World-leading gastrointestinal expert, Professor Graeme Young has been named South Australia’s Scientist of the Year for 2013.

Announced at the Science Excellence Awards (South Australia’s premier event to honour outstanding achievers in science and research) in August, the prestigious title recognises Professor Young’s instrumental role in developing the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, as well as his tireless efforts to eradicate infant deaths from diarrhoea in developing countries.

He was also acknowledged for his integral role in establishing the Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, particularly the third-floor Cancer Prevention Unit where he is based.  The Centre houses world-class care and survivorship services, alongside innovative cancer prevention and early intervention research.

One of Professor Young’s key achievements has been winning a $22 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to progress his ground-breaking and globally significant work in establishing a process for re-examining the role of zinc therapy in diarrhoea and malnutrition.

The Scientist of the Year title has gone to a Flinders researcher for two years running, with Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Karen Reynolds, named the 2012 SA Scientist of the Year.