EQUS alum receives award for excellence in measurement research
EQUS collaborator Dr Michael Vanner has been awarded one of two young researcher prizes for excellence in measurement research by the Australian Government's National Measurement Institute (NMI).
Dr Michael R. Vanner, a former EQUS postdoctoral research fellow, was awarded Australia's National Measurement Institute Prize for his outstanding contributions to precision measurement in the emerging new field of cavity quantum optomechanics.
After working at EQUS, Dr Vanner moved to the UK and is now principal investigator of the Quantum Measurement Lab at Imperial College London. He remains as a close collaborator with EQUS.
University of Adelaide’s Professor Derek Abbott received the 2018 Barry Inglis Prize for advancing the fundamental understanding of electromagnetic spectrum between microwaves and infrared, with a range of potential applications such as cancer detection, customized medicine, and quality control of pharmaceuticals.
A young researcher prize was also awarded to Mr Arman Siahvashi, a PhD Candidate in engineering at the University of Western Australia, whose work on low temperature measurements in hydrocarbons has promising applications in improving the distribution of some of the 37 million tonnes of Liquefied Natural Gas that Australia exports each year, worth over $16 billion.
Assistant Minister for Science, Senator the Hon. Zed Seselja, said that the work of Professor Abbott, Mr Siahvashi and Dr Vanner demonstrate the ongoing relevance of measurement science.
“There is almost no aspect of modern life that does not depend on, or at least benefit from, consistent, reliable measurement,” Senator Seselja said.
“Today, the NMI has recognised three leaders in measurement who have made valuable contributions to our wellbeing, to industry, and to fundamental research.”
CEO of the National Measurement Institute, Dr Bruce Warrington, noted that the announcement was held on World Metrology Day which marks the anniversary of the 1875 Metre Convention, one of the longest-standing treaties in the world.
“World Metrology Day is a reminder that the confidence we have in goods and services owes a great deal to the commitment of nations around the world to an agreed set of standards and a common language for measurement.”
Media contact: Assistant Minister Seselja's office 02 6277 3187
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The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems (EQUS) acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present.