Australian Researchers Share Prime Minister's Prize for Science

Laureate Professor Sam Berkovic and Professor Ingrid Scheffer have been jointly awarded the Prime Minister's Prize for Science for their work revealing the genetics of epilepsy.
The Prime Minister's Prize for Science is the nation's pre-eminent award for excellence in science and this year's winners received a prize of $300,000 at an awards ceremony at Parliament House last night.
The Prize recognises the duo's work on the genetic cause of many epilepsies which has led to better targeted research, diagnosis, management and treatment for different forms of the condition. The apir have recieved individual awards over the years, including Mr Berkovic being announced as the 2014 Victorian Senior Australian of the Year this week.
“In an article for The Conversation they said: “We are particularly pleased that it recognises clinical research which is a passion for both of us and is essential in taking discoveries in back to the patient, and for understanding unsolved clinical problems with the basic science tools now available to us and our collaborators.”
Other Prize Winners recognised in 2014 are:
Professor Ryan Lister – Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year for mapping how our genes are turned on and off
Dr Matthew Hill – Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year for reinventing filters for industry
Mr Geoff McNamara – Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools
Mr Brian Schiller – Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools.
Profiles, videos, photos and further information about the 2014 award recipients are available at www.industry.gov.au/scienceprizes.