She ruled the skies by delivering world-first drone surveys and she's just soared to loftier heights by being crowned Queensland's top business woman.
Dr Catherine Ball is responsible for a number of groundbreaking environmental and infrastructure surveys using data collected by drones.
This includes 3D walk-throughs of remote islands, which has enabled scientists to assess turtle rookeries without leaving the office.
Dr Ball's efforts in helping position Australia as a thought leader in unmanned aerial systems has earned her the coveted title of 2015 Telstra Queensland Business Woman of the Year.
"I have always been someone who has asked 'why', and who is not afraid to push the envelope and engender change," she said after winning the award on Monday night.
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Telstra chief operations officer, Kate McKenzie, said the award judges were impressed with Dr Ball's drive to showcase Australia's technological achievements to the world.
Dr Ball works for an international engineering and environmental consultancy and is responsible for more than 90 active bids and projects across Australia and New Zealand.
