World’s ‘best and brightest’ minds head to NSW

The State Government has been successful at encouraging some of the world’s ‘best and brightest’ minds to relocate to NSW, build international research teams and continue their promising research.

Minister for Science and Medical Research Verity Firth said the Life Science Research Awards, a NSW Government ‘brain gain’ program, is fulfilling its mission of attracting leading international researchers to the State.

“I am pleased to confirm that the scientists we’ve successfully recruited are recognised leaders in their respective fields of research, and their relocation to NSW is a major scientific coup.  Specifically, the appointments I’m announcing will cement NSW at the leading-edge of scientific research into climate change, cardiovascular disease and natural herbicides.”

The recipients of the NSW Life Science Research Awards are:

• Dr Graham Hillis – a world-leader in cardiovascular research relocating from the United Kingdom to Sydney’s George Institute to focus on translating laboratory breakthroughs into practical treatment options for patients;
• Professor Leslie Weston of Cornell University – one of the US’s premier research universities – will relocate to the Centre for Agricultural Innovation at Charles Sturt University to work on the development of natural herbicides;
• Dr Ian Anderson from the United Kingdom will continue his research into ‘carbon accounting’ for forests at the University of Western Sydney.

Ms Firth said the NSW Government aims to boost the State’s knowledge base and research capability by attracting top scientists and researchers from the US, Europe and Asia.

“Having world class researchers working in NSW helps to attract more talent to the State, contributes to the expansion of our research facilities and adds to our collective intellectual capital,” said Ms Firth.

“The longer term aim is to see breakthrough research translated into economic, health, environmental and social benefits for NSW.”

The NSW Life Science Research Awards builds on the success of the former BioFirst Awards, which were established by the NSW Government in 2001 and attracted 13 researchers to NSW, as well as a further 39 people to take part in new research teams.

“Between 2001 and 2006, the research groups resulting from the BioFirst Awards produced 62 published papers and leveraged $6.7 million in research funding from the Commonwealth Government – a major achievement for NSW,” said Ms Firth.

December 2007