler said.

“Her work will no-doubt leave a permanent, prominent and positive impact on our society for the foreseeable future.”

Each scholarship recipient receives up to $120,000 to cover their postgraduate studies, a nine-month leadership development program and the opportunity to study abroad.

Every Westpac Future Leaders Scholar also gains lifelong access to the Westpac 100 Scholars Network. Growing by 100 scholars a year across the Westpac Scholars Trust’s five scholarship programs, the network connects a community of people from all walks of life with the ideas and drive to help shape a better future for all Australians.