This National Science Week a story rooted in Country, lifted by innovation, and driven by purpose is being celebrated.

Renee Wootton Tomlin, a proud Tharawal woman, aerospace engineer, pilot, and global leader in sustainable aviation fuel, is showing mob what is possible when culture, courage, and curiosity come together.

"For me, these worlds aren't separate. They are part of the same story," Ms Tomlin says.

"Culture teaches us stewardship and long-term thinking. Aerospace engineering gives us the tools to explore and innovate. Climate action is the responsibility we carry to ensure our industry has a future and can be enjoyed by future generations with as little impact on the world around us.

"Aviation has always been about connection between people, countries, and now between generations. The future of flight will depend on how well we integrate Indigenous knowledge, engineering innovation, and environmental responsibility into a single, shared vision."

In 2023, as a CSIRO STEM Ambassador, Ms Tomlin joined the Young Indigenous Women's STEM Academy in Perth.

A highlight was meeting NASA Deputy Administrator and former astronaut, Pam Melroy, which led to an invitation to attend the launch of the National Indigenous Space Academy (NISA) on Kaurna Country and a 10-week internship at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California.

"Walking into NASA JPL, I felt the weight of breaking stereotypes and proving that mob belong everywhere. It was not about my background. It was about my ambitions, impact, and aspiration to make a difference," Ms Tomlin said.

"That is exactly what National Indigenous Space Academy is about, creating pathways for First Nations students to step into world-leading STEM environments and see themselves there.

"For me, it was also deeply cultural, remembering how our people have innovated for tens of thousands of years through navigation by the stars, sustainable design, and long-term thinking.

"Standing there, I felt my identity strengthen, and I knew I was not just there for me. I was holding the door open for more mob to be welcomed into these spaces."

Ms Tomlin's passion for blending culture with innovation has seen her appear on ABC's First Weapons, promoting engineering principles through the design and testing of traditional Aboriginal technologies, and inspiring students nationwide through the Federal Government's Future You campaign.

Now, as Director of New Market Development at LanzaJet, a global leader in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), Ms Tomlin is shaping the aerospace and climate future.

"What excites me is that sustainable aviation fuel is not just an idea for the future. It exists right now," she said.

"We can fly planes on it today, cut pollution from aviation in a big way, and create a whole new industry around it.

"Australia has the resources, clean energy potential, and skills to be a world leader. We can make enough fuel for ourselves and our neighbours in the Asia Pacific, and through systems like book and claim we can also help other countries reduce their emissions.

"If we get this right, we can protect people and the planet, create local jobs, and help the world reach net zero by 2050."

Ms Tomlin's work has taken her to the world stage, including Chicago for Aspen Ideas Climate.

"We are at a global inflection point and what we build now will define who leads, who benefits, and who gets left out," she says.

For Renee, scaling clean fuels is as much about trust, equity, and community benefit as it is about technology.

"It means making sure clean energy projects are not just built in communities, they are built with communities," Ms Tomlin said.

"That could be co-ownership models, local training pathways, and embedding cultural and environmental considerations from day one.

"For First Nations people, it is also about self-determination, having a seat at the decision-making table, not just being consulted after the plans are made."

Her leadership has been recognised with numerous accolades, including NSW/ACT Young Achiever of the Year, AFR BOSS Young Executive of the Year, and being named one of the Top 30 Indigenous Young Leaders in NSW. She is also a finalist in the 2025 Australian Aviation Awards.

For Ms Tomlin, National Science Week is about connection and possibility.

"If you do not feel like you belong, remember this. You already do. You come from the world's oldest continuous culture of innovators, problem-solvers, and leaders," she said,

"The skills, resilience, and values you carry are exactly what the future needs. First Nations culture is more than art, dance, and storytelling.

"It is a set of sustainable, innovative, and forward-thinking frameworks that can guide how we tackle the world's biggest challenges.

"You are not on the outside, you are part of the answer.

"Step into that role, because our country and our leaders need your voice and your innovations to change our direction."

Her message is simple: "Do not wait for permission. The sky is not the limit, it is just the beginning."