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AstralTraveller
15-04-2010, 11:54 AM
The Australian Academy of Science exists to "....promote science through a range of activities. It has defined four major program areas:

recognition of outstanding contributions to science
education and public awareness
science policy
international relations."

In pursuance of point 1 each year 16 scientists are elected as Fellows of the Academy (though this year 17 were elected - tied vote perhaps :shrug:). This is the highest recognition available nationally. The process is quite rigorous, including nomination by 4 Fellows and examination of credentials by 1 of the 11 specialist committees before the final voting. As may be expected, the awards this year were dominated by researchers in the bio-medical field - 8 in all. However 3 have connections to astronomy. They are:

Dr John David O’Sullivan FAA
distinguished for his work in digital signals engineering with applications in radioastronomy and wireless local area networks.

Professor Elaine Margaret Sadler FAA
distinguished for her work in high energy astrophysics and galaxy evolution.

Professor Raymond Robert Volkas FAA
distinguished for his work in theoretical particle physics, early universe cosmology and high energy astrophysics.

More details at http://www.science.org.au/news/media/25march2010.html

BTW this came to my attention becasue my immediate boss was the lone geologist elected this year.

Ric
15-04-2010, 12:19 PM
Congrats to your boss David, good to see the Geo's are still getting a mention.

What was the field of work that got her/him elected.

AstralTraveller
15-04-2010, 12:32 PM
Professor Allan Ross Chivas FAA
distinguished for his work on the geology and geochemistry of Earth-surface processes.
Professor of Geosciences, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Wollongong

His latest toy (sorry, scientific instrument) is being installed right now. It's part of a set-up to determine the temperature of formation of any carbonate mineral anytime thoughout geological history. These will be the first direct temp measurements for most of geological time. The method was developed at Caltech but now there must be a dozen labs around the world setting to do this work. I wonder who will get results first?

Ric
15-04-2010, 12:47 PM
Let's hope Wollongong gets there first.

That would be a nice feather in the cap.

Cheers