Leaders in science vie for top prize at the 2022 AM Eureka Prizes

Sydney, 27 July 2022: The Australian Museum (AM) today announced the nine finalists selected in the Leadership category at Australia’s leading science awards, the 2022 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes.

Nine finalists from across Australia are in the running for three AM Eureka Prizes in Leadership: Eureka Prize for Emerging Leader in Science; Department of Defence Eureka Prize for Leadership in Science and Innovation; and University of Technology Sydney Eureka Prize for Outstanding Mentor of Young Researchers.

Finalists in the Leadership category include:

• Dr Stephanie Partridge, a leader in digital health and nutrition research, exploring the impact of digital technologies on the wellbeing of young people.
• Dr Katharina Richter, who founded her own research group, and is making breakthroughs in superbug infections, wound healing and sterilisation techniques for humans and animals.
• Professor Raina MacIntyre, public health physician, epidemiologist and researcher who has taken a significant leadership role in the international response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Professor Wei Zhang, a pioneer of Australia’s emerging next generation biorefinery and marine bioproduct industries.
• Professor Maria Kavallaris, an internationally renowned expert in the cancer microtubule and drug resistance field.
• Professor Paul Wood, whose dedication to developing career opportunities for young researchers led to the establishment of the Industry Mentoring and Networking in STEM (IMNIS) program.

The AM Eureka Prizes are the nation’s most comprehensive science awards, offering $140,000 in prize money across a broad spectrum of research, from environmental to innovative technologies, citizen science, leadership and mentoring.

The winners of the 2022 AM Eureka Prizes will be announced on Wednesday 31 August at an awards ceremony held at the Australian Museum. An online livestream of the awards will also be open to all audiences to view on the night. Register for the livestream at australian.museum/eurekaprizes.

For more information and a full list of 2022 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes finalists: australian.museum/eurekaprizes.

The 2022 Australian Museum Eureka Prize finalists in leadership are:

Dr Stephanie Partridge, University of Sydney

Dr Stephanie Partridge is a leader in digital health and nutrition research, exploring the impact of digital technologies on the wellbeing of young people. She is committed to embedding adolescent experience in research and advocacy and engages young people in finding ways technology can help them live a healthy lifestyle.

Dr Katharina Richter, University of Adelaide

Bacterial resistance to antibiotics may cause 10 million deaths annually by 2050. A year into her postdoctoral career, Dr Katharina Richter founded her own research group, and is making breakthroughs in superbug infections, wound healing and sterilisation techniques for humans and animals. She also is empowering young people as a mentor and leader of science outreach programs.

Professor Sumeet Walia, RMIT University

Professor Sumeet Walia is an entrepreneurial leader whose research is being translated into products that improve lives and promote equity. His projects include artificial vision technologies, smart window coatings, UV exposure skin sensors and infection prevention platforms. A passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in STEM, he conducts public outreach in English and Hindi.

Professor Raina MacIntyre, UNSW

A public health physician, epidemiologist and researcher, Professor Raina MacIntyre has taken a significant leadership role in the international response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Her contributions to infection prevention, informed by extensive research into emerging diseases, vaccines and masks, has helped establish international public health policies and processes.

Professor Geordie Williamson, University of Sydney

As inaugural director of the University of Sydney’s Mathematical Research Institute, Professor Geordie Williamson is leading research collaborations between local and international mathematicians. He has made fundamental contributions to Australia’s research capacity in pure mathematics, while his unique leadership vision is transforming the discipline and helping shape the mathematical tools of the future.

Professor Wei Zhang, Flinders University and Marine Bioproducts Cooperative Research Centre

Professor Wei Zhang is a pioneer of Australia’s emerging next generation biorefinery and marine bioproduct industries. His extensive research and drive for commercialisation have led to innovative partnerships, creating new functional food, biomaterials, bioenergy and pharmaceutical products. These products offer new economic opportunities and could play a key role in addressing global sustainability challenges.

Professor Sara Dolnicar, University of Queensland

Professor Sara Dolnicar develops theory-driven interventions that trigger pro-environmental consumer behaviour. Committed to equipping the next generation of researchers with the skills for success, she has created many inspiring career development opportunities, including a shadowing program for PhD supervisor training, global mentoring platforms, and a book featuring advice from 112 women on how to navigate academia.

Professor Maria Kavallaris AM, UNSW and Children’s Cancer Institute

Professor Maria Kavallaris is an internationally renowned expert in the cancer microtubule and drug resistance field. Through a creative program of structured plus individualised mentorship, she has fostered a new generation of research leaders in cancer research and nanomedicine; one that is passionate, innovative and committed to ‘paying it forward.’

Professor Paul Wood AO, Monash University

Professor Paul Wood’s dedication to developing career opportunities for young researchers led to the establishment of the Industry Mentoring and Networking in STEM (IMNIS) program. With over 1,700 alumni, IMNIS is the largest mentoring program for PhD students and early career researchers in Australia. Professor Wood continues as an active mentor for post-graduate students.

Event details

What: Australian Museum Eureka Prizes Award Ceremony
Where: Hintze Hall, Australian Museum, corner of College and William Streets, Sydney
Theatre style award ceremony attended by 400 guests and live broadcast online
When: Wednesday 31 August 2022
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

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; to being a strong advocate for First Nations cultures; and to continuing to develop world-leading science, collections, exhibitions and education programs. With 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.

Media Contacts

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Farley Fitzgerald, Head of Communications

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Claire Vince, Media and Communications Adviser

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E Claire.Vince@Australian.Museum