Updated
Cancer researcher Chris Parish has been named the 2014 Canberra Citizen of the Year.
Professor Parish has been undertaking ground-breaking cancer research for more than 40 years at the John Curtin School of Medical Research at the Australian National University.
In presenting the award, Chief Minister Katy Gallagher said Professor Parish's work has helped build Canberra's reputation as a centre for medical research excellence.
"In a direct way [it] will ultimately help to improve the quality of life of cancer sufferers both locally and across the globe," she said.
Ms Gallagher has also acknowledged 227 individuals and 11 groups that received nominations for the Canberra Gold Group award.
"The individuals and organisations that we are recognising today have lived in the ACT or been established here for more than 50 years and have all made significant contributions to our community," she said.
"This year they include groups such as the Canberra Royals Rugby Club, St Edmunds College and Hartley Lifecare as well as the Greek Orthodox Community and the Taxi Industry."
Professor Parish is pleased the research work of scientists has been acknowledged.
"Not so obvious to the community perhaps, [researchers] working away in our laboratories rather than being out in the public eye," he said.
"But I think scientists still make an incredibly important contribution to society that is probably not recognised as much as it should be in many cases."
He says the national capital has been an important place for research.
"Canberra is a world centre of research in many disciplines, not just medical research," Professor Parish said.
"The ANU and the University of Canberra do some fantastic work and also the Canberra Hospital.
"Canberrans should be proud of the research which is carried out in their city which is world leading."
Topics: awards-and-prizes, act, canberra-2600
First posted
No comments:
Post a Comment