NSW Scientist of the Year 2009 Category Winners

Environment, Water and Climate Change Sciences Category Winner: Professor Brett Neilan
The results of Professor Neilan's research on cyanobacteria has helped revolutionise an entire field of environmental science by identifying and characterising the four biological pathways responsible for the algae, which chokes waterways and can produce toxins that are harmful to humans and animals through contact or ingestion.

Physics, Earth Sciences, Chemistry and Astronomy Category Winner: Dr Linlin Ge
In May 2008, Dr Ge's expertise enabled detailed, near real-time satellite assessment of a devastating earthquake measuring 8.0 on the Richter Scale that struck the Wenchuan region of Sichuan Province of China, impacting 250,000 square kilometres and claiming over 80,000 lives. 
 
Biomedical Sciences Category Winner: Professor Jürgen Götz
Professor Götz's understanding of the toxicity of certain elements on the brain has been used in advancing therapeutic intervention and is contributing to the development of better treatments for sufferers of Alzheimer’s disease. There are an estimated 245,000 people with dementia in Australia.

Plant and Animal Sciences Category Winner: Professor Stephen Simpson
Professor Simpson's research on locusts and what causes them to swarm, has led to some amazing findings and his body of work has had a significant impact on a variety of scientific fields – from locust swarms to obesity, to more effective and environmentally sustainable dietary supplements for aquaculture.

Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Sciences Category Winner: Professor Gernot Heiser
Professor Heiser's group has built a number of operating systems, including the L4 microkernel which forms the core technology of his startup company Open Kernel Labs, where he serves as Chief Technology Officer. The globally-operating company, headquartered in the US with all research and development done in Sydney, has to date shipped its microkernel operating system in more than 300 million mobile phones.

Leadership in Teaching Secondary Science and Mathematics Category Winner: Mr William Adams
Mr Adams is the full-time coordinator of e2, an initiative that extends curriculum options to students by forming classes across five participating public schools.Using videoconferencing, on-line technologies and face-to-face teaching, students in collaborating institutions are able to study a range of subjects that would be unavailable to them in their individual schools.