Solar pioneer is scientist of the year

Pioneering solar energy scientist Professor Martin Green of the University of NSW has been named the inaugural NSW Scientist of the Year.

He wins $40,000 for the overall award and an extra $5000 for winning the environment, water and climate change sciences category.

Green is the executive research director at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Photovoltaics. He is a co-inventor of second generation silicon on glass solar cells and is now focusing on third generation thin-film solar cells.

The awards, set up by the Office for Science and Medical Research, part of the NSW Department of State and Regional Development, were announced in Sydney last night.

Other winners include animal virologist Dr Peter Kirkland, head of the virology laboratory at the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute in south-west Sydney, in the plant and animal sciences category. Kirkland recently worked on the equine flu outbreak.

Biochemist Professor Philip Hogg of the University of NSW won the biomedical sciences category. Hogg, an NHMRC senior principal research fellow and professor of vascular research, is known for his work on disulphide bonds in proteins and on angiogenesis.

Also a director of the Lowy Cancer Research Centre, Hogg’s research has also led to the development of a cell death imaging agent, to be used to assess whether chemotherapy or radiotherapy are working within hours.

Nanobionics specialist Professor Gordon Wallace, executive research director at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, won the chemistry award. Wallace works on intelligent polymers and has used electrical stimulation to enhance nerve cell growth.

Other winners include:

• Engineering sciences: Professor Veena Sahajwalla, University of NSW

• Computer sciences: Dr Chris Nicol, National ICT Australia

• Physics and astronomy: Professor Benjamin Eggleton, University of Sydney

• Mathematical sciences: Professor Matthew Wand, University of Wollongong

• Leadership in secondary science teaching: Dr Mark Butler, Gosford High School