Burnet Institute HIV researcher wins Young Tall Poppy Science Award

Associate Professor Paul Gorry, Laboratory Head and Principal Fellow of the Centre for Virology at the Burnet Institute, is a winner in the Young Tall Poppy Science Awards VIC 2008. The Young Tall Poppy Science Awards recognise the achievements of 10 outstanding young Victorian researchers in the sciences including physical, biomedical, applied sciences, engineering and technology. Paul received the award for his internationally-recognised work in the field of HIV research focussing especially on how HIV infects cells of the brain and causes dementia and other neurological problems in patients with AIDS. Director and CEO of the Burnet Institute, Professor Brendan Crabb said,“ I am delighted that Paul’s commitment to research of the highest calibre and his career accomplishments have been recognised by this prestigious Award. “This is an outstanding achievement by one of the state’s brightest up-and-coming stars.” Paul Gorry said, “I wholeheartedly thank the Committee for this award. Important medical discoveries are made primarily through basic research efforts in the laboratory. I am looking forward to promoting science to the community, particularly young students, and to show how a career in science can make a significant difference to the health and wellbeing of individuals.” Paul is currently the recipient of an R. Douglas Wright Biomedical Career Development Award by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council. He graduated from RMIT University with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Medical Microbiology in 1994, and completed a Doctorate of Philosophy in 1998. He then undertook a three year Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at Harvard Medical School in Boston, USA, before returning to Australia in 2001 to establish his laboratory at the Burnet Institute. The Young Tall Poppy Science Awards are made on a state-by-state basis in New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory, South Australia and Victoria. The Young Tall Poppy Science Awards recognise the achievements of younger researchers (up to 40 years of age). The Awards also provide them with an opportunity to demonstrate their value as role models by promoting and encouraging an interest in science among school students and the wider community. Previous Award winners have encompassed fields as diverse as cancer research, mental health, environmental engineering, water quality, gene therapy, immunology, fuel technology, climate change, chronobiology, physiotherapy, inorganic chemistry and information technology.