Prof Lidia Morawska, an Australian scientist renowned for her work in air quality, has been awarded the prestigious Prime Minister’s Prize for Science. This recognition comes in light of her pivotal role during the Covid-19 pandemic, where she successfully rallied a coalition of 239 scientists to advocate for the airborne transmission of the virus, influencing global health guidelines.
In March 2020, when the World Health Organization mistakenly announced that Covid-19 was not airborne, Morawska took immediate action. She reached out to international colleagues, highlighting the importance of addressing airborne transmission risks associated with Sars-CoV-2. Her efforts contributed to a significant shift in public health recommendations worldwide. For her impactful work, she was named one of Time magazine’s most influential people in 2021.
At the award ceremony on Monday evening, Morawska expressed her gratitude for receiving the $250,000 prize, stating it brings much-needed attention to her field of research. Her current focus is on ultrafine particles, pollutants that are significantly smaller than PM2.5. She noted, “Because they are so small, they can get deep into the human respiratory tract,” emphasizing the urgent need for regulatory measures.
Morawska’s recognition is particularly timely, as she describes the current climate as an “age of anti-science.” She remarked on the challenges that scientists face in the United States, where their voices are not as influential as in the past. “If we operate individually, it’s very easy to reject us,” she stated. “But eventually, the voice of a large scientific body, which can be respected, hopefully will make a difference.”
Celebrating Scientific Achievements
The Prime Minister’s Science Prizes have been awarded for 26 years, celebrating excellence in scientific research, innovation, and education. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised Morawska for her contributions, stating, “I congratulate and thank Prof Morawska for her incredible work over many years which influenced how Australia and the world mitigated risks associated with Covid-19.”
In a new category introduced this year, Prof Michael Wear received the Prime Minister’s Prize for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledge Systems. Wear, a Malgana traditional custodian from Gutharraguda (Shark Bay), was awarded the same $250,000 prize for his marine conservation efforts. He founded Tidal Moon, Australia’s first Indigenous-owned and led sea cucumber fishery, following a marine heatwave that significantly damaged local seagrass beds.
Wear explained, “When the seagrass died, we noticed that the sea cucumbers increased in size,” highlighting the innovative approach he took to create a sustainable market. Proceeds from the sea cucumber sales, primarily used in cosmetic products, support the organization’s seagrass restoration initiatives, with plans to restore 20 hectares of seagrass beds next year.
Minister for Science Tim Ayres expressed pride in the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander contributions to science, noting that Wear’s work exemplifies the significance of Indigenous knowledge systems.
Other notable recipients of this year’s awards included Prof Yao Zheng from the University of Adelaide, recognized for his developments in clean hydrogen production from seawater, and Dr Vikram Sharma, founder of QuintessenceLabs, who was acknowledged for his advancements in cybersecurity through quantum science.
The Prime Minister’s Science Prizes serve not only to celebrate individual achievements but also to inspire future generations in the field of science and technology, reinforcing the vital role that research plays in addressing contemporary global challenges.
