Academy Awards (for science) announced

It’s that time of year, where the red carpet is rolled out for the gala extravaganza of the Academy Awards – a virtual extravaganza, at least.

The Australian Academy of Science has announced the winners of its awards for scientific excellence, which will be handed out at the Academy’s annual conference in May 2012.

In 2012, the Academy will award a total of $218 000 in honorific medals and research support.

The awards recognise scientific achievement in both late and early stage researchers, with a number of life scientists picking up prestigious accolades.

Amongst the early-career researchers to be recognised were Professor Harvey Millar from the University of Western Australia, who received the Fenner Medal for research biology (excluding biomedical science).

Associate Professor Katharina Gaus, from the University of New South Wales, received the Gottschalk Medal for research in the medical sciences.

And Dr Manuel Ferreira, from the Queensland Institution of Medical Research, received the Ruth Stephens Gani Medal for research in human genetics.

Professor Peter Jones, from the University of Southern California School of Medicine, has been awarded the Rudi Lemberg Travelling Fellowship for the biological sciences as a part of the 2012 Travelling Fellowships.

“Each year, it is the Academy’s privilege to recognise excellence in diverse fields of science,” said Academy President Professor Suzanne Cory.

“Several of the awards celebrate career-long contributions by some of Australia’s most distinguished researchers; others draw attention to remarkable discoveries made by younger investigators. The Academy warmly congratulates each of these outstanding awardees.”

Australian Life Scientist would like to congratulate all the Australian Academy of Science award recipients.