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Presentation of top science awards today
7 May 2009

The 2009 winners of distinguished awards for scientific excellence from peak science body the Australian Academy of Science will be presented today at the Shine Dome and at a dinner at Parliament House this evening. Awards are presented to career researchers for life-long achievements as well as early-career researchers under the age of 40. Awardees will also give presentations on their cutting edge research and will be available for interview over the course of the day.

The award presentations and talks are part of the Academy’s peak annual event Science at the Shine Dome.

The awardees are:

Career research awards
Professor (Edward) Norman Dancer FAA*, University of Sydney – the Hannan Medal for research in pure mathematics

Professor Victor Flambaum FAA, University of New South Wales – the Thomas Ranken Lyle Medal for research in mathematics or physics

Emeritus Professor Leonard Lindoy FAA, University of Sydney – the David Craig Medal for research in chemistry

Professor Malcolm McCulloch FAA, Australian National University – the Jaeger Medal for research in Earth sciences

Professor Bruce McKellar FAA, University of Melbourne – The Matthew Flinders Medal

Early-career research awards
Dr Melanie Bahlo, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research – the Moran Medal for research in statistics

Dr Marnie Blewitt, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research – the Ruth Stephens Gani Medal for research in human genetics

Associate Professor Sean Connolly, James Cook University – the 2009 Fenner Medal for research in biology (excluding the biomedical sciences)

Dr Michael McCarthy, University of Melbourne – the 2008 Fenner Medal for research in biology (excluding biomedical sciences)

Dr Daniela Rubatto, Australian National University – the Dorothy Hill Award for female researchers in Earth sciences

Dr Carola Vinuesa, Australian National University – the Gottschalk Medal for research in the medical sciences

Dr Stuart Wyithe, University of Melbourne – the Pawsey Medal for research in physics

Unable to attend:

Dr Stephen Blanksby, University of Wollongong – the Le Fèvre Memorial Prize for basic research in chemistry

Associate Professor Jeffrey Walker, University of Melbourne – the inaugural Anton Hales Medal for research in Earth sciences

Further info: www.science.org.au/sats2009/awards , www.science.org.au/awards/2009awards

* Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science

Note: Media will not be able to attend the presentation of career awards at Parliament House this evening

Event:                 Presentation of Academy awards and awardee presentations
When:                 Early-career awards: 10:10 am – 12:30 pm, Thursday 7 May 2009
                            Career awards:Closed ceremony this evening at Parliament House
Where:               The Shine Dome, Gordon St, Acton, Canberra
Contact:             Richard Bray, (02) 6201 9452, 0447 679 612