ABC announces top 5 science scholars

The ABC and UNSW Sydney are spotlighting five early-career science researchers through recently announced media residencies. This year, the Top 5 emerging scholars work in fields ranging from psychology to geology and were selected from more than 150 applicants from Australian universities and research institutes. Professor Emma Johnston, UNSW dean of science and Top 5 ambassador, said: "It has never been more important to raise awareness of science, to engage the public with some of the most critical global issues we have ever faced and to help inspire the next generation of scientists. “This year's exceptionally talented winners are enthusiastic about science communication and ensuring complex research discoveries reach a wide audience." The recipients will undertake a two-week residency at ABC RN, working alongside journalists and broadcasters to create content across radio, television and online. This year's Top 5 were: Dr Alex Russell, a psychologist at CQ University who is researching gambling behaviour including the role of advertising and sports micro betting Dr Chameen Samarawickrama, an eye surgeon and vision researcher at the University of Sydney, who is developing a glue to fix damaged corneas University of Wollongong geologist Dr Dominique Tanner, who is studying how precious metals are created in undersea volcanoes Dr Hannah Kirk, a cognitive scientist at Monash University, who is developing digital technology to detect and treat children's attention difficulties, and University of Tasmania neuroscientist Dr Lila Landowski, who is working on new ways to study stroke and investigating the brain processes behind fatigue. Samarawickrama, a Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists fellow, said scientific communication is essential to help patients understand their diseases and the treatments available to them. “In ophthalmology this means being better able to help people to keep their sight, their wellbeing and, often, their independence,” he added. ABC broadcaster Robyn Williams, co-adjudicator of the Top 5 applicants, said the team was struck by the high standard and "appealing conviviality" of the recipients. "They are passionate about science communication and I am looking forward to seeing them share their knowledge and expertise with the ABC's audience." UNSW and the ABC will announce the Top 5 humanities winners on Friday 12 July.