Young Tall Poppy Science Award winners - NSW & ACT 2007

Dr Joshua Burns, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead / The University of Sydney, conducts clinical research trials of potential treatments for neuromuscular disorders in children. More specifically, he works on disorders affecting the feet and ankle, such as the Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT). Joshua is currently working on a world-first clinical trial to determine if vitamin C can help children with CMT, the most common of inherited nerve diseases.

Dr Vanessa Hayes, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, whose research focuses on understanding genetic differences between individuals and how these differences (variations or mutations) influence the risk of developing common human cancers. She is also interested in the rate of cancer development, patient outcomes and individual responses to therapeutic intervention. Her most significant work has been in understanding what predisposes men to prostate cancer. In 2008 she and her team begun work on the Tasmanian Devil to help comabt the deadly facial tumour disease.

Dr Emma Johnston, The University of New South Wales, researches the impact of human activities on marine communities. In particular, she investigates the effects of contaminants and introduced species on the structure and diversity of indigenous marine species in places as diverse as the Great Barrier Reef and Antarctica.

Dr Nadine Kasparian, University of New South Wales/ Prince of Wales Hospital, examines how people with a strong family history of melanoma respond to genetic testing. Genetic testing involves a blood test that searches genes for specific changes that indicate increased risk of developing a particular disease (such as melanoma) and enables at-risk patients to learn more about how they might reduce their chances of developing the disease in future. Nadine works with a team of oncologists, geneticists and psychologists to discover how this test may affect patients’ thoughts, feelings and behaviours. She is also working in collaboration with leading scientists from all over the world to develop a web-based “Melanoma Risk Calculator”.

Dr Brendan Kelaher, University of Technology, Sydney, is a marine biologist working to understand the impact of over fishing, coastal development, pollution, desalination, invasive species and climate change on marine ecosystems. His research aims to inform science-based sustainable marine management solutions to these problems. Passionate about maintaining marine ecosystems for future generations to see, his work contributes directly to ensuring the sustainable use of Australia’s marine resources in future. More

Dr Craig O'Neill, Macquarie University, aims to understand the difference between Earth and non-inhabitable planets. In developing a classification and evolutionary framework for rocky planets, he has pioneered sophisticated computer modelling tools to simulate the complex processes of planet formation driven by the hot internal workings – or tectonics – of different planets. More

Dr Matt Taylor, University of New South Wales, is working on novel approaches to the enhancement of recreational and commercial fisheries. One of the major approaches to fisheries enhancement is through releasing fish that have been reared in captivity into waterways. Matt’s research focuses on assessing stocking density and developing release techniques to suit the biology and behaviour of different fish species. Matt aims to instill in the next generation a sense of individual responsibility to contribute to the survival of the planet and its ecosystems.

Dr James Tickner, CSIRO Minerals, develops new instruments that use radiation including a 3D gamma-ray camera to find landmines and novel instruments to measure levels of contaminants in coal and detect minute amounts of precious metals like gold. He currently leads a team developing scanners for screening luggage and air cargo for drugs, explosives and weapons.

Dr Nikki Verrills, University of Newcastle, uses state-of-the-art molecular biology techniques to identify the genes and proteins in cancer cells that differ from those in normal cells – potentially causing the cancer or contributing to cancer progression. Last year 106,000 Australians were diagnosed with cancer, and over 39,200 died from cancer. It is estimated that 1 in 3 men and 1 in 4 women in Australia will be directly affected by cancer in the first 75 years of life. Nikki’s research focuses on the three most common cancers: prostate cancer in men, breast cancer in women and leukaemia in children.

Dr Carola Vinuesa, Australian National University,  whose research investigates the causes of autoimmune diseases including diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and multiple sclerosis. Carola identified a previously undiscovered gene which appears to be crucial link in the development of these diseases which affect 1 in 8 Australians.She has studied medicine and worked in India and Ghana.

Dr Lisa Wood, Hunter Medical Research Institute / University of Newcastle, explores the role of diet in the management of asthma, particularly the role of antioxidants. She is also examining the link between asthma and obesity, two conditions which are both increasing in prevalence and have a significant impact on the health of many Australians. One in nine adults and one in six children in our community are affected by asthma.