Professor Gordon Wallace is getting used to winning awards for his innovative scientific research projects.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But being named 2017 NSW Scientist of the Year, was ‘’extra special’’ for the University of Wollongong researcher.
The ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science (ACES) director at UOW, will receive the honour during the 2017 Premier’s Prize for Science and Engineering, at Government House on Monday night.
Professor Wallace, who will receive a prize of $60,000, is being honoured in part for his groundbreaking work, which could pave the way for implantable 3D-printed structures containing living cells to regenerate damaged cartilage, bone and even organs.
This fusing of human biology with engineering and robotics has the potential to fix a patient’s specific medical condition – from cancer to diabetes and neural diseases – by printing a functional 3D structure containing living cells and inserting it into their body via surgery.
It is a great honour to have a fantastic team to captain and for our research to be recognised in this way.
- Professor Gordon Wallace
Earlier this year Prof Wallace and the team behind the BioPen were named a finalist in the Excellence in Interdisciplinary Scientific Research Prize category of the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes.
Read more:
Prof Wallace welcomed the latest award, adding the prize was a tribute to the work of his hard-working team.
‘’It is a great honour to have a fantastic team to captain and for our research to be recognised in this way,’’ he said.
‘’We will continue to strive to ensure that our most fundamental discoveries are translated into real applications to the benefit of our communities in the most effective way possible.’’
Professor Wallace is among 10 leading researchers, innovators and educators who will be honoured at the 2017 Premier's Prizes for Science & Engineering.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the Prizes recognise the contribution scientists and engineers make to our everyday lives.
‘’This year's Prizes again demonstrate NSW has some of the world's best and brightest scientists and technologists across a diverse range of disciplines right here in our own backyard,’’ Premier Berejiklian said.
‘’Through their inspiring ingenuity and innovation this year's winners have delivered economic, environmental, health, social and technological benefits for the global community.’’