Two Greek Australians win in South Australia’s science and innovation awards

·

Professor Maria Makrides from the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) and artist Niki Sperou from the Centre for Marine Bioproducts Development (CMBD) at Flinders University have won in the 2022 SA Science Excellence and Innovation Awards.

The awards, held at the SA Film Corporation’s Glenside studios, recognise South Australians excelling at Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM), while showcasing the importance of science, research and innovation.

Professor Makrides took out the prestigious SA Scientist of the Year award for her working on improving the lives of pregnant women and young children through nutrition.

The SAHMRI congratulated her on her achievement on Twitter and said she has done “such an amazing job over many years… in pursuing ground-breaking research into preterm birth and other perinatal health issues.”

In an interview with The Greek Herald in August, Professor Makrides detailed how her multidisciplinary team of over 70 staff and students led the clinical studies that changed international food laws, and established specific nutrient recommendations for pregnancy and infancy worldwide.  

“To have the work my team and I have done over the last 20 odd years recognised is great,” the Professor said at the time.

Elsewhere, Ms Sperou and the team at the CMBD, led by Professor Wei Zhang, won in the Excellence in Science and Industry Collaboration category. 

Ms Sperou and her team work collaboratively with SA industry to transform sustainable materials into high-value products such as medicines, biodegradable plastics, bio-inks, nutrition drinks, and eco-friendly fertilisers.

In a previous interview, Ms Sperou had said that her Greek language skills are useful in the lab, while she often uses philosophy and mythology to explain science. 

SA’s Deputy Premier and Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Susan Close, attended the awards night and congratulated all the winners.

“With winners representing health, education, geology—as well as the cutting-edge fields of quantum physics and marine bioproducts—our future looks bright!” Ms Close said.

Almost 400 guests attended the award night which was sponsored by Novatech Creative Event Technology, Commonwealth Bank and Telstra.

greek film festival sydney new

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Sydney Metro drives dining boom from Sydenham to Crows Nest

Sydney’s new Metro line is transforming the dining scene, bringing fresh crowds to restaurants on both sides of the Harbour Bridge.

Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Ioannis Loverdos welcomed to Perth by WA Governor

Greek Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ioannis Loverdos was welcomed to Government House in Perth by WA Governor Chris Dawson.

‘Keystone criminal’ Aristides Avlonitis jailed over botched WA cocaine plot

Aristides Avlonitis has been sentenced to over nine years in prison for his role in an attempt to import over 229 kgs of cocaine into WA.

Greek Parliament passes ban on protests at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Greece’s Parliament on Wednesday approved a contentious amendment banning demonstrations in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

From Athens to Adelaide: Hellenic bonds strengthened at dinner for Loverdos

South Australia’s Greek community gathered at the Mortlock Chamber to honour visiting Deputy Minister Ioannis Loverdos.

You May Also Like

Professor Yiorgos Anagnostou visits Greek Community of Melbourne

The Greek Community of Melbourne received a visit from Professor Yiorgos Anagnostou, the Head of Greek Studies at Ohio State University.

EU greenlights €800 million Greek scheme to support non-household electricity consumers

The European Commission has approved an €800 million Greek scheme to support non-household electricity consumers.

Momentum grows as Greek taxi licence owners in NSW continue to fight for fair compensation

Greek taxi licence owners are making waves across Sydney with their demands to receive fair compensation in response to new industry reforms.