Chief Scientist among those elected to Academy of Science

The Australian Academy of Science has elected 21 new fellows, including former Australian of the Year Professor Patrick McGorry and Australia’s Chief Scientist, Dr Alan Finkel, bringing its fellowship to a total of 511 scientists.

Each of the 21 researchers was elected due to their outstanding contributions to a range of scientific areas, including agriculture, advanced communications and cancer research. For example, Professor McGorry has created new concepts for psychotic disorders and a new clinical and research focus on youth mental health, while Dr Finkel has been a strong advocate for governmental and industrial support of innovation and research in science and engineering.

“The breadth of scientific talent recognised in this year’s election is truly awe-inspiring,” said Academy of Science President Professor Andrew Holmes. “From breakthroughs in pure science to spurring scientific innovations, these new fellows have made an impact on everything from the way we treat disease to how we grow our food to advancing our fundamental knowledge about the world in which we live.”

The full list of new fellows includes six women and 15 men:

• Dr Ian Allison, University of Tasmania
• Professor David Bellwood, James Cook University
• Professor Benjamin Eggleton, University of Sydney
• Emeritus Professor Geoffrey Fincher, University of Adelaide
• Dr Alan Finkel, Office of the Chief Scientist
• Professor Simon Foote, ANU
• Professor Justin (John) Gooding, UNSW
• Dr John Kirkegaard, CSIRO
• Dr Anna Koltunow, CSIRO
• Professor Geoffrey Lindeman, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
• Professor Alexander McBratney, University of Sydney
• Professor Patrick McGorry, Orygen: The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne
• Professor Neville Nicholls, Monash University
• Professor Stephen Nutt, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
• Professor Sarah Robertson, University of Adelaide
• Professor Halina Rubinsztein-Dunlop, University of Queensland
• Professor Susan Scott, Australian National University
• Dr Daniela Stock, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute
• Professor Fedor Sukochev, UNSW
• Professor Toby Walsh, UNSW
• Professor Naomi Wray, University of Queensland

The fellows will make presentations about their work tomorrow at the academy’s annual flagship event, Science at the Shine Dome. More information about each new fellow is available on the academy’s website.

Image caption: Australia’s Chief Scientist, Dr Alan Finkel. Image credit: Mark Graham.