Every year, the Eureka Prizes celebrate and reward the best and brightest in Australian science across a number of different categories, including one for school students!
Think science can’t be glam? The Eureka Prizes are like the Oscars of science in Australia, complete with a black-tie event and all. The 2022 Awards Ceremony took place last night at the Australian Museum in Sydney, attended by hundreds of scientists from all over the country, with 14 cash prizes (totalling $140,000!) presented for Research & Innovation, Leadership, Science Engagement and School Science.
But it wasn’t all about hitting the red carpet or scientists kicking up their heels: the awards are a reminder of how scientists are helping us fight some of our biggest challenges.
“The scientists recognised tonight show that the odds are in our favour to find solutions to those challenges,” said Australian Museum Director and CEO, Kim McKay AO, when congratulating the scientists last night.
“Their achievements demonstrate that we have the resources and ideas – from 3-D printing, alternative and green energy, nanotechnology, and synthetic biology – to build a world that helps sustain us for the future.”
Yep, give us celebrating saving the world with science over who-wore-what at the Oscars any day!
School students win prizes
Did you know you could win a Eureka Prize before even finishing school?
In the Schools Science category, the University of Sydney Sleek Geeks Science Eureka Prize is awarded to a Primary and Secondary student for their video entries communicating scientific concepts in a fun and accessible way.
You can check out the winning student entries below, and learn something new while you’re at it!
University of Sydney Sleek Geeks Science Eureka Prize — Primary
Genevieve S., Bucasia State School, Qld
In Adaptation: Now That’s Change! Genevieve examines how animals fit into their environment and what they must do to survive if their habitat changes. Combining graphics and close encounters with cuddly — and not-so-cuddly — creatures, she shows how adaptations happen over time and the sort of features that develop to help animals thrive.
University of Sydney Sleek Geeks Science Eureka Prize — Secondary
Iestyn R., St John’s Anglican College, Forest Lake, Qld
Brain scanning technology shows that the human brain can adapt throughout our lives. In his film Neuroplasticity – You Can Change Your Brain, Iestyn uses colourful graphics to explain how neurons connect via synapses. Through everyday examples, he shows that when connections become crowded with data, learning prompts an editing process that makes space for new information.
Here are the rest of the Australian Museum Eureka Prize winners for 2022:
Leadership
Department of Defence Eureka Prize for Leadership in Science and Innovation
Professor Raina MacIntyre, UNSW
You’ve probably seen Raina on TV talking about COVID-19 pandemic. She’s a public health physician, epidemiologist and research. (Meet more STEM heroes of the pandemic here).
Eureka Prize for Emerging Leader in Science
Professor Sumeet Walia, RMIT University
Sumeet’s projects include artificial vision technologies, smart window coatings, UV exposure skin sensors and infection prevention platforms. He’s also a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in STEM. Congrats Sumeet!
University of Technology Sydney Eureka Prize for Outstanding Mentor of Young Researchers
Professor Paul Wood AO, Monash University
Yay for mentors! Paul established the Industry Mentoring and Networking in STEM (IMNIS) program – the largest mentoring programn for PhD students and early career researchers in Australia, and is himself an active mentor for postgrads.
Research & Innovation
NSW Environment and Heritage Eureka Prize for Applied Environmental Research
Sustainable Farms, Australian National University
These researchers have spent 20 years studying how biodiversity respond to management changes on farms – and have shared their findings with farmers, to help them improve how they manage their properties.
Eureka Prize for Excellence in Interdisciplinary Scientific Research
Professor Manfred Lenzen, Professor David Raubenheimer, Dr Arunima Malik, Dr Mengyu Li and Navoda Liyana Pathirana, University of Sydney
These researchers are from super diverse fields – economics, nutrition and engineering – but have worked together to help us understand what we eat and why, and the big-picture impacts of our food choices.
Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre Eureka Prize for Infectious Diseases Research
Associate Professor Eric Chow, Professor Christopher Fairley, Professor Catriona Bradshaw, Professor Jane Hocking, Professor Deborah Williamson and Professor Marcus Chen, Monash University and University of Melbourne
Discoveries made by this team have informed new treatment guidelines and prevention strategies for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) – which are a growing concern nationally.
ANSTO Eureka Prize for Innovative Use of Technology
NanoMslide, La Trobe University; University of Melbourne; Garvan Institute of Medical Research; and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Well earned recognition for the La Trobe team behind NanoMslide – seriously smart tech that turns the humble microscope slide into a cancer diagnostic lab.
Macquarie University Eureka Prize for Outstanding Early Career Researcher
Dr Tess Reynolds, University of Sydney
Tess developed tech to better guide robotic imaging during surgery.
(Inspired much? Take our What’s Your Tech + Health Career? quiz)
UNSW Eureka Prize for Scientific Research
Professor Justin Yerbury AM, University of Wollongong
Justin’s story is so inspirational. He was spurred to follow a career in biological research when he discovered his family has the genetic form of motor neuron disease (MND). He himself was diagnosed with MND in 2016 – and last night he was recognised for his research and discoveries into the underlying principles of the disease, which are driving new research into the causes of cell dysfunction.
Science engagement
Department of Industry, Science and Resources Eureka Prize for Innovation in Citizen Science
The Environment Recovery Project, UNSW and the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research
This project mobilised an incredible 1600 volunteers to help track biodiversity loss and damage caused by the devastating 2019-20 bushfires.
Celestino Eureka Prize for Promoting Understanding of Science
Professor Veena Sahajwalla, UNSW
Vanessa is a materials scientist but you might know her better as the recycling kween from ABC’s War On Waste – and at the Eureka’s she was recognised for her amazing work engaging with community and industry to “shift the mindset of the nation to see unwanted materials not as waste, but as a valuable research”.
Australian Museum Eureka Prize for Science Journalism
Dr Jackson Ryan, CNET
CNET Science Editor, Jackson was one of 66 people who was on the first voyage of Australia’s icebreaker vessel RSV Nuyina. His resulting reporting explored Antarctia through the lens of the climate crisis and offered a snapshot of life on board a research vessel. It’s compelling stuff and makes Jackson a worthy winner of this science journalism prize.
Department of Industry, Science and Resources Eureka Prize for STEM Inclusion
Dr Kirsten Ellis, Monash University
Kirsten invented TapeBlocks, which are colourful easy-to-connect blocks that enable people with a range of disabilities to learn about and create their own electronics.
