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PRIME MINISTER'S PRIZE FOR SCIENCE GOES TO ACADEMY FELLOW
17 October 2008

The Australian Academy of Science congratulates Academy Fellow Professor Ian Frazer FAA of the University of Queensland on receiving the prestigious 2008 Prime Minister's Prize for Science.

Professor Frazer won the prize for his work on the human papilloma virus that led to the development of the world's first successful human anti-cancer vaccine. In so doing he has changed the lives of millions of young women around the world.

The Prime Minister's Prizes for Science are the nation's annual pre-eminent awards for excellence in science and science teaching. The awards recognise the achievements of the Australian scientific community and their contribution to the nation's social, economic and environmental future.

Recipients have made pioneering contributions to the underlying science and to the direction of that science at important problems that will have global impacts.

The Academy also congratulates the other prize winners:

• Dr Carola Vinuesa of the Australian National University won the Science Minister's Prize for Life Scientist of the Year for her work in immunologyProfessor Tanya Monro of the University of Adelaide won the Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year for her work into new uses for optical fibres as well as developing new production methods.
• Bronwyn Mart won the Prime Minister's Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools
• Clay Reid won the Prime Minister's Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools.

Academy President, Professor Kurt Lambeck said: 'The work of the recipients provide wonderful examples of how fundamental scientific research can be both exciting in its own right and have a worldwide impact on the welfare of society.'

'They provide examples of why basic research needs to be supported in our universities and national research laboratories and of why science education is so important in our schools and universities. They provide inspiring role models for our scientific and public communities.'

The science teaching awards recognise those that inspire the next generation. Bronwyn Mart was one of the initial facilitators selected for the Academy's PrimaryConnections education program, playing a major role in its implementation in South Australia. This is the fifth year in succession that this prize has been awarded to a PrimaryConnections trained teacher.

Further information:

Professor Ian Frazer: www.uq.edu.au/about/director-dicimm

The Prime Minister's Prizes for Science: https://grants.innovation.gov.au/SciencePrize/Pages/PrizeWinners.aspx