Two Academy Fellows win PM's Prize for Science

The Australian Academy of Science today congratulated the winners of the 2014 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science, including two Academy Fellows.

Professors Ingrid Scheffer and Sam Berkovic have won the $300,000 Prime Minister’s Prize for Science for their ground-breaking work in epilepsy and its genetic links.

Their work has led to improved diagnosis and treatment for epilepsy sufferers around the world.

Professor Scheffer is also one of three scientists to feature in the Academy’s new Brain Box podcast interviews which aim to show the personal side of Australian scientists.

The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science are the nation's finest awards for excellence in science and science teaching and will be presented by Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane at a formal dinner tonight in the Great Hall of Parliament House.

The Academy congratulates the other winners of the Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science:

• Matthew Hill, winner of the Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year
• Professor Ryan Lister, winner of the Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year
• Geoff McNamara, winner of the Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary School
• Brian Schiller, winner of the Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools

(Photo credit: WildBear/Science in Public)