2015 Prime Minister's Prizes for Science announced

The 2015 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science were awarded on 21 October at a celebratory dinner held at Parliament House.

The prizes are awarded annually and are a public recognition of the contributions that our scientists and science educators are making to Australia’s current and future scientific capabilities. Winners were announced across six categories, with a total prize pool worth $700,000.

The $250,000 Prime Minister’s Prize for Science was awarded to Graham Farquhar AO, a Distinguished Professor at The Australian National University (ANU) and a fellow of the Australian Academy of Science. Professor Farquhar received the prize for his contributions towards our understanding of photosynthesis. His models of plant biophysics have been used to understand cells, whole plants and whole forests, and to create new water-efficient wheat varieties. His latest project will determine which trees will grow faster in a high carbon dioxide world.

The inaugural Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation was meanwhile awarded to Graeme Jameson AO, Laureate Professor at the University of Newcastle and a fellow of both the Australian Academy of Science and the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering. Professor Jameson is the inventor of the Jameson Cell — a device for the separation of fine mineral particles that has been of significant value to the minerals industry.

The Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year was awarded to Dr Jane Elith of the University of Melbourne. This award is in recognition of her contributions to applied ecology through her influential role in the development, evaluation and application of species distribution models — statistical models that describe relationships between the occurrence and abundance of species and the environment.

The Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year was awarded to Associate Professor Cyrille Boyer of the University of New South Wales for his research in polymer science and applications in nanomedicine, with the development of new functional polymers and new nanomaterials for drug delivery imaging.

The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary and Secondary Schools were awarded respectively to Rebecca Johnson from Windaroo State School in Queensland and Dr Kenneth Silburn from Casula High School in NSW. Johnson initiated a specialist science program within her school featuring innovative and imaginative approaches which has now been replicated in many other schools. Dr Silburn’s contribution to science education includes his advocacy and support for a range of community and professional development activities in the teaching sector.

Australia’s Chief Scientist, Professor Ian Chubb, paid tribute to the winners as well as everyone who was nominated for the awards.

“These prizes recognise scientists who are pushing the boundaries, making discoveries, and helping make Australia and the planet a better place,” Professor Chubb said.

“My great hope is that these prizes raise awareness of science across the community — and help inspire the next generation of Australians in science.”

Image caption: Graham Farquhar. Image credit: Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science/WildBear.