Home > Media releases > 2008

ACADEMY AWARDS FOR SCIENTIFIC EXCELLENCE
18 January 2008

The 2008 winners of distinguished awards for scientific excellence from peak science body the Australian Academy of Science have been announced. The winners are:

Career research awards

• Professor Richard Shine, FAA*, University of Sydney - the Burnet Medal and Lecture for research in the biological sciences
• Professor Leo Radom, FAA, University of Sydney - the Craig Medal for research in chemistry
• Dr Alan Reid, FAA, formerly CSIRO Institute of Minerals, Energy and Construction - the Ian Wark Medal and Lecture for scientific contributions to Australia's prosperity
• Professor Peter Cawood, University of Western Australia - the Mawson Medal and Lecture for research in the Earth sciences

The Academy is also pleased to announce that Professor Bruce McKellar, FAA, from the University of Melbourne is the winner of the 2009 Flinders Medal and Lecture.

Early-career research awards (for researchers under 40 years of age)

• Dr Sandra McLaren, University of Melbourne - the Dorothy Hill Award for female researchers in Earth sciences
• Dr Michael McCarthy, University of Melbourne - the Fenner Medal for research in biology (excluding the biomedical sciences)
• Dr Ronald Smernik, University of Adelaide - the Frederick White Prize for research in the physical, terrestrial and planetary sciences
• Dr Vanessa Hayes, Garvan Institute of Medical Research - the inaugural Ruth Stephens Gani Medal for research in human genetics
• Dr Gabrielle Belz, Walter and Eliza Hall Medical Institute - the Gottschalk Medal for research in the medical sciences
• Dr Stuart Batten, Monash University - the Le Fèvre Memorial Prize for basic research in chemistry
• Dr Kostya (Ken) Ostrikov, University of Sydney - the Pawsey Medal for research in physics

Academy President Professor Kurt Lambeck congratulated the award winners saying: 'The future of Australian science is in good hands with such outstanding talent amongst our researchers.

'These prestigious awards offered by the Academy acknowledge excellence in scientific research and are part of ensuring that scientists gain recognition for their work.

'Science provides many positive benefits and it is important to recognise the scientists who work hard so that we can benefit in our daily lives.'

Further information on awards and recipients can be found at: www.science.org.au/awards/index.htm

Media contact: Richard Bray, Ph: 02 6201 9452, email: richard.bray@science.org.au

* Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science