Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan

Western Australia Minister for Science Dave Kelly

Premier’s Science Awards Recognise Outstanding Western Australia Achievers

Victor P Taffa

• Professors Harvey Millar and Christobel Saunders joint winners of Scientist of the Year
• Emeritus Professor John Pate inducted into the Western Australia Science Hall of Fame

Western Australia’s top researchers and science communicators have been recognised overnight at the Premier’s Science Awards for 2017.

Premier’s Science Awards, in their 16th year, are decided by a judging panel led by Western Australia’s Chief Scientist, Professor Peter Klinken.

 

This year, 2 outstanding winners shared the $50,000 prize for Scientist of the Year:

• Professor Harvey Millar, Centre Director, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology (The University of Western Australia);
• Professor Christobel Saunders, Professor of Surgical Oncology, Head, Division of Surgery (The University of Western Australia).

“Professors Millar and Saunders both embody the very best of Western Australian aptitude and innovation, and have national leadership roles in their respective fields of plant science, and cancer research and treatment.” Premier Mark McGowan said.

“They are also working actively to educate the next generation of Western Australian scientific researchers and practitioners.”

Other winners were:

• Asha Bowen – Woodside Early Career Scientist of the Year ($10,000);
• David Gozzard – ExxonMobil Student Scientist of the Year ($10,000);
• CoderDojo WA – Chevron Science Engagement Initiative of the Year ($10,000).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Our 2017 winners are testament to Western Australia’s world-class efforts in areas such as medicine, agriculture and biodiversity, and radio astronomy.” Minister for Science Dave Kelly said.

“CoderDojo was also recognised for its work to recruit the next generation of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) professionals through its open source network of fun, free and social computer programming clubs for people aged 7 to 17.”

Emeritus Professor John Pate was inducted into the Western Australia Science Hall of Fame in recognition of his decades-long career in plant ecology and physiology, which has greatly informed the knowledge of flora in Western Australia.

ExxonMobil, Chevron and Woodside have sponsored the awards since 2013. Supporting the awards ceremony this year were Western Australia’s 5 universities.