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A Curtin University Professor has been awarded the 2010 Research Australia Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition and honour of the support he has given to health policy, practice and medical research.
Professor of Public Health, Colin Binns, receives his award this evening at the Research Australia Awards ceremony, hosted by the Governor of New South Wales, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir, at Government House in Sydney.
Professor Binns’ landmark studies have provided the evidence for improving health outcomes in the fields of nutrition, breastfeeding, cancer, drug and alcohol abuse, Aboriginal health, primary healthcare, health services and health promotion.
Recognised as a leader in health science research in Australia for more than 30 years, Professor Binns joined Curtin University in 1977. He went on to establish the School of Public Health at Curtin and a number of research centres including the National Centre for Research into the Prevention of Drug Abuse and the Centre for Health Promotion Research.
Professor Linda Kristjanson, Curtin’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Development said she was thrilled Professor Binns’ work had been recognised with this award.
“Professor Binns has dedicated his lifetime to research and health promotion and his work has brought increased understanding of nutritional health and broad benefits to Australia and across the Asia Pacific region,” Professor Kristjanson said.
Professor Binns said he was surprised but delighted to receive the award.
“I haven’t made any major discovery, but have just kept plugging on with my work over time, focusing on the two critical research areas that have a wide-ranging impact: infant nutrition and nutrition and cancer,” Professor Binns said.
“I have been privileged to work on the National Health and Medical Research Council dietary guidelines since the 1980s, and I have been involved in many of the public health nutrition documents at a national level.
“I’m very pleased that my work has made a difference to public health policy and practice in Australia.”
Professor Binns remains highly-regarded internationally, including as Deputy Editor of the Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health, and is engaged regularly as an advisor to international governments and health bodies.
Note to Editors:
Now in its eighth year, the Research Australia Awards recognise the achievements and dedication of individuals and organisations whose efforts have helped further medical research in Australia. The awardees are nominated by members of Research Australia and decided by the Research Australia Board of Directors.
There are five awards for 2010:
1. Griffith University Discovery Award
2. Macquarie Group Foundation Great Australian Philanthropy Award
3. Pfizer Australia Leadership and Innovation Award
4. Advocacy Award
5. Research Australia Lifetime Achievement Award
Research Australia is a national alliance of more than 170 organisations, with a mission to make health and medical research a higher national priority. Independent of government and not-for-profit, Research Australia’s activities are funded by its members, donors and supporters from leading research organisations, academic institutions, philanthropy, community special interest groups, peak industry bodies, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, small businesses and corporate Australia.
Contact:
Professor Colin Binns, School of Public Health, Curtin University
Tel: 08 9266 2952; Email: c.binns@curtin.edu.au
