Accolades 2011
We are proud of the wide range of honours and prizes awarded to University of Sydney people.
These awards underline their role in advancing our boundaries of knowledge, as well as their significant contribution to our local, national and international communities and the widespread respect for the ingenuity and persistence of their work.
Here are some of the University of Sydney people who have received high-profile accolades in 2011.
Staff accolades
Student accolades
Staff accolades
NATIONAL HONOURS
2011 Eureka Prizes
All of the University of Sydney finalists at in the 2011 Eureka Prizes took out the top prize in their category. The winners were Professor Ben Eggleton, Professor Rick Shine, Associate Professor David Moss, Professor Manfred Lenzen, Dr Christopher Dey, Dr Joy Murray, Professor Paul McGreevy's lab and Associate Professor Kathy Belov.
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ARC Australian Laureate Fellowships
Professor Pippa Norris
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Pippa Norris, a world-renowned expert on democracy, was named as the inaugural recipient of the Kathleen Fitzpatrick Australian Laureate Fellowship, awarded to a female researcher from the humanities, arts and social sciences disciplines.
She plans to run workshops and networking events aimed at encouraging early-career women researchers to stay in academia, and also encourage research on gender equality in elected office.
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Professor Warwick Anderson
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Warwick Anderson will use his Laureate funding to throw new light on Australia's growth as a nation and build on his fascination with ideas about race, human difference, and citizenship in the 19th and 20th centuries.
A professorial research fellow in the Department of History and the Centre for Values, Ethics, and the Law in Medicine, Anderson will work with colleagues in Brazil, New Zealand, East Timor, South Africa, Argentina and the United Kingdom to bring southern settler societies together into the global picture of 20th-century race science so we have a better insight into how human difference is understood in the countries in our region.
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2011 Queen's Birthday Honours
Officer of the Order of Australia (AO)
Alan Cameron
Deputy Chancellor of the University of Sydney
Alan Cameron was honoured for his distinguished service to business and commerce, particularly through the promotion of regulatory standards, corporate governance and professional ethics.
Mr Cameron has served as Deputy Chancellor of the University of Sydney since 2008, and currently chairs the Senate's Investment and Commercialisation Committee. He was chair of the Sydney Peace Foundation from 2004 until 2009.
His impressive list of directorships and consultancies has included the roles of chair of the Business Law Section of the Law Council of Australia, Commonwealth Ombudsman, chair of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), and chair of ASX Compliance Ltd.
Member of the Order of Australia (AM)
Professor Jennie Brand-Miller
School of Molecular Bioscience
Jennie Brand-Miller is well-known for her pioneering research into the glycaemic index (GI), which measures the effect of carbohydrates on blood sugar levels.
Her research focuses on all aspects of carbohydrates, including diet, diabetes and insulin resistance.
She was honoured for her service to education in the field of human nutrition as a researcher and academic, and as a supporter of people with a hearing impairment.
Peter FitzSimons
Fellow of Senate
Peter FitzSimons was honoured for his service to literature as a biographer, sports journalist and commentator, as well as his contribution to conservation, disability care, social welfare and sporting organisations.
The former Wallaby rugby player is a celebrated author and columnist with the Sydney Morning Herald.
An alumnus of the University of Sydney, he represents the alumni community on the Senate, the University's governing authority.
Emeritus Professor Warren Julian
Former Dean
Warren Julian served as the University’s Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning Dean until 2009.
He was honoured for his service to illuminating engineering, particularly in education and research and for his contribution to educational administration and professional associations.
His research is particularly concerned with how people respond to the lit environment, including office working environments and the development of Australian and international lighting standards.
Adjunct Associate Professor Lynne Oliver
Institute of Medical Physics
Lynne Oliver was honoured for service to medical physics in the field of radiation oncology, as well as to professional associations through holding executive roles with the Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine.
Professor Oliver served as Director of Medical Physics in the Radiation Oncology Department at Royal North Shore Hospital for 20 years until 2010.
Adjunct Professor Kerryn Phelps
School of Public Health
Kerryn Phelps was honoured for her service to medicine, particularly through leadership roles with the Australian Medical Association and for her role as a prominent general practitioner (GP).
As a practising GP and media personality, Professor Phelps has had a high profile role in Australian public health.
She was appointed as the first female federal president of the Australian Medical Association (AMA) in 2000. She is a columnist with the Medical Observer and the Australian Women's Weekly and also regularly appears on Channel Nine, Channel Ten and the ABC.
Emeritus Professor Richard Wright
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Richard Wright was honoured for his service to Indigenous and forensic archaeology and anthropology.
A prominent anthropologist, his research specialises in prehistoric Australia and forensic archaeology, particularly mass grave archaeology.
He has been called upon to investigate evidence of mass murder nationally and internationally, and has assisted in excavating World War I graves in Fromelles, as well as more recent war graves in Ukraine and Bosnia.
Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
Clinical Associate Professor Catherine Storey
Sydney Medical School
Catherine Story was honoured for her service to medicine in the field of neurology and to stroke education.
As Head of the Department of Neurology at Royal North Shore Hospital, she is particularly recognised for her work in stroke education and management.
She is the current president of the Medical Alumni Association at the University of Sydney.
Professor Peter Wolnizer
Former Dean
Peter Wolnizer was honoured for his service to higher education in the field of business and economics as an academic and administrator.
He retired as Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business at the end of 2010 after more than 12 years in the role.
During this time he oversaw significant development, playing a key role in establishing the faculty as a leading educational community in business, economics and government in the Asia Pacific region.
2011 Australia Day
Senior Australian of the Year
Emeritus Professor Ron McCallum
Throughout his career, Ron McCallum has pursued equal rights for working people across the globe and was the inaugural president of the Australian Labour Law Association from 2001 to 2009. He is a member of the first monitoring committee for the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
He was the foundation professor in industrial law at the University of Sydney, and from 2002, served five years as Dean of Law. When appointed to a full professorship in 1993 he was the first totally blind person to be appointed to such in a position in either Australia or New Zealand.
Ron McCallum plans to use his position as Senior Australian of the Year to change the attitudes of Australians to disability, to one of greater understanding and acceptance.
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Officer of the Order of Australia (AO)
Dr John William Prineas
Honorary Professor of Medicine
John Prineas was honoured for his work in the field of neurology as an academic, researcher and mentor, which has led to improvements in the lives of people with multiple sclerosis across the world. In 2009 his work received worldwide acclaim when he received the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation’s biennial Charcot Award recognising lifetime achievement in research into the understanding or treatment of multiple sclerosis – the first Australian to win this prestigious award.
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Lucy Turnbull
Board of directors, United States Studies Centre
A law graduate of the University of Sydney, Lucy Turnbull was honoured for her community service, particularly through philanthropic contributions to and fundraising support for a range of medical, social welfare, educational, youth and cultural organisations, to local government, and to business. Elected Sydney's first female lord mayor in 2003, she serves on Sydney Law School’s fund-raising committee in addition to her board position at the United States Studies Centre.
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Member of the Order of Australia (AM)
Professor Ivan Goldberg
Clinical Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and Eye Health
Ivan Goldberg is a well-respected member of the international community of researchers specialising in glaucoma, the second most common cause of blindness in the world which affects around 70 million people globally. He was honoured for his service to medicine, through national and international glaucoma support organisations, and to education.
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Professor Ian Olver
Clinical Professor of Medicine, Sydney Medical School
Ian Olver is currently Chief Executive of Cancer Council Australia and offers more than a quarter of a century of expertise as a medical oncologist and researcher, in Australia and overseas. He is a member of the Advisory Council for Cancer Australia (the federal government’s cancer control agency) and the Board of the National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre. His award recognises his service to medical oncology as a clinician, researcher, administrator and mentor, and to the community through leadership roles with cancer control organisations.
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Professor Jill White
Dean of Sydney Nursing School
A registered nurse and midwife, and President of the NSW Nurses and Midwives Board, Jill White has during her 30-year career been responsible for changing the way we approach teaching nursing and midwifery, including developing new, innovative graduate programs that have attracted national and international recognition. She was honoured for service to nursing and midwifery through the design and implementation of academic programs, through contributions to government health committees and taskforces, and to professional organisations.
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Professor Margaret McGill
Adjunct Associate Professor, Sydney Medical School and Sydney Nursing School
An international pioneer in diabetes education, Margaret McGill has worked all over the world to spread awareness and education about diabetes. Her special interest lies in assisting health professionals from developing countries, particularly the Asia, Middle East and African regions.She was honoured for service to community health in the field of diabetes management and education, particularly in support of children and adolescents, and to the establishment of medical education programs in Australia and overseas.
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Professor John Collins
Clinical Associate Professor, Sydney Medical School
Head of Department, Pain Medicine and Palliative Care at The Children's Hospital at Westmead, John Collins was honoured for his service to medicine in the field of paediatric palliative care as a practitioner, academic and researcher, and to professional organisations.
Emeritus Professor Roger Smalley
Honorary Research Associate, Sydney Conservatorium of Music
A prominent and versatile figure in contemporary music, Roger Smalley has worked as a composer, pianist and academic. He was honoured for his service to the arts as a composer, concert pianist and teacher, and as a mentor of emerging musicians and advocate for Australian and international new music.
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Member of the Order of Australia (OAM)
Professor Ben Freedman
Professor of Cardiology and Deputy Dean, Sydney Medical School
Head of the Vascular Biology Group in the Anzac Research Institute, Ben Freedman’s research interests include mechanisms of inflammatory mediation of thrombosis, inflammatory mediation of vascular disease, myocardial ischaemia and acute coronary syndromes. He was honoured for service to medicine as a clinician, educator and researcher.
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2011 Archibald Prize
Ben Quilty
Adjunct Research Affiliate, Sydney College of the Arts
Ben Quilty won Australia's most famous art prize for his portrait of the artist and art patron, Margaret Olley. Quilty is also an alumnus of the SCA, graduating with a Bachelor of Visual Arts in 1994.
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Australian Learning and Teaching Council Citations
Seven University of Sydney academics were recognised for their outstanding contributions to teaching and learning with Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC) Citations.
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Helen Drury for a decade of innovative online programs supporting student report writing in science and engineering.
Associate Professor Leon Poladian for innovative mathematics service teaching that motivates first year life sciences students in a large class setting by incorporating authentic, contemporary and socially significant material
Professor Kathryn Refshauge creates an inclusive learning environment with opportunities for each student to develop a variety of individually meaningful attributes in preparation for diverse careers.
Dr Peter Rutledge for creative approaches to chemistry teaching that engage and inspire students and significantly enhance their learning experience.
Dr Charlotte Taylor for Engaging in sustained innovation, evaluation and sharingeof teaching initiatives and learning experiences for very large first year cohorts in the biological sciences.
Dr Roger Bourne for development of innovative curricula and teaching tools that inspire students to learn.
Sandra Seno-Alday for effectively designing integrated assessment systems that inspire active and progressive learning, leading to increased dynamic learning capacity.
Science Minister's Prize for Life Scientist of the Year
Associate Professor Min Chen
School of Biological Science
Associate Professor Min Chen won the Science Minister's Prize for Life Scientist of the Year, part of the prestigious Prime Minister's Prizes for Science, for her contribution to our understanding of chlorophyll – one of the building blocks of life on Earth.
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ELECTIONS TO ACADEMIES
Election to Australian academies
Australian Academy of Science
Three University of Sydney scientists were elected as Fellows of the Australian Academy of Science in 2011, in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the advancement of world scientific knowledge.
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Professor Trevor Hambley, Dean of the Faculty of Science, was recognised for his distinguished work in bioinorganic chemistry, crystallography and molecular mechanics, including multidisciplinary research on metal anti-cancer drugs.
Professor Thomas Maschmeyer, also from the School of Chemistry, was selected for his work on materials and catalysis with applications in pharmaceuticals, process intensification and biofuels.
Wave science earned Professor Ross McPhedran his position as an Academy fellow. Professor McPhedran's work has led to improved performance in micro structured optical fibres, diffraction gratings and photonic crystals.
National Academy of Sciences
Emeritus Professor Noel Hush
School of Chemistry
Noel Hush was elected a member of the prestigious US-based National Academy of Sciences (NAS) for his excellence in original scientific research.
Among the NAS's renowned former members are Albert Einstein, Robert Oppenheimer, Thomas Edison, Orville Wright, and Alexander Graham Bell. Over 180 living Academy members have won Nobel Prizes.
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Elections to overseas academies
Royal Society
Professor Patrick Tam
Sydney Medical School
A world authority in early mouse development, Professor Patrick Tam was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society - the world's oldest scientific academy in continuous existence - for his outstanding scientific achievement and career-long contribution to science.
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Royal Academy of Engineering
Professor Yiu-Wing Mai
Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies
Yiu-Wing Mai was elected as an international fellow of the UK Royal Academy of Engineering in recognition of his groundbreaking work in the field of advanced materials and fracture mechanics.
His research has contributed to the development of asbestos-free cements, testing protocols and improved manufacturing processes.
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OTHER AWARDS AND PRIZES
National Heart Foundation - 2011 Ross Hohnen Award
Professor Jennifer Gamble
Head of Vascular Biology, Centenary Institute
Jennifer Gamble received the 2011 National Heart Foundation Ross Hohnen Award for her work on the surprising, positive changes ageing has on special blood vessel cells known as endothelial cells.
The Award recognises Professor Gamble's Ageing and the Vascular System research as the year's top grant-in-aid project to receive funding from the Heart Foundation's highly competitive research program.
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Australian Institute of Architects - Neville Quarry Architectural Education Prize
Associate Professor Anna Rubbo
Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning
Anna Rubbo was presented with the Neville Quarry Architectural Education Prize for 2011 in recognition of her exceptional and sustained commitment to architectural education, and its significance in the context of global social outcomes.
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American Academy of Sleep Medicine - Nathaniel Kleitman Distinguished Service Award
Professor Ron Grunstein
Woolcock Institute of Medical Research
Ron Grunstein was awarded the American Academy of Sleep Medicine's prestigious Nathaniel Kleitman Distinguished Service Award. He is the first recipient of the award from outside North America.
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Royal Australasian College of Physicians - John Sands Medal
Professor Elizabeth Elliott
Professor Craig Mellis
Sydney Medical School
Elizabeth Elliott and Craig Mellis were both awarded a prestigious John Sands Medal from the Royal Australasian College of Physicians for their outstanding service to Fellows of the College and its faculties.
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Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers
Professor Albert Zomaya
School of Information Technologies
Albert Zomaya received two awards from the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, the world's largest professional association dedicated to advancing technological innovation and excellence for humanity's benefit. The awards acknowledge his commitment to developing resource allocation algorithms and protocols for parallel and distributed computing
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Art Gallery of New South Wales - Anne Landa Award
David Haines
Joyce Hinterding
Sydney College of the Arts
David Haines and Joyce Hinterding won the $25,000 acquisitive Anne Landa Award for video and new media arts from the Art Gallery of NSW.
Haines and Hinterding's award winning work, The outlands invites visitors to take control and conduct their own voyage through an immersive digital world of forests, islands and futuristic interiors.
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2011 GlaxoSmithKline Australia Award for Research Excellence
Professor Kathryn North
Sydney Medical School
World leading genetic research focussed on muscle function and performance won Kathryn North the 2011 GlaxoSmithKline Australia Award for Research Excellence.
The excellence award recognised Professor North's body of work as a translational medical researcher. North's work includes the world-first discovery of a common genetic mutation that influences muscle function and performance, ACTN3.
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American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research
Associate Professor Roger Stancliffe
Faculty of Health Sciences
Roger Stancliffe was awarded the prestigious American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) Research Award. In the 40-year history of the AAIDD Research Award, Roger is the first person from the southern hemisphere to be recognised.
Roger was honored for his career-long commitment to improving the wellbeing of people with intellectual disability and the quality of the services they use, and in particular for his research achievements focused on deinstitutionalisation, community living, self-determination and choice.
International Accounting Education Standards Board
Professor Peter Wolnizer OAM
University of Sydney Business School
The outstanding international reputation of the University of Sydney Business School's accounting discipline has been further strengthened with the appointment of Peter Wolnizer as chair of the International Accounting Education Standards Board.
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House of Representatives of Cyprus
Dr Craig Barker
University of Sydney Museums
The President of the House of Representatives of Cyprus paid tribute to the tenacious efforts of the University of Sydney's archaeological team in revealing evidence of one of that country's most important cultural sites.
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Royal Australian College of Physicians
Professor John Rasko
Sydney Medical School
The Royal Australasian College of Physicians named Professor and RACP Fellow John Rasko as the 50th winner of the Eric Susman Prize 2011. This award recognises Professor Rasko’s contributions to the field of adult stem cells research and the application of this work to internal medicine.
The Eric Susman Prize is awarded annually to a Fellow of the College for the most outstanding contribution to the knowledge of any branch of internal medicine. The Prize is one of the College’s most prestigious and important awards, with the inaugural award made in 1962.
Student accolades
Philip C Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition
Sydney Law School
A team of Sydney Law School students prevailed over 130 other competing teams to be named 2011 World Champions in the highly prestigious Philip C Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition.
The contest is the world's largest moot court competition, with participants from over 500 law schools in more than 80 countries.
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Barcelona 2011 International Architecture Competition
Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning
Two Master of Architecture students Marinel Dator and Katie Yeung won first prize in the Barcelona 2011 International Architecture Competition, beating 500 other entries.
The competition was open to professional architects, which makes the students' win even more remarkable.
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Astronomical Society of Australia 2011 Bok Prize
Faculty of Science
Barnaby Norris, an astronomy student in the School of Physics, won the 2011 Bok Prize for the Best Honours Thesis in astronomy across all Australian universities.
The Bok Prize is awarded annually by the Astronomical Society of Australia to recognise outstanding research in astronomy by an honours student at an Australian university.
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Information correct at time of award.
