2016 Prime Minister's Prizes for Science

The Australian Academy of Science wishes to congratulate all of the deserving recipients of the 2016 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science.

Academy Fellow, Professor Richard Shine, was awarded the top honour—the 2016 Prime Minister’s Prize for Science—for his work on reptiles. His research explores reptilian behaviours and their applicability to wider understandings of vertebrate evolution; the roles and importance of reptiles in ecosystems; and discoveries in cane toad biology that have led to new understandings of invasive behaviours and controlling their population.

The 2014 recipient of the Academy’s Le Fèvre Memorial Prize, Professor Richard Payne, was also among those awarded. He received the 2016 Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year.

The 2016 Awardees are:

The Prime Minister’s Prize for Science

• Professor Richard Shine AM FAA, University of Sydney

The Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation

• Professor Michael Aitken AM, Capital Markets CRC

The Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year

• Associate Professor Kerrie Wilson, University of Queensland

The Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year

• Professor Richard Payne, University of Sydney

The Prime Minister's Prize for New Innovators

• Dr Colin Hall, University of South Australia

The Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools

• Mr Gary Tilley, Seaforth Public School, NSW

The Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools

• Miss Suzy Urbaniak, Kent Street Senior High School, WA

Schools Principals (receiving Certificates of Recognition)

• Mr Bernard Cheng, Seaforth Public School NSW
• Ms Kath Ward, Kent Street Senior School WA

Highly Commended – Primary (receiving Highly Commended Certificates)

• Mrs Danielle Spencer, Mitchelton State School, QLD
• Mrs Tameika Munday, Burnie Primary School, TAS

Highly Commended – Secondary (receiving Highly Commended Certificates)

• Mr Brett Mckay, Kirrawee High School, NSW
• Ms Nirupma Kumar, Holroyd High School, NSW
• Mrs Cherine Spirou, Fairvale High School, NSW

The Australian Academy of Science congratulates all those awarded honours this year, as their work is a reflection of the inspiring achievements being accomplished by STEM professionals across Australia. For more information on the awards and recipients, visit the Prime Minister’s Prizes website.