2013 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes

The 2013 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes were last week awarded across 17 fields, recognising achievements in research and innovation; leadership and commercialisation; science communication and journalism; and school science. 

The full list of winners is below.

CSIRO Eureka Prize for Leadership in Science: Professor Frank Caruso, University of Melbourne

Professor Frank Caruso was awarded for his leadership in developing nanotechnology-enabled materials for biomedical applications. He believes these materials have great promise for drug delivery and imaging, and have the potential to revolutionise healthcare and medicine.

Macquarie University Eureka Prize for Outstanding Young Researcher: Dr Kerrie Wilson, University of Queensland

Dr Kerrie Wilson’s research has shown that smart, targeted spending can have a greater impact on conservation efforts. Her insights are helping to prioritise orangutan conservation efforts in Borneo in a way that balances competing land-use demands and the maintenance of forests to offset greenhouse gas emissions.

University of New South Wales Eureka Prize for Scientific Research: Dr Lars Kjer-Nielsen and Professor James McCluskey, University of Melbourne; and Professor Jamie Rossjohn, Monash University

The researchers’ accidental discovery has revealed the purpose of ‘mystery’ immune cells in the gut, shown how our immune system interacts with the complex bacteria ecology in our gut and opened new paths for drug discovery.

University of New South Wales Eureka Prize for Excellence in Interdisciplinary Scientific Research: Quantum Bio-probes, University of Melbourne

Professor Lloyd Hollenberg and his colleagues have created nanoscale diamond sensors that light up the insides of cells. Their work opens possibilities for improving the delivery of medicines by tracking molecules moving inside living cells.

University of Sydney Sleek Geeks Science Eureka Prize - Primary: What is Friction?, Nathan Gori, Reuben Shepherd, Billy McLeod, Jack Dougall and Sacha Balme, Beauty Point Public School, NSW

Five Year 6 students collaborated to produce a three-minute film called What Is Friction?, featuring a number of simple experiments to demonstrate the idea of friction in witty and interesting ways.

Caring for our Country Landcare Eureka Prize for Sustainable Agriculture: The Future Farm Industries CRC Enrich Project Team, CSIRO, University of Western Australia and South Australian Research and Development Institute

The research team discovered that grazing native shrubs could improve profitability by up to 24% in low- to medium-rainfall areas, as well as decrease greenhouse gas emissions and erosion. Their ideas for sustainable grazing systems are already being adopted at multiple sites across four states.

ANSTO Eureka Prize for Innovative Use of Technology: Zebedee Team, CSIRO

Dr Elliot Duff and his colleagues developed a spring-mounted handheld laser scanner which can make 3D images of spaces previously impossible to map. The device can survey enclosed spaces where GPS cannot reach, such as caves, mines, factories and public buildings, or beneath forest canopies.

Australian Government Eureka Prize for Science Journalism: Ian Townsend, ABC

For his report into the 2010-2011 Queensland floods, journalist Ian Townsend commissioned toxicology tests on a typical flooded house. The tests showed high levels of lead washed out from paint flakes in soil and dust. Townsend’s work drew attention to the hidden costs and hazards of flooding.

Australian Government Eureka Prize for Promoting Understanding of Australian Science Research: Professor Rob Brooks, University of New South Wales

In the past two years, science writer Professor Rob Brooks has published a book; written 16 articles and 44 columns for The Conversation; been involved in a 30-minute television program; given 44 print, 50 radio and five TV interviews; and presented a host of public lectures on the science behind the evolution of sex, reproduction and human behaviour in general.

NSW Health Jamie Callachor Eureka Prize for Medical Research Translation: Professor Steve Wilton and Professor Sue Fletcher, Murdoch University

The researchers developed a treatment which targets the genetic defect responsible for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a condition which affects around one in 3500 boys. Their work is greatly improving patients’ muscular function and leads the way for personalised genetic therapies for other conditions.

University of Technology, Sydney Eureka Prize for Outstanding Mentor of Young Researchers: Professor Rick Shine AM FAA, University of Sydney

Professor Shine has previously won Eureka Prizes in 2006 and 2011, and his latest award reflects his lifelong commitment to assisting young scientists. During his career he has supervised more than 70 research students and 20 postdoctoral fellows. The majority of his 800 published papers list his students as senior co-authors.

Australian Museum University of Sydney Sleek Geeks Science Eureka Prize - Secondary: The Spectacular Spider, Brandon Gifford, Casino High School, NSW

Brandon Gifford used film footage, animation and narration to create and explore the diversity of spider species in his local area. His film shows spiders spinning webs, catching prey and camouflaging themselves to avoid predators. The film also explores the beauty of spider webs and the tensile strength of silk.

Rio Tinto Eureka Prize for Commercialisation of Innovation: Scanalyse/Outotec, Scanalyse Pty Ltd/Outotec and Curtin University

Monitoring the condition of giant crushers and grinding mills on mine sites used to be slow and dangerous work, requiring someone to climb inside and make measurements. Curtin researchers created a 3D laser system that measures 10 million points or more in just 30 min. Scanalyse, the company they founded, now sells the technology to companies around the world.

NSW Office of Environment and Heritage Eureka Prize for Environmental Research: Professor Chris Johnson, University of Tasmania; Dr Michael Letnic, University of New South Wales; Dr Euan Ritchie, Deakin University; Dr Arian Wallach, James Cook University; and Adam O’Neill, Evelyn Downs Station

The researchers found that dingoes are key elements in the struggle to reduce damage caused by kangaroos, foxes and feral cats. Ecosystems with dingoes have better vegetation condition and more diverse and abundant populations of small native mammals.

New Scientist Eureka Prize for Science Photography: Richard Wylie, Euakafa Island Research Centre

Amateur photographer and marine biologist Richard Wylie was awarded for his stunning shot of a male Weedy Sea Dragon incubating eggs.

Defence Science and Technology Organisation Eureka Prize for Outstanding Science in Safeguarding Australia: DMTC Armour Applications Program, Defence Materials Technology Centre

Through collaborative research involving computer modelling, explosives, design, stress measurement, high-speed cameras and new welding techniques, the team’s work has led to technologies and systems with improved blast performance, reduced weight and greater flexibility.

2013 Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre Eureka Prize for Infectious Diseases Research: Professor Scott O'Neill, Monash University; Professor Ary Hoffmann, University of Melbourne; Professor Scott Ritchie, James Cook University; Dr Elizabeth McGraw, Monash University; Dr Luciano Moreira, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation; and Professor Brian Kay, Queensland Institute of Medical Research

The research team has found a bacterium - Wolbachia - in fruit flies that could stop mosquitoes from spreading dengue. In field trials in Cairns they showed that Wolbachia quickly spread through the mosquito population and that after a year, 80 to 100% of the mosquitoes in the area couldn’t spread dengue.

2013 3M Eureka Prize for Emerging Leader in Science: Associate Professor David Wilson, Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales

Associate Professor David Wilson was awarded for his evidence-based alternatives to dodgy Armenian AIDS drugs and mathematical proof of the effectiveness of needle-syringe programs. His use of sound science has prevailed against opposition and he now leads Australia’s HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmissible infection surveillance system.