Academy awards for scientific excellence

The 2009 winners of distinguished awards for scientific excellence from peak science body the Australian Academy of Science have been announced. Awards are presented to career researchers for lifelong achievements as well as early-career researchers under the age of 40. The winners are:

Career research awards

• Professor (Edward) Norman Dancer FAA, University of Sydney — the Hannan Medal for research in pure mathematics
• Professor Victor Flambaum FAA, University of New South Wales — the Thomas Ranken Lyle Medal for research in mathematics or physics
• Emeritus Professor Leonard Lindoy FAA, University of Sydney — the David Craig Medal for research in chemistry
• Professor Malcolm McCulloch FAA, Australian National University — the Jaeger Medal for research in Earth sciences

The academy has also announced that Professor David Vaux FAA, from La Trobe University, is the winner of the 2010 Macfarlane Burnet Medal and Lecture for research in the biological sciences.

Early-career research awards

• Dr Melanie Bahlo, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research — the Moran Medal for research in statistics
• Dr Stephen Blanksby, University of Wollongong — the Le Fèvre Memorial Prize for basic research in chemistry
• Dr Marnie Blewitt, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research — the Ruth Stephens Gani Medal for research in human genetics
• Associate Professor Sean Connolly, James Cook University — the Fenner Medal for research in biology (excluding the biomedical sciences)
• Dr Daniela Rubatto, Australian National University — the Dorothy Hill Award for female researchers in Earth sciences
• Dr Carola Vinuesa, Australian National University — the Gottschalk Medal for research in the medical sciences
• Associate Professor Jeffrey Walker, University of Melbourne — the inaugural Anton Hales Medal for research in Earth sciences
• Dr Stuart Wyithe, University of Melbourne — the Pawsey Medal for research in physics

Academy President Professor Kurt Lambeck congratulated the award winners saying:

“Every year it is encouraging to see the exceptional standard of applicants and feel assured that the future of Australian science is in good hands, and this year is no different.

“A key role of the academy is to promote awareness of science through the recognition of outstanding work by research scientists. In addition to celebrating the career contributions of some of this country’s great researchers, the academy considers it important to acknowledge significant achievements by scientists in the early stages of their careers.

“These awards are also particularly significant as they recognise excellence in all fields of science, irrespective of current fashions or trends.”