2009 ABRS Eureka Prize for Early Career Species Discovery
Winner of the 2009 ABRS Eureka Prize
Dr Conrad Hoskin
Congratulations to Dr Conrad Hoskin, winner of the 2009 ABRS Eureka Prize for Early Career Species Discovery!
A number of high-quality entries were received this year from young species discovery scientists. However, it was the scope, achievements and dedication of Dr Conrad Hoskin’s work in the field of Herpetology that impressed the judges most.
The award was presented to Dr Hoskin at a ceremony in Sydney by Chris Darwin, the great-great-grandson of Charles Darwin. 2009 marks the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth and the 150th anniversary of the publication of On the Origin of Species, Darwin’s seminal work on evolutionary biology.
Dr Hoskin, who is based at the Australian National University’s School of Biology, received $10 000 in prize money.
Finalists for this year’s ABRS Eureka Prize
ABRS is delighted to announce the finalists for this year’s ABRS Eureka Prize. This year, our prize will be awarded for Early Career Species Discovery, to recognise the work of the next generation of species discovery (taxonomy) scientists and highlight the need to build capacity in the field.
The judges were pleased to see that this year’s entrants were from very different areas within the field of species discovery; covering everything from acacias and fan worms to sea spiders and geckos. The judges commended all entrants for their dedication to the field of species discovery and for their outstanding work and discoveries so far. These men and women represent the future of the field in Australia and ABRS is eager to both encourage and reward their efforts.
The finalists selected by our judges this year are…
Dr Claire Baker
Claire is an Entomology consultant from Queensland and has, in recent research, identified five new species of glow-worm as well as a new species of parasitic wasp.
Dr Conrad Hoskin
Conrad is a Herpetologist from the ACT, whose research has resulted in nine new frog and reptile species, one new gecko genus, and the rediscovery of a frog species thought to be extinct.
Dr William White
William is an Ichthyologist based in Hobart, who has, to date, identified 12 new species of shark and fish. William’s research is focused on the taxonomy of Indo-Pacific fishes, in particular sharks and rays.
ABRS would like to congratulate all three finalists and to wish them the best of luck. The winner of the award will be announced at the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes ceremony in Sydney on 18 August this year.
People’s Choice Finalists
The ABRS is excited to announce that two of its Eureka Prizes entrants have been selected as finalists for the 2009 Eureka Prizes People’s Choice Award.
Congratulations to Dr Claire Baker and Dr William White!
All six finalists have been profiled on the Catalyst website, where you can watch the video and cast you vote for the scientist of your choice.
Are you, or do you know, an early career researcher doing outstanding work in the field of species discovery (taxonomy)?
Then now’s your chance to nominate for the $10 000 ABRS EUREKA PRIZE for EARLY CAREER SPECIES DISCOVERY!
Applications for the prize are now closed
This year, the Eureka Prize sponsored by the Australian Biological Resources Study (ABRS) will be awarded to an individual or group (under 35s) for outstanding research in naming, identifying, classifying or describing Australia’s fauna or flora that has provided, or has the potential to provide, innovative or positive outcomes for industry or the environment.
Prize
$10 000
Judging criteria
Entries must address each of the following criteria:
- Innovation
- What are the innovative aspects of the research and/or its results? (e.g. develops or extends techniques/concepts or employs methods not normally used; involves innovative research/funding partners; makes information publicly available in a novel way)
- What new insights into Australian flora and fauna and/or the Australian environment have been gained as a result of this research? (e.g. new species identified; new understanding of habitat and potential impacts from climate change)
- Relevance
- What gap in Australia’s research capacity does the work address? (e.g. Is the early career researcher(s) contributing in an area where capacity is diminishing/otherwise non-existent? Is the early career researcher(s) taking advantage of an opportunity for capture and passage of skills and information from a more experienced colleague?)
- What industry or environmental need does the research address? (e.g. Does the research contribute to addressing a specific problem for Australian industry such as agriculture or fisheries? Does the research provide critical data underpinning national responses to human-induced change, for conservation planning or for the rehabilitation of degraded environments? Does the research contribute to a greater knowledge of Australia’s vulnerable and endangered species?)
- To what extent does the research respond to Australia’s unique biological circumstances?
- Impact
- To what extent has the research contributed to addressing the particular environmental or industry need identified under ‘Relevance’?
- To what extent has the research been effectively communicated to appropriate audiences? (Identify the key stakeholders — e.g. other scientists, land managers, policy makers, the general public, media — and explain how the research was communicated to them)
For more information and how to enter
Closing date
Midnight AEST, Friday 1 May 2009. Applications for the prize are now closed.
Previous Winner
2008 ABRS Eureka Prize for Outstanding Taxonomic Research — Dr Bill Humphreys
Information about Dr Bill Humphreys