- Published:
- Tuesday 19 November 2019
Victoria’s world-leading scientists have been recognised at the 2019 Victoria Prize and Fellowship Awards.
The Victoria Prize for Science and Innovation is the state’s most prestigious award for life sciences and physical sciences, acknowledging individuals who are leaders in their field.
Associate Professor Timothy Scott was awarded a $150,000 veski innovation fellowship to undertake key research to improve 3D printing processes for manufacturing and production.
Monash University will match this fellowship to bring Assoc. Prof. Scott from the University of Michigan to continue his ground-breaking research in Victoria.
Professor Michael Berk from Deakin University and the National Health and Medical Research Council was awarded the $50,000 Victoria Prize for Life Sciences, for his research into risk factors and effective treatments of psychological conditions such as bipolar disorder.
In a career spanning more than two decades and more than 950 papers, Professor Berk’s research has improved our understanding of mental illness to such as degree that he is listed by Thompson Reuters as one of the world’s most influential scientific minds.
The $50,000 Victoria Prize for Physical Sciences has been awarded to Professor Anthony Burkitt from the University of Melbourne and The Bionics Institute, for his research into the behaviour and function of the brain in order to help people with sensory or brain disorders.
A world leader in medical bionics and computational neuroscience, Professor Burkitt’s leading achievement is the development of the bionic eye, giving prosthetic vision to blind patients.
Twelve Victoria Fellowships were also awarded to early-career researchers, each valued at up to $18,000 for overseas study missions.
veski has delivered the Victoria Prize for Science and Innovation and Victoria Fellowships on behalf of the Victorian Government since 2013.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Jobs, Innovation and Trade Martin Pakula
“Victoria is Australia’s Innovation State and we are backing our top researchers and recognising the world-leading work that is being done here.”
“We’re proud to support the next generation of scientists and innovators because research is the key to improving the wellbeing of Victorians and driving the industries that create the jobs of tomorrow.”