Commonwealth Newsroom | 31 October 2012
An Australian who has truly made a galactic impact
Professor Ken Freeman has been awarded the 2012 Prime Minister’s Prize for Science for almost 50 years work shaping and changing the human view of galaxies and the universe. Best known for his discovery of dark matter in the universe, Freeman also founded one of the most exciting fields of study in astronomy today, galactic archaeology.
Freeman, an astronomer at the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics in the ANU College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, is regarded internationally as Australia’s most renowned astronomer.
Other 2012 prize winners are Eric May, Mark Shackleton, Michael van der Ploeg and Anita Trenwith.
2012 Prize Recipients
- Prime Minister’s Prize for Science
Professor Kenneth Freeman - Science Minister’s Prize for Life Scientist of the Year
Dr Mark Shackleton - Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year
Professor Eric May - Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools
Mr Michael van der Ploeg - Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools
Mrs Anita Trenwith
