Content
Australia's top scientists take to the stage
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Chicken chat analysis, the search for the perfect sunscreen and a national can-do carbon plan are among the 19 winning entries in the country's most prestigious science awards.
Already the results of this scientific prowess are altering the way we live and think here and around the world.
With prize money worth $190,000 on offer, the 2010 winners received their accolades on stage at a sparkling awards ceremony attended by over 800 of the country's top thinkers, politicians and celebrities in the Randwick Pavilion at Sydney's Royal Randwick Racecourse.
"Once again, Australia's scientific community is showing that it can punch well above its weight when you consider the scope and influence of the work of the 2010 Eureka Prize winners," says Frank Howarth, Director of the Australian Museum.
"The rigorous science celebrated by the Eureka Prizes demonstrates the vital work being done by our scientists in offices, laboratories and in the field all year ‘round. They are devising solutions to the problems we face in realms as varied as defence, water use, climate change and the treatment of cancer."
Given that 35 million people read, watched or listened to news of the 2009 prizewinners, the event dubbed the "Oscars of Australian science" is clearly helping to spread the news of these impressive scientific successes as widely as possible.
The Australian Museum Eureka Prizes turn 21 this year and continue to reward excellence in scientific leadership and research, science in schools and science communication. For the first time, the awards have also included prizes for Early Career Research, Outstanding Medical Research Translation, Innovation in Computer Science, and Advancement of Climate Change Knowledge.
