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Tuesday, 20 November 2007

The response to the first edition of Science Matters was very encouraging. Many readers have written to suggest topics we can cover as well as express their appreciation, or criticism.

The continuing high levels of activity in the faculty mean we have no shortage of stories for our newsletter. Reading this edition, you will get a good idea of how diverse the faculty is and how our staff and students continue to excel.

  • Post-graduate student Lee Hubble won awards for best new practitioner and best paper at the 18th International Symposium of the Australia and New Zealand Forensic Science Society.
  • Dr Birger Dittrich, a chemistry post-doctoral researcher, won the German Crystallographic Association's Max-von-Laue Award. Association members give this award to the young investigator they believe has made the most important contribution to crystallography in the past five years.
  • The success of our students was showcased in May at the Faculty's prize-giving ceremony. This is always an enjoyable event in our busy schedule because it gives us a chance to promote our talented and gifted students.

At a time when State and Federal Governments are concerned about the low numbers of students studying science, we are fortunate at UWA to attract many high-quality students to the faculty. Our award-winners go on to be science leaders – in universities and industry. One of them may even become another UWA Nobel Prize winner.

Recently, our current Nobel Laureate Barry Marshall visited China, speaking at events in Beijing, Hangzhou and Shanghai. It impressed me to see the high regard Chinese people have for a Nobel Prize winner. There were large audiences and extensive media coverage everywhere Barry went. In Shanghai, I am sure he attracted bigger Chinese audiences than the Rolling Stones did on their recent tour. There's no doubt science and scientists are highly regarded in China.

In April, Federal Education, Science and Training Minister Julie Bishop opened our ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology. She said she would like to see the Melbourne Cricket Ground filled with science supporters rather than sports fans – roll on the day!

In Australia, scientists' popularity may rank below sports stars and pop idols but science's importance to the community continues to increase. Developments in agriculture, health care and the fight against crime and terrorism are some of the industries dependent on scientific discoveries. Science is the driver of innovation; you have to look only at the rapid growth of the biotechnology industries and the embryonic nanotechnology industry to see the importance of science.

This issue of Science Matters will provide an insight to the contribution UWA staff and students are making to Australia's scientific enterprises.

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