UNSW sets Eureka record

UNSW researchers have set a new record for nominations in the Eureka Prizes this year, with 10 individuals and research groups named as finalists for the prestigious science awards.

Five academics and research groups from the Faculty of Science, and an equal number of individuals and schools from the Faculty of Engineering are in contention in eight award categories for the 2008 Eureka Prizes. The record nominations figure eclipses the previous one, also set by UNSW, in 2006.

Recognising UNSW's leadership in frontier technology and environmental research, the University's finalists are drawn from the fields of photovoltaics, solar hydrogen, quantum computing, nanotechnology, taxonomy, environmental conservation and climate change.

UNSW Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research), Professor Les Field, said the nominations were an outstanding achievement.

"Our continued success in these prestigious prizes is a strong reflection of the ongoing quality of research being undertaken at UNSW. I congratulate all finalists on their achievement in being selected as amongst the best researchers in the country," he said.

UNSW's 2008 Eureka Prize finalists are:

Professor Bob Clark, Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computer Technology, is a finalist for the CSIRO Eureka Prize for Leadership in Science.

Professor Andrew Dzurak, of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computer Technology, has been co-nominated with Professor David Jamieson from the University of Melbourne for the University of New South Wales Eureka Prize for Scientific Research.

Nicole Kuepper, a lecturer in the School of Photovoltaic & Renewable Energy Engineering is a contender for British Council Eureka Prize for Young Leaders in Environmental Issues and Climate Change and is also nominated for the People's Choice Award for her ground-breaking work on developing an innovative, cheap and simple photovoltaic device that promises to bring affordable electricity to over 2 billion of the world's poorest people. To vote for Nicole in the People's Choice Award click here.

Dr Leigh Sheppard, Senior Research Associate in the Centre for Research in Energy Conservation, is a finalist for the British Council Eureka Prize for Young Leaders in Environmental Issues and Climate Change.

Professor Gerry Cassis, of the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, has been nominated for the Inaugural ABRS Eureka Prize for Taxonomic Research.

Federation Fellow Professor Matthew England, Dr Alex Sen Gupta, Dr Caroline Ummenhofer and Dr Agus Santoso from the UNSW Climate Change Research Centre are co-nominated with Dr Mike Pook from CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research for the Land & Water Australia Eureka Prize for Water Research and Innovation.

Professor Richard Kingsford of the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, is a contender for the Australian Government Eureka Prize for Promoting Understanding of Science.

And UNSW's world-leading School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering has been nominated collectively for the IAG Eureka Prize for Innovative Solutions to Climate Change.

Media Contact, Faculty of Engineering: Peter Trute | 02 9385 1933 | 0410 271 826 | p.trute@unsw.edu.au

Media Contact, Faculty of Science: Dan Gaffney | 0411 156 015 | d.gaffney@unsw.edu.au