OzGrav is proud to celebrate Professor Matthew Bailes, Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery, as a 2024 recipient of the prestigious Prime Minister’s Prize for Science. This recognition follows his recent Shaw Prize in Astronomy, cementing his standing as one of the world’s foremost astrophysicists.
Reflecting on the prize, Professor Bailes said, “It’s an amazing honour to receive the 2024 Prime Minister’s Prize for Science. If you told me as a child that one day I would receive a prize from the Prime Minister, I don’t think I would’ve believed you.”
Professor Bailes and his team first discovered fast radio bursts (FRBs) in 2007, significantly advancing scientific understanding of the universe. FRBs are intense bursts of radio waves that can last from less than a millisecond to a few seconds and are considered one of the great mysteries of the cosmos. “Professor Bailes’ work on fast radio bursts has created a vital new area of astrophysics that is unlocking the Universe’s mysteries in ways we could not have previously predicted,” said Professor Virginia Kilborn, Chief Scientist at Swinburne University of Technology.
Using archival data from Murriyang, CSIRO’s Parkes radio telescope on Wiradjuri Country, and the Molonglo radio telescope, Professor Bailes and his team discovered 27 of the first 30 FRBs. These discoveries now serve as a cornerstone for scientists studying some of the universe’s most powerful objects. Professor Brian Schmidt remarked, “Professor Bailes was instrumental in building special hardware for Murriyang, CSIRO’s Parkes radio telescope, enabling novel techniques to study short-duration pulsar pulses.” Professor Bailes now leads Australia’s research into FRBs, pulsars, and gravitational waves at OzGrav, testing gravity theories and advancing the scientific community’s understanding of the universe.
In addition to his groundbreaking research, Professor Bailes is a strong advocate for education and is dedicated to fostering the next generation of Australian scientists and engineers. “I get a lot of joy out of nurturing the next generation of scientists. I enjoy working with smart and passionate people,” he said, reflecting on his role as a mentor. “I love giving talks at schools and bringing students into the lab to see how scientists work.”
This year’s Prime Minister’s Prize for Science marks the 25th anniversary of Australia’s highest scientific honour, which celebrates groundbreaking achievements. Professor Bailes’ research exemplifies the global impact of Australian science and serves as an inspiration for future generations of scientists and innovators.
Watch the amazing video below where Matthew talks about the incredible discovery of Fast Radio Bursts! Hear the excitement behind the first detection and learn how these cosmic signals are reshaping our understanding of the universe.
Read the media release here: https://www.industry.gov.au/publications/prime-ministers-prizes-science-2024/2024-prime-ministers-prize-science
Video Credit: Department of Industry, Science and Resources