Cancer researcher Professor Jerry Adams has won the Australian Academy of Science’s most prestigious award for biological sciences, the Macfarlane Burnet Medal.
Joint head of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute’s (WEHI) Molecular Genetics of Cancer division, Professor Adams showed how errors in chromosomal arrangements contribute to tumour growth.
His team studies the natural process of cell death, or apoptosis, and how flaws in this process contribute to cancer development and resistance to therapy.
“These discoveries have stimulated and guided the development of a whole new class of anti-cancer agents”, said Professor Marilyn Renfree, the Academy’s Secretary for Biological Sciences and award committee chair.
“Drugs developed from this research are currently undergoing testing. Their mode of action is to directly engage the cell death mechanism and ‘flip on’ the cell death switch.”
Established in 1971 to commemorate the work of Nobel prize-winning Australian biologist, the late Sir Frank Macfarlane Burnet, the Macfarlane Burnet Medal and Lecture is awarded every two years.
“This medal recognises scientific research of the highest standing in the biological science,” Professor Renfree said.
“Professor Adams has been an outstanding scientist for many years and was elected a Fellow of the Academy in 1986. On behalf of the Academy, I offer him my warmest congratulations on this well-deserved honour.”
Professor Adams will be awarded the medal and speak about his work at the Academy’s annual conference, Science at the Shine Dome, in 2014.
Every year the Australian Academy of Science makes up to six honorific awards to career researchers for life-long achievements and up to eight to outstanding early-career researchers under the age of 40. In addition, the Academy gives a number of awards for research support.
Worth more than $150,000 annually, the 2013 Academy awards will be announced on 16 January 2013.
Most of the winners will receive their awards and speak about their work at Science at the Shine Dome, being held in Canberra from 29-31 May 2013.
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