Eureka!
UNSW scoops the pool
23rd August 2006
UNSW carried off four Australian Museum Eureka Prizes at last night’s presentation dinner in Sydney, more than any other participating institution.
The Eureka Prizes are regarded as “the Oscars” of scientific research awards. As Australia’s largest single national award scheme for research, they recognise leadership, innovation, teaching and communication about critical environmental and sustainability issues facing Australia.
This year, UNSW had an unprecedented 18 finalists, more than any other institution in the Prizes' 26-year history. By evening's end, eight UNSW scientists had been recognised and rewarded by their peers with Eureka Prizes. UNSW's Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research), Professor Les Field praised the achievement, saying: "I'm pleased and gratified that so many prominent UNSW researchers were recognised with these important prizes."
The Voiceless Eureka Prize for Research went to Dr Amanda Hayes, Ms Shahnaz Bakand and Associate Professor Chris Winder from the Chemical Safety and Applied Toxicology Labs in the School of Safety Science. This prize rewards scientists for work that has reduced the use of animals or animal products in laboratory-based research, education and testing. The UNSW team have pioneered a cheaper and more humane way to do toxicity tests by using human lung cells grown on a membrane. Traditionally, this question is answered by having animals breathe contaminated air.
The Sherman Eureka Prize for Environmental Research was awarded to Professor Matthew England, Director, Climate and Environmental Dynamics Laboratory, PhD student, Alex Sen Gupta, and Dr Michael Dawson, a Research Fellow from the Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies. The prize is awarded for research that resolves an environmental problem or which improves the natural environment. The UNSW team were recognised for devising a computer model that is improving our understanding of how Australia's weather patterns are being influenced by chilly ocean currents in the Antarctic. It has also highlighted the role of ships in spreading invasive ocean pests.
The NSW Office for Science and Medical Research Eureka Prize was awarded to Dr Michael Valenzuela, a Clinical Neuroscience Research Fellow in the School of Psychiatry, based at the Black Dog Institute. Dr Valenzuela's landmark research involving the study of 29,000 people has revealed that a lifetime of complex mental activity nearly halves the risk of getting dementia. Published earlier this year with UNSW colleague Dr Perminder Sachdev, the finding is being followed up in large clinical trials to test whether structured mental exercises such as ongoing study, crosswords, chess and art could prevent dementia.
The British Council Eureka Prize for Innovation and Leadership in Environmental Science was awarded to microbiologist, Dr Mike Manefield, Senior Research Associate in the Centre for Marine Biofouling and BioInnovation. Dr Manefield is developing technologies to harness bacteria that could clean up polluted land and water environments. The technology is based on Mike's postdoctoral research at Oxford University, where he developed a way to identify and match-make bacteria with specific pollutants in the environment. His technology is beginning to find demand among governments and corporates in Australia and overseas.
Interviews: to speak to UNSW winners contact Dan Gaffney 0411 156 015
The Eureka Prizes are regarded as “the Oscars” of scientific research awards. As Australia’s largest single national award scheme for research, they recognise leadership, innovation, teaching and communication about critical environmental and sustainability issues facing Australia.
This year, UNSW had an unprecedented 18 finalists, more than any other institution in the Prizes' 26-year history. By evening's end, eight UNSW scientists had been recognised and rewarded by their peers with Eureka Prizes. UNSW's Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research), Professor Les Field praised the achievement, saying: "I'm pleased and gratified that so many prominent UNSW researchers were recognised with these important prizes."
The Voiceless Eureka Prize for Research went to Dr Amanda Hayes, Ms Shahnaz Bakand and Associate Professor Chris Winder from the Chemical Safety and Applied Toxicology Labs in the School of Safety Science. This prize rewards scientists for work that has reduced the use of animals or animal products in laboratory-based research, education and testing. The UNSW team have pioneered a cheaper and more humane way to do toxicity tests by using human lung cells grown on a membrane. Traditionally, this question is answered by having animals breathe contaminated air.
The Sherman Eureka Prize for Environmental Research was awarded to Professor Matthew England, Director, Climate and Environmental Dynamics Laboratory, PhD student, Alex Sen Gupta, and Dr Michael Dawson, a Research Fellow from the Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies. The prize is awarded for research that resolves an environmental problem or which improves the natural environment. The UNSW team were recognised for devising a computer model that is improving our understanding of how Australia's weather patterns are being influenced by chilly ocean currents in the Antarctic. It has also highlighted the role of ships in spreading invasive ocean pests.
The NSW Office for Science and Medical Research Eureka Prize was awarded to Dr Michael Valenzuela, a Clinical Neuroscience Research Fellow in the School of Psychiatry, based at the Black Dog Institute. Dr Valenzuela's landmark research involving the study of 29,000 people has revealed that a lifetime of complex mental activity nearly halves the risk of getting dementia. Published earlier this year with UNSW colleague Dr Perminder Sachdev, the finding is being followed up in large clinical trials to test whether structured mental exercises such as ongoing study, crosswords, chess and art could prevent dementia.
The British Council Eureka Prize for Innovation and Leadership in Environmental Science was awarded to microbiologist, Dr Mike Manefield, Senior Research Associate in the Centre for Marine Biofouling and BioInnovation. Dr Manefield is developing technologies to harness bacteria that could clean up polluted land and water environments. The technology is based on Mike's postdoctoral research at Oxford University, where he developed a way to identify and match-make bacteria with specific pollutants in the environment. His technology is beginning to find demand among governments and corporates in Australia and overseas.
Interviews: to speak to UNSW winners contact Dan Gaffney 0411 156 015
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