Canberra: A leading Australian virologist has been awarded Australia’s most prestigious award for scientific achievement for his work on Covid-19.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Wednesday evening presented Edward Holmes, an evolutionary biologist and virologist from the University of Sydney, with the PM’s Prize for Science.
Holmes, an expert on viral diseases, was also named the New South Wales (NSW) scientist of the year for 2020.
Morrison described Holmes’ role in the global scientific response to the coronavirus pandemic as “transformative.”
“Science has been at the forefront of our minds for the last 18 months, and Professor Holmes’ contribution to accelerating the development of the Covid-19 vaccine, doses of hope, as I call them, saved countless lives,” he said during an online ceremony.
“Professor Holmes exemplified why we placed our trust in science to effectively respond to Covid-19.”
