Victoria student awarded Prime Minister's Science Prize

Victoria University PhD student John Watt has received a Prime Minister’s Science Prize, New Zealand’s most valuable science awards.

The prize was among five awarded today. The prizes were introduced in 2009 to raise the profile and prestige of science among New Zealanders. They combine recognition and reward, with total prize money of one million dollars.

Mr Watt won the Prime Minister's 2009 MacDiarmid Emerging Scientist prize worth $150,000. He was also the winner of the 2009 MacDiarmid Young Scientist of the Year title.

His work into nanoparticles which improve air quality by reducing toxic vehicle exhaust emissions has been boosted with $100,000 of prize money to be used for further research and commercialisation.

Victoria University Vice-Chancellor Professor Pat Walsh says that John Watt’s success is an example of research excellence at Victoria and of the superb teaching and support of his supervisor, Dr Richard Tilley.

"John’s research is at the cutting edge. He is a true scientist—curious, hard working and committed. I’m proud that his accomplishments have been recognised at the highest level."

Two other prize winners have strong Victoria connections.

"It's impressive to note that, not only are there strong Victoria connections amongst the prize winners, but that four of the five prize winners are from Wellington," says Professor Walsh.

The Prime Minister's Science 2009 Communication Prize will give Victoria alumna Elizabeth Connor the opportunity to help change attitudes to science and encourage a greater understanding of the contribution science makes to the country.

She was encouraged into the field by Victoria Professor Sir Paul Callaghan and her prize provides $150,000 to further develop her knowledge of science media communication.

Dr Jeff Tallon, a former staff member in the School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, who still works with the MacDiarmid Institute based at Victoria University, was a joint winner of the premier Prime Minister’s Science Prize.

Dr Tallon and Dr Bob Buckley have led Industrial Research Limited's (IRL) superconductor research and commercialisation activity for 20 years. Drs Buckley and Tallon receive prize money of $500,000, with $400,000 for continued development of high temperature superconductors technology at IRL.