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PRIME MINISTER'S PRIZE FOR SCIENCE
26 September 2001

The Australian Academy of Science today congratulated one of its Fellows, Emeritus Professor Donald Metcalf, on winning the 2001 Prime Minister’s Prize for Science.

The Academy’s President, Professor Brian Anderson, said he is delighted that Professor Metcalf, of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in Melbourne, has received the Prize.

‘Professor Metcalf and his team have made an outstanding contribution to medical research on the world scene and are acclaimed for their life-saving work on cancer.’

Professor Anderson said: ‘The Academy has a proud history of supporting and promoting science in Australia and it is very pleasing that a Fellow of the Academy has been honoured in this way.’

Professor Metcalf’s work has been highlighted in ‘Singing the praises of colony stimulating factors’ on the Academy’s Nova: Science in the news website, available at www.science.org.au/nova/013/013key.htm.

Professor Anderson went on to say that Professor Metcalf has been interviewed as part of the Academy’s Video Histories of Australian Scientists project. ‘The Academy believes it is important to record the challenges and triumphs that are part of life as a scientific researcher. The transcript of Professor Metcalf’s interview makes fascinating reading and is available on the Academy’s website at www.science.org.au/scientists/dm.htm.’

Two Academy Fellows, Dr Liz Dennis and Dr Jim Peacock, won the Prime Minister’s Prize for Science last year.