Macquarie University presented its annual Research Awards and acknowledged eight of its most exceptional professors at a special awards dinner held on campus this week.

The Macquarie University Research Awards are open to all staff and postgraduate students at the University while the highly prestigious inaugural Distinguished Professor Awards recognise professors who have made an outstanding contribution to their field of scholarship or discipline and to the University.

The recipients of the 2010 Macquarie University Distinguished Professor award were: Professor Stephen Crain; Professor Naguib Kanawati; Professor Samuel Lieu; Professor Suzanne O’Reilly; Professor Ron Rapee; Professor Igor Shparlinski; Professor David Throsby and Professor Mark Westoby.

This year the Macquarie University Research Awards covered the full spectrum of research activity with one timely project looking at the dynamics between the price of crude oil and various refined products such as petroleum and plastics. When completed, energy economists could use the models created to better develop strategies to manage price risk.

Another winning project looked at how climate change is impacting aeroallergens such as pollen and mould and associated diseases such as asthma and allergic rhinitis. Yet another group of researchers have developed a high performance and flexible laser design which will set a new benchmark in ophthalmic laser photocoagulator instrumentation.

The purpose of the Macquarie University Research Awards is to focus on research excellence being undertaken at the University and reward staff and postgraduate students for outstanding performance and excellence in research and innovation.

Three nominees were shortlisted in each category. Winners received a framed certificate plus a cash prize of $2000 for an individual and $3000 for a team. The teams could include external partners to the University however; the applicant must be a Macquarie University staff member or postgraduate students.