About This Series

Each book is written by an award-winning children’s author and follows the real-life stories of some of Australia’s top scientists and inventors, chosen on the basis of their pioneering work. Themes explored include childhood, school, family, and formative experiences, what inspired them to pursue their chosen path, how they persevered in the face of challenges, and what they have contributed to science in Australia.

About Fiona Wood: Burns Surgeon and Inventor of Spray-on Skin

Fiona Wood was the daughter of fifth-generation Yorkshire coal-miners, who encouraged her to try everything from ballet to street fighting. They instilled in her the value of hard work, although Fiona was often teased by others for being ‘different’ and wanting more than her tiny Yorkshire village could offer. She faced prejudice and sexism in her professional career but fought for her chance to become a medical student and work as a surgeon. She eventually became one of the world’s leading burns surgeon and Head of the Burns Unit at Royal Perth Hospital. 

With her invention of the revolutionary spray-on skin, she changed the way burns were treated forever. She further came to the world’s attention in the wake of the Bali bombings, when she and her team were called upon to face a crisis beyond anything they had experienced, racing against time and infection to save the 28 critically injured people admitted to Royal Perth.

Fiona’s story is one of hard work and hope, of vision and direction, of stepping up, not giving in, and helping people rebuild their bodies and their lives.