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Awards and events
MacDiarmid Awards

The MacDiarmid awards have been replaced by the Prime Minister's Science prizes which were introduced in 2009 as a way of raising the profile and prestige of science among New Zealanders.

Alan MacDiarmid Tribute 

The MacDiarmid awards were named after one of New Zealand’s greatest scientists – Professor Alan MacDiarmid – who won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 2000 for the discovery and development of conductive polymers.

Sadly, he died suddenly at his home in February 2007.

Professor MacDiarmid was a great supporter of the MacDiarmid Awards and attended each event or delivered a personal message by videoconference.

Alan MacDiarmid with Andrew Rudge, the first MacDiarmid Young Scientist of the Year

His enthusiasm and commitment to helping young people understand the importance of science was exceptional and will be sadly missed.

View our tribute video 'Legacy of the Boy Chemist' that was written and directed by Peter Burke and screened at the MacDiarmid Awards in 2007.

MacDiarmid Award Winners  

2009

 John Watt, Victoria University of Wellington

Read about the 2009 winners and finalists (PDF 7 MB). 

2008

Rebecca Mcleod, University of Otago

Watch a video clip (Windows media file 25MB) of Rebecca explaining her award winning research.

See all the information on the 2008 winners (PDF 3.5 MB).

2007

Jessie Jacobsen, University of Auckland

For research that could contribute to a cure for the fatal brain disorder Huntington’s disease.

See Jessie’s and other winning posters.

Read Jessie's winning essay.

2006

Claire French, University of Auckland

For new cell identification technology that could help solve sex crimes.

See Claire’s and other winning posters.