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Big winners
Adjunct Professor Alison Todd and Dr Elisa Mokany were joint winners for the PM ’ s innovation prize . Picture : Martin Ollman / NCA NewsWire .
Top university experts sweep PM ’ s science awards .
By Eleanor Campbell
University researchers from UNSW , ANU and the University of Melbourne have been recognised for their excellence at Australia ’ s most prestigious science awards .
The 23rd Annual Prime Minister ’ s Prizes for Science , held late November , recognised outstanding work from the nation ’ s scientists , innovators and science educators .
University of New South Wales oceanographer Professor Trevor Mcdougall AC took home the night ’ s top honour , receiving the 2022 Prime Minister ’ s Prize for Science .
Professor Mcdougall was awarded $ 250,000 for his research on the role of the ocean in regulating climate .
“ It is an amazing honour to be recognised in this way ,” Professor McDougall said .
“ Such an award would not be possible without the brilliant work of many early career researchers with whom I ’ ve had the privilege of working .”
Climate research and innovation was recognised widely at the awards , which was the first in-person ceremony held since 2019 .
Dr Adele Morrison , an oceanographer from the Australian National University , won the 2022 Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year .
Dr Morrison was awarded $ 50,000 for her research on ocean circulation in Antarctica and its impact on rising sea levels and climate .
She said she hopes the “ amazing honour ” will inspire budding scientists .
“ For me personally , as a parent , I hope I can be a role model to show young women that it is possible to have a wonderful life both inside and outside of science ,” Dr Morrison said .
UNSW inventors Adjunct Professor Alison Todd and Adjunct Senior Lecturer Dr Elisa Mokany were joint winners of one of the Prime Minister ’ s Prize for Innovation .
The pair , who are joint founders of biotechnology company SpeeDx , won for developing highly-advanced molecular diagnostic tests which help tailor medicines to treat a patient ’ s specific illness .
Professor Todd said she and Dr Mokany were “ extremely honoured and humbled .”
“ This award represents acknowledgement for 30 years of collaboration with likeminded thought leaders ,” Professor Todd said .
“ Thirty years ago , people didn ’ t believe that it would be possible to take a simple blood test and use genetic information to determine appropriate therapy and monitor how their disease was tracking .”
The Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year went to ANU researcher Professor Si Ming Man , for his work discovering new therapies for inflammatory diseases and cancer .
Dr Pip Karoly , a senior research fellow and data scientist from the University of Melbourne , took home the 2022 Prize for New Innovators .
Dr Karoly led the development of mobile app Seer , which allows people with epilepsy to monitor and manage their seizures at home .
“ To be recognised in the prizes is overwhelming and a huge honour that will really mean a lot for my career as a scientist ,” Dr Karoly said .
“ The next step will be to run clinical trials of seizure risk forecasting in Australia and the US to understand how to target this technology to best help people with epilepsy .” ■
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