The Australian Museum Eureka Prizes Shine A Light On Research & Innovation

Sydney, 31 July 2024: The 2024 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes finalists have been announced today for the competitive Research and Innovation category.

An impressive list of 30 trailblazing Australian scientists, the Research and Innovation finalists span a diverse array of scientific fields, including sustainable development, food safety, biodiversity conservation, and health technology.

Director & CEO of the Australian Museum Kim McKay AO said this year’s finalists demonstrate inventive approaches to discovery, from using octopus DNA to date ice sheet collapse to sustainable recycling systems for solar panels.

“Impactful research and life-changing innovation often happens after painstaking effort and rigorous attention to detail, which often goes unrewarded. This category goes some way to highlighting the tireless work of Australian scientific researchers and innovators, without whose work, we would never be able to celebrate breakthroughs and cures.

“I am very pleased to share the list of 30 remarkable scientists who are in the running to win this highly competitive category, and it is exciting to celebrate all of our entrants’ work,” McKay said.

Eureka Prize for Environmental Research

Sensory Conservation Team, University of Sydney

Olfactory misinformation is a new, humane approach to pest control. This team’s research focuses on sensory cues that attract animals – like the smell of wheat for mice or plants for wallabies – and distributes synthetic odours to confuse pest animals, effectively ‘hiding’ foods they damage. This approach has reduced pest damage by approximately 70%, without using poisons or traps, across Australia, New Zealand, Finland and Hawaii.

Sustainable Wastewater and Waste Treatment Team, University of Technology Sydney and South East Water

The Sustainable Wastewater and Waste Treatment Team’s closed-loop technology, which is being commercialised, dramatically reduces the environmental burden of wastewater treatment systems. Retro-fitted to existing waste water treatment plants, it can cut carbon emissions, decrease waste generation and reduce the discharge of pollutants, including antibiotic resistance genes, pathogens and ‘forever chemicals’.

Threatened Species Initiative, University of Sydney

Working with 204 individual collaborators, the Threatened Species Initiative has generated genetic data for 102 plant and animal species and made the information freely available via an online toolkit to support conservation management and action. By translating conservation genetics into a user-friendly, accessible resource, the initiative is aiding global efforts to halt biodiversity decline. 

Australian Institute of Botanical Science Eureka Prize for Excellence in Botanical Science

Professor David Keith, UNSW

Professor David Keith has developed the world’s first method to catalogue and describe all ecosystems on Earth. Adopted by the United Nations and already applied in Australia, the framework has been instrumental in formulating effective conservation strategies and is helping to maintain plant diversity in the face of environmental change.

Restore & Renew Knowledge Infrastructure Team, Botanic Gardens of Sydney

The Restore & Renew Knowledge Infrastructure Team’s project is the first tool globally to make genomic data available for restoration practitioners, community groups and others who are conserving native plants. With more than 89,000 samples added in five years, the growing database is already supporting the restoration and conservation of more than 130 Australian plant species.  

Aspire Scholarship Eureka Prize for Excellence in Interdisciplinary Scientific Research

ACRF Australian Centre of Excellence in Melanoma Imaging and Diagnosis, University of Queensland

With more than 18,000 cases of melanoma diagnosed annually in Australia, the ACRF Australian Centre of Excellence in Melanoma Imaging and Diagnosis leads efforts to improve early detection and build a national targeted melanoma screening program. Drawing from a multidisciplinary team, they utilise AI-assisted 3D imaging technologies to conduct the world's largest preventive melanoma study.

Extinction vs Adaption Team, Macquarie University; Southern Cross University; University of Queensland; Australian National University; Chinese Academy of Sciences; and Flinders University

Bringing nine disciplines together, the Extinction vs Adaption Team solved long-standing primate mysteries by establishing why some species became extinct while others survived. Using novel dating techniques and fieldwork at multiple cave sites in Asia, they discovered why some species are more vulnerable to environmental changes. This knowledge will help to conserve threatened primate species.

Octopus and Ice Sheet Team, James Cook University; CSIRO; and Victoria University of Wellington

Unexplained genetic links between octopus populations brought together geneticists and geologists from the Octopus and Ice Sheet Team to better understand the stability of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. Novel use of octopus DNA pinpointed the collapse of the ice sheet 120,000 years ago, enabling improved global sea-level rise projections and planning to mitigate against climate change.

Australian Research Data Commons Eureka Prize for Excellence in Research Software

MiniZinc Team, Monash University and OPTIMA

From 2007, the MiniZinc Team developed MiniZinc – an open-source, easy-to-learn modelling language to help engineers, mathematicians and scientists solve optimisation problems such as rostering, scheduling and resource allocation. It allows the quick generation of solutions, and the ability to try different methods for problem solving. During the past decade, MiniZinc has been downloaded more than 250,000 times.

MRtrix3

MRtrix3 software uses MRI scans to estimate the complex connectivity of the human brain white matter and its disturbance in disease. It addresses limitations with prior approaches, giving robust and biologically meaningful insight. It is now a research workhorse, cited in 2,000 scientific articles since 2018.

Professor Gordon Smyth, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI)

Professor Gordon Smyth is the lead developer of the world’s most downloaded software package of its type – Limma – which has been used to make biomedical discoveries published in more than 70,000 scientific papers. Limma helps identify and interpret changes in DNA material, significantly improving the confidence in statistical information used in biomedical research.

Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre Eureka Prize for Infectious Diseases Research

Beating Buruli Team, Doherty Institute, University of Melbourne

For 80 years, the way people contracted the neglected tropical skin disease Buruli ulcer has remained a mystery. Now researchers have established that mosquitoes spread Buruli to humans. The Beating Buruli Team’s extensive fieldwork and use of advanced genomic methods have opened the door to effective public health interventions and disease control.

Epidemiological Modelling Unit, Monash University

This research team has developed computational systems that provide real-time, data-informed modelling to forecast disease spread and inform public health responses. Drawing on a range of disciplines, the Epidemiological Modelling Unit’s insights provide evidence to influence health policy and emergency decision-making and have supported COVID-19 management across the Asia-Pacific region.

StrepA Outbreak Prevention Team, University of Queensland; University of Melbourne; CONACYT; and University of Wollongong

StrepA bacteria – responsible for common throat infections – are also a major cause of childhood diseases, such as scarlet fever and septicaemia which contribute to child deaths globally. Responding to a post-COVID-19 infection surge, researchers from the StrepA Outbreak Prevention Team are tracking disease spread to mitigate clinical impact and leading efforts to develop a much-needed vaccine. 

ANSTO Eureka Prize for Innovative Use of Technology

Associate Professor Aaron McFadyen, Queensland University of Technology

Associate Professor Aaron McFadyen has developed new world-leading drone management technologies. In collaboration with aviation authorities and industry, these technologies are now embedded in automated flight planning, assessment and approval processes for drone operations. This has enhanced safety, efficiency and utilisation of airspace in Australia and overseas.

The UNSW Night Time Solar Team

The UNSW Night Time Solar Team has demonstrated groundbreaking technology that allows for the generation of solar power even at night, tapping into the energy radiated from the Earth’s surface as it cools down after sunset. The key is a semiconductor device that harnesses thermal infrared radiation to produce electricity.

Macquarie University Eureka Prize for Outstanding Early Career Researcher

Dr Ann-Na Cho, University of Sydney

Using stem cell biology and tissue engineering, Dr Anna-Na Cho has invented a lab-grown human brain model that enables more comprehensive neuroscientific research than traditional animal models. The innovative tissue-engineered models mimic human brain physiology and pathology. She has contributed to the study of the impact of COVID-19 infection on the brain, and neurodegeneration studies.

Dr Mengyu Li, University of Sydney

Motivated by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Dr Mengyu Li’s research quantifies the true cost of global demand for services and consumer goods – for example, food and energy. Through advanced computer modelling, her work maps intricate international supply chains, revealing their toll on society and the environment, while suggesting sustainable pathways for the future.

Dr Wei Wei, University of Technology Sydney

Dr Wei Wei’s research focuses on reducing the aviation industry’s reliance on fossil fuels through innovations including biogas and fuels made from resources, such as carbon reclaimed from biowaste. By harnessing these new technologies and processes, she hopes to create a more sustainable future for both the aviation and waste-management sectors.

Department of Defence Eureka Prize for Outstanding Science in Safeguarding Australia

Bluelink Global Ocean Science Team, Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO

The Bluelink Global Ocean Science Team has developed the world’s most accurate global ocean forecast system, predicting its sea level and three-dimensional temperature, salinity and ocean currents. The large performance gains over previous Australian and comparable international systems provides the Australian Defence Force with information superiority for seaborne operations that safeguard Australia.

Professor Clinton Fookes, Queensland University of Technology

Professor Clinton Fookes has a longstanding track record in pioneering novel technologies in vision and signal processing, machine learning and AI, in service of Australia's national security. These unique defence capabilities significantly enhance situational awareness and decision-making, enable superior threat detection and augment human abilities and safety in the field.

Associate Professor Marian-Andrei Rizoiu, University of Technology Sydney

Detecting malevolent agents in social media and news sources will always be a challenge, but one made easier by Associate Professor Marian-Andrei Rizoiu. Instead of looking for harmful online content, his new sophisticated algorithm analyses responses and reactions that content provokes from those consuming it – a paradigm shift for covert agent detection that doesn’t endanger free speech.

UNSW Eureka Prize for Scientific Research

Professor Anita Ho-Baillie, University of Sydney

Solar power is a critical renewable energy. Standard silicon solar cells do not fully convert higher-energy light to electricity, thereby limiting their efficiency ceiling to 30%. Professor Anita Ho-Baillie’s ground-breaking research combines – or ‘tandems’ – silicon cells with other materials to form double- or triple-junction cells, boosting efficiencies towards 40-50%.

Novel Immunotherapy Targets for Bowel Cancer Team, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute

Bowel cancer is a leading cause of cancer death worldwide and rates are surging among younger adults globally. Research by the Novel Immunotherapy Targets for Bowel Cancer Team has identified specific immune cells and molecules that play an important role in controlling immune defence against bowel cancer, paving the way for new immunotherapies.

Professor Stuart Tangye, Garvan Institute of Medical Research

Defects in immune cell development affect up to five in every 10,000 births globally. These inborn errors of immunity cause rare diseases that are difficult to diagnose and treat. Professor Stuart Tangye’s research identifying novel immune defects and mechanisms of disease has significantly improved diagnosis, helping target treatment for more than half of diagnosed cases in Australia. 

University of Sydney Eureka Prize for Sustainability Research

Professor Yansong Shen, UNSW

As millions of solar panels come to the end of their life, Professor Yansong Shen has developed a recycling system for solar panels that diverts all waste from landfill and provides materials for new panels. The work has led to more than 10 patents and is expected to begin commercial scale production by December 2024.

Sustainable Omega-3 Oil, CSIRO and Nuseed

In the most complex genetic engineering of a plant to reach commercial production, the Sustainable Omega-3 Oil Team has produced and commercialised omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids from canola crops. This could save the need for unsustainable harvests of wild-caught fish, and double the world’s supply of omega-3, which is essential for good health.

Professor Xiwang Zhang and Dr Zhuyuan Wang, University of Queensland

Tackling two pressing global issues – climate change and renewable energy – Professor Xiwang Zhang and Dr Zhuyuan Wang have developed an innovative electricity nanogenerator that captures CO2 and generates electricity simultaneously. This new technology manages the transport of oppositely charged ions during CO2 capture, providing a clean and green method for energy generation.

The AM Eureka Prizes offer $180,000 in total prize money across a diverse spectrum of science, from environmental sustainability to cutting-edge technology, citizen science initiatives, leadership, and mentoring. Winners will be announced on Wednesday, 4 September, at a ceremony held at Sydney Town Hall. A livestream of the awards will also be available online. Register for the livestream at australian.museum/eurekaprizes.

For more information and a full list of 2024 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes finalists: australian.museum/eurekaprizes.

Event details

• What: Australian Museum Eureka Prizes Award Ceremony
• Where: Sydney Town Hall, George St, Sydney.
• When: Wednesday 4 September 2024

Live broadcast from 7:30pm AEST via australian.museum/eurekaprizes

Interviews available with finalists

Media pack, including releases, finalist info, images and video HERE
#EurekaPrizes Twitter: @eurekaprizes Facebook: - @eurekaprizes

Media Enquiries

• Matt Fraser, Director of Communications, matt@originalspin.com.au / 0401 326 007
• Timothee Luong, communications advisor, timothee@originalspin.com.au / 0435 715 017
• Claire Vince, media advisor, Claire.vince@australian.museum / 0468 726 910

About the Australian Museum

The Australian Museum (AM) was founded in 1827 and is the nation’s first museum. It is internationally recognised as a natural science and culture institution focused on Australia and the Pacific. The AM’s mission is to ignite wonder, inspire debate and drive change. The AM’s vision is to be a leading voice for the richness of life, the Earth and culture in Australia and the Pacific. The AM commits to transforming the conversation around climate change, the environment and wildlife conservation; being a strong advocate for First Nations cultures; and to continuing to develop world leading science, collections, exhibitions and education programs. With more than 22 million objects and specimens and the Australian Museum Research Institute (AMRI), the AM is not only a dynamic source of reliable scientific information on some of the most pressing environmental and social challenges facing our region, but also an important site of cultural exchange and learning.