Banner promoting Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science

For the past 25 years, the Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science recipients have set the standard for excellence in science and science teaching.

Since 2000, the prizes have acknowledged the incredible work of Australian scientists, innovators and science teachers contributing towards better outcomes in Australia and globally.

This year, we celebrate and reflect on the work of prizes alumni. Their passion and commitment have made a lasting impact on the sector and community.

Over the years, prize recipients have become important role models, inspiring the next generation of researchers, innovators and science teachers. Through their achievements, they inspire all Australians to engage with science, particularly young Australians, young women and girls, and people from diverse backgrounds. 

Celebrating 25 years

Our 25-year anniversary video highlights how prizes alumni have contributed towards scientific and technological advancements, driven innovative scientific solutions and demonstrated excellence in science teaching. 

[Music plays and an image appears of a Prime Minister’s Prize, for Science medallion above the Australian Government Coat of Arms in the bottom right, and text appears: The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science 2024, Celebrating 25 Years]

[Images move through to show a static screen, green leaves with an image of a microscope in use inset in the bottom right, and a male and female using computers in the top right, and text appears: Prime Minister’s Prize for Science]

Voice over 1:  The Prime Minister's Prize for Science is open to all Australians.

[Image changes to show three inset images showing a researcher in a science lab, a tray of test tubes, and a microscope slide moving through to the right between text: Minister’s Prize for life sciences, Malcolm McIntosh Prize for physical sciences]

Voice over 2:  Each winner receives a commemorative certificate. 

[Images move through to show videos inside a circle showing hands working with electronics, fingers spinning cogs and then a 3D image turning, and text appears: Prime Minister’s Prize for Science, Celebrates the achievements of Outstanding Australian scientists]

Voice over 3:  This award highlights the importance of science and innovation to the nation's prosperity.

[Images move through to show a black screen, a close view of Professor Michelle Simmons AO smiling, various views of colleagues working together in a lab, and then various close views of lab equipment]

Professor Michelle Simmons AO:  I'm incredibly lucky. I absolutely love what I do and I literally bounce out of bed every day to get to work. 

[Image changes to show a close view and then a medium view of Professor Michelle Simmons AO talking at a podium]

I can't tell you how grateful I am to be here today and thank you for this award.

[Music plays as images move through to show Mrs Ruth Dircks talking with students outside, views of Mrs Ruth Dircks working with students in a science room, and Mrs Ruth Dircks talking and smiling at the camera]

Mrs Ruth Dircks:  I hate the use of work related to school. It's not work. It shouldn't be work. It should be just fun.

[Music plays and images move through to show a male holding a python up for students to see, a female watching a young male student using a heat gun, and Mr George Pantazis  helping two school students]

[Images move through to show Mr George Pantazis talking to the camera, Mr George Pantazis   holding a diagram while young students draw, a student using a toy motorbike, and then the student fist bumping Mr George Pantazis’ fist]

Mr George Pantazis:  To be recognised is not about me. It's about my students, showcasing the First Nations culture and preparing them for their future.

[Music plays as images move through to show two males with male students looking at a pushbike, and then images flash through of various male and female teachers working with young students]

[Images move through to show Mrs Anita Trenwith  talking at the podium, and then images flash through to show various female and male teachers working and celebrating with their students]

Mrs Anita Trenwith:  It is so important that we acknowledge and promote our good science teachers because they are the future for science.

[Music plays and image changes to show a female teacher laughing with a student, and then the image changes to show a female teacher watching a male student looking through a microscope]

[Image changes to show Dr Colin Hall talking at the podium]

Dr Colin Hall:  This award recognises the team.

[Image changes to show Dr James Whisstock talking at the podium]

Dr James Whisstock:  The team.

[Image changes to show Dr Benjamin Kile talking at the podium]

Dr Benjamin Kile: The team.

[Image changes to show Dr Katherine Trinajstic talking at the podium]

Dr Katherine Trinajstic:  Without them, I simply wouldn't be standing here this evening.

[Images move through to show an audience listening to Associate Professor Min Chen  at the podium, a close view of Associate Professor Min Chen talking, groups of researchers working in laboratories, and a close view of Associate Professor Min Chen]

Associate Professor Min Chen:  I feel so lucky to have moved to Australia, a beautiful country with such rich resources.

[Music plays as images flash through to show a female giving a presentation to a small group, and then various researchers working in various lab activities, and collaborating together] 

[Images move through to show a large audience sitting at tables listening, Professor Michael Aitken AM talking at the podium, researchers looking at a microscope, water sampling, and various other lab activities]

Professor Michael Aitken AM:  Occasions such as this gives us the opportunity to stand back and marvel at some of the amazing work being done by others.

[Image changes to show Dr Carola Vinuesa talking at the podium]

Dr Carola Vinuesa:  I feel truly honoured. 

[Image changes to show Professor Mark Dawson  talking to the camera]

Professor Mark Dawson :  I’m incredibly honoured.

[Image changes to show Adjunct Professor Alison Todd talking to the camera]

Adjunct Professor Alison Todd:  We are extremely honoured. 

[Image changes to show Professor Yuerui (Larry) Lu talking at the podium]

Professor Yuerui (Larry) Lu:  I’m incredibly humbled. 

[Image changes to show Professor Chris Greening talking at the podium]

Professor Chris Greening :  It’s really the greatest honour.

[Music plays as images move through to show researchers working in various lab activities, a teacher demonstrating to students, a microscope slide, and then a male looking at liquid in a tube]

[Images flash through to show various researchers working together in various laboratory workplaces, and then Laureate Professor Graeme Jameson AO talking at the podium]

Laureate Professor Graeme Jameson AO:  I know I'll speak for many engineers and scientists when I say how glad I am that innovation is to be recognised by such a prestigious award.

[Music plays as images move through to show Laureate Professor Graeme Jameson AO  with a female student, a cylinder with two toy ducks floating and one sinking in a white gooey substance, and then researchers in a lab]

[Images flash through to show researchers working together in various workplaces and performing various tasks, Professor Thomas Maschmeyer explaining a diagram to colleagues, and then Professor Thomas Maschmeyer talking to the camera]

Professor Thomas Maschmeyer:  It really sends a message that innovation in Australia is having an impact on a global level.

[Music plays as images flash through to show researchers at work in different fields, cells moving about on a computer screen, and Female 10 talking to the camera]

Dr Una Ryan:  It's very interesting to start with something where we know very little about it and then discover lots of really new, interesting things.

[Music plays and the image changes to show multiple medallions moving towards the camera with a network type background]

[Image changes to show a Prime Minister’s Prize for Science medallion above the Australian Government Coat of Arms in the bottom right corner under, and text appears: The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science 2024, Celebrating 25 Years]

Prizes alumni featuring in the video, in order of appearance:

  • Professor Michelle Simmons – 2023 Prime Minister’s Prize for Science
  • Ruth Dircks – 2002 Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools 
  • George Pantazis – 2022 Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools
  • Anita Trenwith – 2012 Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools 
  • Professor Colin Hall – 2016 Prime Minister’s Prize for New Innovators 
  • Professor Benjamin Kile – 2010 Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year
  • Dr James Whisstock – 2006 Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year 
  • Professor Katherine Trinajstic – 2010 Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year
  • Professor Min Chen – 2011 Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year
  • Professor Michael Aitken – 2016 Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation 
  • Professor Carola Vinuesa – 2008 Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year
  • Professor Mark Dawson – 2020 Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year
  • Adjunct Professor Alison Todd – 2022 Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation
  • Professor Larry Lu – 2023 Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year
  • Professor Chris Greening – 2023 Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year
  • Dr Amanda Barnard – 2009 Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year
  • Professor Graeme Jameson – 2015 Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation
  • Professor Thomas Maschemeyer – 2020 Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation
  • Dr Una Ryan – 2000 Prime Minister’s Prize for Achievement in the Life Sciences. 

Announcing the 2024 recipients

We’ve now published details about the recipients. Follow us on Facebook, X/Twitter and LinkedIn and #PMPrizes to celebrate their achievements.

Nominations for 2025 now open

Do you know an outstanding scientist, innovator or science teacher? Nominate a scientist or innovato or a science teacher for a prize to shine a light on their achievements and open up new opportunities. 

Nominations are open until 5:00pm AEDT on 17 December 2024.