CSIRO scientists recognised by Geelong Awards

By August 27th, 2007

CSIRO’s Dr Scott Sheedy, Dr Stuart Lucas and Nick Schopman were among 10 scientists awarded Smart Geelong Network Researcher of the Year Awards at a dinner held at the Wool Exchange on Saturday, 25 August.

The winners were each awarded A$5,000 for their research achievements in a wide range of fields including: biomedical, biotechnology, animal health, sustainable environment, partnerships, innovation and advanced manufacturing, health and wellbeing, teaching and learning and youth in the community.

Dr Lucas, a Research Group Leader with CSIRO Materials Science & Engineering, Geelong, was awarded the Chamber of Commerce Innovation and Advanced Manufacturing Award for his work on developing a state-of-the-art computerized inspection and quality control system capable of continuously monitoring non-woven fabrics for the medical and healthcare markets. 

“The winners were each awarded A$5,000 for their research achievements in a wide range of fields including: biomedical, biotechnology, animal health, sustainable environment, partnerships, innovation and advanced manufacturing, health and wellbeing, teaching and learning and youth in the community.”

Dr Sheedy, a scientist with the Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL), was awarded the CSIRO Livestock Industries’ Animal Health Award for his work on developing a live bacterial vector to deliver prophylactic proteins to chickens to help control disease.

“Although a number of potential prophylactic proteins have already been identified in scientific literature, no suitable vectors have been isolated to date that can survive for long periods of time and deliver proteins to the appropriate area in chickens,” Dr Sheedy said.

“A reduction in disease and improved health of chickens will result in significant benefits to the poultry industry, in addition to benefiting the consumer by increasing food safety and improving food quality.” This research is funded by the Australian Rural Industries Research Development Corporation’s, Chicken Meat Program.

Mr Schopman, a Masters student working at AAHL, was awarded the BioGeelong Biotechnology Award for his research into the application of RNA interference (RNAi) as a new therapy for Nipah Virus. “Nipah virus is a zoonotic paramyxovirus which means the virus is able to infect both animals and humans,” he said. “Through our research we have demonstrated for the first time that RNAi effectively inhibits Nipah virus replication in vitro.”

The Awards dinner concluded Geelong’s Research and Learning Expo aimed at providing insight and celebrating region’s research capabilities. The Smart Geelong Network was established by the Geelong Chamber of Commerce and comprises a group of local agencies committed to developing research and lifelong learning in the Geelong region.

Download image at: CSIRO scientists recognised by Geelong Awards.

Fast facts

  • CSIRO’s Dr Scott Sheedy, Dr Stuart Lucas and Nick Schopman were among 10 scientists awarded Smart Geelong Network Researcher of the Year Awards at a dinner held at the Wool Exchange on Saturday, 25 August
  • The winners were each awarded A$5,000 for their research achievements in a wide range of fields including: biomedical, biotechnology, animal health, sustainable environment, partnerships, innovation and advanced manufacturing, health and wellbeing, teaching and learning and youth in the community