Top award to IMB researcher

Winning the prestigious Roche Medal has further enhanced University of Queensland Associate Professor Jennifer Martin`s international reputation as a leader in structural biology and protein crystallography.

Bestowed by one of Australia`s premier science bodies, the Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, the Roche Medal is presented to an Australian biochemist or molecular biologist that has made significant contributions in the field.

Dr Martin, from UQ`s Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB) said she was surprised and delighted to win the award.

“The Roche Medal is unexpected but appreciated, science is about discovering how things work so any recognition, particularly from your peers, is very special,” she said.

“I have been very fortunate to work and collaborate with exceptional scientists who have all had a great influence on my research.

“I would like to pay tribute to Queensland`s Chief Scientist, Professor Peter Andrews, who supervised my Masters research and encouraged me to return to Australia to establish my own laboratory at UQ. Peter is an inspirational teacher, a great mentor and a wonderful scientist.

“As a result I am very fortunate to be involved in the IMB, which was founded by Peter Andrews and current Director Professor John Mattick in 2000. The IMB`s outstanding facilities, equipment and support have enabled me to pursue my research interests further.”

Professor Mattick said Dr Martin`s career was characterised by sustained excellence.

“Jennifer`s work in the field of protein folding and protein interactions has resulted in publications in highly respected journals such as Nature and Proceedings of the National Academy of Science,” he said.

“Jennifer has also made significant contributions to Australia`s biotechnology industry through her involvement in research that led to the biotech spin-off company Xenome, and through pioneering developments in high throughput crystallography in Australia.

“She is a member of the National Scientific Advisory Committee to the Australian Synchrotron and remains actively involved in Angstrom Art, an IMB initiative to communicate science to the general public.

Dr Martin joins Professors David Hume and Brandon Wainwright as IMB members to receive the Roche Medal.

As part of the award Dr Martin will present the Roche Lecture at the ASBMB Conference later in the year. The ASBMB aims to advance Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in Australia, facilitating research and education, and interfacing with business and the community.

Media for more information contact Associate Professor Jennifer Martin (07) 3346 2016 or Russell Griggs (07) 3346 2134.