South Australia’s leading scientists, educators and innovators have been acknowledged at the annual SA Science Excellence and Innovation Awards celebration dinner.
Medical researcher and 2022 SA Australian of the Year Professor Helen Marshall was named 2023 Scientist of the Year for her work in vaccination research and reducing the devastating impacts of meningococcal B.
Joining Professor Marshall are five more category winners, including three women and two research groups, showcasing a strong female talent pool for the 19th year of the state’s premier science event.
The Awards recognise the outstanding work of our state’s South Australian Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM) leaders including educators, scientists, researchers, and industry professionals.
As well as displaying excellence in STEMM, this year’s winners all boast significant recent achievements, and are acknowledged for their role in advancing sectors like education, health, mining, wine production, and the protection of our environment.
Nominations from more than 60 promising candidates across six categories were assessed by a judging panel comprised of experienced representatives from industry, research, government, and education.
A group of 18 finalists were selected earlier this year, before the six winners were announced at a celebration dinner on Friday 17 November, where 400 guests gathered to celebrate at The Grainger Studios.
The 2023 SA Science Excellence and Innovation Awards were held in partnership with platinum sponsors Novatech Creative Event Technology, Commonwealth Bank, and Telstra.
To learn more about the outstanding work of each winner, visit scienceawards.sa.gov.au
Quotes
Attributable to Susan Close
The South Australian Government is committed to harnessing the state’s research capabilities, boosting research collaboration between industry and researchers, and driving the translation of our research and innovation into economic, social and environmental outcomes.
To achieve this, we need more STEMM professionals to advance our fastest-growing industry sectors, such as health, renewable energy, green hydrogen, sustainable manufacturing, space, and defence.
This year’s Science Excellence and Innovation Award winners – whether they’re in the lab working on the next major scientific breakthroughs, partnering with industry to bring new innovations to market, or in the classroom educating the next generation – all play a role in attracting young people to these critical fields.
They are showing the nation – and the world – what South Australia is capable of, and inspiring the next generation of STEMM professionals.
Attributable to 2023 Scientist of the Year, Professor Helen Marshall
My area of expertise is primarily Vaccinology, which is a specialty encompassing everything to do with vaccines and immunisation. My research is centred on providing the best protection for children against life-threatening infectious diseases through immunisation.
My main area of contribution internationally has been the availability of meningococcal vaccines to protect children against meningococcal meningitis and sepsis. I led the first clinical trials of a meningococcal B vaccine globally and then advocated for the meningococcal B vaccine herd immunity study to be undertaken in South Australia.
This meant South Australian young people had early and free access to a licensed meningococcal B vaccine.
It’s a great honour to be recognised through the SA Scientist of the Year Award.
I love my job, I feel so privileged to work in such an exciting and important area. I think there is a responsibility that comes with winning awards.
It’s about being a role model for the next generation especially for women. It’s important that there are more women achieving and being recognised for their research leadership to inspire the next generation of leaders.
* Picture/video credit: Randy Larcombe
2023 SA Science Excellence and Innovation Award winners
*Scientist of the Year: Professor Helen Marshall. The University of Adelaide. Awarded for her vaccination research which has had significant local and global impacts on the incidence and treatment of meningococcal B.
*Innovator of the Year: The Chrysos PhotonAssay Team: Dr James Tickner, Mr Dirk Treasure, Dr Alvin Chowles and Dr Rhys Preston. Awarded for development and commercialisation of game-changing technology for the mining industry.
*PhD Research Excellence Award: Dr Hayley Leake, University of South Australia. Awarded for her research into the improvement of chronic pain management for adolescence.
*STEMM Educator of the Year – Primary/Secondary: Mrs Christie Evans, Heathfield Primary School. Awarded for her contribution to STEMM education and problem-based learning approaches.
*STEMM Educator of the Year - University/RTO: Ms Jill Bauer, The University of Adelaide. Awarded for her contemporary approaches to wine education.
*Excellence in Science and Industry Collaboration: Science to revive lost oyster reefs: Professor Sean Connell, Ms Sandy Carruthers, Dr Domenic McAfee, Ms Anita Nedosyko and Mr Alan Noble, The University of Adelaide. Awarded for the revival of an extinct ecosystem to restore fish production and water quality.
