A team that was instrumental in the world-first detection of gravitational waves has won this year’s Prime Minister’s Prize for Science.
Emeritus Professor David Blair (UWA), Professor David McClelland (ANU), Professor Susan Scott (ANU) and Professor Peter Veitch (UA) (In photo L-R), from the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery received the $250,000 prize for their critical contributions to the international effort that led to the first direct detection of gravitational waves in 2015.
This was a ground-breaking discovery in the world of physics occurring nearly 100 years after Einstein first proposed the existence of gravitational waves and black holes in his theory of general relativity.
Professor Susan Scott said: “Our detection involved two black holes colliding and the two amazing projections from Einstein’s theory are black holes and gravitational waves, and they came together in that one event. It’s like the most magical story in science.”
Congratulations too to the other prize winners of the night.
Prizes for research
Professor Mark Dawson, Clinician-Scientist at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, received the Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year. His pioneering research in epigenetics and ground-breaking discoveries have revolutionised the way we understand and treat blood cancers.
Scientia Associate Professor Xiaojing Hao of UNSW received the Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year. She has emerged as a world leader in thin-film solar photovoltaics. Her research is changing the way we think about renewable solar energy.
Prizes for innovation
Professor Thomas Maschmeyer of The University of Sydney (Top photo Far Right) received the Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation for his work in translating fundamental research into two pioneering technologies. These are poised to transform how we address two of humanity’s most pressing challenges – the need for more efficient commercial waste recycling, and boosting the performance of renewable energy storage.
Associate Professor Justin Chalker of Flinders University received the Prize for New Innovators. He invented a new class of polymers that will also enable sustainable solutions – clean air, fresh water and sustainable food production.
Prizes for science, mathematics or technology teaching
Sarah Fletcher, Bonython Primary School’s STEM Specialist Teacher, received the Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools. She has made outstanding contributions to the school’s STEM program and the wider ACT education community.
Darren Hamley, Willetton Senior High School teacher, received the Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools He initiated extracurricular programs to help students relate their theoretical scientific learnings to real-world applications.
As lovers of science we offer our hearty congratulations and admiration to all the worthy winners. As the Hon Karen Andrews MP (Minister for Industry, Science and Technology) said, “Through your achievements you show the next generation that a life and career in science is something they can aspire to”.
