The 2009 presentation ceremony for the Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science was held in the Great Hall, Parliament House in Canberra on 28th October 2009.

• 30 October 2009

The 2009 presentation ceremony for the Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science was held in the Great Hall, Parliament House in Canberra on 28th October 2009.

The annual Prizes are Australia’s celebration and recognition of excellence in both theoretical and practical applications of science and teaching that contribute to improving the standards of Australia’s present and future scientific capabilities and aspirations.

Prizes are awarded in five categories:
1.    Prime Minister’s Prize for Science
2.    Science Minister’s Prize for Life Scientist of the Year
3.    Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year
4.    Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools
5.    Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools

This year’s recipients of the awards are:

(L-R) Mr Allan Wittome, Mr Len Altman, Professor Michael Cowley, Dr Amanda Barnard, The Hon Kevin Rudd MP, Prime Minister of Australia, Dr John O’Sullivan, The Hon Senator Kim Carr, Minister of Innovation, Industry, Science & Research

Prime Minister’s Prize for Science: John O’Sullivan

John O’Sullivan, Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering from the University of Sydney has won Australia’s greatest scientific honour, the Prime Minister’s Prize for Science 2009 for his many achievements in astronomy and wireless technologies.

This award recognises in particular his research into the reduction of atmospheric distortion of electromagnetic signals that contributed significantly to the development and commercialisation of the now ubiquitous technology that features within nearly every WiFi device and Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) across the world making them both fast and reliable.

Science Minister’s Prize for Life Scientist of the Year: Michael Cowley

Dr. Michael Cowley has dedicated his career to understanding the contributing factors to a condition that affects nearly two and a half million Australians: obesity.  He is the creator of biotech company, Orexigen, which is currently trialling four obesity treatments that utilise his breakthrough knowledge of the effects of the hormone lepatin on the brain which has the ability to increase or decrease weight.

Dr. Cowley continues to work with colleagues at Monash University to develop therapies that break the relationship between obesity and increased risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year: Amanda Barnard

For Amanda Barnard great academic success of a first class honours degree followed by a PhD in Physics from RMIT University in 2003, have fuelled an already burgeoning career.

Specialising in the supercomputer study of nano-particle materials on a minute scale, Dr. Barnard defied peers when she created particles in the virtual world to test how their stability would be affected when interacting in various environments.  This work is vital as it reduces the risk and increases knowledge before the development of such particles in the real world.

Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools: Allan Wittome

The rural Badgingarra Primary School students of Allan Wittome understand science as an everyday part of their lives through the great enjoyment they receive from their teacher’s practical applications within and outside of the classroom.

They enjoy active participation in competitions, awards programs and community projects including the Earthwatch Teach Live Whale Sharks of Ningaloo. With Mr Wittome’s guidance and motivation, the students were the first primary school to partake in the F1 in Schools project that brings science off the page and into the imagination of the students.

Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools: Len Altman

The resurgence in Australian geoscience teaching emanates from Marden Senior College in South Australia, where Len Altman is continuing his 36 year teaching career guiding the academic and career paths of not only secondary schoolchildren, but also adult learners and recent immigrants.

Geoscience is needed not only for the mining and minerals industries, but is vital in understanding the challenges that lie ahead as a result of climate change particularly with regards to water security. Concerned with whole of life learning, Len Altman frequently organises multiple events and opportunities for students and teachers at all levels of education and led the creation of Geoscience Pathways, a website demonstrating the essential contribution of geoscience to modern society.

Please visit the Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science website to find out more about the individual prizes and award recipients.