4 September 2013
Presented annually by the Australian Museum, the Eureka Prizes reward excellence in the fields of research and innovation, leadership and commercialisation, school science and science journalism and communication.
The University of Melbourne together with Monash University won this year’s University of New South Wales Eureka Prize for Scientific Research for an accidental discovery that revealed the purpose of ‘mystery’ immune cells in the gut. The study shows how our immune system interacts with the complex bacteria ecology in our gut, and opens new paths for drug discovery that could revolutionise the design of modern vaccines, improve outcomes for people suffering inflammatory bowel disease and infection and deliver new drugs to patients more safely .
The 2013 Eureka Prizes
CSIRO Eureka Prize for Leadership in Science
Winner: Professor Frank Caruso, University of Melbourne
Macquarie University Eureka Prize for Outstanding Young Researcher
Winner: Dr Kerrie Wilson, University of Queensland
University of New South Wales Eureka Prize for Scientific Research
Winner: Dr Lars Kjer-Nielsen and Professor James McCluskey, University of Melbourne, and Professor Jamie Rossjohn, Monash University
University of New South Wales Eureka Prize for Excellence in Interdisciplinary Scientific Research
WInner: Quantum Bio-probes, University of Melbourne
University of Sydney Sleek Geeks Science Eureka Prize – Primary
Winner: What is Friction?, Nathan Gori, Reuben Shepherd, Billy McLeod, Jack Dougall and Sacha Balme, Beauty Point Public School, NSW
Caring for our Country Landcare Eureka Prize for Sustainable Agriculture
Winner: The Future Farm Industries CRC Enrich Project Team, CSIRO, University of Western Australia and South Australian Research and Development Institute
ANSTO Eureka Prize for Innovative Use of Technology
Winner: Zebedee Team, CSIRO
Australian Government Eureka Prize for Science Journalism
Winner: Ian Townsend, ABC
Australian Government Eureka Prize for Promoting Understanding of Australian Science Research
Winner: Professor Rob Brooks, University of New South Wales
NSW Health Jamie Callachor Eureka Prize for Medical Research Translation
Winner: Professor Steve Wilton and Professor Sue Fletcher, Murdoch University
University of Technology, Sydney Eureka Prize for Outstanding Mentor of Young Researchers
Winnner: Professor Rick Shine AM FAA, University of Sydney
Australian Museum University of Sydney Sleek Geeks Science Eureka Prize – Secondary
Winner: The Spectacular Spider, Brandon Gifford, Casino High School, NSW
Rio Tinto Eureka Prize for Commercialisation of Innovation
Winner: Scanalyse/Outotec, Scanalyse Pty Ltd/Outotec and Curtin University
NSW Office of Environment and Heritage Eureka Prize for Environmental Research
Winner: Professor Chris Johnson, University of Tasmania; Dr Michael Letnic, University of New South Wales; Dr Euan Ritchie, Deakin University; Dr Arian Wallach, James Cook University; and Adam O’Neill, Evelyn Downs Station
New Scientist Eureka Prize for Science Photography
Winner: Richard Wylie, Euakafa Island Research Centre
Defence Science and Technology Organisation Eureka Prize for Outstanding Science in Safeguarding Australia
Winner: DMTC Armour Applications Program, Defence Materials Technology Centre
2013 Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre Eureka Prize for Infectious Diseases Research
Winners: Professor Scott O’Neill, Monash University; Professor Ary Hoffmann, University of Melbourne; Professor Scott Ritchie, James Cook University; Dr Elizabeth McGraw, Monash University; Dr Luciano Moreira, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation; and Professor Brian Kay, Queensland Institute of Medical Research
2013 3M Eureka Prize for Emerging Leader in Science
Associate Professor David Wilson, Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales