Media Release

Thursday, 12 August 2004

The University of Adelaide grabbed the majority of the spoils at today's Tall Poppy Science Awards luncheon, where a high field of South Australia's leading young scientific and biomedical researchers were named.

Of the nine recipients, six are either currently associated with the University or studied at this institution.

The Tall Poppy Campaign was created by the Australian Institute of Political Science (AIPS) during the celebrations for the centenary of the birth of Australian Nobel Prize winning scientist Sir Howard Florey in 1998.

The awards recognise and reward individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to science in South Australia through their academic achievements and their community engagement in promoting science.

The following are associated with the University of Adelaide:

• Associate Professor Derek Abbott, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Director of the Centre for Biomedical Engineering, University of Adelaide.
• Dr Toby Coates, Renal Transplant Nephrologist, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, graduate.
• Dr Adam Fletcher, Senior Research Fellow, University of South Australia, graduate.
• Dr Michelle Lane, Senior Lecturer, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Adelaide.
• Dr Taher Omari, Affiliate Senior Lecturer, University of Adelaide.
• Dr Darryl Russell, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Adelaide.

"This is a fabulous achievement and endorses the outstanding work undertaken by our young scientific and biomedical researchers," Vice-Chancellor Professor James McWha said.