UNSW Sydney Professor Adelle Coster and Scientia Associate Professor Matthew Baker were recognised by The Australian Society for Biophysics (ASB).
Two leading researchers from UNSW's Faculty of Science have won major national awards for their work in quantitative biology, biomedicine and biophysics.
Professor Adelle Coster won the coveted Bob Robertson Award for her outstanding contributions to biophysics. The medal commemorates the work of Sir Rutherford (Bob) Robertson in advancing both the Society and Australian science.
The honour holds special significance for Prof. Coster, whose father, Hans Coster, was the first recipient of the Bob Robertson Award.
"As a second-generation biophysicist I've grown up understanding the power of interdisciplinary research and I've also had some amazing role models along the way," Prof. Coster said.
Associate Professor Matthew Baker received the McAulay-Hope Prize for original and innovative biophysics, which recognises pioneering and creative approaches in the field.
Celebrating UNSW's leadership in Australian biophysics
UNSW Dean of Science Scientia Professor Sven Rogge congratulated both academics on their prestigious awards.
"This is remarkable recognition for Professor Adelle Coster and Associate Professor Matthew Baker. To see UNSW researchers awarded Australia's highest honours in biophysics is a testament to their outstanding contributions and to the strength of our community in this field," Prof. Rogge said.
"Their achievements highlight the leadership role UNSW plays in advancing discovery and innovation at the intersection of biology and physics."
Prof. Coster and A/Prof. Baker will be formally presented with their medals at the ASB Annual Conference on the Gold Coast in November.
As a second-generation biophysicist I've grown up understanding the power of interdisciplinary research and I've also had some amazing role models along the way.
Recognising decades of scientific impact
Prof. Coster is an applied mathematician who develops mathematical models to understand complex biological processes. Her work has applications from insulin signalling and glucose transport to heart rhythms and protein dynamics.
Prof. Coster has been involved with the ASB for more than three decades. The award acknowledges her leadership, research impact and dedication to fostering the biophysics community across the country.
"The Australian Society for Biophysics came about in 1975 because there was no natural home for people doing biophysical research," Prof. Coster said.
"Biophysics is so interdisciplinary, so the society was formed to bring this very diverse cohort together. I've been involved in the ASB for a long time - the science has always been stimulating, and the community fantastic.
"It was a pleasure to be of service to the community and facilitate the connections between researchers at all career stages."
Top honour for originality in biophysics research
A/Prof. Matthew Baker leads a team in UNSW's School of Biotechnology & Biomolecular Sciences (BABS), investigating how bacteria "swim". He said receiving the McAulay-Hope Prize for original and innovative biophysics was a great privilege.
"I'm really honoured to win this prize because throughout my career I've been very passionate about trying to bring microbiology and physics together - and biophysics is one place where that happens," he said.
A/Prof. Baker started his career in statistical physics, which led him to investigate bacteria and microbiology .
"I like to think about complex systems, and what are the fundamental sets of equations we can use to simplify or summarise them - and then make predictions about them."
His work helps understand the complex and microscopic elements that build our world.
"We can start to use tractable model organisms - microbes - to explain fundamental rules about the world in which we live. So, I try and get those equations of life."
