From the annual SA Science Excellence and Innovation awards to the 2021 Tall Poppy awards, Flinders University researchers are in the spotlight this month.
On Monday 15 November, the 2021 Young Tall Poppy science award winners were congratulated by the State Governor, Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, as well as chief scientist for SA Professor Caroline McMillen – herself a distinguished medical and health researcher – and other dignitaries at a special ceremony in Adelaide.
The VIPs, including Tall Poppy Selection Committee chair UniSA Professor in Pulmonary Biology Sandra Orgeig, emphasised the importance of medical, health and other scientific research to South Australia, and its role in finding answers to pressing problems facing society, the environment and the world.
The annual Australian Institute of Policy and Science awards aim to encourage finalists to communicate their scientific research work, engaging with students and community groups of all ages.
Flinders University Tall Poppy Dr Yee Lian Chew (neuroscience) – a Tall Poppy of the Year finalist – Dr Ashley Hopkins (precision oncology) and Dr Eddie Banks (hydrology and hydrogeology) lined up at the ceremony to explain their research with all SA Tall Poppy of the Year nominees.
The 2021 Unsung Hero Awards of South Australian Science – a joint initiative of National Science Week SA and the Australian Science Communicators SA – were also announced. The finalists featured leaders in medical science and ecology and conservation groups, including the Kangaroo Island and Victor Harbor Dolphin Watch volunteer group for a Citizen Science Community Engagement award, Echidna CSI, iBandi (an Adelaide Hills conservation group working to improve protection for southern brown bandicoots) and the SA Bryophyte collection transcription project at the SA Herbarium.
Other winners announced at the ceremony were Unsung Hero of South Australian Science – for science and research endeavours – to radiation expert Dr Michala Short, and Unsung Hero of South Australian Science Communication to bat ecologist Terry Reardon.
This year’s Tall Poppy Selection Committee included Flinders University Strategic Professor John Long and Dr Martin Breed from the College of Science and Engineering
Last week, finalists in this year’s SA Science Innovation and Excellence Awards gathered at Lot 14 to celebrate their achievements.
Each year, the SA Science Excellence and Innovation Awards recognise some of our state’s brightest STEMM achievers – and Flinders University has six finalists in three categories in the annual State awards.
For Innovator of the Year, nominees are 3RT (with collaborators Professor David Lewis and Associate Professor Jonathan Campbell) and Associate Professor Justin Chalker with Clean Earth Technologies.
Excellence in Science and Industry Collaboration nominations are for innovative projects between College of Medicine and Public Health’s Centre for Marine Bioproducts Development researchers, and College of Science and Engineering STEM Fast Track experts working with Tonsley business Micro-X.
Professor of Innovation Giselle Rampersad and Associate Professor Kirstin Ross, from the Environmental Health course, are in the running for STEMM Educator of the Year (tertiary).
The overall winners in the Department for Innovation and Skills annual awards will be announced at an event at the Main Assembly Building at the Tonsley Innovation District on 26 November. To attend, you can register and purchase tickets online.