Leading oceanographer awarded PM's Prize for Science

A leading Australian oceanographer has received the 2022 Prime Minister’s Prize for Science for his pioneering work in understanding the ocean’s role in regulating climate.

The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science have been described as Australia’s most prestigious awards for outstanding achievements in scientific research, research-based innovation and excellence in science, mathematics or technology teaching. This year’s prizes saw the Australian science community come together to celebrate the contributions of 12 of the country’s leading scientists, innovators and science teachers.

Professor Trevor McDougall, a global authority on oceanography and ocean thermodynamics from UNSW, received the $250,000 Prime Minister’s Prize for Science in recognition of his transformative impact on the study of oceanography and ocean thermodynamics, and in furthering our understanding of the role of the ocean in regulating the Earth’s climate. He has been recognised for his discoveries of new ocean mixing processes and his work to redefine the thermodynamic definition of seawater, which has been adopted by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission as the new international standard.

“Tackling climate change is one of the great scientific challenges of our era and understanding our oceans is absolutely critical,” said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who added, “Our prize recipients demonstrate why science is key to Australia’s future.”

In a first for the prizes, the $250,000 Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation was awarded to multiple teams. The SpeeDx Team at the National Innovation Centre, comprising Dr Elisa Mokany and Adjunct Professor Alison Todd, received the prize in recognition of the commercialisation of their innovative molecular diagnostic tests for infectious diseases and cancer, which are now distributed worldwide. The PhotonAssay Team of Dr James Tickner, Dr Nick Cutmore and Dirk Treasure was also awarded the prize for their development and commercialisation of a fully automated technology to measure gold and other valuable metals and minerals in ore samples, overturning laborious and hazardous chemical methods.

Additional prizes presented on the night were as follows:

• The $50,000 Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools was presented to George Pantazis, of Marble Bar Primary School in Western Australia, for his integration of First Nations cultural knowledge with STEM capabilities through two-way learning, enabling his students to share their knowledge of First Nations science through technology.
• The $50,000 Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools was presented to Veena Nair, Head of Technology at Viewbank College in Victoria, for being a key instigator of initiatives to improve the quality of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) education not only for her own students, but for students across Australia.
• The $50,000 Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year was presented to Professor Si Ming Man for his extensive research into immunology and infectious diseases, advancing our understanding of the role inflammation plays in health and disease.
• The $50,000 Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year was presented to Dr Adele Morrison for her research into the complex system of ocean circulation and its impact on rising sea levels and climate, with a focus on Antarctica.
• The $50,000 Prize for New Innovators was presented to Dr Philippa Karoly for her breakthrough methods for forecasting epileptic seizure risk and development of a life-changing mobile app for people living with epilepsy, enabling them to monitor and manage seizure risks.
• A second $50,000 Prize for New Innovators was presented to Associate Professor Brett Hallam for his discoveries and patented technologies which have dramatically improved solar cell performance and facilitated renewable energy uptake.
   

Nominations are now open for the 2023 Prime Minister’s Prize for Science, and can be made by peers in the science, innovation and teaching communities. By nominating someone for a prize, you acknowledge their outstanding work and contribution to science. Nominations close on 9 February 2023 at 5 pm AEDT.

“Over the last 23 years, these prizes have recognised extraordinary Australians whose scientific research and innovation has broken new ground,” Albanese said.

“On behalf of all Australians, I want to congratulate every recipient for their dedication to tackling the challenges of today to pave the way for a better tomorrow.”

Image caption: Professor Trevor McDougall.

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