Research depth rewarded
by Michèle Nardelli
Leadership, strong and creative management, great communication skills, and innovative research have all been rewarded at UniSA in the past month.
UniSA researchers, both experienced and emerging, have been front of stage in the list of winners for the SA Science Excellence Awards and the Young Tall Poppy Awards.
Laureate Professor John Ralston was named SA Scientist of the Year on August 23.
As Director of UniSA’s Ian Wark Research Institute, Prof Ralston has built an outstanding reputation around the world for high quality and high impact research The Wark™. Since 1984 he has worked with colleagues locally, nationally and internationally to attract more than $100 million in research funding.
Under his leadership researchers at The Wark™ developed a flotation model now being applied in the mining industry to increase the recovery and ore grade quality of minerals. Acknowledged as one of the most significant advances in mineral processing in decades, the model increases mineral recovery by two to five per cent, for some operations, equating to millions of dollars each year.
This latest award caps off a brilliant 24 months for Professor Ralston who was named winner of the 2006 Premier’s Science Excellence Award for Research Leadership, the Chemeca Medal for Outstanding Service and Contribution to Chemical Engineering, Australian Mining’s inaugural Most Outstanding Contribution to Mining Award, and a nomination by SA Premier Mike Rann for the 2007 CSIRO Eureka Prize for Leadership in Science.
Professors Chris Daniels and Jerzy Filar were also honoured at the SA Awards for Science Excellence.
Well-known by radio listeners everywhere for his encyclopaedic knowledge of Australian native animals and their habitats, Professor Chris Daniels, UniSA’s Chair in Urban Ecology won the award for Science Education and Communication Excellence. As leader of Biocity: Centre for Urban Habitats, Prof Daniels’ multimedia engagement with South Australians young and old continues to show that "the environment" is as close as your own back yard.
Director of Research at UniSA’s Institute for Sustainable Systems and Technologies and Professor of Mathematics, Jerzy Filar was recognised for Science Leadership and Management Excellence. One of the founders of the Hypatia Scholarships for Women in Mathematics, Prof Filar has been a champion of mathematics research and education.
Also announced at the Awards was a special grant of $1.35 million to support the Building a Fit and Healthy South Australia – Families Lifelong Health project led by UniSA Pro Vice Chancellor Health Sciences, Professor Robyn McDermott. The project brings together a multidisciplinary team of expert local and international researchers to undertake a multigenerational study of the health of SA families. It aims to identify the key factors that lead to ill-health across the generations and establish the basis for preventing some of the major causes of illness and mortality.
The SA Young Tall Poppy winners announced in August included a core of health researchers from UniSA’s Sansom Institute, reflecting the growing depth of research talent in health and health sciences.
Expert in mosquito populations and the diseases they transmit, Dr Craig Williams was named SA’s Young Tall Poppy of the Year. He was joined on stage by colleagues Dr Beverly Muhlhäusler, who is researching the prenatal origins of child and adult obesity, and Dr Emma Pakinson-Lawrence, who is working on uncovering more information about a group of genetic conditions known as lysosomal storage disorders.
And when the national CSIRO Eureka Awards were announced, UniSA
PhD student Nick Palousis (pictured) was one of only two South
Australians to take out honours, winning the $10,000 British Council
Eureka Prize for Young Leaders in Environmental Issues and Climate
Change. He received the award for his impressive range of activities
in the development, implementation and communication of sustainable
engineering and business solutions.
UniSA Vice Chancellor Professor Peter Høj said the awards were highly deserved and proper recognition for all of the recipients who have worked hard for their success.
"This kind of success is always underpinned by talent, hard work, determination and a real passion for the work, and it is terrific to see that a culture of endeavour and success runs right through the University," he said.
"The past month has shown that we have vibrant emerging researchers succeeding in their fields, and established researchers with a lifelong passion about the difference they can make in the world through continued leadership of research with dedication, flair and energy.
"The whole UniSA community can be proud of the awards they have all received, which are well deserved "