The University of Queensland Genetics Services (UQGS) Student Research Prize.
The UQGS Student Research Prize of $1500 is given for research conducted by a PhD student that makes significant use of transgenic, knock-out or other genetically modified organisms. The winner recieves the opportunity to give an oral presentation at the conference, $1500 from AGT and a certificate of achievement.

Eligibility criteria for this award are as follows:

• Research must have been conducted by the student and form part of their PhD thesis.
• Applicants must be enrolled as a PhD student at the time of application.
• Research must make significant use of transgenic, knock-out or other genetically modified organisms.
• Student must be available to attend the conference and present their research as a talk in a suitable session.

Application Process

We encourage all eligible PhD Students to consider applying for this award. An application will consist of a copy of the applicant’s conference abstract, a brief description (one paragraph) of their contribution to the study and how genetically modified organisms were used in the work and a declaration from their primary supervisor indicating that the work is primarily that of the student.

It should be e-mailed to the conference secretariat - Annette McClellan, ASN Events, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it - Deadline is 30th October 2012

Promega Student Awards

The Promega Student Awards (up to 3x $500 each year) are intended to encourage and reward research excellence in the field of gene expression and organisation.  Winners receive the opportunity to give an oral presentation at the conference and $500 from Promega.

Eligibility criteria for these awards are as follows:

• Research must have been conducted by the student at an Australian institution and form part of their PhD thesis.
• Applicants must be enrolled as a PhD student at the time of application.
• Student must be available to attend the conference and present their research as a talk in a suitable session.

Application Process

We encourage all eligible PhD Students to consider applying for these awards. An application will consist of a copy of the applicant’s conference abstract and a brief description (one paragraph) of their contribution to the study, and should be e-mailed to the conference secretariat - Annette McClellan, ASN Events, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it - Deadline is 30th October 2012

Millennium Science Award

The Millennium Award of $1000 is granted to a young researcher working in Australia with not more than 10 years postdoctoral research experience and acknowledges outstanding contributions to Australian scientific research based on molecular biology methods, including novel analytical concepts. The winner recieves the opportunity to give an oral presentation at the conference and $1000 from Millennium.Application should be in the form of a curriculum vitae, a list of publications and a brief description of your significant contributions and should be submitted by email to: Annette McClellan, ASN Events This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Deadline is 30th October 2012.

Past winners of the award are:

2000: John Mattick, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland
2001: Levon Khachigian, School of Pathology, University of NSW
2002: Merlin Crossley, Department of Biochemistry, University of Sydney
2003: Hamish Scott, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
2004: Sean Grimmond, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland
2005: Frank Greutzner, Comparitive Genomics Group, Australian National University
2006: Jeff Craig, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital
2007: No award given
2008: Ross Waller, University of Melbourne
2009: Stuart Macgregor, Queensland Institute of Medical Research,
2010: Lee Wong, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute
2011: Luke Selth, University of Adelaide, Hanson Institute.
2012: Timothy Mercer, IMB, University of Queensland

Julian Wells Medal

The Julian Wells Medal and Lecture was established in recognition of the major contributions made by Julian Wells to the development of molecular biology in Australia, to the initiation and success of the Lorne Genome Conference and for his research in understanding genome organisation and function. Following his premature death in 1993, the Genome Conference resolved to commemorate Julian's contributions through the award of a bronze medallion and the presentation of a lecture at the Genome Conference.

Selection Criteria for the Julian Wells Medal:

The Julian Wells Medal is awarded annually to a scientist who:

• Has made an outstanding contribution to our understanding of the organisation and expression of the genome.
• Has made a major contribution to the development of this field of research in Australia.
• Has supported and/or contributed to the Lorne Genome conference

The focus of this award is on recognising the achievements of active scientists, rather than being a lifetime achievement award.

Applications should provide a statement addressing the selection criteria and a curriculum vitae within a maximum of 10 pages as specified below.

• Page format is A4 with a minimum of 2 cm margins and in Times New Roman font with a minimum size of 11pt.
• Statement address ing the selection criteria will be a maximum of 2 pages in length.
• Curriculum vitae shall be a maximum of 8 pages in length, inclusive of publications.

To meet the eligibility criteria, applications must adhere to the specified page formatting and length limits.

The recipient is selected by the Lorne Genome Inc Board.  Applications are to be submitted electronically ONLY to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Deadline for applications is Monday12th November 2012

Past recipients of the award have been:

1994: Bruce Stillman, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, USA
1995: Rob Saint, Department of Genetics, University of Adelaide
1996: Grant Sutherland, Department of Cytogenetics and Molecular Genetics, Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide
1997: Simon Easteal, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University
1998: Peter Koopman, Centre for Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Queensland
1999: Human Genome Conference in Brisbane, No Lorne Genome Conference
2000: Frances Shannon, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University
2001: David Bowtell, Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute
2002: David Tremethick, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University
2003: Susan Clark, Sydney Cancer Centre, University of Sydney
2004: Rob Richards, ARC Special Centre for the Molecular Genetics of Development, University of Adelaide
2005: Richard Harvey, The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, St Vincent's Hospital
2006: Geoff McFadden, School of Botany, University of Melbourne
2007: Richard Sturm, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland
2008: Emma Whitelaw,Queensland Institute of Medical Research
2009: John Mattick, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland
2010: Merlin Crossley, School of Molecular Bioscience, University of Sydney
2011: Sean Grimmond, IMB, University of Queensland
2012: Jean Finnegan, CSIRO, Canberra

 

 

 

The Alan Wilton Medal

"In memory of Prof Alan Wilton the UNSW Ramaciotti Centre for Gene Function Analysis would like to award an annual  travel grant to the value of AU$500 for an Australian post doc or ECR (<5 years post-PhD)  to attend the Lorne Genome conference.

Application Process

The applicant should submit a short bio and recommendation from their supervisor or superior as to why they should receive the grant. Submissions should be sent to Annette McClellan, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by October 30th.

Professor Wilton passed away, 14 October 2011, after a 20-month battle with cancer. He was 58.

Alan Norman Wilton was a prominent Australian geneticist and was passionate about dingoes. He consulted with dingo conservation groups and government agencies about the hybridisation problem that may drive the dingo to extinction.

The Head of School, Professor Bill Ballard, noted that Alan was awarded the Australian Science Communicators Unsung Hero of Science Award in 2004 for his work in identifying genetic markers that can be used to discriminate between pure dingoes and hybrids and was Patron of the Bargo Dingo Sanctuary.

Alan developed DNA testing as part of his canine disease research, which led to US and Australian patents. He provided genetic advice to dog breeders and developed DNA testing to work towards eliminating disease from breeds, particularly Border Collies.

His genetic research has been critical to dingo conservation and to the eradication of genetic diseases from various dog breeds. He was an inspiring teacher.

But most of all he was a charming, engaging and very modest colleague who contributed selflessly to the community within and beyond the university. He will be missed but his contributions will be remembered.

Alan received his BSc (Hons) in 1976 and PhD in Population Genetics on Drosophila in 1980 from The University of Sydney. He then held postdoc positions at North Carolina State University, University of California Davis, University of Western Australia, University of Adelaide and Macquarie University, during which time he started working on human molecular genetics and disease gene mapping.

Alan joined UNSW in July 1991 as a Lecturer in Genetics, being promoted to Senior Lecturer in 1995 and Associate Professor in 2011. During his career he published 57 refereed papers, and 15 other scientific publications, including 5 book chapters, and attracted more than $1 million in external research funding from first-tier funding sources. Alan was an assessor for Australian Research Council and National Health & Medical Research Council grant applications, as well as a reviewer for various academic journals.

One of Alan’s major contributions to UNSW was his role in setting up a DNA sequencing facility that ultimately led to the establishment of the Ramaciotti Centre for Gene Function Analysis, and he served on its management board and executive committees.