State's future science leaders win prestigious award

Queensland’s 25 most outstanding and innovative contributors to science and science education were named as Peter Doherty Award winners today, to coincide with National Science Week which runs from 16 to 24 August.

Education and Training Minister Rod Welford congratulated the students, teachers, schools and organisations on their success in the $85,000 awards program, named after leading Queensland scientist and Nobel laureate Professor Peter Doherty.

“These awards aim to encourage interest in science and science education and promote science, engineering, technology and innovation as career options for young Queenslanders,” Mr Welford said.

“We’re pleased to be able to reward these high achievers and give them an incentive to further their science studies or strengthen their education programs.

“This year’s nominations were of a very high standard and winners should be justifiably proud of their efforts.”

Mr Welford said 10 senior science students won $2000 each, 10 science teachers won $5000 each, two laboratory assistants (operations officers) won $3000 each and three science education partners won $3000 each.

“These students, teachers, schools and organisations demonstrated an outstanding contribution to, or achievement, in science and science education in Queensland,” he said.

Mr Welford said the Peter Doherty Awards for Excellence in Science and Science Education program was a key part of the State Government’s Science Education Strategy 2006-2009.

“As Queensland is the Smart State, it’s important to encourage more young Queenslanders to pursue careers in science as well as to improve the quality of science education,” he said.

“An awards program such as this is a great way to raise the profile of science education and nurture tomorrow’s science leaders.”

Winners will be presented with their awards at a ceremony in Brisbane on 21 October.

Australian of the Year in 1997, Professor Doherty and his Swiss colleague Rolf Zinkernagel were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physiology and Medicine in 1996 for discovering the nature of cellular immune defence.

Full list of winners follows.

Media contact: Marnie Stitz or Emma Clarey on 3237 1000

2008 PETER DOHERTY AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN SCIENCE AND SCIENCE EDUCATION WINNERS

OUTSTANDING SENIOR SCIENCE STUDENTS
Kathryn Zealand, Brisbane Girls’ Grammar School
Anna Braganza, Clayfield College, Brisbane
Frances Potter, Spinifex State College, Mount Isa
Jonathon Aspinall, Western Cape College, Weipa
Andrew Buckley, Kirwan State High School, Townsville
Stephanie Tucker, Isis District State High School, Childers
Lin (Linda) Yen, St Peters Lutheran College, Brisbane
Wes Draper, Kilcoy State High School, Sunshine Coast
Tanya McDonald, Mountain Creek State High School, Sunshine Coast
Talia Trigger, Girls Grammar School, Rockhampton

OUTSTANDING TEACHERS OF SCIENCE
Jo-ann Bates, Burpengary Meadows State School, Brisbane
Adam Richmond, Clontarf Beach State High School, Brisbane
Carissa Marshall, Northern Beaches State High School, Townsville
Kerry Low, Woongarra State School, Bundaberg
Nick Johnstone, St Luke’s Anglican School, Bundaberg
Rosemary Marszalek, Pomona State School, Sunshine Coast
Alan Allinson, Brisbane Girls’ Grammar School
Ray Freeman, Woree State High School, Cairns
Sarah Chapman, Townsville State High School
Amanda Speare, Ryan Catholic College, Townsville

SCIENCE OPERATIONS OFFICERS
Jeffrey Miles, Toowoomba State High School
Eunice Wallis, Immanuel College, Maroochydore

SCIENCE EDUCATION PARTNERSHIPS
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, represented by Kerrie Rubie
University of Southern Queensland, represented by Janet Verbyla
Griffith University, represented by Randall Hall