2019 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes winners announced

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Australia's leading science awards presented in Sydney.

The discovery of cells which could lead to cancer immunity, the Professor behind a plethora of wireless technology developments, ceramics for large bone repairs, the potential to restore movement after paralysis via blood vessels, a program of science education for Indigenous students, wetlands’ ability to store carbon as sea levels rise, and school students showcasing their science skills are among the winners of the 2019 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes, announced tonight at the Sydney Town Hall.

The Australian Museum Eureka Prizes are Australia’s leading science awards, presenting trophies and $170,000 in prize money across four categories:

- Research & Innovation

- Leadership

- Science Engagement

- School Science

Among the 17 prizes are two new prizes, the Eureka Prize for STEM inclusion, presented by the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science and the Eureka Prize for Long-Form Science Journalism, presented by the Finkel Foundation.

Australian Museum Director and CEO, Kim McKay AO, congratulated the winners and highlighted the critical role of scientists in all facets of society.

“The work of scientists is what will change Australia’s future. It plays a critical role in so many areas – business, conservation, medicine, engineering, safety, communications and more – it touches every part of our lives.”

“The Australian Museum Eureka Prizes have been acknowledging Australia’s scientific achievers for almost 30 years – people who are often not publicly recognised but whose work has an impact on all of us every day,” Ms McKay said.

The 2019 Australian Museum Eureka Prize Winners are:

Research & Innovation

NSW Environment, Energy and Science (DPIE) Eureka Prize for Environmental Research

  • Blue Carbon Horizons Team, University of Wollongong; Macquarie University; and ANSTO

Coastal wetlands are efficient natural systems in the trapping of carbon dioxide. The Blue Carbon Horizons Team has shown that the capacity of coastal wetlands to store carbon will substantially increase with sea level rise, providing a counter to global warming. Working alongside government, the team’s research is being used to protect and restore coastal ecosystems.

University of Technology Sydney Eureka Prize for Excellence in Data Science

  • Professor Longbing Cao, University of Technology Sydney

Professor Longbing Cao is a global leader in data science research, education and innovation. He has developed cutting-edge theories and systems to analyse real-life complex data for smarter business transformation. His work has enabled more efficient, active and tailored debt recovery and payment collection practices, producing significant socio-economic benefits to Australia.

UNSW Eureka Prize for Excellence in Interdisciplinary Scientific Research

  • Endovascular Bionics Laboratory, University of Melbourne and Synchron Inc.

Skilfully bringing together a wide variety of disciplines, Synchron and the Endovascular Bionics Laboratory have developed a technology with the potential to restore mobility to people with paralysis. The team have developed technology which can interpret brain signals and convert them to commands. The innovation enables control of external equipment via a Stentrode, which uses blood vessels as a pathway to the brain avoiding risky open brain surgery. The team describes the breakthrough as similar to “building a bionic spinal cord”.

Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre Eureka Prize for Infectious Diseases Research

  • Vivax Malaria Research Team, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research

Infecting over 200 million people annually, malaria is a significant global health threat. The Vivax Malaria Research Team is focused on tackling the world’s most widespread malaria parasite, Plasmodium vivax. Through combined expertise in structural biology, immuno-epidemiology and mathematical modelling, they are working to develop new diagnostics and vaccine candidates to eliminate malaria.

ANSTO Eureka Prize for Innovative Use of Technology

  • Professor Hala Zreiqat, University of Sydney

Professor Hala Zreiqat and her team have developed the world’s first synthetic biomaterials capable of healing large bone defects, even in load-bearing positions like the spine or lower limbs. Using mathematical modelling techniques and customised 3D-printing technology, they have also developed the capabilities to print these strong, bioactive and bioresorbable biomaterials in any size or shape. The bioceramic material not only heals the bone, it also disappears when its job is complete.

Macquarie University Eureka Prize for Outstanding Early Career Researcher

  • Associate Professor Laura Mackay, University of Melbourne

Widely regarded as a leader in the field of immunological memory, Associate Professor Laura Mackay has discovered that a novel population of immune cells, called tissue-resident T cells, are critical for immune protection against infection and cancer. Harnessing these cells will be key for the development of new immunotherapeutic strategies against disease.

Defence, Science and Technology Eureka Prize for Outstanding Science in Safeguarding Australia

  • Team GreyScan, University of Tasmania and Grey Innovation

Readily available inorganic compounds are increasingly being used in home-made explosive devices. GreyScan is the world’s first trace detection device that can identify inorganic explosives in under a minute. Their use in mass transit locations like airports and train stations could help make Australia and the world safer.

UNSW Eureka Prize for Scientific Research

  • Professor Mariapia Degli-Esposti, Professor Geoff Hill, Dr Chris Andoniou, Peter Fleming and Dr Paulo Martins, Monash University; Lions Eye Institute; and QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute

Cytomegalovirus infection is a frequent and life-threatening complication that significantly limits positive outcomes for bone marrow transplant patients. Professor Mariapia Degli-Esposti and her team have developed a novel, non-toxic and highly effective strategy to reduce the impact of this infection by preventing viral reactivation, leading to improved outcomes for transplant patients.

Leadership

3M Eureka Prize for Emerging Leader in Science

  • Associate Professor Melody Ding, University of Sydney

Working at the intersection of physical activity, epidemiology and chronic disease prevention, Associate Professor Melody Ding has devoted her career to generating policy-relevant research outcomes. Chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and some cancers are responsible for 75% of deaths globally. As most chronic diseases are preventable, Melody and her team’s work identifying risk factors such as physical inactivity is key to tackling public health challenges. Melody lives what she preaches, even guiding yoga classes for fellow work mates. In addition to skillfully leading multidisciplinary projects and teams, she has mentored early career researchers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

CSIRO Eureka Prize for Leadership in Innovation and Science

  • Professor Branka Vucetic, University of Sydney

Professor Branka Vucetic has made seminal contributions to the fields of coding and wireless communications with much of her work underpinning the wireless technologies we use today. Her development of algorithms for cellular WiFi and satellite communication provide fast connectivity for millions of people. Now she’s leading work which will enable large-scale industrial automation, self-driving cars and robotic surgery.

University of Technology Sydney Eureka Prize for Outstanding Mentor of Young Researchers

  • Professor Barry Pogson, Australian National University

Professor Barry Pogson's vision is to create a nexus of researchers, industry leaders and policy makers that collectively shape agriculture for the benefit of global food security. Using a dynamic and sustainable multi-tiered mentoring approach, he has a profound impact on the personal development, career prospects and learning experiences of students at all tertiary levels.

Science Engagement

Department of Industry, Innovation and Science Eureka Prize for Innovation in Citizen Science

  • FrogID Team, Australian Museum

FrogID is a national citizen science project aimed at understanding and conserving one of the most threatened groups of animals on the planet. Using a free smartphone app, participants record and submit information on calling frogs. In less than two years, FrogID has built an unparalleled database of Australian frogs and transformed the scientific community’s understanding of the distributions, breeding seasons and habitats of frogs.

Finkel Foundation Eureka Prize for Long-Form Science Journalism

  • Michael Lucy

Ending the Age of Plastic traces the origin of the world’s growing plastic pollution crisis. Through interviews with oceanographers, entrepreneurs, bioengineers, economists and citizens, Michael Lucy explores the potential scientific, technological and social solutions to stop the growing juggernaut of plastic pollution. Published in Cosmos, 18 September 2018.

Celestino Eureka Prize for Promoting Understanding of Science

  • Associate Professor Darren Saunders, UNSW

A gifted and intuitive communicator, Associate Professor Darren Saunders gives medical research a clear, authoritative voice across a diverse range of media. He makes evidence-based science accessible to the general public, with particular emphasis on platforms through which vulnerable audiences are seeking cancer-related health advice.

Australian Museum Eureka Prize for Science Journalism

  • Liam Mannix, The Age

Over the past year Liam Mannix has researched and written a series of hard-hitting articles challenging the science behind nerve-pain drugs, ergonomics and diet pills. His articles have delivered real-world results and demonstrated the important role journalists can play in holding the scientific community to account.

Published in The Age, 30 September 2018, 18 December 2018; 20 and 23 March 2019.

Department of Industry, Innovation and Science Eureka Prize for STEM Inclusion

  • National Indigenous Science Education Program, Macquarie University; Charles Sturt University; and Yaegl Country Aboriginal Elders

Established by requests from Aboriginal Elders, the National Indigenous Science Education Program (NISEP) supports Indigenous secondary students from lower socio-economic schools to deliver STEM workshops and activities at school, university and community events. Participation in NISEP elevates students into leadership roles, and has resulted in increased academic achievements in STEM and beyond.

School Science

Note – entries in this category involve a video submission – links listed for each finalist

University of Sydney Sleek Geeks Science Eureka Prize – Primary School

  • Finn Thomas, St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Concord, NSW

Inspired by the book Jurassic Park, Finn ponders what life would be like today if a dinosaur species were to be resurrected. In his film, Can We Bring Dinosaurs Back to Life? Finn explores the science and biotechnology critical to this notion and explains the challenges scientists would face.

Video link: https://youtu.be/C-T1bGxFNwI

University of Sydney Sleek Geeks Science Eureka Prize – Secondary School

  • Ellie Cole and Tsambika Galanos, Presbyterian Ladies' College, Sydney, NSW

What do cosmetics, clothing and toothpaste have in common? They all contain microplastics. In Fish Fiasco, Ellie and Tsambika investigate how microplastics might end up in the ocean. They interview scientific experts, visit a wastewater treatment plant and even study fish stomach contents to uncover how society's use of plastic impacts the environment.

Video link: https://youtu.be/EfEF8GNv4UQ

2019 Australian Museum Research Institute Medal

In addition to celebrating the winners of the Eureka Prizes, the 2019 Australian Museum Research Institute Medal was awarded to Senior Fellow Mark McGrouther. The AMRI Medal is presented to an individual staff member, senior fellow or team from the Australian Museum Research Institute for outstanding science and communication of their research outcomes.

Mark McGrouther was recognised for his outstanding work managing, developing and improving the AM’s Ichthyology Collection, the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere, over the last 30 years. In 2016 Mark launched the Australasian Fishes project, enabling citizen scientists to upload, identify, and comment on observations of Australian and New Zealand fishes.

For more information about the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes, visit australianmuseum.net.au/eurekaprizes

ENDS.

Media contact: Nicole Browne 0414 673 762 nicole@mediaopps.com.au

Winner photos/videos, video overlay and grabs from event available after 11:00pm AEST at: https://www.dropbox.com/home/190828%20Eureka%20Pries%202019