The Andrews Labor Government has announced the winners of the 2022 Victoria Prize for Science and Innovation and Victoria Fellowships, recognising some of Victoria's top scientists and innovators. The awards celebrate 25 years of scientific excellence and provide financial support for researchers to continue their award-winning work.
Associate Professor Joshua Ooi and Professor Eric Morand from Monash University were joint recipients of the $50,000 Victoria Prize for Science and Innovation in Life Sciences. Their research focuses on developing new therapies to treat autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, which affects millions worldwide. Professor Brian Abbey from La Trobe University and Associate Professor Belinda Parker from the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre shared the award for their groundbreaking research into using nanotechnology to detect cancer cells. Their innovative technology can rapidly diagnose cancer in the laboratory, potentially saving lives worldwide.
In addition to the Victoria Prize for Science and Innovation, Minister for Industry and Innovation Ben Carroll also announced the recipients of 10 Victoria Fellowships, worth up to $18,000 each. These fellowships connect researchers with international centres of innovation excellence, enabling them to further their work and develop new scientific discoveries and innovations.
The veski Victoria Prize for Science and Innovation and the Victoria Fellowships support scientists, researchers and innovators whose work is changing lives and making significant contributions to science. To find out more about the Prize and Fellowship winners, visit www.veski.org.au/victoria-prize-fellowships.