Awards Drive Science and Innovation in Victoria

Victoria's Lead Scientist has announced the recipients of the Victoria Prize for Science and Innovation, the Victoria Fellowships and the veski innovation fellowship at a special awards ceremony on Tuesday, 23 October 2018 hosted by veski at Investment Centre Victoria.

For a sixth year, the Labor Government has partnered with veski to deliver the awards, which help recipients take the next steps in their science and research discovery journeys.

Minister for Innovation and the Digital Economy Philip Dalidakis said that the Victoria Fellowships and Victoria Prize are key as they provide our leading scientists and innovators with the support they need to develop life changing treatments here in Victoria.

Dr Amanda Caples, Victoria's Lead Scientist, presided over the announcement with Professor Andrew Roberts from Walter and Eliza Hall Institute and Professor John Seymour AM from Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre jointly awarded the $50,000 Victoria Prize for life sciences. Professors Roberts and Seymour have worked collaboratively to deliver a new anti-cancer drug for patients worldwide with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, Venetoclax, now approved around the world for routine use in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia that has returned or never gone away after initial treatment with chemotherapy. Watch the video here.

Professor Douglas MacFarlane from Monash University was awarded the $50,000 Victoria Prize for physical sciences for his recent discoveries in renewable energy conversion, based on his pioneering development of a class of new materials offering significant advances in renewable energy solutions for the future. His discoveries are poised to have a significant impact on renewable energy opportunities for Australia, both in the local energy market and for export.  Watch the video here.

Victoria Fellowships were awarded to 12 early career researchers valued at up to $18,000 each to assist them with an international study mission – six in life sciences and six in physical sciences.  Click here to view the Victoria Fellows profiles.

The recipients will help to shape Victoria’s future economy by driving new ideas and products in our industries and enhancing the state’s reputation as a global centre for discoveries and technology. 

The Australian French Association Science [AFAS] continued their support of the Victoria Fellowships, with Dr Nicholas Welch from CSIRO being named as the recipient of the AFAS - Vic Associate Award, to facilitate science and technology innovations to mutually benefit Victoria and France.