Cells from Staphylococcus Aureus (Golden Staph)
Cells from Staphylococcus Aureus (Golden Staph)
4 February 2011

The University of Queensland’s new Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre (AID) has become the first sponsor outside of NSW of the Australian Museum’s prestigious Eureka Prizes.

The University’s recently established centre announced today that it will sponsor The Eureka Prize for Infectious Disease Research over the next three years. The $10,000 prize will be awarded to an individual or group for outstanding contribution to infectious disease research.

AID Centre Director Professor Mark Walker said: “This is an important step in raising awareness about infectious disease research both here at UQ and on an international scale.”

The Australian Museum’s Eureka Prizes reward excellence in the fields of research and innovation, science leadership, school science and science journalism and communication.

AID Deputy Director Professor Mark Schembri said the partnership with Eureka Prizes would showcase the high quality of infectious disease research being conducted in Australia.

“AID itself comprises one of the largest concentrations of infectious disease researchers nationally, many of whom are world leaders in their respective fields,” Mr Schembri said.

“Core AID research will aim to develop new diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines, outcomes that will significantly improve global human health,” he said.

AID was created to identify, understand and prevent infectious diseases by linking molecular microbiological and clinical expertise across various UQ schools, faculties and institutes.

For more information about the The Eureka Prize for Infectious Disease Research visit http://eureka.australianmuseum.net.au/eureka-prize/infectious-diseases-research)

For more information about AID visit http://www.uq.edu.au/aid/

Media: Professor Mark Walker 07 3346 1623
Professor Mark Schembri 07 3365 3306