An international nanophotonics leader and experts in cancer, plant biology, polymers, sensory ecology, mathematics, space science and science communication are among 21 new Fellows to be admitted to the Australian Academy of Science.
Representing Australia’s leading research scientists, the Australian Academy of Science annually honours a small number of Australian scientists for their outstanding contributions to science, by election to the Academy.
The Australian Academy of Science today congratulated the Government on its new visa requirements to enable universities to more easily attract overseas post-graduate students to Australia.
The Government has introduced measures to streamline visa processing, as it implements recommendations of the Hon Michael Knight’s Strategic Review of the Student Visa Program 2011.
In future, a student from any country who is enrolled for a degree in an Australian university will be treated as “low risk”, provided the University backs their application.
The Australian Academy of Science has elected two internationally recognised leaders in science as Corresponding Members.
Professor Bruce Stillman, President of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, USA, and Professor Brian Lawn of National Institute of Standards and Technology, USA, have been elected for their attainments and outstanding contributions to science. Both were born and educated in Australia.
Australian Academy of Science President Professor Suzanne Cory today welcomed news that the immediate future of the Australian Synchrotron has been secured.
Under a Memorandum of Understanding to be signed today, the Federal and Victorian Governments have agreed to jointly commit $95 million to running the Synchrotron for the next four years.
“It is very important that funding for this world-class facility has been secured so that Australia can continue to produce ground-breaking science for discovery, applied research and industrial purposes,” said Professor Cory.
Australia must maintain strong collaborations in leading international science, and continue to maximise economic and social benefits from its global networks, according to Nobel Laureate Professor Brian Schmidt. At an Australian Academy of Science and University of Melbourne event today, Professor Schmidt will be ‘In Conversation’ with the Academy’s Foreign Secretary and Federation Fellow, Professor Andrew Holmes. The event will be moderated by Professor Robyn Williams of the ABC Science Show.
Many expensive programs designed to protect the environment give the sense of achieving outcomes, but often they do not, according to Dr Anna Roberts from the Victorian Department of Primary Industries.
In an Australian Academy of Science public lecture entitled Trade-offs between agriculture and the environment: how do we decide what to protect, Dr Roberts describes how agricultural land management affects the environment and large amounts of money are being committed to protecting aspects of the Murray-Darling Basin, Great Barrier Reef and many other areas.
The Australian Academy of Science today announced its Teacher Awards, recognising outstanding teachers of science from every Australian State and Territory.
Awardees are chosen for their stellar contributions to science education and their prizes bring them to Canberra to attend the Academy’s annual three-day celebration of science and scientists, Science at the Shine Dome.
“I warmly congratulate the deserving winners of our 2012 Teacher Awards,” said Academy President, Professor Suzanne Cory.
The Australian Academy of Science has called for health and medical research funding to be increased to two per cent of the health budget by 2025.
In its submission to the McKeon Strategic Review of Health and Medical Research, the Academy also proposed reforms to create incentives to increase private and philanthropic investments in health and medical research.
“Health and medical research has clearly evident social as well as economic value which justify incentives for private investment and charitable donations,” said Academy President Professor Suzanne Cory.
Three Fellows of the Australian Academy of Science have been elected to the Royal Society of London, the oldest scientific academy in continuous existence.
Professor Brian Schmidt, Professor Hugh O'Neill, and Dr Trevor McDougall are among 44 scientists elected to the Royal Society in 2012.
Australian Academy of Science President Professor Suzanne Cory warmly congratulated them on their election.
“To be honoured and recognised by one of the world’s most prestigious scientific academies is a signal achievement,” Professor Cory said.
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research Professor Jane Visvader will describe how her discovery of breast cancer cells of origin has led to the testing of new therapeutic drugs, at the Australian Academy of Science’s annual celebration, Science at the Shine Dome, being held from 2 to 4 May.
Professor Jane Visvader is one of four women amongst the 21 top scientists being admitted as new Fellows of the Academy. She will speak during the New Fellows seminar being held on 2 May.
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