Eureka Prize 2024 finalists announced

The annual Australian Museum Eureka Prizes has recognised eight researchers from the University of Sydney for their contributions and achievements in early career research, outstanding mentorship, environmental research and STEM inclusion.

The prizes are one of Australia’s top science awards, celebrating achievements across a broad spectrum of science, from environmental to innovative technologies, citizen science, leadership and mentoring.

The Australian Museum Eureka Prizes ceremony will be held on Wednesday 4 September 2024 in Sydney.

Faculty of Engineering

Dr Ann Na Cho – Eureka Prize for Outstanding Early Career Researcher

Using stem cell biology and tissue engineering, Dr Ann Cho has invented a sophisticated lab-grown human brain model enabling more comprehensive neuroscientific research than traditional animal models. These innovative tissue-engineered models mimic human brain physiology and pathology, enabling studies of COVID-19 infection on the brain, and contribute to neurodegeneration studies.

Professor Peter Banks and Sensory Conservation Team – Eureka Prize for Environmental Research

Pest animals cost Australia over $1 billion annually and threaten hundreds of native species. Professor Peter Banks and his team (Professor Clare McArthur, Dr Catherine Price, and Dr Malcolm Possell) have developed 'olfactory misinformation' to reduce this damage. By synthesising and dispersing odours pest animals use to find certain foods, they are effectively hiding things, like grain crops, seedlings and nesting birds. This reduces damage by more than 70 percent and avoids the need for toxic poisons.

Associate Professor Haryana Dhillon – Eureka Prize for Outstanding Mentor of Researchers

Associate Professor Haryana Dhillon’s career focuses on building capacity in psychological and behavioural support services to create a workforce ready to meet future healthcare challenges. A psycho-oncology leader and mentor for over two decades, she empowers professional development for staff through education, practical support and by providing clinical research opportunities.

The CLOAK team, University of Sydney and University of Technology Sydney – Eureka Prize for STEM Inclusion

This creative project challenged a science stereotype by bringing together LGBTQIA+ scientists from the University of Sydney (Associate Professor Alice Motion, Dr Victoria Rawlings, Professor Lee Wallace and PhD Candidate Kelly Panchyshyn), the University of Technology Sydney (Dr Todd Robinson and Associate Professor Cherine Fahd), and emerging fashion designers to reinvent the traditional white lab coat as a symbol of queer pride. The collaborative design process and resulting garments were documented in photographs and film to celebrate diversity, inclusion and identity in STEM.

Dr Mengyu Li – Eureka Prize for Outstanding Early Career Researcher

Motivated by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Horizon Fellow Dr Mengyu Li's research quantifies the true cost of global demand for services and consumer goods - for example, food and energy. Through advanced computer modeling, her work maps intricate international supply chains, revealing their toll on society and the environment, while suggesting sustainable pathways for the future.

Professor Kate Jolliffe – Eureka Prize for Outstanding Mentor of Researchers

Professor Kate Jolliffe’s research and leadership have enhanced Australia’s standing in the relatively young field of supramolecular chemistry. To help close the gender gap, she supported the foundation of the international ‘Women in Supramolecular Chemistry’ network. Her committed mentorship has resulted in over 150 researchers appointed to senior academic and industry roles.

Professor Anita Ho-Baillie – Eureka Prize for Scientific Research

Professor Anita Ho-Baillie is looking beyond silicon solar to create the next generation of solar cells, by harnessing metal halide perovskites, which have strong light absorption properties. They are easy to be produced and are printable.  Used in tandem with silicon, multi-layer perovskite solar cells are more energy efficient.

Professor Carolyn Hogg and the Threatened Species Initiative – Eureka Prize for Environmental Research

Understanding genetic resilience and what causes disease in wildlife and plants is crucial in the field of conservation. Professor Carolyn Hogg and the Threatened Species Initiative have developed the first complete process for managing the genetics of threatened species. By linking geneticists with conservation partners, their data and tools are revolutionising how we protect our unique species.

The Threatened Species Initiative team includes:

• Professor Kathy Belov (University of Sydney)
• Kym Ottewell (WA Dept Conservation, Biodiversity & Attractions) 
• Sarah Richmond (Bioplatforms Australia)
• James Biggs (Zoo & Aquarium Association Australasia)
• Peter Latch (Federal Dept Climate Change, Energy, the Environment & Water)
• Maurizio Rossetto (Botanic Gardens of Sydney)