- Winners of the Premier's Science Awards share in $120,000 prize pool
- Scientist of the Year has been awarded as a joint prize
- Two leading local scientists inducted into the WA Science Hall of Fame
This year's Premier's Science Awards (PSA) saw the announcement of joint winners for the 2024 Scientist of the Year.
The $50,000 prize will be shared between John Curtin Distinguished Professor Sharon Parker from Curtin University, and Professor Markus Schlaich from The University of Western Australia, Royal Perth Hospital and RPH Research Foundation.
Professor Parker led a landmark study into mental health and workplace culture in the Western Australian mining industry, and advises health, aged and disability care organisations.
Professor Schlaich's translational clinical research has resulted in recent regulatory approval of several novel blood pressure lowering therapies, including a new drug class and a revolutionary interventional approach to treat hypertension.
Applications came from across all fields of science, including natural, medical, applied and technological science, engineering and mathematics.
Winners were selected by panels of expert judges who oversaw the assessment process.
The awards ceremony also saw two of Western Australia's most esteemed scientists inducted into the WA Science Hall of Fame.
Professor Peter Quinn from The University of Western Australia was inducted in recognition of his outstanding and lifelong contribution to astrophysics, including his role in establishing the world's largest and most sophisticated radio telescope, the Square Kilometre Array, in Western Australia.
Winthrop Professor Fiona Wood AO from Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth Children's Hospital, and The University of Western Australia was inducted in recognition of her groundbreaking and globally acclaimed contributions to burns research and treatment.
For the first time ever, a People's Choice Award was also awarded as a part of the PSA ceremony, following several weeks of public voting. The new award amassed more than 5000 votes, and was presented to John Curtin Distinguished Professor Sharon Parker, who is also a joint winner of the 2024 Scientist of the Year award.
The PSA are proudly supported by gold sponsors Shell and Woodside; silver sponsors Baxter Healthcare and DUG Technology; and bronze sponsors, CSIRO, Fogarty Foundation, NovaCina and Pawsey Supercomputing Research Centre.
The awards are also supported by sector sponsor Telethon Kids Institute; community partners Scitech and the Western Australian Museum; media partner The West Australian; and Curtin University, Edith Cowan University, Murdoch University and The University of Western Australia.
For more information see: Premier's Science Awards (www.wa.gov.au) and Science Hall of Fame (www.wa.gov.au).
Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:
"Congratulations to all the finalists and winners for this year's Premier's Science Awards and the latest inductees into the WA Science Hall of Fame.
"These awards showcase the breadth of scientific talent here in Western Australia and 2024 has been a particularly competitive year.
"Science plays a key role in the future of our State, underpinning the diversification of our economy, industry growth and solving environmental and social challenges."
Comments attributed to Science Minister Stephen Dawson:
"Our 2024 Premier's Science Awards winners and finalists are amazing role models for our next generation of scientists, inspiring more young people to choose careers in STEM.
"I congratulate all of the winners and thank them for their important work across the State.
"The WA Science Hall of Fame, which has acknowledged exceptional, lifelong contributions to STEM since 2007, now has another two well-deserving members to join their ranks with Professor Fiona Wood AO and Professor Peter Quinn."
Full list of Premier's Science Award winners and Hall of Fame Inductees
