Dr John Allen
CSIRO AAHL

Animal Health Award

The Australian Animal Health Laboratory's [AAHL] Diagnosis Surveillance and Response [DSR] group provides diagnostic services, enhanced surveillance and the capability to respond to emerging and foreign animal diseases. Central to this is the coordination and implementation of the AAHL - Regional Program.

This Program aims to build capacity and skills in disease diagnosis in Southeast Asian laboratories, boosting the ability of countries to control and eradicate infectious animal diseases. Concomitantly, the Program also plays a central role in Australian biosecurity preparedness through better threat assessment, risk management and hands-on training of DSR personnel in relation to exotic animal diseases.

Tracey Hinton
CSIRO AAHL

Biotechnology Award

New drug molecules known as small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) have the incredible potential to revolutionise the treatment of major medical problems in society. Extensive research is being performed to establish siRNAs as the next generation of drugs. The major obstacle at present is delivery of the siRNA molecules to the target organ in the patient.

Polymer technology developed by CSIRO chemists is being adapted to bind and protect these siRNAs for therapeutic applications. Biologists from CSIRO-AAHL are testing these polymers in cells and animals to determine their effectiveness and to assist in improving the polymer design.

Dr Felice Jacka
Barwon Health

Health & Lifestyle Award

World Health Organisation has stated that depression will become the second-most common cause of disability in the world by 2020, despite the increased energy devoted to recognition and treatment.

We have recently discovered that a poor quality diet is associated with a greater likelihood of both depression and anxiety in women from the Barwon region, and this groundbreaking discovery has been reported internationally. We are now repeating this research in men from this region. Our research findings support the development of innovative new strategies to both prevent and treat depression and anxiety, and reduce the burden of these illnesses worldwide.

Nashir Hameed
Deakin University

Early Researcher Award

The non-degradable plastics and their existing anti-natural processing methods have become a threat to our planet and are exhausting much limited petroleum resource. This project investigates a new approach to develop novel biodegradable and sustainable materials with outstanding properties from natural resources.

Renewable materials will be strategically designed and fabricated from Australian wool and natural cellulose using an environment-friendly ‘green solvent’ - ionic liquids. These new materials will be highly stable and fully biodegradable with improved mechanical and thermal properties to expand the range of applications, for which these materials can be used. The exciting results from our current research show that new materials will certainly help to build niche markets and can significantly transform Australian manufacturing industry.

Dr Aiden Beer
Deakin University

 

Smart Technology Award

Although magnesium is the lightest metal available for use in structural applications, with a density two thirds that of aluminum, the latter is preferred by industry as it is easier to process. In this project, a new magnesium alloy has been developed that can be extruded as fast as common aluminum alloys (and up to five times faster than common magnesium alloys) whilst developing enhanced mechanical properties.

The alloy will significantly reduce the cost of the final product and thus open up new opportunities for “light-weighting” in the automotive and electronics industry, particularly in the 3C’s (cameras, computers and cell phones).

Chris Scanlan
Barwon Health

 

Teaching & Learning Award

“READ the PLAY” is an innovative program which addresses the health and well being of young people.

“READ the PLAY” is a mental health literacy program designed for junior sports clubs. It was initially developed in conjunction with ORYGEN Youth Health and implemented in Geelong in 2006.

The program is being delivered to under-16 football and under-15 netball clubs within the Geelong, Geelong and District, and Bellarine leagues.

The training is provided to nominated Player Wellbeing Officers to improve their mental health knowledge and increase their confidence and skills in guiding young people to relevant support services.

Chris Hurren &
Dr Qing Li
Deakin University

Save the Planet Award

This project involves the use of ultrasonic irradiation during raw wool cleaning (wool scouring) to improve the production process. Improvement is achieved in a number of ways that have been listed below:

• A reduction in entanglement of the fibre that causes breakage and waste during yarn manufacture
• A significant reduction in the amount of detergent and chemicals needed for the cleaning steps
• A reduction in the chemicals present in lanolin produced from the cleaning process
• A reduction in the chemicals present and hence the toxicity of the effluent from the cleaning process
• A reduction in the energy used for heating the baths by lowering the cleaning temperature

This project makes the scouring of wool a cleaner and greener process for the future sustainability of wool fibre use.

Dr Aiden Beer
Deakin University

Highly Commended Award

Tracey Hinton

CSIRO AAHL

Researcher of the Year