The Australian scientist who alerted the world that Covid is transmitted through the air wins the highest scientific award | Coronavirus
When the World Health Organization announced – incorrectly, as it later became clear – in March 2020 that the Covid-19 virus was not transmitted through the air, Professor Lidia Morawska knew she had to do something.
Morawska, a renowned air quality and health expert from Queensland University of Technology, began contacting his international colleagues. I finally got it together 239 scientists Globally to highlight the risks of airborne transmission of the Sars-CoV-2 virus.
Eventually, public pressure prompted the World Health Organization and other authorities to update their public health guidelines.
For her work during the pandemic, Morawska was named one of TIME’s Most Influential People in 2021.
On Monday evening, she also received the top gong in the Prime Minister’s Science Awards, for her “pioneering research into the air we breathe”.
Morawska described receiving the $250,000 Prime Minister’s Award as an “amazing joy,” but said more importantly the award would bring attention to her field of research.
Her current work focuses on ultrafine particles — tiny pollutants that are tens to hundreds of times smaller than PM2.5 and are thought to have more significant health effects, but are not yet widely regulated.
“Because they are so small, they can reach deep into the human respiratory system,” Morawska said.
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Morawska’s recognition comes at a difficult time – the “anti-science era,” as she calls it.
“In the United States, the situation is particularly difficult,” she said. “Science and scientists are no longer listened to as they were in the past, and decisions are not based on science.” It’s a problem she hopes to address by bringing scientists together as she did during the early years of the pandemic.
“If we work individually, it is very easy to be dismissed…but ultimately, we hope that the voice of a large scientific body, which can be respected, will make a difference.”
The Prime Minister’s Science Awards, now in their 26th year, are Australia’s most prestigious awards for achievement in scientific research, innovation and teaching.
Anthony Albanese said in a statement: “I congratulate and thank Professor Morawska for her amazing work over many years which has influenced how Australia and the world mitigate the risks associated with Covid-19.
“I extend my congratulations and thanks to all the beneficiaries.”
In a category awarded for the first time this year, Professor Michael Weir received the Prime Minister’s Award for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledge Systems.
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Weir, the traditional custodian of the Gotharagoda (Shark Bay) region in Western Australia, received a $250,000 award in recognition of his marine conservation efforts. He is the founder of Tidal Moon, Australia’s first Aboriginal-owned and operated sea cucumber fishing and marine restoration company.
Wear founded the company several years after the 2010-2011 marine heatwave resulted in the loss of 22% of the seagrass beds in Shark Bay.
“When the seaweed died, we noticed that the size of the sea cucumbers increased,” he said. “We have built a free market institution… around sea cucumbers as an export commodity.”
Proceeds from the sale of sea cucumbers, primarily in cosmetics, fund the organization’s seaweed restoration efforts, with 12 indigenous divers trained so far.
The company plans to restore 20 hectares of seagrass next year.
Science Minister Tim Ayres said he was proud of the awards “which now recognize and elevate the exceptional contributions that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have made and continue to make to science and our nation”.
“Professor Michael Weir’s work exemplifies the continuing importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems to peoples, communities and place,” Ayres said in a statement.
“I’m happy to be first [recipient]“But I don’t want to be the last,” Weir said.
Other award winners include Professor Yao Zheng from the University of Adelaide, recognized for his work in producing clean hydrogen directly from seawater; and Dr. Vikram Sharma, founder of QuintessenceLabs, who was honored for translating quantum science research into cybersecurity protection.