Official portrait of the recipients at Parliament House with the Chief Scientist, Prime Minister and Minister.

Left to right: Dr Andrew Horsley; Professor Andrew F Wilks; Professor Matthew Bailes; Dr Cathy Foley, Australia's Chief Scientist; the Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Prime Minister of Australia; the Hon Ed Husic MP, Minister for Industry and Science; Mr Daniel Edwards; Ms Alice Leung; Distinguished Professor Tianyi Ma; Professor Britta Regli-von Ungern-Sternberg; and Dr Chris Burns.

The 2024 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science recognised recipient achievements in scientific research, research-based innovation and excellence in science teaching.

These showcased astronomy discoveries, medical innovations, quantum breakthroughs, renewable energy solutions and creative ways to inspire our next generation.

Award-winning wildlife scientist, Dr Vanessa Pirotta, emceed the ceremony at Parliament House on Tuesday 8 October. Guests from across the Australian science, research, technology and education community attended the presentation dinner.

The Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Prime Minister of Australia, and the Hon Ed Husic MP, Minister for Industry and Science, announced the recipients. Highlights from the presentation will be available soon.

This year the prizes celebrates 25 years of achievements in science, innovation and science teaching. 

This year also boosts the prize amounts for primary and secondary science teaching. This recognises the importance of high-quality science teaching and the vital role teachers play in supporting Australia’s future STEM workforce.

2024 prize recipients

2024 Prime Minister’s Prize for Science
Prof Bailes received the prize for his world-first discovery of fast radio bursts. This is helping scientists to understand how much normal matter exists in the universe. The prize also recognises his leadership of Australian astronomy research centres.
2024 Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation
Prof Wilks and Dr Burns received the prize for inventing and commercialising a drug called momelotinib. It treats myelofibrosis, a rare form of blood cancer.
2024 Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools
Mr Edwards received the prize for creating unique opportunities for students of all abilities and backgrounds to overcome challenges and engage with STEM subjects. This is opening their mind to a career in science.
2024 Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools
Ms Leung received the prize for her creative teaching strategies to equip students from diverse backgrounds with STEM knowledge and skills for the future.
2024 Prize for New Innovators
Dr Horsley received the prize for his groundbreaking innovations towards making quantum computing an everyday technology. His work is unlocking a range of potential new applications in Australia and the world.
2024 Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year
Prof Regli-von Ungern-Sternberg received the prize for her life-changing research into reducing risks associated with anaesthesia for children. Her work is making surgery and recovery safer.
2024 Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year
Distinguished Prof Ma received the prize for his groundbreaking work in renewable energy. This could support Australia in its clean energy transition and path to net zero.