Published on the 6th November 2018 by ANSTO Staff
The ANSTO Awards in Nuclear Science and Technology 2018 were presented on Friday 2 November at The Australian Museum, and showcased ANSTO’s unique nuclear science and technology capabilities, which enable progress in the key areas of health research and innovation for industry.
Award finalists and their families , Federal Member for Hughes, Craig Kelly, the Honourable Scott Farlow, Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier, representing the NSW Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation, the Collins family, members of the ANSTO Board, ANSTO Executive, ANSTO senior leaders and NMI Chief Metrologist Bruce Warrington attended.
Professor Rebecca Johnson, Director of the Australian Museum Research Institute, opened the event, acknowledging the strengthening partnership between ANSTO and the Australian Museum and highlighting collaborations between the two prestigious organisations.
ANSTO’s CEO, Dr Adi Paterson recognised the ANSTO Awards as an important opportunity to come together and celebrate the outstanding success and contribution our researchers have made through their work at ANSTO
“At the heart of the awards is the acknowledgment of excellence in scientific outcomes, strengthening of partnerships and real-world benefits achieved by our ingenious scientists,” ANSTO CEO, Dr Adi Paterson, said.
“ANSTO scientists at our Sydney and Melbourne campuses are working every day to improve health and save lives, build our industries and protect the environment.
“We are able to make this difference because of our unique position, in that we can bring together diverse teams from fields such as physics, chemistry and biology.
“These teams and their collaborators have access to powerful nuclear and accelerator technologies, only available at ANSTO.
“I would like to extend my congratulations to all of the finalists and winners in the 2018 Nuclear Science and Technology Awards.”
The Award winners were:
ANSTO Early-Career Research Award
Gabriel Murphy, Nuclear Materials Researcher and PhD candidate
For contributing to new and improved ways to manage, handle and store nuclear waste. With a focus on uranium, he has used ANSTO facilities including the Australian Synchrotron and the Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering to further his investigations.
Excellence in Science Communication Award
Dr Helen Maynard-Casely, Instrument Scientist
For interpreting complex scientific ideas in planetary science, and promoting the power of science and ANSTO using social media and ongoing contributions to media outlet The Conversation.
George Collins Award for Innovation (joint winners)
Dr Mitra Safavi-Naeini and the Neutron Capture Enhanced Particle Therapy (NCEPT) team
For developing a potential powerful new, enhanced weapon in the fight against cancer by improving a type of radiotherapy to deliver more powerful and targeted doses of nuclear medicine.
Dr David Boardman and the Gamma-ray Imaging with Compressed Sensing team
For developing cutting-edge camera technology is a new tool that enables the visualisation of gamma radiation – creating safer environments across a range of industries.
CEO Sustained Contribution Award (joint winners)
Dr Lou Vance, Research Scientist
For his 30 years as an academic and ANSTO scientist working to improve nuclear waste management.
Dr Mark Reinhard, Nuclear Stewardship Leader
For his expertise in nuclear forensics and metrology with far reaching contributions to a range of industries including nuclear medicine and international security.
People’s Choice winners (as voted by ANSTO staff):
Dr Floriana Salvemini - Early Career Research Award
Dr Ben Fraser – Excellence in Science Communication Award
Dr David Boardman and the Gamma-ray Imaging with Compressed Sensing team – George Collins Award for Innovation
