Professor Ewa Goldys of Macquarie University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics and Dr Martin Gosnell of Quantitative Pty Ltd have received the 2016 ANSTO-sponsored Eureka Prize for the Innovative use of technology at a glittering event held in Sydney on 31 August.
Goldwys and Gosnell earned the prize for the development of a hyperspectral imaging technology, which enables the colour of cells and tissues to be used as a non-invasive medical diagnostic tool. This powerful approach is easily accessible and yields translational outcomes for patients and industry.
A contingent of ANSTO senior executives and researchers attended the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes event, which recognises excellence in research and innovation, leadership, science communication and school science across a broad spectrum – from environmental innovative technologies, to science journalism, mentoring and for the first time, citizen science.
"We are proud to sponsor this important prize for innovation, which reflects an extraordinary level of achievement," said CEO Dr Adi Paterson.
"ANSTO is also extending special congratulations to several recipients with whom we have an association."
Longstanding collaborator Thales Australia earned the Defence Science and Technology Eureka Prize for Outstanding Science in Safeguarding Australia. Thales was recognised for the development of the innovative new Hawkei vehicle, which provides Australian soldiers with potentially life-saving protection against roadside bombs and other threats. It combines several existing technologies to produce a novel design. ANSTO materials researchers have worked with Thales and the Defence Science and Technology Group on improvements to the Hawkei, other vehicles and related projects.
Genepool Productions and Derek Muller of Veritasium received the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science Eureka Prize for Science Journalism for the three-part television series series Uranium – Twisting the Dragon’s Tail. The video explores the past, present and future of an element that has had a significant impact on human history. CEO Adi Paterson was a consultant on the production and footage used it was filmed at the OPAL multi purpose nuclear reactor.
ANSTO was also extending special congratulations to a team at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI) team who received the Johnson & Johnson Eureka Prize for Innovation in Medical Research. The work undertaken by Professor David Huang and his team has transformed a basic Australian research discovery into a new cancer therapy approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. Medical researchers from the WEHI use the X-ray beamlines at the Australian Synchrotron in their research.
Published: 01/09/2016