Prime Minister’s $1 million science prizes presented

Media Release – FRIDAY 26TH NOVEMBER, 2010

Prime Minister’s $1 million science prizes presented

The Prime Minister’s Science Prizes, which combine recognition and prize money of $1 million, have been presented in Auckland today.

The top prize has been awarded to a team of Victoria University of Wellington researchers for their magnetic resonance (MR) discoveries which are now used throughout the world in new imaging methods and research techniques. They have also created a new export industry for New Zealand.

The winning Magnetic Resonance Innovation team is led by Professor Sir Paul Callaghan and includes four of his former PhD students: doctors Robin Dykstra, Mark Hunter, Andrew Coy and Craig Eccles. Their initial work was carried out at Massey University, relocating to Victoria through the 2000s.

Professor Callaghan began researching the use of magnetic resonance more than 35 years ago. He is now the world expert in some areas of MR research and his fellow team members have also made significant international impact.

The five scientists established Wellington technology company Magritek in 2004. Magritek has increased revenue by 50 per cent in each of the five years it has been operating, through international sales, and earns millions of export dollars for New Zealand.

Other prize winners are:

The Prime Minister’s 2010 MacDiarmid Emerging Scientist Prize goes to University of Auckland scientist, Dr Donna Rose Addis, who is at the international forefront of brain research. She has designed experiments and uses MRI scanning techniques to examine brain function and learn how imagination is lost or impaired when the brain is unable to tap into its memory bank. Dr Addis’s research could lead to new therapies for diseases like Alzheimer’s. Dr Addis receives $200,000, with $150,000 to be used for further research.

The Prime Minister’s 2010 Science Teacher Prize has been presented to teacher Steve Martin from Howick College, Auckland, for his development of a virtual classroom, using technology to deliver online science lessons through the school intranet. He has rewritten junior science programmes which break learning down into different levels of thinking, enabling students to learn at their own pace. Mr Martin receives $50,000 and Howick College receives $100,000.

The Prime Minister’s 2010 Future Scientist Prize goes to 17-year-old Bailey Lovett, a Bluff student who attends James Hargest College in Invercargill. Bailey’s research into water quality and shellfish contamination has resulted in Environmental Southland changing its recommendations around harvesting of shellfish after severe weather events, with the public now being advised to wait five days rather than two. Bailey wins a scholarship worth $50,000 to help pay for her tertiary studies.

The Prime Minister’s 2010 Science Media Communication Prize has been presented to Dr Cornel de Ronde, a principal scientist with Crown Research Institute GNS Science. Dr de Ronde is currently working on a documentary about his search for evidence of the geothermal system associated with the Pink and White Terraces, which were destroyed in the Tarawera eruption in 1886. Dr de Ronde, who manages the multi-million dollar Mineral Wealth of New Zealand science programme, has helped create a new field of scientific research in New Zealand focused on the hydrothermal vents, or sea floor hot springs, associated with underwater volcanoes marking the Pacific Ring of Fire. He receives $50,000 with another $50,000 allocated for developing his science media communication skills.

In addition to a monetary award, recipients of Prime Minister’s Science prizes receive an award-winning trophy that was created by Industrial Research Limited and is based on the helix or Möbius Strip.
The presentation of the Prime Minister’s Science Prizes is the culmination of a month’s celebration of New Zealand scientific excellence which has seen a range of science awards presented, including the Royal Society of New Zealand’s Research Honours.
To find out more about the Prime Minister’s Science Prizes visit:
www.pmscienceprizes.org.nz

ENDS

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