News: 6 December 07
Winner’s tips on entering the MacDiarmid Young Scientists of the Year Awards

"If you’re thinking of entering the 2008 MacDiarmid Young Scientists of the Year Awards, don’t hesitate – go for it," says the 2007 title winner, University of Auckland PhD student Jessie Jacobsen.

Jessie, who took the top honours for research that could contribute to a cure for the fatal brain disorder Huntington’s disease, says even the process of entering the awards was a plus for her research project.

"It makes you step back and think about what you are doing and why it’s important. It’s a challenge to clearly and simply explain your work but it really makes you focus on your overall aims."

The awards, hosted by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology (FRST?), give top marks to entries that combine brilliant, innovative research with the ability to communicate it in a way that attracts the interest of the next generation of potential scientists and researchers.

Winners are chosen after a rigorous, three-stage judging process – entrants initially submit a 750 word summary of their research and a CV which is assessed for science quality and innovation and the way it is communicated.

Shortlisted candidates are then invited to explain their research using a poster and either a short essay or video/audio clip. In the last stage, finalists present their research to a panel including some of New Zealand’s top scientists.

Jessie Jacobsen says most researchers have an abstract explaining their work and a CV, so the first stage of the competition is easy.

"None of the work involved in entering the competition cut into my ordinary day doing my PhD."

She says there is a bigger commitment for those who get through to the second stage of the competition but a lot of what’s required is "thinking rather than doing time". The third stage, where finalists present their work to a high powered panel of judges, is "more nerve wracking than time consuming" according to Jessie.

Entries for the awards opened in mid November. Young researchers and scientists have until Friday 28 March, 2008, to submit a summary of their research and academic achievements through the FRST online entry portal. Winners will be announced at a gala function in Auckland in August, 2008.

More than $50,000 worth of prizes are available, with the overall Young Scientist of the Year winner receiving $10,000 prize money and an all expenses paid trip to the UK to attend the British Association’s annual Science Festival. The five category winners each receive $5,000 and category runner-up placings receive $2,500.

Jessie says winning the MacDiarmid Young Scientist of the Year title has opened plenty of doors.

"Some of them are directly related to my career but I’ve also met a huge range of journalists, photographers and business people. Winning the title serves many career opportunities to you on a plate."

As the MacDiarmid Young Scientist of the Year, Jessie acts as an ambassador for science both in New Zealand and overseas, an experience she describes as an eye-opener.

"One of my favourite quotes to date is ‘wow you actually seem quite normal’. I’ve had so many people say that to me. The stereotype of scientists as old, eccentric, socially awkward and having no life outside the lab is still around.

"It’s really satisfying to help break that image down and to show young people that science is an exciting and vibrant career choice."

But the biggest plus for Jessie about being involved with the awards is the feedback from families affected by Huntington"s disease.

"People have told me that winning the title for my research has brought more attention to the plight of people with Huntington’s disease. I’ve had many letters of gratitude from families who could benefit from my work and nothing parallels the satisfaction that brings."

The best piece of advice Jessie says she can offer to prospective entrants in the competition is to get feedback from outside the scientific community.

"When you’re involved in the scientific detail it’s easy to forget that this detail is dead boring to someone not interested in science. Talk to others about your work and listen to what they think is exciting about it – it’s a great reality check."

The MacDiarmid awards are open to all post graduates undertaking research and postdoctoral researchers who have held a PhD for less than five years. There are five categories: Understanding Planet Earth, Science and our Society, Advancing Human Health and Wellbeing, Future Science and Technologies and Adding Value to Nature. A special award is also made for outstanding Masters’ level research.

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

For more information contact:
Maria Cobden
Senior Communications Advisor
Tel 04 917 7859 or go to the MacDiarmid Awards page.

Previous winners:
2007: Jessie Jacobsen, Auckland, for research that could contribute to a cure for the fatal brain disorder Huntington’s disease
2006: Claire French, Auckland, for new cell identification technology that could help solve sex crimes;
2005: Jessica North, Otago, for her research into environmental contamination from leaky landfills using environmental forensics in the form of isotope fingerprinting;
2004: Andrew Rudge, Canterbury, for developing techniques to deliver exact amounts of sedative drugs for critically ill patients, potentially saving millions of dollars in drug costs.

About the Foundation The Foundation for Research, Science and Technology invests over $460 million a year on behalf of the New Zealand Government, in research, science and technology. These investments are made to enhance the wealth and well being of New Zealanders.