Article by Dianna Woods
The 2011 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes Award Dinner was held early in September and a senior researcher from the Environmental Futures Centre was awarded the Sherman Eureka Prize for Environmental Research.
We would like to congratulate Professor Hamish McCallum (Head of Griffith School of Environment) who is a member of 'The Devils' Advocates' team that was awarded the Sherman Eureka Prize for Environmental Research. This prize is awarded for research in any field of biological, physical, mathematical or biomedical sciences leading to the resolution of an environmental problem or the improvement of our natural environment.
Professor Hamish McCallum (third from left) and his Devils' Advocates Team at the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes Award Dinner. Image from Life Scientist.
'The Devils' Advocates' team comprises researchers from diverse disciplines who have collaborated to provide fundamental information needed to conserve the Tasmanian devil, which is threatened from extinction from a contagious cancer. Before seeking to develop a vaccine for the Tasmanian devil’s facial tumour disease, the team studied the immune system of the devil and the nature of the offending tumours. The researchers now have a diagnostic test for the cancer and have discovered that the devils possess a competent immune system. Early results showing that in some devils immunisation with tumour cells leads to an immune response which provides encouragement that vaccination is achievable.
The team also includes Dr Menna Jones from the School of Zoology at the University of Tasmania; Associate Professor Kathy Belov, from the Faculty of Veterinary Science at the University of Sydney; Associate Professor Greg Woods at the Menzies Research Institute Tasmania; and Anne-Maree Pearse, from the Save the Tasmanian Devil program at the state’s Animal Health Laboratory.
The Australian Museum Eureka Prizes are presented annually by the Australian Museum and reward excellence in the fields of research and innovation; leadership and commercialisation; school science; and science journalism and communication. ‘The Eurekas', as they are fondly known, have become the most coveted science awards in this country. Every scientist knows a ‘eureka' moment comes after decades of singular dedication, deep inquiry and rich collaboration. Receiving an Australian Museum Eureka Prize is regarded as a pinnacle achievement for any Australian scientist. “For 22 years, the Eureka Prizes have been providing public recognition of the sometimes little-known achievements of Australia‟s scientific community,” says Frank Howarth, Director of the Australian Museum. “Already, this year‟s winners are influencing the way we think and act in realms as diverse as computer science and the Melbourne Cup.”