Celebrating our women in science

Two noted University scientists have been recognised for their work in the University and wider scientific community.

Head of the School of Chemistry, Professor Frances Separovic, was awarded the Australian and New Zealand Society for Magnetic Resonance (ANZMAG) Medal, which recognises outstanding contributions to magnetic resonance.

Associate Professor Rachel Caruso, also from the School of Chemistry, was named 21st on Thomson Reuters’ top 100 materials scientists list.

Professor Separovic said receiving the medal was one of the highlights of her career and an unexpected honour. While research contributions are of primary importance, the award is also for other contributions, including teaching of magnetic resonance, and service to the discipline.

“Receiving the award made me feel respected and recognised,” she said.

“The previous recipients are outstanding scientists and I feel proud and privileged to be included in this group. Receiving the award and attending the ceremony made me realise people really noticed my work and the occasion was tremendously inspiring and memorable for me.”

Professor Separovic said most scientists, like sport stars, enjoyed being recognised for their achievements, and awards are one way of doing so.

“Professional society awards are extremely valuable, as they are recognition by your peers of a discipline-wide impact, and raise the profile of specialty areas across many fields,” she said.

Professor Separovic has also been named a 2012 Fellow of the Biophysical Society, “for her pioneering research using solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques to study the structure and dynamics of membrane-associated polypeptides”. She will receive the award in San Diego in February.

“My passion in research is membrane biophysics and NMR and both these areas cross several disciplinary boundaries, and this international award recognises my contributions to biophysics through NMR research, which is a satisfying combination,” she said.
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This article originally appeared in MUSSE – Melbourne University Staff/Student E-news, on 27 January 2012.