Young researchers of the year

Research

University of Adelaide researchers have won two of the five categories in the inaugural Scopus Young Researcher of the Year Awards.

Presented last month by Senator Kim Carr, Federal Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, the awards aim to recognise and encourage Australia's best researchers aged 40 and under, judged by their research output, the impact of their research and other contributions.

Professor Corey Bradshaw won the Life Sciences and Biological Sciences category and Professor Prash Sanders won the Medicine and Medical Sciences category of the awards.

Another two University of Adelaide researchers, Professor Tanya Monro and Associate Professor Frank Grützner, were also finalists in the awards.

Professor Bradshaw is Director of Ecological Modelling at the University's Environment Institute and holds a joint position with the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI).

He is a conservation biologist who uses mathematical modelling to understand the complex interactions between plant and animal species within an ecosystem.

His research helps solve complex conservation problems, including the management of pest species, reducing extinction risk and helping preserve biodiversity.

Professor Bradshaw's significant conservation achievements include successful changes to fishing practice, to help conserve endangered grey nurse sharks following his findings on threats to the species; and work detailing the link between loss of natural forest cover and increased flood risk, which has been used in key international reports aimed at helping governments shape conservation policy.

He has published 140 scientific papers and book chapters since completing his PhD just 10 years ago, is Senior Editor of the journal Conservation Letters, and established the world's first major blog site on conservation research, ConservationBytes.com.

Professor Prash Sanders, Knapman-National Heart Foundation Chair of Cardiology Research at the University of Adelaide, is an internationally recognised heart specialist and Clinical Director of Cardiac Electrophysiology at the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH).

He graduated from the University of Adelaide with an MBBS (Honours) in 1994 and was just 34 when he returned to Adelaide in 2005 to take up his present positions.

Professor Sanders established South Australia's first dedicated clinical and experimental electrophysiology laboratories and group, attracting clinicians and researchers from around the world. It is recognised as a leading training centre for electrophysiologists.

Professor Sanders and team are at the international forefront in their research on the understanding and treatment of rhythm disturbances affecting the heart, particularly atrial fibrillation. Up to 300 patients every year at the RAH benefit from his revolutionary new treatments for atrial fibrillation.

He has published 160 papers in his field, has won numerous awards, and takes an active role in the development of health care services in the developing world.

The Scopus Young Researcher of the Year Awards have been established by Universities Australia and scientific publisher Elsevier.

Story by Robyn Mills