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Friday, 9 December 2011

The University of Western Australia confirmed its reputation as the state's leader in science teaching and research with last night's announcement of the winners of the Western Australian Science Awards.

Australian Laureate Fellow and UWA Professor Richard Hobbs was named Scientist of the Year, and Professor David White was named Early Career Scientist of the Year.

Professor Hobbs is an eminent ecologist who has spent many years working to preserve key elements of unique West Australian ecosystems.  His research has laid foundations for significant developments in understanding of management and conservation of ecosystems and landscapes, management of invasive species and restoration of degraded ecosystems.

Professor David White, from UWA's Centre for Offshore Foundation Systems, is a geotechnical engineer who is pioneering a new field of research into the behaviour of shallow seabed sediments.  Results from his research are used to assess the stability of all major pipelines currently being designed to tap Australia's offshore gas resources.

Professor White was also named overall winner of the WA Young Tall Poppy Science Awards on Wednesday night.

UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Alan Robson said the awards were important recognition for outstanding scientists, continuing the tradition of UWA's staff being at the highest level of their field in WA, nationally and internationally.

The WA Scientist of the Year Awards have been dominated by UWA staff members over the past decade.  They have included Winthrop Professor Michael Tobar (2010), Winthrop Professor Cheryl Praeger (2009), Winthrop Professor Jorg Imberger (2008), Winthrop Professor David Blair (2007), Winthrop Professor Bruce Robinson (2004) and Nobel Prize Winner Winthrop Professor Barry Marshall (2002).

Media references

Professor Richard Hobbs (Australian Laureate Fellow, School of Plant Biology)  (+61 8)  6488 4691
Professor David White (UWA Centre for Offshore Foundation Systems)  (+61 8)  6488 3086
Michael Sinclair-Jones (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 3229  /  (+61 4) 00 700 783

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