The
Florey Medal is awarded biennially. The medal recipient
receives $25,000 in prize money.
This prestigious award was established in honour
of Australia's Nobel Prize-winning scientist, Howard
Florey, who developed penicillin, with the intention
of recognising outstanding achievement by Australian
biomedical researchers.
In 2000, the Florey Medal was awarded to Professor
Jacques Miller for his discovery of the function
of the thymus, a landmark of medical research and
a breakthrough in our knowledge of the workings
of the immune system. This discovery has proved
crucial to the advance of our understanding of diseases
such as cancer, autoimmune disease and AIDS as well
as processes such as transplant rejection.
In 2002, the Medal was awarded to Professor Colin
Masters for his significant work relating to Alzheimer’s
disease, particularly the characterization of the
amyloid protein, studies of the mechanisms of its
effects in Alzheimer’s disease and the development
of new approaches to treat the disorder.
The winner of the Florey Medal in 2004 was Professor
Peter Colman for his groundbreaking structural biology
research, particularly for the discovery of a new
class of anti-influenza drugs.
The 2006 recipient was Professor Ian Frazer, Director of the Diamantina Institute for
Immunology and Cancer Research at the University of Queensland for his work in developing vaccines for Human Papillomaviruses including cervical cancer and genital warts.
The Florey Medal is part of the Australian Institute of Policy & Science's Tall Poppy Campaign, which aims to recognise and promote excellence and endeavour in all walks of life in Australia.
