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Government of South Australia - Department of State Development

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    11th Nov 2024
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    Science and Research

    Pioneering researchers win SA’s top science and innovation awards

    An ophthalmologist whose research is saving thousands from irreversible vision loss has been crowned SA Scientist of the Year at the 2024 SA Science Excellence and Innovation Awards.

    Professor Jamie Craig, a Matthew Flinders Distinguished Professor and Head of Ophthalmology at Flinders University and the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, received the prestigious title for his groundbreaking research on glaucoma – the leading cause of irreversible blindness affecting up to two percent of Australians.

    Jamie Craig Scientist of the Year

    Working closely with industry, Professor Craig and his team have developed the first accredited clinical genetic test which enables more accurate and earlier diagnoses and management of glaucoma to prevent vision loss in high-risk individuals.

    “Glaucoma is a common disease usually occurring in older patients where the peripheral vision is gradually lost,” Professor Craig said.

    “The patient can end up with tunnel vision or eventually no vision at all due to damage to the optic nerve.

    “The ability to be able to apply the research that we have been doing for 20 years and actually make it available to doctors and optometrists is something our whole team is very proud of.

    “We're now able to apply for the first time a personalised approach to managing glaucoma, and this will apply to other eye diseases.”

    Full list of 2024 SA Science Excellence and Innovation Award winners:

    • Scientist of the Year: Prof Jamie Craig, Flinders University and Southern Adelaide Local Health Network (SALHN)
    • Innovator of the Year: ZEISS PhotoFusion X Team: Mr Simon Holtmann, Mr Andrew Lanyon, Dr Fang Chen, Ms Nicole Kitchin and Dr Scott Clafton
    • STEMM Educator of the Year – Primary/Secondary: Mrs Jessica Simons, Trinity College Gawler
    • STEMM Educator of the Year - University/RTO: A/Prof Voula Gaganis, Flinders University
    • Excellence in Science and Industry Collaboration: Flinders University Sleep Revolution team: Prof Danny J. Eckert, A/Prof Sutapa Mukherjee, Ms Celia Tait, Ms Jessica Steens, Mr Mark Harding
    • PhD Research Excellence Award: Dr Mary Brushe, University of Adelaide

    Celebrating 20 years in 2024, the SA Science Excellence and Innovation Awards were held at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Friday, 8 November, thanks to event partner Novatech Creative Event Technology and platinum sponsors Commonwealth Bank, Telstra, and The University of Adelaide.

    read more about this year’s winners and finalists

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