Nancy Millis Medal to honour women in science

The Australian Academy of Science has created a new award - the Nancy Millis Medal - which recognises outstanding research and leadership by early- to mid-career Australian women who have established independent research in the natural sciences. Nominations for the award are open now.

A Fellow of the Academy, the late Professor Millis introduced fermentation technologies to Australia, created the first applied microbiology course taught at an Australian university and co-wrote the standard text Biochemical Engineering. Professor Millis also worked tirelessly to establish links between universities and industry.

She made a huge contribution to molecular genetics in Australia by serving as chairman of the initial Monitoring Committee for recombinant DNA and then as the first chair of the Genetic Manipulation Advisory Committee. She held a personal chair at the University of Melbourne from 1982 and served as Chancellor of La Trobe University from 1992, two positions she held until her retirement in 2006.

Academy President Professor Suzanne Cory said the medal was struck as a tribute to Professor Millis, whose “practical forthright approach, coupled with notable conflict resolution skills, made her a greatly valued and well-loved member of the academic community”, and to inspire a new generation of female scientists.

“This medal honours the contributions made to science by Professor Millis and recognises her importance as a role model for aspiring female scientists in Australia,” Professor Cory said.

“I encourage all universities and institutions to nominate outstanding female researchers for the Nancy Millis Medal.”

The award is restricted to candidates who are normally a resident in Australia and for research conducted mainly in Australia. Nomination guidelines can be found at http://www.science.org.au/awards/awards/millis.html and the deadline is 10 February 2014.