UQ researchers shortlisted for Eureka Prizes

AUniversity of Queensland researcher and a research team have been named finalists in the prestigious 2022 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes.

The event – known as the ‘Oscars’ of Australian science – will feature UQ’s Professor Sara Dolnicar and the Institute for Molecular Bioscience’s Community for Open Antimicrobial Drug Discovery (CO-ADD) team.

Professor Dolnicar is a finalist in the Leadership category for the Eureka Prize for Outstanding Mentor of Young Researchers.

The CO-ADD team is a finalist in the Research and Innovation category for the Eureka Prize for Infectious Diseases Research.

The winners will be revealed at an award ceremony in Sydney on 31 August.

Explore the work of our finalists below:

Three women wearing lab coats, latex gloves and safety goggles. They are holding and examining scientific samples.

Image: Institute for Molecular Bioscience

Professor Sara Dolnicar, ARC Australian Laureate Fellow, The University of Queensland

Professor Sara Dolnicar from UQ’s School of Business is a social scientist who – together with her Low Harm Hedonism Team – develops and tests in-field theory-driven interventions that entice consumers to behave in environmentally friendly ways.

She is also passionate about mentoring young researchers.

“I’m committed to equipping the next generation of researchers with the skills for success, while ensuring that they are driven by curiosity and passion, not bibliometric key performance indicators” Professor Dolnicar said.

“For a number of years I’ve worked on creating inspiring career development opportunities, including a shadowing program for PhD supervisor training and global mentoring platforms.”

Professor Dolnicar is a generous leader and mentor, always finding time to share her knowledge with students and early career researchers through “How To” talks.

Professor Sara Dolnicar (right) has been shortlisted for the Eureka Prize for Outstanding Mentor of Young Researchers. Image: Eureka Prize

She also assists universities in developing countries, such as the University of São Paulo in Brazil.

“With the academic publishing landscape so heavily skewed towards Western English-speaking countries, I take special pleasure in offering support to those who may start off their academic careers in a much less privileged position,” she said.

Professor Dolnicar has recently edited an open access mentoring book that features more than 100 women researchers who candidly share their experiences and offer advice to the next generation on how to navigate academia.

She has co-authored or authored more than 300 academic papers and in 2011 was awarded an Australian Research Council Queen Elizabeth II Fellowship and in 2019 a coveted ARC Laureate Fellowship.

Professor Dolnicar has been recognised for her leadership by being named a finalist for the Eureka Prize for Outstanding Mentor of Young Researchers.

Professor Sara Dolnicar sitting around a rectangular table with three students. There is a whiteboard covered in written notes behind them.

Professor Sara Dolnicar (right) has been shortlisted for the Eureka Prize for Outstanding Mentor of Young Researchers. Image: Eureka Prize

A group of 7 people standing and smiling at the camera. They are outside in front of a group of tall palm tree trunks.

The CO-ADD team has been nominated for the Eureka Prize for Infectious Disease Research. Image: Institute for Molecular Bioscience

CO-ADD, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland

Scientists from UQ’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience have turned to crowdsourcing to help combat the growing problem of microbial resistance, tapping into researchers across the world to discover the next generation of antibiotics through CO-ADD – the Community for Open Antimicrobial Drug Discovery.

CO-ADD helps researchers identify and advance new antibiotics, offering free testing of new compounds and a comprehensive searchable database to avoid duplication of research.

Associate Professor Mark Blaskovich, one of CO-ADD’s founders, said CO-ADD has now screened more than 300,000 unique compounds sent in from researchers in 45 countries.

The CO-ADD team has been nominated for the Eureka Prize for Infectious Disease Research. Image: Institute for Molecular Bioscience

“There are currently 57 million compounds registered in the Chemical Abstracts Service registry whose chemical properties remain unknown, leaving a plethora of potential antibiotics to be discovered,” Dr Blaskovich said.

“CO-ADD gives us a fantastic opportunity to investigate what this mysterious reservoir of chemical compounds can offer in the world’s race to defeat antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

“For economic reasons, most major pharmaceutical companies have exited from antibiotic discovery and development, so all the research is in the hands of academic groups and small biotech companies.”

The CO-ADD team has been recognised for their world-leading work by being named finalists for the Eureka Prize for Infectious Disease Research.

Media: communications@uq.edu.au, +61 (0)429 056 139