Now in its 17th year, the Western Australian Science Hall of Fame recognises exceptional lifelong contributions of individuals leading who are pre-eminent in their field in the science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) sector.
This year, 2 outstanding members of the STEM sector have been inducted to the Western Australian Science Hall of Fame. Congratulations to Professor Peter Quinn and Winthrop Professor Fiona Wood AO.
Professor Peter Quinn
Professor Peter Quinn’s 42-year research career, focusing on dark matter, galaxy formation and cosmology, has made him a world-leading astrophysicist with over 300 publications and a h-index of 61. His work on dark matter appeared on the front cover of Nature in 1993.
Professor Quinn’s work on supercomputer modelling of galaxy collisions significantly changed the paradigm for galaxy formation, showing that some remarkable extended stellar features called “shells” were the telltale sign of a history of collisions for large galaxies. His work also predicted that galaxies should retain a memory of past encounters that are still visible in steams of stars and structural changes to the host galaxy. These predictions have been verified through numerous large surveys of the Milky Way and other galaxies over the past 25 years.
Between 1995 and 2006 Professor Quinn lead an international effort that charged the way astronomy was done from the ground by building an end-to-end science system for the world’s largest optical/IR telescope, the new 2 billion Euro VLT in Chile. The VLT has become the most efficient telescope in the world, providing thousands of astronomers worldwide access to cutting edge instruments to make research breakthroughs.
In 2006, Professor Quinn moved to WA to accept a Premier’s Fellowship at the University of Western Australia, joining the efforts to establish the SKA in Australia. Professor Quinn was the inaugural Executive Director of the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) which was founded in 2009 and is now ranked as one of the top 5 radio astronomy centres in the world. ICRAR has ensured WA is receiving a broad range of educational, technological, community and industrial returns from the SKA project. Under Professor Quinn’s leadership, ICRAR grew WA’s ASTROFEST into the largest public astronomy event in the southern hemisphere.
Professor Quinn’s achievements have been recognized with a University Medal in Physics (1978), a University of California Physical Sciences Distinguished Achievement Award (1993), a Computerworld 21st Century Achievement Award (2005), a WA Scientist of the Year Award (2012) and a University of Wollongong Research and Innovation Award (2016).
