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Out of the Lab - Into the Limelight
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
After years of dedication, deep inquiry and great collaboration; Australia's leading scientists have been awarded for their ‘Eureka' moments at the country's most prestigious science awards, the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes, on Tuesday 18 August.
Commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the Prizes, fondly known as ‘The Eurekas', Australia's most talented scientists swapped lab coats for black ties and gowns. They came out from behind the microscopes; onto the red carpet and into the limelight at a gala dinner for 900 held Sydney's Royal Hall of Industries.
For twenty years, the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes have rewarded excellence in research and innovation, science leadership, school science, and science journalism and communication.
19 prizes worth a total of $180,000 were awarded in front of a ‘who's who' of Australian science, government, academia and industry.
Present were the Governor General, Quentin Bryce; Premier of New South Wales, Nathan Rees MP and celebrities such as Cate Blanchett, a Trustee of the Australian Museum.
International guests included Chris Darwin, great, great grandson of Charles Darwin.
The formal evening was compéred by Adam Spencer, Sandra Sully and Robyn Williams, one of the founders of the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes. The audience were also treated to a video celebration of Australia's Eureka moments, a look back at some of the science stars celebrated over the past 20 years.
Award highlights on the night include:
Dr Paul Beggs, of Macquarie University, won the Jamie Callachor Eureka Prize for Medical Research. His research identified that climate change affects how allergens, such as peanuts and pollen grow, making them more potent to allergic humans.
A Queensland team from CSIRO Livestock Industries and the QLD Dept of Primary Industries and Fisheries took home the Voiceless Eureka Prize for Scientific Research that Contributes to Animal Protection.
Dr Kishore Prayaga, Dr Max Mariasegaram, Stephanie Sinclair, and Dr Carol Petherick received the coveted award for their development of a genetic test that can fast-track the breeding of naturally hornless Brahman bulls. While there are naturally "polled" or hornless bulls within the existing cattle population, selective breeding to eliminate horns would have taken decades; this new test will eliminate years from the timescale.
Professor Michael Good has had a life-long commitment to help the world's poorest, through his medical research. After 25 years of research into malaria, Professor Good's vaccine is in the final stages of pre-clinical studies. His work on Streptococcus A, which causes rheumatic fever and heart disease in large numbers of indigenous Australians, has resulted in a vaccine that is also in pre-clinical trials. Professor Good is Director of The Queensland Institute of Medical Research and was awarded the CSIRO Eureka Prize for Leadership in Science.
Inspiration comes at all ages and a group of St Therese Primary School Mascot students has won the Sleek Geeks Eureka Primary Prize. Emma Gale, Michael Metters, Ava Atzemis, Dylan Lycari, Katherine Hakiim and Kiara Lloyd were inspired by the experiences of Kiara, who was diagnosed at an early age with restrictive cardiom myopathy. Kiara received a life-changing heart transplant last year and the children have made a short video that explains how the heart works.
The Australian Museum Eureka Prizes People's Choice Award was presented by Cate Blanchett, and went to young Sydney genetic researcher, Dr Katherine Belov.
Dr Belov and her team found that genetics explained the plight of Tasmanian Devils. Lack of genetic diversity is a huge problem for the unique marsupials and Dr Belov is involved in the search for a gene that can fight the fatal tumours.
"The Australian Museum Eureka Prizes are all about recognising and rewarding the important work our scientists do," says Director of the Australian Museum, Frank Howarth.
"The annual award dinner provides the sector with a well deserved chance to
also have some serious fun."
The Australian Museum Eureka Prizes are a unique partnership between government organisations, institutions, companies and individuals committed to celebrating the vitality, originality and excellence of Australian science.
